Abundance Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson Nov 22
Greetings to my church family and friends. May the grace of God be with you.
The focus of the Mission Moment is on stable housing, strong communities, and healthier lives. The Winnipeg Inner City Missions (WICM), a recognized Indigenous ministry in The Presbyterian Church in Canada, has long understood the connection between stable housing and social well-being. When a person is safely and adequately housed, it becomes easier to find employment, develop healthy relationships and break habits of addiction. WICM operates a transitional housing complex coupled with an employment program to help give people in Winnipeg’s North End and inner city a place from which to heal, grow and become who God has made them to be.
I am hopeful that our Advent book study will include people from both Knox congregations. We will be explore an online group discussion of the book “Light of the World, A beginners guide to Advent” The author is Amy Jill Levine. We will begin our Advent gathering this Sunday November 22nd from 2-3 pm on Zoom. It will continue through advent. Join in the conversation and see familiar faces. Join in regardless of whether you’re reading the book!
The Zoom link will be included in the weekly email. Would you like to be added to the congregational email list? Contact Rev Lisa (519) 572-8529 [call or text]
Income and Expense Update
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Did you know that you can provide your intentional, proportional, and faithful offerings in different ways? Cheques can be mailed in or someone will drop by to pick it up. You can use PAR, the Pre Authorized Remittance, or e-transfer. Contact Brenda McLean with your questions. Both are easy to set up. It’s easy to make changes, too. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The Session and Finance committee are diligent in their efforts to minimize expenses and meet financial commitments. The following chart illustrates the October income $5,703 and expenses in $5,287 with a year-to-date deficit of $4,982.
This worship service is on our website https://pccweb.ca/knoxbayfieldpc/ and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYgIPqvkMsDNal0b1gCiPg
We are thankful to Jean Walker, organist, for her efforts in performing the hymns for the YouTube video. Remember to go to the end of the printed material for the lyrics to the hymns.
Changes in our worship practices affect our faith community in many ways. We will join together in a virtual Communion as part of the first Sunday of Advent – next week in the November 29th worship service. You are encouraged to have the communion elements ready at home. The elements include grape juice or wine and bread. If you are able, you may wish to include a candle, a cross, and of course, your bible. Although we are apart across space and time, we will join together virtually to share the Lord’s supper.
What have you been up to during the pandemic? It would be wonderful to hear from each and every one of you from Knox Bayfield and Knox Goderich. Thank you to those who have responded with your ‘What I’ve been doing during the pandemic’ stories. Reading your notes almost felt like we were talking at the end of the worship service on a Sunday morning. So good to hear from you!
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship God with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is God that made us, and we are God’s. We are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture.
Enter the gates with thanksgiving and the courts with praise. Give thanks to God, bless God’s name. God is good, with steadfast love that endures forever, with faithfulness to all generations.
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON Ps. 100:5
Let us pray… Sovereign God, we confess that we are not ready. You guide us toward right paths and so often we refuse to follow. You love and feed and care for us, yet we fail to love and serve others. Forgive us, merciful God, so that we may return to you and rejoice in your presence. Amen.
However long we wander, however far we stray, God’s steadfast love endures forever. Sisters and brothers, be assured: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
# 61 – O come and sing unto the Lord (Psalm 95)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Eph. 1:18
Join me in prayer… Lord, open our hearts by the power of your Spirit, that we may know the hope to which we have been called in Jesus Christ Amen.
READINGS:
Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24, Psalm 100
Ephesians 1:15–23, Matthew 25:31–46
# 275 – Jesus shall reign where’re the sun
Abundance
The recent snowfall and colder weather reminds me that gardening is one of my most relaxing activities It takes very little for me to wander there in my imagination. The promise of new gardens came to mind when Paul refers to grafted branches in our readings. Although I will be moving to Grand Bend in January, thoughts of my new gardens keep popping up. I am thankful for the donated flower pots that many of you shared with me as they allowed me to transplant many of my favourites. My perennials are safely tucked away in 36 of those pots under a huge pile of leaves at my brother’s house. Gardening is just one of my responses to the readings this week.
The passages from the gospel of Matthew and Paul’s letter to the Ephesian’s may provoke a different response for you. Does gardening spring to mind? Perhaps for some … you may be aware of the many opportunities to help others. You may be mindful of how others have helped you along the way. Times when you were able to personally witness the embodiment of Christ.
Matthew’s gospel provides a vivid description of the Son of Man arriving in glory, accompanied by angels. The nations are then gathered and separated into two groups. You may have the image of Jesus as the shepherd gathering the flocks of goats and sheep. At that time in Palestine shepherds often had mixed flocks. At night, they separated the sheep from the goats. Sheep enjoyed the open air of the pasture, while goats had to be protected from the cold. The sheep were more valuable in the market and were generally preferred over goats. Jesus tells those gathered that the Son of Man will separate the sheep, who are placed at his right hand, from the goats, who are set at his left.
He declares the sheep blessed by God and they are offered the fullness of the kingdom. They are blessed because they fed the king when he was hungry, gave him drink when he was thirsty, welcomed him when he was a stranger, clothed him when he was naked, cared for him when he was sick, and visited him when he was imprisoned. These were considered Jewish works of mercy. The sheep are perplexed, because they cannot recall caring for the king in his need. They discover that they did so whenever they were merciful to one of the least of these.
The goats were sent to eternal fire because they did not feed, give drink to, welcome, clothe, or visit him in his need. Like the sheep, the goats are confused… when did they fail to serve? They discover that their lack of mercy for the least of these was actually neglect of the king. Matthew demonstrates that Jesus, interprets the Torah with an emphasis on the importance of love for all people. The ministry of compassion for others led Jesus to perform acts of mercy. The merciful will be blessed – those who hunger and thirst for righteousness respond with compassion to the hunger and thirst of others. Jesus teaches that God’s reign is now, in the present time. It is evident in acts of love, mercy, and compassion, especially toward those most in need.
When we help… when we see the need and respond, we are turning toward Christ. There is no need to determine who is deserving. Jesus identified those who are weak and vulnerable, the little ones, particularly the children. Jesus demonstrates that we are to turn toward those in need, to not turn away or avert our eyes … but to see the face of Jesus Christ on those we meet.
Perhaps most importantly, this passage is a reminder to us of the God-given dignity and value of every person. People are to be cared for, not neglected, abused, or humiliated. This teaching reaches out to us to say that God is here, in the messiness and chaos of everyday life. God gives us the gift of life—true, deep, authentic life. God saves us by touching our hearts with love.
Paul’s letter includes a prayer of intercession for the church in Ephesus. In part, the letter deals with the conflict that has occurred as the church struggles to be more inclusive. The Gentiles were not familiar with the Jewish roots of this new faith and conflicts arose. Paul reminds the reader that Christ is the head of the church and of the hope to which Christ has called them. There is an invitation to participate in Christ’s ongoing work of salvation and reconciliation. There is the gift of being joined to Christ’s body, of becoming an authentic community (koinōnia), to journey with one another in the way of Jesus Christ. For the Ephesians, and for us, that means that whether we are there in the beginning or grafted in as new branches. Just as the branch of a tree can be grafted onto the trunk of another and become integrated into the new tree. We are all welcome in Christ’s community, whether as the original trunk or a new branch.
Paul asks God for the Ephesians to have a “spirit of wisdom and revelation … so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which God has called you”. This wisdom is a practical wisdom. In a world where religious difference divided people, Paul writes that Christ has “broken down the dividing wall … the hostility between us”. Paul encourages the Ephesians to embrace the creation of a unified community in Christ. We are encouraged to follow in the ways of Christ.
When the vision shifts to the way of Christ, then we can recognize the abundance rather than scarcity. The merciful will be blessed – the people who hunger and thirst for righteousness will respond with compassion to the hunger and thirst of others. Jesus teaches that God’s reign is now, in the present time. It is evident in acts of love, mercy, and compassion, especially toward those most in need.
Praise be to God.
# 474 – The Love of God comes close
THE OFFERING OF OUR LIFE AND LABOUR TO THE LORD
QUOTE: To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own. Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001), aviatrix, writer
God created the world and it is rooted in abundant love. God generously pours love out upon all people. We are created in the image of this generous God. Our giving is a demonstration of the love that is inside of us, the love that flows out into God’s creation.
BLESSING OF GIFTS *
Join me in prayer: Holy God, use us, and these gifts, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and honor your presence in all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
You are encouraged to share your concerns and celebrations with the congregation. Your requests will be shared in the prayers of the people and kept in my daily prayers and the prayers of our congregation.
Let us pray for all people and all of God’s creation.
God, we live in a world of plenty in which the poor struggle for daily bread. We pray for those who lack the basic necessities of life and those who willingly share the resources you have given. Guide those who hoard resources out of anxiety, ignorance, or selfishness to open their eyes to the poor of the world and free them for joyful giving.
God, you encourage us to offer hospitality to the stranger and to the weary. We pray for travelers, for those who emigrate to new lands, for refugees of political and religious wars, and for those who have no place to call home. Bless those who offer refuge to the stranger.
God, you hear the cry of all who are in distress. We pray for healing for those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit Comfort them in their need and help those
who care for them. We also pray for those who are fearful and abandon the sick and suffering. Teach us to serve our sisters and brothers, our siblings in Christ, so that we might share their burdens as they suffer with disease of body, mind, and heart.
We pray for those in prison, for those who are guilty of crime and for those who are unjustly imprisoned. Save the lost, reprove the haughty, liberate the captive, and let your disciples be a sign of your forgiving, liberating love. We also pray for those who work in prisons, that they may respect the humanity of the people they guard.
Loving God, we know that you walk with us. There are many within our church family in need of your care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy and their family as Ron continues to struggle in his healing. We lift up Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney, and Grace’s daughter Lisa. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. We lift up the care-givers and those who receive care during the pandemic. We pray that your Spirit will linger with your people during this challenging time. A time of isolation that has left many feeling fragmented and in despair. Protect them in your love. We pray you will receive all these cares, loving God.
O Holy One, although we are apart and we join our voices together across space and time to speak the words that Christ taught his disciples … Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
# 65 – All people that on earth do dwell (Psalm 100)
BENEDICTION
Go in peace to love and serve God faithfully until Christ comes to welcome people home. May the grace of Christ surround you, the love of God astound you, and the Holy Spirit keep you, this day and forevermore.
Closing Chorus
May the Lord, mighty God bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, faith in every endeavor Lift your eyes and see His face, and His grace forever, May the Lord, mighty God bless and keep you forever.
Questions for Reflection
How might it change you to see the face of Christ in everyone you meet?
Morning Prayer
Almighty God, reveal to me the greatness of your power, that I may see your presence among the lowly and the lost and know the authority and sovereignty of your love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Lord Jesus, when did I see you hungry? When did I see you thirsty? When did I welcome you, or clothe you, or take care of you, or visit you? Have I ignored your claim upon my time, my attention, my resources? Open my eyes; melt my heart; enlighten my understanding. Open my eyes to see you in the world, welcome you as my sibling, and serve you in the poor, the stranger, the sick, and the prisoner. Amen.
Daily Prayer Eph. 1:21–23
God of majesty, you love us with an everlasting love and show us the way to justice and peace. In Jesus Christ you have reconciled the whole world to you and claimed us as your own, that we may live as his body on earth and, with all the saints, enter into your glory on the last day. Amen.
Scripture readings next week:
Isaiah 64:1–9, Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19, 1 Corinthians 1:3–9, Mark 13:24–37
Hymns:
61 – O come and sing unto the Lord (Psalm 95)
275 – Jesus shall reign where’re the sun
474 – The Love of God comes close
65 – All people that on earth do dwell (Psalm 100)
#61 Oh come and sing unto the Lord
Psalm 95
Oh come and sing unto the Lord;
To God our voices raise.
O Rock of our salvation,
Hear our joyful noise of praise!
Before God’s presence let us come
With praise and thankful voice;
Let us sing psalms to God with grace,
With grateful hearts rejoice.
Our God is great and reigns supreme
Above all power and might;
God’s hand still holds the depths of earth,
The mountains’ breadth and height.
The sea belongs to God alone
Who made both calm and storm,
And from the Maker’s mighty hand
The dry land took its form.
Oh come and let us worship God
As to our knees we fall;
We are God’s people; God is Lord,
The Maker of us all.
#275 Jesus shall reign
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Does its successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
For him shall endless prayer be made, And praises throng to crown his head;
His name like fragrance sweet shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue Dwell on his love with sweetest song,
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where’er he reigns: The prisoners leap to lose their chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring The honours due our glorious King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the long Amen.
#474 The Love of God comes close
The love of God comes close Where stands an open door,
To let the stranger in, To mingle rich and poor.
The love of God is here to stay, Embracing those who walk the Way;
The love of God is here to stay.
The peace of God comes close To those caught in the storm,
Forgoing lives of ease To ease the lives forlorn.
The peace of God is here to stay, Embracing those who walk the Way;
The peace of God is here to stay.
The joy of God comes close Where faith encounters fears,
Where heights and depths of life Are found through smiles and tears.
The joy of God is here to stay, Embracing those who walk the Way;
The joy of God is here to stay.
The grace of God comes close To those whose grace is spent,
When hearts are tired or sore And hope is bruised and bent.
The grace of God is here to stay, Embracing those who walk the Way;
The grace of God is here to stay.
The Son of God comes close Where people praise his name,
Where bread and wine are blest And shared as when he came.
The Son of God is here to stay, Embracing those who walk the Way;
The Son of God is here to stay.
#65 All People that on Earth do dwell
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth; his praise forth tell.
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make;
We are his flock, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
Oh enter then his gates with praise;
Approach with joys his courts unto;
Praise, laud and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why, the Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.