Anniversary Sunday 22 August 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Welcome to worship at Knox Presbyterian Bayfield on August 22nd as we celebrate the 164th Anniversary!
Announcements
Mission Moment … Saving Hospitals in Nepal
The United Mission to Nepal (UMN) was founded in 1954 as an international, interdenominational Christian mission. As COVID-19 swept through the country, affecting the lives and livelihoods of much of the population, UMN’s two mission hospitals in Tansen and Okhaldhunga experienced a funding crisis. Patients seeking care did not have the income to pay their hospital bills. UMN began a “Save Our Hospitals” campaign and reached out to partners and friends for support. Faithful supporters of UMN from around the world rallied to answer the call, including The Presbyterian Church in Canada—a UMN partner since 1974. The campaign was a huge success, receiving over one million dollars in donations.
Do you have food to share? Take your food donations to the outside bin at Trinity St James Anglican Church. Food and financial donations are welcome! Are you dealing with food insecurity? Reach out to the Bayfield Area Food Bank if you are struggling to put food on your table. Make a confidential call to: 519 955-7444 (area manager) Help is available!
We are thankful to Jean Walker, organist, for her efforts in performing the hymns for the YouTube video.
Church Signs: Until God opens the next door, praise God in the hallway
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The updated financial reports for July show income $3,627 and expenses $5,195 with a year-to-date deficit of $7,253.
This worship service was recorded ahead of time. I will be on medical leave for the remainder of August. Please reach out to Brenda McLean brmclean@hurontel.on.ca with your pastoral concerns. Rev Theresa McDonald Lee will provide emergency pastoral care during my time away.
The people of Knox Bayfield acknowledge that our community worship, live, play, and work on the traditional lands of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), and Mississauga peoples within Treaty 29, of 1827.
Hymn #730 O for a World
Call to Worship
Psalm 84:2-7; John 6:57–58; Ephesians 6:10
The living God sent the living bread from heaven to fill our hearts with strength!
In the name of the Holy Yahweh, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Joshua 24:14–18; John 6:68
Join me in prayer
God of our redemption, we confess that we have not been faithful servants. We hesitate to trust in your salvation. We have forsaken you, the living God, and have chosen to follow idols of our own making. Forgive us, O God. Lead us to heartfelt repentance that we may honor you with our lips and serve you with our lives;
through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hear the good news: Christ is the Word that offers eternal life to all who receive him. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer For Illumination
John 6:68 Ephesians 6:16-20; Psalm 84:9
Holy God, you have the words of eternal life. By your Holy Spirit, let your words pierce our darkness, strengthen our faith, and illumine our witness for you. Amen.
Readings
Psalm 84, Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn# 690 Fight the good fight
Anniversary Sunday
History. Does the mention of that word get your interest or cause your eyelids to get heavy? Hopefully, you will find the history of this church to be a little eye opening. We are becoming more aware that history cannot be viewed from just one perspective. A narrow perspective misses too much and provides little real information.
We look at the history of this congregation. When you enter the building the cornerstone declares it was built in 193??. Interesting information. It alone tells us that people were willing to build a church in the midst of a major economic depression. It also tells us that this church survived the long lasting impacts of economic disasters, World War 2, and other wars. When we dig a little deeper and look a little further a longer history can be found.
Elias Mendes-Gomes, a student minister in 2015, prepared a remarkable, in-depth report that looked at the dynamics of Knox Bayfield. His report included a brief, interesting history.[1] He reminds the reader of the impact of the 1925 formation of the United Church. The church building on highway 21 was the Presbyterian Church and became the United Church when many within the Presbyterian Church joined with the Methodists and Congregationalist churches. Elias dug deeper than the stone on the outer building of this church. He discovered the roots of this congregation originally began in 1857.
It was in 1857 that twelve Presbyterians were served communion by the Rev. Alexander MacKid. The congregation met in a grain warehouse owned by James Gairdner, Bayfield’s postmaster. James and his brother Robert were the “driving forces in setting up a Presbyterian ‘Kirk’ in Bayfield.”[2] There are conflicting records of the first church building for the congregation. One source indicates a small church was built in 1858, while another tells of a building on Howard Street overlooking the Bayfield River built in 1860. The Auld Kirk congregation was absorbed into the union of the branches of Presbyterianism when the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) was formed in 1875. Imagine that! The roots of this congregation pre-date the formation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
The congregation grew to the point of overcrowding their building at around the same time another PCC congregation moved to nearby Varna. About half of the Varna congregation joined with the Bayfield congregation and it was decided that a new sanctuary was needed. The larger congregation worshiped on the site of Bayfield’s Town Hall until the new church building was completed. The Presbyterian Church on Hwy 21 facing Clan Gregor Square was opened August 24, 1902. During the early 1900’s there were 59 families, with 130 members.
The Session minutes show discussion of joining with the Methodist and Congregational churches began in 1912. Then, the first world war had a significant impact on the discussion of a Church Union. Ultimately, in 1925 the Presbyterian Church in Canada split apart with a significant portion leaving to form the United Church in Canada. The remaining Presbyterians in Bayfield gathered together to worship again at the Town Hall site. Unfortunately the church records from 1925 to August 26, 1931 were destroyed in a house fire. This new church was built and financed through the dedicated efforts of the Bayfield congregation along with help from Presbyterian churches in surrounding towns.
The congregation was part of a two-point or three-point charge from 1931 to 1969. At different points during that time they were linked with Hensall, Clinton, and Seaforth congregations. Eventually it seemed the possibility of closure seemed imminent. Then a creative Interim Moderator suggested that Bayfield become a summer ministry. It would be open from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, led by student ministers. It was a radical approach. Thankfully, the congregation’s risk tolerance and faithful commitment encouraged the ministry to thrive. Over 37 student ministers have trained and matured in their approach to ministry by their experience with the congregation of Knox Bayfield.
In 2003 the congregation took the step to shift into a one-year contract with a 1/3rd time minister. This continued into 2004 when a half-time minister was called. The Rev Susan Brown faithfully served at Knox Bayfield from 2005 until 2011. Then a variety of pulpit supply, half time ministers and student ministers cared for your congregation between 2011 and 2018. In 2018 I was called to serve in this faith-filled congregation dedicated to missional efforts.
We look back on 164 years as a continuous, faithful congregation. The history of this little church has been tumultuous, witnessing major wars, pandemics, major economic depression and recessions, and mind-boggling social change. This congregation bears witness to the living Christ. The anniversary is a good time to acknowledge the past while moving faithfully into the future.
Praise be to God.
Hymn # 468 Be thou my vision
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: For you know of the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2Corinthians 9:7-8
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Joshua 24:18; Ephesians 6:10–19
The Lord’s prayer will be included in our Communion Prayers. Join me in prayer:
Almighty God, we dedicate ourselves to serve you, for you alone are our God.
Receive, O God, the gifts we offer with the offering of our lives through Christ.
God, we pray for the church in every land. We pray for the those who lead your church. May all who serve within the faith community persevere in their efforts to make known the mystery of the gospel. Merciful God, we pray for those who govern the nations and have authority in civic life. May they seek your wisdom in their service. May they develop insight into justice and compassion for the people they govern.
God, we pray for the sick, the poor, and the oppressed. May they sense your deep abiding love. Loving God, we pray for your planet Earth. May we take action to help others with the ravages of the pandemic. May your Spirit guide us to seek peace within our communities, to join with effective waste management efforts, and end the exploitation of Earth’s abundance.
Merciful God, there are many within our church family in need of your special care. We lift up Sandy and family; Judith; Earl & Ruth; Nicole; Rudy and Grace; Cesare and Lynn; Bonnie; Rob; Courtney and Kyla; David, Sharron and William J Kelly; Jordan, Sarah and Hazel. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges related to health and finances.
O holy One, we desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. By your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to Christ. Amen
Invitation to the Table
The unity and love we find in communion with Christ encourages us to reach out and find unity within the church. We seek communion with Christ and with our siblings in Christ. This is the communion table where all are invited and welcome to share in the feast. O taste and see that God is good.
Hymn #534 All who hunger, gather gladly
Affirmation of Faith
#539 The Apostles’ Creed* [in unison]
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Communion Prayer
(Responsive in Bold)
As we are called to come to The Table, we remember that this is the table of Jesus Christ, who has prepared a banquet for everyone.
All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice, and all who walk in love and charity with your companions on the Way are called to gather around the Table.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed and holy are you, O God, creator of all things. In the beginning, you spoke… and at your word your Spirit moved over the waters, bringing order, light, and life out of chaos. You knit together our inward parts, made us in your image and breathed breath and life into us. When we turn away from you and our love fails, your love remains constant. When we wander off and follow ways of sin and death you call us from our scattered lives to repentance, unity and peace.
Therefore, with choirs of angels and archangels and with those of every time and place, we give you praise and glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy, mighty and tender God, in time you sent word to Mary that she would conceive a son and call him Jesus and in him we saw your promises made flesh. Dwelling among us we heard and saw Good News: he preached reconciliation and the Kingdom of God, he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. In his suffering, death and resurrection, he delivered us from sin and death and revealed your living and redeeming hope for all people. And when he ascended into heaven, your Holy Spirit came to be our Counsellor and Comforter.
And so, remembering Christ’s life, love, death, and resurrection, we proclaim the mystery of faith
Christ was promised. Christ was born.
Christ has died. Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we share may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, world without end.
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.
Words of Institution and Invitation
Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you: do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood: as often as you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.’ We break this bread, the communion in Christ’s body once broken. We drink this cup, communion in Christ’s blood once shed. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Prayer after Communion
Join me in prayer…
Eternal God, we thank you for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us and we praise you for breaking into the world. Send us out in peace for we have seen, have heard, and been fed by your grace. Keep us faithful and alert for signs of Christ’s coming and lead us to live lives marked by truth and light, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Hymn # 556 Now let us from this table rise
Benediction
Living in the love of Christ, be open to God calling you into a new ministry. Go in the Spirit of peace. Jesus Christ has given us into the arms of a loving God. May God bless you and keep you this day and forevermore.
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
In the Gospel of John, Peter declares to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68–69). Are “believing” and “knowing” the same action? How does knowing something intensify our believing something?
Morning Prayer
Lord God, my sun and shield, a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Let the favor of your presence strengthen me and accompany me
everywhere I go today. Prepare me to be a sanctuary, that your light and love may radiate through me. Through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Lord God my strength, your Spirit never tires; your love never fails. I bring you my struggles, stresses, questions, and worries of this day. Where else can I go? You have the words of eternal life. Let your promises sustain my soul and comfort my heart as I rest in you, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Daily Prayer
John 6:65
Living God, your Son Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. Grant that we may come to him in faith, follow him in this world, and abide with him forever in the world to come; for he dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9, James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-23
730 O for a World
O for a world where everyone respects each others ways, where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved, where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.
We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.
The poor and rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise. Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace, where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.
623 Holy, holy, holy Words: traditional Music: F Schubert
Refrain: Holy, holy, holy, God almighty Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, everywhere adored!
God without beginning, God eternal One
reigns and rules forever all beneath the sun Refrain
Power and love and wonder circling round God’s throne
Praise our God most holy, Lord of Life alone Refrain
690 Fight the good fight
Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength and Christ your right; lay hold of life, and it shall be your joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace; lift up your eyes and seek God’s face; the way of life before you lies; Christ is the path and Christ the prize.
Cast care aside; lean on your guide; his boundless mercy will provide; trust, and your trusting soul shall prove Christ is its life and Christ its love.
Faint not nor fear, those arms are near, and, changing not, still hold you dear; hope and believe, and you shall find Christ is your all: heart, strength and mind.
461 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art, thou my best thought in the day and the night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom; be thou my true word, I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou my great Father, thine own may I be, thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
Be thou my breast-plate, my sword for the fight; be thou my armour and be thou my might; thou my soul’s shelter and thou my high tower, raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor vain earthly praise, thou my inheritance, through all my days; thou and thou only, thou first in my heart, high King of heaven, my treasure thou art!
High King of heaven, when the battle is done, grant heaven’s joy to me, O bright heaven’s Sun; heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all.
534 All who hunger, gather gladly
All who hunger, gather gladly; Holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness,
All around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, never strangers, Seeker, be a welcome guest. ome from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast. We that once were lost and scattered in communion’s love have stood. Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread. Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led. Blest are those who from this table
Live their days in gratitude. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
[1] Elias Mendes-Gomes; Diagnostic Analysis and Recommendations Knox Presbyterian Church, Bayfield
[2] Ibid, page 11