Walking the talk 12 September 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Welcome to worship at Knox Presbyterian Bayfield on the Sunday September 12th.
Announcements
This is our first in person gathering in 18 months! Knox Bayfield has flung open the doors for in-person worship today. We are following the familiar Ontario Step-3 COVID protocols. The COVID-19 screening questions are posted, masks are worn, physical distance of 2 metres (6.5 feet) will be kept and hand sanitizer is everywhere. We anticipate respectful co-operation as we navigate the changes in how we gather.
We are particularly thankful for the efforts of several people who have spent much time and energy ensuring we could meet in person. I applaud the dedicated efforts of our COVID safety committee – Brenda McLean, Deb Cosford, and Jim Knox. Thank you!
Welcome back to Betty Lou Norris, our pianist. I am thankful for the ongoing efforts of Jean Walker, our organist, for her efforts and for her company during the pandemic. Thank you, Jean!
Jean and Betty Lou will be playing 2 verses of the hymns during worship. We are thankful that protocols allow the hymnals and bibles to be used, however, we are not yet able to sing in the sanctuary.
This service is being recorded. We are in the process of building the audio visual equipment. Disruptions to the supply chains have delayed certain parts so we will continue recording on my phone until the equipment is assembled. Please speak with me if you are interested in learning how to use the equipment.
Church Signs: My horse’s name is Mayo … Mayo Neighs
Have you noticed an interesting or amusing church sign or bulletin blooper? Share with the congregation by adding to our collection. Send in or call Rev Lisa (contact information at bottom of page)
Retirement Party for Rev John Henderson on September 19th at Camp Kintail. John has retired as Clerk of Huron Perth Presbytery. You are invited to join in the celebration of John and Dorothy’s ministry in Huron Perth. $20 for the meal will be payable at the door. Please no gifts- your attendance is the gift (a donation to Kintail would be welcome). Register by contacting the camp at 519-529-7317 or admin@campkintail.ca
We will begin a book study at the end of September. Hopefully we will gather on Zoom and in-person! Join in the discussion …
Tuesday at 2 pm
- Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory David A Robertson. [September 28 – October 25]
- The women of the bible speak; the wisdom of 16 women and their lessons for today, Shannon Bream. Tuesday at 2 pm [November]
Sunday at 9:30 am
- The Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings, Amy Jill Levine. Sunday at 9:30 am [October & November]
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The August financial reports show income $4,596 and expenses $4,862 with a year-to-date deficit of $7,509.
Mission Moment … An Education for Robina
Robina lives with her mother, father and five siblings in a make-shift house in Afghanistan. Both of her parents are unemployed, and Robina is the only member of her family attending school. In Afghanistan, 62% of children do not attend school. Often, families with many children cannot afford uniforms and school supplies for each child. Girls are especially disadvantaged because of a shared cultural belief that if girls study, they bring shame on their families. Only one in five students in Afghan schools are female, and only about one in 10 adult women are literate. Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is passionate about ensuring a world in which all children can access quality education. Working with local partners, PWS&D helps parents and religious leaders understand girls’ rights—most importantly, the right to education.
The people of Knox Bayfield acknowledge that our community worships, lives, plays, and works on the traditional lands of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), and Mississauga peoples within Treaty 29, of 1827.
Hymn # 730 O for a world where everyone
Call to Worship[1]
One: Come, people of God, worship the One who listens to our prayers.
All: We will worship the One who hears us.
One: Come, people of God, worship the One who watches over us.
All: We will worship the One who cares deeply for us all.
One: Come, people of God, worship the One who offered his life for us.
All: We will offer thanks and praise to the One who gives us life.
Hymn# 645 Follow me the Master said
Prayer of Adoration and Assurance of Pardon
Join me in prayer
Holy God, we call to you for help. You know our faults before we speak. Forgive us for what we have done in opposition to your will. Forgive us things left undone and for those things we should not have done. We do not love you and our neighbors as you have taught. We deny our dependence on you. Lead us so that we may fulfill our vows to you and attend to the needs of your people. Amen.
God’s forgiveness shines into the world and the darkness scatters. Jesus knows our every strength and our every weakness, and loves us still. We are called to the promise of God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God. Amen.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer For Illumination
Psalm 19:14
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Readings
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn # 500 Open my eyes
Walking the Talk
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Your actions speak so loudly, I can not hear what you are saying.” The words we speak and the actions we take have an impact. In our readings. Jesus encouraged his followers to let go of what they think they already know in order to see who he was. James explores the connection between action and speech and the prophet Isaiah acts on his calling to “sustain the weary with a word.” There is a theme within the readings that speaks to congruity of linking the way that we live with the words that we speak. The importance of walking the talk. Our actions speak louder than words.
We continue in the book of Isaiah and the story of the weary Hebrew people exiled in Babylon. They had lost their homes, their homeland, and their temple. Their captors provided economic opportunities so they did not live in material poverty. They did experience a different form of poverty in their loss of identity and faith. The loss of their community and faith traditions left the people of Judah at risk of turning away from God. They were forgetting who they were as God’s people, as descendants of Abraham and Sarah. Many were weary of the problems within their world, within their communities, within their homes. The people were encouraged by the prophet to keep God at the center of their identity and meaning. The prophet foretold of God raising the community into new life, purpose, and mission.
James wrote of the importance of right speech coupled with appropriate action. His letter illustrates the teaching with beautiful descriptors. He draws a connection with the tiny bit that controls the horse through the mouth, of small rudders steering great ships, of small fires creating big fires, and humans taming animals. James draws a parallel as he explains that salt and fresh water cannot be produced from a single spring and that fig trees do not produce olives and grapevines do not produce figs. The warning that small things can produce large, dangerous consequences brought to mind the impact of the tiny COVID virus.
The impact of gossip, rumours, loose speech – words that have not been controlled. Barbara Brown Taylor refers to loose speech as tongue toxin. Tongue toxin seems an appropriate term right now as we live in the reality of the ongoing pandemic. Taylor describes tongue toxin “at work when people of faith indulge in glib speech, making what is difficult sound easy, or what is mysterious sound plain.”[2] In his epistle, James warns against trusting the human tongue. “For all of us make many mistakes”[3] When we worship and work together there will be mistakes made and, hopefully, forgiveness offered. When I make mistakes it is important that others help me to see where improvement can be made.
Have you noticed that tongue toxin seems to seep into conversations when there are complex stressors. Change, whether small or large, may cause distress. Over the last 18 months virtually every aspect of life was disrupted, in one way or another. Many people have lost their bearings as familiar structures have been dismantled due to the pandemic. One example is our Sunday morning worship service. The typical routine of Sunday worship was suddenly disrupted and the disruption continues. Coming into the sanctuary this morning presented yet another unfamiliar path, even in its familiar setting. Many of you have yearned for worship in the sanctuary, yearned for the comfort of gathering with your church family. It has been challenging, disruptive, isolating and disheartening. Yes, it is different. And, yes we can find a sense of comfort within our discomfort. As we seek to understand how to adapt it is important to recognize the impact of this discomfort.
It is important to understand that there are different responses to the impact of change. How do you respond when the familiar structures seem to be missing? When we look to the gospel stories, we find the ways Jesus helped people to work through the challenges they faced. Mark writes that Jesus helped the disciples discover what they thought they knew about him. He asked them to describe how others saw him and how they saw him. Jesus began by asking what the disciples have heard others say about him, then he asked: “But who do you say that I am?” Their description of him as the Messiah points to one who will have the power and authority of God. They anticipate he will bring his followers glory and reward. Then, Jesus spoke of the suffering that would be endured, his death, and his resurrection. This is the opposite of what they anticipated. How could a Messiah die? Peter struggled to take it in and adapt to this unfamiliar way of understanding the Messiah. He had seen Jesus in a different light and this new information did not fit. Peter was told to stop getting in the way when he attempted to rebuke Jesus.
Jesus told Peter that that ‘you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ Could Peter understand Jesus from any other than the human perspective? Can we? What does it mean for you to call Jesus Son of God? What does it mean for you to call Jesus the Messiah? Our understanding and how we express our faith is limited. Yet, Jesus encouraged Peter and the others, and us, to develop another perspective on “divine things.” In our relationship with Christ, there is the promise and the hope that the divine perspective of who we are and what we are about will be revealed. Harry Adams writes, “God enables us to find a way that is different from the way of the world, enables us to discern how life is fulfilled as God intends, enables us to live by values that are not embodied in the normal course of human affairs.”
The scriptures alert us to delve into our own understanding of the divine. The mystery of the divine can help us to recognize the mystery within our human relationships. James points to a steady practice of faith. Jesus taught that we practice our faith when we love our God, our neighbor and our selves. In this love we discover the ways of wisdom in God’s creation. In seeking to understand our relationship with Jesus we are surprised and sometimes confused by his way of being. The gospel stories help us to hear his call to “follow me”. It is good to be curious about the new ways of experiencing and living within God’s creation. We are called to walk the talk of living into our faith and the teachings of Christ.
Praise be to God.
Hymn #211 Take up your cross
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: No one has ever become poor by giving. Anne Frank (1929–1945) Jewish Dutch diarist during Nazi occupation
In the face of adversity, the prophet Isaiah called to the people saying, Let us stand up together.[4] This call reaches out to us. We stand together as a congregation in our offerings of fellowship, time, talent, and financial resources.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Join me in prayer:
O holy One, we thank you for this amazing earth. We are grateful for clean water and rich soils. We pray that all people will live with gratitude and a willingness to share. Holy God, we joyfully return a portion of what you have provided.
We give to the work of your church and your world praying that good will arise from these gifts. We pray for guidance to use what we have with wisdom and compassion.
We pray for wisdom, that we can communicate effectively with love, shalom, and compassion. Guide us as we strive to live in connectedness and understanding.
We pray for courage to live out our faith giving witness with our words and actions
that you are the Messiah. We pray for the will to follow wherever you may lead.
God, we pray that we will share your love with the intentionality. Help us to know each other by name and to have the deep relationship with you and with one another.
Merciful God, there are many within our church family in need of your special care. We lift up Sandy and family; Judith; 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 of health and finances. We wait for you, Lord, in your word we hope.
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. Nourishing God, to you we commit our prayers through Christ, the bread of life, who taught his disciples to pray, …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.
Hymn # 674 In the bulb there is a flower
Benediction
Hebrews 11:29–12:2; Luke 12:49–56; Mark 8:27–38
When people ask, Who is this Jesus? Boldly share the gospel. Share the good news of the love he shared with world. Invite them to follow him. May the presence of God abide with you to keep you strong and gentle. Amen
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
How do you seek God’s wisdom in your life? What are the signs and symbols of God’s presence that surround your everyday life?
When we hear Jesus say we are to “deny” ourselves, this can seem harsh language. How do you understand this teaching? You are made in God’s image. As an image of the divine, God commands you know that you are worthy. You are not to be demeaned. What aspects of your life, your desires, your tendencies, do you recognize as obstructing your ability to set your mind on what you truly need? What is your cross? Perhaps you see more than one cross you must bear. If you “take up” your cross (or crosses), how might you live differently than you do now?
Morning Prayer
Thank you, God, for this good night and day, for time to sleep and wake, for dark and light, for silence and noise, for stillness and movement, for my body, mind, and heart. Give me the strength today to bear my cross with patience. May I find moments of calm because of you. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Thank you, God, for this good day and now for night, for all that has transpired in the last hours, for the food I have been given, for the work I do, for the exercise, for breathing, for what my ears have heard, for friends, for coworkers, and for what I have seen growing in the soil and shining in the sunlight. Guard me now as I sleep and give me good rest for the sake of the tasks you have set before me tomorrow. I pray for your peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Prayer
God of love, your teachings encourage me to deny what is unhealthy and unloving. Lead me in that pathway. Awaken me to the abundance available through your Word. I pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Jeremiah 11:18-20, Psalm 54, James 3:13-3:18, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
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
211 take up your cross
Take up your cross, the Saviour said, If my disciple you would be; Deny your self, the world forsake, And humbly follow after me.
Take up your cross; let not its weight Fill frightened spirit with alarm; His strength shall bear your spirit up, And brace your heart, and nerve your arm.
Take up your cross, nor heed the shame, Nor let your foolish pride rebel: For you the Saviour bore the cross, To save your soul from death and hell.
Take up your cross, then, in Christ’s strength, And every danger calmly brave; ‘twill guide you to a heavenly home, And lead to victory o’er the grave.
Take up your cross and follow Christ, Nor think till death to lay it down, For only those who bear the cross May hope to wear the glorious crown.
500 Open my eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain: Silently now I wait for thee; ready, my God, thy will to see;
open my eyes: illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth thou sendest clear, And while the wave-notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear. Refrain
Open my mouth, and let me bear Gladly the warm truth everywhere; Open my heart and let me prepare Love with thy children thus to share. Refrain
645 follow me the Master said
“Follow me,” the Master said: we will follow Jesus. By his word and Spirit led, we will follow Jesus. Still for us he lives to plead, at the throne does intercede, offers help in time of need; we will follow Jesus.
Should the world and sin oppose, we will follow Jesus. He is greater than our foes;
we will follow Jesus. On his promise we depend; he will hear us and defend, help and keep us to the end; we will follow Jesus.
Though the way may dark appear, we will follow Jesus. He will make our pathway clear; we will follow Jesus. In our daily round of care, as we plead with God in prayer, with the cross which we must bear, we will follow Jesus.
Ever keep that end in view; we will follow Jesus. All his promises are true; we will follow Jesus. When this earthly course is run, and the Master says, “ Well done!”
life eternal we have won; we will follow Jesus.
674 In the bulb there is a flower
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree, In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, Seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come our future; What it holds, a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning, In our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing,
In our life, eternity, In our death, a resurrection,
At the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.
[1] PCC Worship Planner, 16th Sunday after Pentecost September 12, 2021 Year B
[2] Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary – Year B, Volume 4: Season After Pentecost 2 (Propers 17-Reign of Christ).
[3] James 3:2
[4] Isaiah 50:8Walking the talk 12 September 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson