Sounds of silence 19 September 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
May the grace of Jesus Christ be with you … and also with you.
Welcome to worship at Knox Presbyterian Bayfield on the Sunday September 19th.
Announcements
Our sympathy goes out to Sharon Kelly and David Smith as they mourn the loss of Sharon’s father William J Kelly.
Our worship services are recorded for our website and social media. We are in the process of acquiring additional audio visual equipment, however, there have been delays due to disruptions in the supply chain. Please speak with Brenda McLean, Deb Cosford, or Rev Lisa if you are interested in learning how to use the new equipment.
We are particularly thankful for the efforts spent ensuring we could meet in person. Many thanks to our COVID Safety Group – Brenda McLean, Deb Cosford, and Jim Knox. Thank you!
The Presbyterian Connection newspaper unites people across Canada with interviews, reflections, and articles that allow us to share and develop our faith. It is distributed four times per year, free of charge. Set up your free paper subscription with the National Church office 1-800-619-7301 ext 243 or https://presbyterian.ca/presbyterian-connection/
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.
Bayfield Area Food Bank (BAFB) Are you in need of assistance? Reach out bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or call/text 519-955-7444. All enquiries are confidential.
Do you have food to share? BAFB collection bins for non-perishable donations are located in the foyer of the Bayfield Public Library and on the porch of Trinity St James’ Parish Hall. Most needed are healthy snack and lunch items for school: pudding or fruit cups, juice boxes, granola bars, small cereal boxes, crackers and peanut butter. Financial gifts are greatly appreciated. Cheques can be mailed to: Bayfield Area Food Bank, 10 Keith Cr, Bayfield,N0M 1G0. An e-transfer bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or on-line www.canadahelps.org BAFB is a registered charity.
Mission Moment: The Difference Food Security Makes
In Haiti, global climate change has left many farmers struggling to support their families. For people in Haiti who make their living from the earth, recent unpredictable weather has had devastating consequences. Presbyterian World Service & Development is responding through an agro-forestry program that helps farmers by providing seeds for black bean, pigeon pea and corn crops—seeds that are more resilient. Farmers learn sustainable field management and band together in savings groups to make their earnings go even further. Elimène Joseph, an entrepreneur and mother of four, shared her experience: “Before becoming a member, I struggled to make ends meet. The program is showing me how to pool my resources together with other farmers. In truth, I do not have enough words to express everything the organization has done for me.”
UPDATE – our book studies will be held via ZOOM. All are welcome. Unfortunately, our in-person gathering for the book studies will need to be delayed until pandemic-imposed challenges lessen. Contact Rev Lisa revlisa.knoxbayfield@icloud.com for the Zoom link
Tuesday at 2 pm
- Black Water, David A Robertson. [Sept 28 – Oct 25]
- The women of the bible speak, Shannon Bream [Nov]
Sunday at 9:30 am
- The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy Jill Levine. [Oct & Nov]
TODAY! Retirement Party for Rev John Henderson 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: 519-529-7317 admin@campkintail.ca
Signs: If you get attacked by a mob of clowns…go for the juggler. (CMHA Kincardine)
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 Let there be light #727
Call to Worship[1]
One: From sunrise to sunset with the wisdom of age and the energy of the young
All: Let us praise God’s holy name
One: In our work and in our homes
All: Let us praise God’s holy name
One: Let us praise the Lord with our whole hearts!
All: We will worship God now and always.
Prayer of Adoration and Assurance of Pardon
Join me in prayer
O God, who makes the truth known to us, we are weighed down by our brokenness. Where we could seek reconciliation, we create conflict. Where you call us to give, we take. Where you call to us, we resist. We are thankful, O God, for your persistent loving grace that forgives, cleanses, and teaches your way. 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.
Hymn Great is thy faithfulness #324
Prayer For Illumination
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
Hebrew Bible Jeremiah 11:18-20 [B#713/W#793][2]
Responsive Psalm 54 [B# 522 /W# 576]
Epistle James 3:13-3:18 [B#230 /W#248]
Gospel Mark 9:30-37 [B#45 /W# 46 ]
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
The sounds of silence
It seems there was a problem with our sanctuary speakers last week. Well, admittedly, I was the problem since I forgot to turn them up again. We made many changes over the last 18 months in our attempts to video-record the services. There was a dreadful noise on the recording until it was discovered the overhead fans need to be off. The lapel microphone works more effectively than the standard microphone, although it is kept tucked away -just in case. The sanctuary speakers have been increased in volume. Hopefully you can hear me clearly today.
I am curious about what you hear as the scriptures are read and my message is shared. What each of us hears may be different, even quite diverse. We hear words, inflection, and tone through our ears. The details and nuance are detected through our other senses. Plus, we filter all of this information through our own context and history. The result can be a reasonable interpretation and it can be amusing.
An example of this would be song lyrics and quotes. It can be revealing when song lyrics are misheard. The song, Africa by Toto, has been misunderstood to be “I left my brains down in Africa” The actual lyric: “I bless the rains down in Africa”. You may be familiar with the “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Many hear it as “There’s a bathroom on the right” but the actual lyric: “There’s a bad moon on the rise.” The misunderstood lyric can change the entire concept of a song. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell does not say, “If it ain’t paradise, then put up a parking lot” The actual lyric: “They paved paradise to put up a parking lot”
This shift in what we hear also happens with scripture. The expression “money is the root of all evil” misquotes 1st Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil …” The significant message changes when it is more clearly understood.
Through the centuries the scriptures have been understood and misunderstood in complex ways. Mark tells of the misunderstandings that occur between Jesus and the disciples when Jesus shared a radical teaching. This passage in chapter 9 builds upon the teaching from last week in chapter 8. It seems like a continuation of one discussion but it is not. They have travelled from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum, a journey that included the transfiguration. It may seem that we are repeating our gospel reading. But no. There is a similar message within a different context. Again Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again”. And, again the disciples struggled to take in what they heard and they struggled to comprehend what it meant.
Twice in this short passage Mark described how the disciples were silent when Jesus spoke to them. Their first silence followed Jesus speaking of the betrayal and suffering that would happen. Perhaps they were beginning to understand but did not want to believe what they were hearing. Perhaps they were simply more confused. Their second silence occurred after Jesus asked them what they have been arguing about. Perhaps we would be silent if Jesus suddenly asked us what we had been talking about, worrying about, or arguing about.
John Calvin wrote, “So great is the influence of preconceived opinion, that it brings darkness over the mind in the midst of the clearest light.” Allow me to re-read the quote from Calvin, “So great is the influence of preconceived opinion, that it brings darkness over the mind in the midst of the clearest light.” Have you experienced what Calvin is referring to? Struggling to process information that does not fit within your experience. It can be incredibly challenging.
There is a gap between their expectation of a Messiah and the way of Jesus as the Messiah. Their culture and faith tradition created a powerful image of who the Messiah would be. Jesus Christ is not what they expected. Yet, everything to this point has been filtered through their expectations. Their most recent argument is connected to their experience with powerful cultural hierarchies.
Jesus questioned the disciples about their arguing. It may be helpful to pause here for a moment. The disciples were unsettled. They were told that Jesus the Messiah will suffer. In the next part of their journey Jesus underwent the transfiguration. The disciples were unsettled. They argued over which of them was the greatest, which of them would have the most power. They are in the midst of feeling unbalanced, so perhaps they were clinging to the familiar social structures. In the midst of their discomfort, Jesus taught that whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. Then, bringing a child into their midst, he said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me …” It was a serious challenge to all that they knew when the child was identified as important. They lived within a society that was structured around relationships of power and privilege. Jesus spoke of renouncing the hierarchy of social status when he told them to make space for those with little or no social status. To act on this teaching demonstrated their acceptance of Jesus and the One who sent him.
The gospels offer us the ability to see how the disciples struggled with the conflict between what they already knew and the new ways of Jesus. He demonstrated new ways of being within the context of new perspectives that contradicted the social and cultural expectations. We are called to be open to the Spirit moving within our lives. Praise be to God.
Hymn Be still my soul #749
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
We have been made capable of being good stewards of what God has given us. Let us, with gratitude in our hearts, give from what has been given to us, by grace.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Join me in prayer:
God of the universe, you sit above the circle of the earth that you have created. We pray for the oceans and mountains, the lakes and streams, and the air we breathe. Since the beginning, we have looked to you to gather the outcasts, heal the broken hearted and the wounded. We pray for the poor of the world, the sick and the lonely. We pray for the leaders of nations and communities. May leaders see the goodness of your creation and seek to protect all who are vulnerable. May they honor peace and compassion over their own self-interest. We pray for your church, here and around the world. Empower us to serve you in this world by living out the ways of Christ. Holy One, we give you praise and the offerings of our time, talent, and financial resources. May the gifts be multiplied to witness to your presence in the world.
Merciful God, there are many within our church family in need of your special care. We lift up Sandy and family; Judith; Rudy and Grace; Cesare and Lynn; Bonnie; Rob; Courtney and Kyla; Jordan, Sarah and Hazel. We lift up David and Sharon as they mourn the death of her father, WJ Kelly. 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 What a friend we have in Jesus #746
Benediction
May the Christ who walked on wounded feet walk with you on the road. May the Christ who served with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve. May the Christ who loved with a wounded heart open your heart to love. May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet and May everyone see the face of Christ in you. Amen
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
What can you do to discern between good advice and advice that will lead you on the wrong path? Give yourself some moments each day in the coming week to sit quietly with your eyes closed. Visualize Jesus kneeling down, opening his arms, and bringing you close to his heart. Let yourself be a little child who is welcomed. What do you notice?
Morning Prayer
Gracious God, you give life and, in your Word, it is beautiful. Thank you for this new day. In each coming hour, help me to see beneath the ever-present difficulties and superficial joys into the mysteries that you have set out for your people. Guide me toward those I meet today in a way that welcomes them and, in turn, grants me a welcome, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Evening Prayer
This day is nearly over, Merciful God, and I am tired. I have been unable to do all that I had hoped; I have done some things I would take back if I could. Forgive me for my failures. Bring me into the warmth and security of your embrace now, and fill me with new vision so that I may rest and rise to meet tomorrow with vigor, in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Gentle Jesus, you call us to live in your name with honor and respect, fully known to you and precious in your sight. Draw us near to you each day as you teach us how to feed on your gifts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 and Psalm 124; James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50
#727 Let there be light
Let there be light; let there be understanding; Let all the nations gather; let them be face to face.
Open our lips; open our minds to ponder; Open the door of concord, opening into grace.
Perish the sword; perish the angry judgement; Perish the bombs and hunger; perish the fight for gain.
Hallow our love; hallow the deaths of martyrs; Hallow their holy freedom; hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come; your spirit turn to language; Your people speak together; your spirit never fade.
Let there be light; open our hearts to wonder; Perish the way of terror; hallow the world God made.
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
746 What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear; What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged: Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness: Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour, still our refuge: Take it to the Lord in Prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.
749 Be still my soul
Be still my soul: The Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul: thy God doth undertake to guide the future wisely, as the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul: the waves and winds still know the voice that ruled them here on earth below.
Be still my soul: when dearest friends depart, and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then shalt thou better know God’s love, God’s heart who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears. Be still my soul: thy Jesus can repay from his own fullness all death takes away.
Be still my soul: the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
324 Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain Great is thy faithfulness; Great is thy faithfulness; morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in eloquent witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow: blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain
[1] PCC Worship Planner, 16th Sunday after Pentecost September 12, 2021 Year B
[2] Page numbers shown for pew bibles with Blue or White edged pages