10 October 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 this Thanksgiving Sunday October 10th.
Announcements
Mission Moment: Supporting New Ministries
In 2019, with support from Presbyterians Sharing, The Presbyterian Church in Canada started Cyclical PCC, a church planting support initiative. Since its beginning, God has blessed this initiative with 47 faithful, dedicated and innovative people who feel called to begin new ministries. Rani Ibrahim, a participant in Cyclical PCC, said that the relationships he has formed with other Presbyterian leaders have been especially meaningful.
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The September financial reports show income $5,121 and expenses $7,863 with a year-to-date deficit of $10,251.
E-transfer, post-dated cheques, and PAR, the Pre Authorized Remittance, allow you to give intentionally, proportionally, and faithfully to the church… even when you are not able to be here. When you provide a dependable flow of contributions it helps significantly with budgeting and reduces paper work. It is easy to set up and easy to make changes. Talk with Brenda McLean for more information (519 dash 524 dash 8645 or brmclean at hurontel dot on.ca) and she will guide you through the process.
All are welcome at the book study on Zoom. Contact Rev Lisa for the Zoom link.
Tuesday 2 pm Black Water, David A Robertson
Sunday 9:30 am The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy Jill Levine.
Our worship services are live streamed and recorded. Join Knox Bayfield Sunday Service on Zoom at 11 am
Meeting ID: 837 2628 1962 Passcode: 358069
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83726281962?pwd=akx4NG9ZQS9WOExmWmJyWlRMK29LZz09
The videos are posted on our website https://pccweb.ca/knoxbayfieldpc/ facebook https://www.facebook.com/KnoxBayfield and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUo3-FAL07sp0CcbUkEhVKg The worship services are recorded for people who are unable to attend due to health concerns, physical accessiblity and distance. The videos expand our outreach into the larger community. Please speak with Brenda McLean, Deb Cosford, or Rev Lisa if you are interested in volunteering to help on the Audio Visual Crew.
Your patience and co-operation is appreciated as we navigate COVID protocols – screening questions, masks, hand sanitizer, and a physical distance of 2 metres (6.5 feet) and the restriction on singing. We are thankful for the ongoing efforts to ensure we are able to worship in-person. Many thanks to our COVID Safety Group – Brenda McLean, Deb Cosford, and Jim Knox. Thank you!
Copies of the new Presbyterian Connection are available at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Signs: A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. Phyllis Diller
Curious about the book study? Talk with Rev Lisa for the Zoom link and join the conversation. Tuesday 2 pm Black Water, D.A. Robertson and Sunday 9:30 am The Difficult Words of Jesus, A.J. Levine
The bible is available online www.biblegateway.com
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
Psalm 22:3–5
One: God, you are holy. In you our ancestors trusted
All: they trusted you, and you delivered them.
One: To you they cried, and they were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
All: God, you are holy. All praise to you, now and forever!
Prayer of Adoration and Assurance of Pardon
Psalm 19:12–14; Mark 9:43–47; James 5:19–20
Join me in prayer
God, our strength and savior, you know our transgressions and our hidden faults. With our hands we grasp at power; with our feet we stumble into evil; with our eyes we look out for ourselves. Forgive us, gracious God, and lead us in your holy way of life and love and peace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We boldly seek God’s grace, trusting in Jesus Christ, who loves us. This is the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Hymn Praise him, praise him #372
Prayer For Illumination
Hebrews 4:12
Reveal to us your Word, O God, living and active in our world by the power of your Holy Spirit. Let your Word pierce our hearts and open our minds, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
Scripture
Hebrew Bible Job 23:1-9, 16-17 [B#471/ W#519][1]
Responsive Psalm 22:1-15 [B# 500/ W#552]
Epistle Hebrews 4:12-16 [B#220/W#236]
Gospel Mark 10: 17-31 [B#46 / W#47]
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn Jesus calls us # 672
Gratitude in challenging times
The thanksgiving weekend marks a traditional time to become more aware of our gratitude. It is a time to pause -to consider the many gifts we receive and the gifts we share within the abundance of God’s creation.
We study the scriptures – the Psalms, books, and letters of the bible -as a written collection of divine and human events. This book encapsulates the historical body, mind, and soul of people across centuries of time. God is evident in the stories. We discover common struggles and celebrations. The bible helps us to be mindful of our laments and our sense of gratitude and joy
We continue with our study of the gospel of Mark and the book of Job.
Job, a righteous and upright man has lost much in a short time. He lost his children and his wealth, and he suffers from painful boils. He calls out to God asking, Why? Job feels abandoned by God. In today’s passage Job continues to reach out to the silent God, trusting that God would respond, despite his sense of isolation. Job lifted his lament of protest. His faith persisted in calling out to God. R. B. Y. Scott[2] says of Job:
“He challenges the very world order of which he is a part…. Is this what the Greeks called hubris, the intolerable insolence of a man who would make himself God’s equal? Or is it the profoundest kind of religious faith… a sublime confidence that to ask ultimate questions of God is not to turn away from him but to draw nearer to him?”
Job wrestled with God. His story helps us to see that there are many ways to engage with our faith. The passage ends in the darkness of the unknown. Job is not sure God is even watching any more. The absence of God caused Job to reflect on his life as a righteous man. Was God hiding or did God listen at all?
Job begins and ends with lament. His friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar all agree that wickedness is punished. The friends argue backwards from Job’s suffering to his supposed unrighteousness. Job is clearly suffering, therefore, he must have sinned in some way that brought God’s punishment upon him. His only way out, they tell him, is repentance. Yet, Job objected to the arguments from his friends. When they claim, “Since you are suffering, you must have done something to deserve this,” Job replied, “No! I am innocent, I do not deserve this!” He laments that he is “an upright person”; he needs God to affirm that he is innocent. But, he cannot find God.
It is difficult to know how often or when to connect with others when they struggle. It is difficult to know what to say when you interact. It seems the words mean less and the reaching out, being present, means more. It is difficult to comprehend how our faith will hold us through significant loss.
What are we to do when we suffer or witness the suffering of others? Do we search for reasons of blame? Do we bargain with God? Rabbi Joseph Telushkin wrote that there is a hope that if we can isolate what it is precisely that so angers God, then we may be a position to pacify God. Yet, he goes on to say, ‘there is no discernable relationship between human goodness and human suffering.’ Indeed, he writes, ‘if illness or tragedy only befell bad people, we would undoubtedly witness massive movements of repentance.’
Perhaps it is in the sharing of Job’s story that we feel less alone with our own challenges. His story helps us to recognize that the efforts of others may fall short when we need them. Their presence may not comfort, yet, it may lessen the sense of isolation. Perhaps in this story we can see that illness and loss and suffering is not intended as punishment. It is not a result of sin. It is not a deserved consequence. Illness and loss and suffering will happen.
We learn from Job’s persistence and his unrelenting conviction that God is just and that God will hear him. He continued to argue and lament, he continued to cry out to God as acts of deep faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted in his Letters and Papers from Prison, that in this world where there is suffering “only the suffering God can help.” The apostle Paul reminds us, in light of Christ’s suffering, that the good news of the gospel is that in Jesus Christ, we know that nothing—not injustice, not suffering, not even an overwhelming sense of God’s absence—can separate us from God’s love[3]. Safe and secure in this good news, we lament and argue with God.
In Mark’s gospel, Jesus was approached by a man who asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Looking at the man, Jesus loved him. We can imagine this man approaching Jesus with the question and, in response, Jesus paused and looked at him to better understand who this man was. He looked into the man and loved him to discover where the question was rooted. Amy Jill Levine wrote that Jesus saw that his wealthy man was, “… what we would call “soul sick” and he has no found a physician to cure him or a teacher to provide him the answers he seeks. Indeed, to ask about inheriting eternal life is to ask about death.”[4] The response to the wealthy man’s question was intended to shift his question that was self-focused onto the needs of others.
In a similar way, in the story of the travelling Samaritan Jesus taught of the need to broaden the focus to include both the safety of the traveller and a deeper compassion for others. The Samaritan, from an outcast society, demonstrated caring for another who was in need along with personal costs. In a similar way, Jesus teaches the privileged wealthy man to share his assets to help the less fortunate.
The disciples were ‘perplexed.’ In the ancient world (Greek, Roman, and Hebrew), material prosperity was often considered a reward. This concept continues with the belief that self discipline and good character are linked to the rewards of wealth. The problem is not wealth. Wealth can become a barrier to engaging with life and community. A problem with accumulating wealth is that we may be tempted to idolize possessions and our own power. Possessions can take on more importance than people and the rest of God’s creation. It may become difficult to compromise our own comfort to help others. It does not seem to fit that all followers of Christ are to give away all that they have. If nothing else, it would likely not be good stewardship. Planned and informed giving leads to transformation with the giver and the receiver. It is in the act of sharing that the abundance becomes evident.
During our celebration of Thanksgiving we are reminded to look with gratitude on our many blessings. How are you mindful of practicing gratitude of your blessings in the midst of challenges? Jesus holds out the hope that, with God, change is possible and already happening.
Praise be to God.
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: We are surrounded by God’s benefits. The best use of these benefits is an
unceasing expression of gratitude. John Calvin (1509–1564) theologian, pastor, reformer
All that we have— our lives, our possessions—comes from God. Give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Mark 10:21–30
Let us join in prayer:
God of all creation, we lift up our prayers to you. We pray for peace among the nations, food for the hungry, and justice for the poor. We pray for new life in the church, with fresh energy in mission.
Gracious God, we present these gifts and renew our commitment to leave everything behind and follow you. We pray for the courage to become a living offering
worthy of being called your disciples.
We pray for the welfare of this community, safe streets and homes, good schools and jobs, and the spirit of love among neighbors.
We pray for the healing and comfort for the afflicted, hope for the despairing,
and strength for those who care for them.
God of hope, we bring before you the names of people and places on our hearts this day, seeking the right gift only you can give them: Sandy and family; Judith; Rudy and Grace; Cesare and Lynn; Bonnie; Rob; Betty Lou; Courtney and Kyla; Jordan, Sarah and Hazel; and, David and Sharon. 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. Merciful God, accept our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and strengthen us to do your will through Jesus Christ.
O Holy One, 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.
Hymn Will you come and follow me #634
To Go Forth In God’s Name
Commissioning and Benediction
Amos 5:6; Mark 10:21-31
Jesus says: Come, follow me. Let us seek God and live! May God, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, be with you now and forever. Amen.
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
How do you talk to God when you feel that God is not listening? How can you be a better disciple, considering the radical words of Jesus in Mark that you have to sell all you own, give the money to the poor, and then follow him?
For the prophet Amos, the city gate (Amos 5:10, 12, 15) is a place of judgment: a place to discern and decide between good and evil, justice and injustice, righteousness and sin. Jesus has similar things to say about entrance into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:23–25): a difficult choice is required—letting go of privilege, power, and possessions. What have you left behind to follow Jesus? How would you describe what Bonhoeffer calls “the cost of discipleship”?
Morning Prayer
As I open my eyes, I want to feel your Word, living and active and guiding my way. I want to live knowing that what is impossible for me is possible for you. I want to live with the certitude that those who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Give me the courage and the hope to live with your words in my mind for the rest of the day. In Jesus Christ, my teacher, I pray. Amen.
Evening Prayer
As I lay down to rest, I look at the times in my day
when my heart has felt like fainting, and I have felt like arguing, but I do so with the understanding that even in my deepest sorrow you were with me. Thank you, God, for understanding and for helping this human being who,
if imperfectly, strives to seek out your face, to follow your will, and to understand your Word. Give me the rest I need to live day by day and step by step. In the name of my example and my strength, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Daily Prayer Job 23:1–9
Listening God, hear your church today as we bring our joys and our concerns, our thanksgivings and our demands. Fill us with the assurance that you truly hear our words and thoughts, our songs and our tears. In the name of the one who always shows us the way, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Job 38:1-7, 34-41; Psalm 104:1-9; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
#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
372 Praise him, praise him
Praise him, praise him, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, his wonderful love proclaim! Hail him, hail him, highest archangels in glory; Strength and honour give to his holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children; In his arms he carries them all day long.
Refrain: Praise him, praise him! Tell of his excellent greatness;
Praise him, praise him, Ever in joyful song!
Praise him, praise him, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins he suffered and bled and died; Be, our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail him, hail him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound his praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong. Refrain
Praise him, praise him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Saviour, reigneth forever and ever; Crown him, crown him, Prophet & Priest & King! Christ is coming, over the world victorious; Power and glory unto the Lord belong.
634 Will you come and follow me
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown; will you let my name be known;
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
672 Jesus calls us
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea; day by day his voice still calls us, saying, “Christian, follow me.”
As of old Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake, turned from home and work and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Jesus calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by your mercies, Saviour, may we hear your call, give our hearts in glad obedience, serve and love you best of all.
Knox Presbyterian Church, Bayfield
Box 565, 2 Bayfield Main St N, Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0
Website: www.pccweb.ca/knoxbayfieldpc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxBayfield/
Church Office: (519) 565-2913 [messages checked weekly]
Ministry of Music: Jean Walker and Betty Lou Norris
Session: Deb Cosford; Brenda McLean Clerk of Session
Minister: Rev. Lisa Dolson (519) 955-2158 [call/text] revlisa.knoxbayfield@icloud.com
[1] Page numbers shown for pew bibles with Blue or White edged pages
[2] Rev. R.B.Y. Scott, Old Testament Scholar
[3] Rom. 8:31-39
[4] Amy Jill Levine, The Difficult Words of Jesus 2021