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The Good Shepherd 2 May 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

Call to Worship

Like the vine that supports blossoms and fruit, God’s Word upholds the church in strength. Like an attentive gardener, God tends the needs of all creation. Let us worship God who makes all things new.

 Hymn# 314 God is love come heaven adoring

 Assurance of Pardon

God of mercy, we confess we have not loved others as you have loved us. We have denied the promises of baptism and cut ourselves off from you. Forgive us, restore us, that we may abide in your love and live out your mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

You have been cleansed by the word that God has spoken to you. In baptism God claimed you and joined you to Christ, as branches to a vine. Believe the promise given to you: in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

 Prayer For Illumination   

Come, Holy Spirit, that through your word we may be led into the love of God for all the world. Amen.

Readings

Psalm 22:25-31; Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   # 698     Saviour teach me day by day

The Good Shepherd

This is the fifth Sunday of Easter. Our readings today remind us that Jesus will never let us go regardless of what we do or do not do. The Good Shepherd cares for his flock. It is an image that tends to bring to mind Jesus finding the one lost sheep and returning it to the flock.  In scripture and art, the good shepherd is one of our most familiar images of Jesus. A familiar image but one that may not resonate with us.  The reality of the shepherd may not be clear to us anymore. Typically, shepherds spend more time in the fields than anywhere else. They care for sheep, an animal that will wander and lose their way. A shepherd’s job can be dangerous and risky.   In her sermon “The Voice of the Shepherd,” Barbara Brown Taylor shares the story of someone who grew up on a sheep ranch. She discovered that sheep are herded differently than cows. Cows are herded from the rear with shouts and prods. If you were to stand behind sheep making noises, they will just run around behind you. Sheep prefer to be led.  The trusted shepherd must lead and demonstrate that it is safe to proceed. Studies indicate that sheep have sophisticated social and emotional recognition skills. They are able to recognize familiar faces, voices and smells. This information helps us to better understand what was meant when Jesus said, “I know my own and my own know me”. Just as sheep develop a connection with their shepherd, we are able to connect with our good Shepherd. In Ezekiel 34:10-16, God is described as the shepherd—the one who leads, guides, feeds, protects, and seeks the lost sheep.   Jesus takes up God’s mission   in the world.  The good shepherd who cares for each sheep and gathers the flock.

Jesus is the good shepherd. The Greek, kalos, translates to English as: beautiful, as an outward sign of the inward good, noble, honorable, and seen to be so. Jesus embodies good strength, power, sympathy, kindness, and mercy.

John writes of how those who see, hear, and believe in Jesus belong to the community. A community where the doors are wide open to the wealthy, the poor, the healthy, the ailing …  lepers, women, Jewish, Gentile, Samaritan, tax collectors, Eunuchs, and more. Jesus knows each by name and is concerned for each one.

Each of us longs to know and to be known. It is good to be known and to know others. It is good to truly experience the people in your life. To hear and experience who they are – not who we want them to be, but who they are. It is wonderful to be heard and seen as we are, not as others want us to be. When we are able to connect with one another individually then our community is strengthened.

During this pandemic everyone has been struggling with the restrictions in one way or another.  Business owners struggle with the uncertain and often devastating disruptions. Employees struggle with over work and lack of work. Health care workers and others in the helping professions struggle to keep themselves safe as they care for others. I have heard from many of you about the challenges you are facing during the pandemic. I struggle and you struggle with isolation and the diminished ways in which we are able to connect. It is more difficult to connect with one another when we cannot meet face to face in person. We are in the midst of this new reality of scheduling inoculations and lining up to shop. I am hearing from you about your fears and frustrations, and your willingness to step up to the challenges. In recent weeks there has been a shift in your resolve. Your faith is an integral part of your strength. Even when it is most difficult, I am hearing about the ways in which the Spirit reaches out to strengthen and bolster you.

Perhaps we can better understand how Peter developed a deeper understanding of Jesus and of himself as his own life unfolded. Karen Baker-Fletcher wrote, Peter ”preaches with intimate understanding of the frailty of our human condition and intimate knowledge of life in Christ. Peter, from traumatic experience, has learned not to fear death, in the knowledge that God in Christ overcomes evil, suffering, and death.”

Peter and John had been arrested for teaching and proclaiming that in Jesus there is resurrection” and for healing in the name of Christ. The authorities recognized the potential disruption of peace in their community when crowds gathered to hear the message of the Messiah.  Peter spoke to the charges almost as a good deed for someone who was ill. He and John have done a mitzvah, an act of kindness with the power of the Spirit.

Barbara Brown Taylor wrote, “Faced with censure from his own faith community, called before them as a prisoner, and required to offer verbal defense—an incredibly isolated position—Peter trusts that he does not stand in the dock alone. He is filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Peter willingly steps into the place where God placed him, trusting that God will be with him.

Even in the best of times it hard work to create and maintain relationships and communities. In part it is hard work because many of us were taught to show our strength and to hide our vulnerabilities. Too often we avoid being vulnerable with each other. We hold back our thoughts and withdraw from confrontation.  Our good intentions may be misunderstood or rejected. It can be difficult to trust that others will be there. There are stumbling blocks in building deeper relationships and community. In all of this, Jesus assures us that there is an alternative to our concerns and fear. It can be challenging   navigating relationships and community. The Good Shepherd calls out to us, assuring us that our isolation and fear can be relieved. Jesus’ call for one flock with one Shepperd in community.

The image of the Good Shepherd is powerful. In our yearning for connection, in those moments of loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness, the Good Shepherd responds to each and all of us.

Peace be with you.

Hymn # 563       Let us talents and tongues employ

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote:        If it is more blessed to give than to receive, then most of us are content to let the other fellow have the greater blessing. Shailer Matthews (1863–1941), American theologian

Offering what we have for the sake of others is a discipline of pruning—letting go of our possessions, our time, and even ourselves—to extend the gospel witness into the world. Be generous in your ministry of giving. You need not fear; you abide in the vine.

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Join me in prayer:

O God, we give you thanks for your Holy Spirit whose work at creation continues in us. Through Christ Jesus you have shown your love for this earth you made.

Giver of all good things, bring trust and empathy to the nations of the world.

Let peacemakers lead those in conflict into resolution. May leaders seek your wisdom and provide hope to those in need.

Through our offerings, O God, may your loving Spirit become more visible to a world in need of comfort. Make our many gifts one offering for the world.

We pray that all the world may know your goodness. Word of life, reveal the wonder of your world to all people. Show us anew what lives around us, over us, beneath us, within us. May the church, alive with your Spirit, honor your earth with respect and care.

Almighty God, uphold our sisters and brothers who endure disasters caused by weather, famine, sickness, greed, and the pandemic. Strengthen all who are in at risk. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

Good healer, we pray for all who are in need of comfort. Comfort those who mourn, uphold those who are sick, those holding vigil, and those who  await words of hope.

There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, 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. Comfort all who are suffering, walk with them through dark valleys and restore them, body, mind, and soul.

O holy One, by the power of your Spirit, help us to keep your commandments

and to love one another with the love of Jesus. By your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to Christ 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 #371        Love divine, all loves excelling

 

Benediction

Go with joy. Go and tell the story of faith that is given to you by the One who never lets you go. Seek out those who abound with sacred questions, and be ready to answer a mystery with love. The blessing of Almighty God be upon you, today and always. Amen

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy 

Questions for Reflection 

What does it mean to lay down our lives for one another (1 John 3:16)? Think about people who have been “good shepherds” for you, sharing the love and showing the way of Jesus Christ. Who has helped to lead you in right paths or walked with you in dark valleys? Who has given you comfort and calmed your fears? Who has shown you hospitality and grace, making a place at the table for you, even when you felt surrounded by enemies? How have you done these things for others?

Morning Prayer

God of all beginnings, you bring a new day, and you promise to journey with me through the hours. I thank you for the breath and strength I have, and I beg your help that I may use my powers wisely and with compassion toward everyone I meet. Let my questions today be a form of pruning to bring forth in me new understandings, healing, and good fruit; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Jesus, in this night of rest, heal my broken places and restore my faith.

You are my vine; only in you am I strong enough to face the darkness of this world. I thank you for the safety of my home and pray for those who have no bed tonight. Make me grateful, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Wondrous Creator, you make all things new in water and Word, feeding your people with love, joy, and peace. Lead us today and every day to the font of new beginnings. Teach us to love what you have commanded and to prune what does not nourish your creation, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Scripture readings next week –  6^th Sunday of Easter

Psalm 98; Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17

 

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

314   God is love come heaven adoring

God is love: come heaven, adoring; God is love: come earth, rejoice.

Come creation, voices soaring, Sing exulting with one voice.

God who laid the earth’s foundation, God who spread the heavens above,

God who breathes through all creation– God is love, eternal love.

 

God is love, whose arms enfolding All the world in one embrace,

With unfailing grasp are holding Every child of every race,

And when human hearts are breaking Under sorrow’s iron rod,

All the sorrow, all the aching Wrings with pain the heart of God.

 

God is love, and though with blindness Sin afflicts all human life,

God’s eternal loving-kindness Guides us through all earthly strife.

Sin and death and hell shall never O’er us final triumph gain;

God is love: so love forever O’er the universe must reign.

 

698   Saviour teach me day by day

Saviour, teach me day by day Love’s sweet lesson to obey;

Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving God who first loved me.

 

With a child’s glad heart of love At thy bidding may I move,

Prompt to serve and follow thee, Loving God who first loved me.

 

Teach me thus thy steps to trace, Strong to follow in thy grace,

Learning how to love from thee, Loving God who first loved me.

 

Love in loving finds employ, In obedience all its joy;

Ever new that joy will be, Loving God who first loved me.

 

 

563   Let us talents and tongues employ

Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:

bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Refrain:    Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

pass the word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one; at the table he sets the tone,

teaching people to live and bless, love in word and in deed express.  Refrain

 

Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere!  Refrain

 

371   Love divine, all loves excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;

fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

 

Breathe, oh breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest;

take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

 

Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy grace receive;

suddenly return and never, never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,

changed from glory into glory till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

 

The Vine 25 April 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

 It is with deep sadness that we mourn the death of Jessie Alice (Wainwright) Peterson. Jessie passed away peacefully at Stratford General Hospital on April 22 in her 95th year. Jessie is survived by her daughters Heather Tobin, Donna Shepley, and Marlene Adams and their families. Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Call to Worship

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

 

Hymn# 358  There is a redeemer

 

Assurance of Pardon

1 John 3

Join me in prayer

Lord, have mercy on us. We so often talk about love but our actions reflect our hearts. We talk about love but we neglect the poor. We talk about love but we fail to love one another. Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive us, and abide in us by the power of your Spirit so that our lives may show our love for Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

We boldly seek God’s grace, trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who loves us and laid down his life for 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.

 

Prayer For Illumination   

Psalm 23, John 10

God, good shepherd, by the leading of your Spirit, help us to listen for your voice and follow in your path all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Readings

Psalm 23; Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

 

Hymn   # 11       The Lord’s my shepherd

 

 

 

The vine

The Easter readings on this 4^th  Sunday of Easter speak of community, love, and relationships.  The letter of 1^st John was intended for a Christian community that was divided. The intent of the letter is to encourage the readers to restore fellowship and to remind them that they are all flawed. Those who say they are in the light but continue to hate their brothers and sisters in the faith remain in darkness. The author repeats that those who love God must love other their neighbour. God is love. All things begin in love, flow from love, are perfected through love, and return to love.

This letter is a reminder that we know God by seeing what God has done, but seeing is not enough. We know God in the fullest and most authentic sense only when the love of God flows through us. Love is an action that yearns to be lived out. To know the God of love is to live the love of God. God’s love is perfect, our love is not. Yet, in our imperfection we are not to hold back. John’s letter encourages our persistence insisting that it is not possible to love God and refuse to love others.

Love is described as the universal hunger in the human heart.  John’s letter uses the Greek word agapē, which we understand as love that gives without expecting a return. God is love, agapē. Jesus died in an act of agapē. This passage helps us to understand that God’s love defines us.  Love is not an ideal; it is a reality within relationship.

It is in our understanding of agape that we better come to know God. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear in itself serves as a warning sign to protect and for prevention of harm. However, when faith is rooted in fear it can paralyze and become twisted. The fruit of fear becomes distrust, suspicion, and resentment.  Fear of God is rooted in the understanding of fear as a warning for prevention of harm and to initiate action. Faith is rooted in much more than fear.  Love heals the wounds created by grudges or revenge seeking. Roots that run deep with love, sympathy, tenderness, and compassion. Love strengthens the heart.

In the book of Acts there was a growing number of first-century Jews and Gentiles who discover revolutionary ways to understand their relationship with God and God’s Messiah Jesus. Philip followed the Spirit’s instructions to go to a certain place where he met with the Ethiopian. The brief encounter with the Spirit directs Philip’s journey and leads him to the encounter. I wonder how this might inspire us to be more attentive to the nudging of the Spirit.

Peter came upon the Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah out loud. Some of the Gentiles were proselytes -full converts to Judaism. Some were God-fearers – those who had not been circumcised. In the book of Acts this morning, the Ethiopian eunuch may have been a God-fearer. We know a few things about this man from the description. He seems to be wealthy since he has a chariot, is educated and able to read Greek, is dedicated to learning the scriptures, and humble enough to know that he needs help to understand. When a stranger, Peter, approaches … the Ethiopian offers hospitality by inviting Peter into his chariot. Barbara Brown Taylor writes, ‘For a modern parallel, imagine a diplomat in Washington, D.C., inviting a street preacher to join him in his late model Lexus for a little Bible study. The inclusion in this story runs both ways.’

The passages emphasize the communal and relational nature of the Christian faith. The vine metaphor helps us to understand that each branch is part of the whole. We are encouraged to reflect on the fruit we bear as followers of Christ? Love, charity, public works, mission work? Is it in providing for or caring for the poor, the sick , the prisoner, the widow or the orphan? Is it in being graciously cared for so that others are allowed to provide care?

The Christian life begins in love  and is carried out in love. This love does not stay within the walls of the church. It is not restricted to the people of this congregation. It reaches out into the world in diverse ways. This is good news indeed during a pandemic. How can we reach out during this time of restricted activities? During this spring season as we watch the trees break out into bud, the early flowers appear in the gardens, and the dandelions in the yard,  it is a good time to reflect on how we can grow and blossom in God’s creation. Perhaps this time of restricted activity allows the opportunity to reflect on how this little church with a big heart can take action. Perhaps it is time to imagine a new way of doing something familiar. Perhaps in turning your thoughts and your heart to the community you will bear new fruit.

In a vineyard, the best grapes are produced closest to the central vine. The lateral branches are pruned and kept short.  Gardeners and flower enthusiasts will know that some plants benefit from being ‘deadheaded’. The removal of spent flowers allow new blooms to emerge. Pinching the first flowers of other plants will result in more plentiful blossoms.

How do we nurture one another during these challenging times? When someone is having a difficult time, there can be an urge to advise them to “hang in there.” Often this is not helpful. It is good to be mindful of the Hebrew Shalom, which means peace, harmony, and wholeness. Shalom speaks to the deep yearnings of our lives. Shalom is with us within the hurts we endure.  Hope for relief from suffering. Hope that God will bless us in this life and beyond. We follow in the ways Jesus taught the disciples that they were not to go it alone. In our study of the scriptures, we find that Jesus often taught with metaphors.

Metaphors are powerful. the metaphor does not define rather it points to something that is familiar.   Have you heard or exclaimed,  Am I talking to a brick wall?  Another is,  fear is a beast that feeds on attention. Our faith language is filled with metaphors.  Jesus describes himself as the vine and God as the vine-grower. Vines can become unruly and invasive if left to themselves. They will become a tangled mess. In order to have healthy, thriving vines the vine-grower cuts away unproductive branches and prunes branches that are productive. It is in the pruning that the vine thrives. People, like vines, need care and nurture to thrive in community. Communities that walk in the way of Christ embody an African proverb of Ubuntu. What is ubuntu?  Because we are, I am.  It comes from the indigenous peoples of South Africa and speaks of inter-relatedness, inter-dependence, radically compassionate community, and profound commitment to the well-being of all. We best understand this as those who see and hear Jesus are moved to respond through their own acts of love. Jesus takes  the everyday image of the vine and transforms it into a symbol of community, mission, and love. Community characterized by interdependence, mutual respect, and the ongoing presence of Christ.

Jesus taught the disciples to not rely on their own strength. The metaphor helps them to understand that on their own they would be cut off from their life source. They would bear no fruit. Can we hear this message today? In the midst of a culture focused on individualism, is it possible to hear these words? Perhaps the impact of the pandemic has helped us to better understand what Jesus taught. It is in community and in our relationships that we gain strength and grow.

How will this community do so? One way is in how you reach out to one another. During this time of isolation your connections have an opportunity to strengthen. It is in our vulnerability that we are best able to connect with one another. Perhaps this is a time to re-imagine how we might grow and be in this different time. How will our lives change and what will remain constant?  Like the vine that must be pruned, how must our lives be pruned and shaped for healthy growth?

Peace be with you. Shalom.

 

Hymn # 650       He leadeth me

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote: Stewardship is organizing your life so you can give yourself away. Anonymous

God’s love abides in anyone who has resources and shares with the brother or sister in need. With love for God and neighbor we offer our lives to help those in need. 1 John 3:17

 

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Join me in prayer:

Omniscient – all knowing and all seeing – God, we pray for the church in every place and every good form. We pray for the nations of the world. May leaders of all communities use their power to help the poor and defend the vulnerable.

We pray for this community. Strengthen the caregivers who work to heal the sick, welcome the outcasts, and help sisters and brothers in need. O holy One, we lift up all who toil during this time of the pandemic. May your Spirit linger with them as they bravely serve in essential roles.

We pray for friends and loved ones. May all who are suffering find comfort in your presence and know that you walk with them through dark valleys.

Gracious God, we give you thanks that you have shown us the meaning of love

through Jesus Christ.There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. O holy and healing Creator, we lift up your faithful daughter Jessie Petersen. May your Spirit guide her soul to a place of comfort and strength. Be with her daughters Marlene, Donna, and Heather as they mourn the loss of their mother. Be with her family and friends as they nurture and share memories of Jessie’s presence in their lives.

        Silence…

O holy One, by your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to Christ 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 #620        Go now in peace

 

Benediction

Psalm 23, 1 John 3, John 10

In the name of the good shepherd, love one another. May the goodness and mercy of God follow you all the days of your life, and, at your life’s end, may you dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen

 

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

Questions for Reflection 

What does it mean to lay down our lives for one another (1 John 3:16)? Think about people who have been “good shepherds” for you, sharing the love and showing the way of Jesus Christ. Who has helped to lead you in right paths or walked with you in dark valleys? Who has given you comfort and calmed your fears? Who has shown you hospitality and grace, making a place at the table for you, even when you felt surrounded by enemies? How have you done these things for others?

 

 

 

 

Morning Prayer

Good shepherd, walk beside me through the joy and trouble of this day, and lead me in right paths for your name’s sake. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Good shepherd, remain with me in the dark and stillness of this night, and let me lie down in safety to restore my soul. Amen.

Daily Prayer

We are your people, O God, the sheep of your pasture, the flock you have gathered. Lead us beside still waters; teach us the way of righteousness;

and feed us at your table; through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd. Amen.

 

Scripture readings next week – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Psalm 22:25-31; Acts 8:26-40;   1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8

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

 

358   There is a redeemer

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son,

precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy one.

Refrain:    Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son,

and leaving your Spirit till your work on earth is done.

 

Jesus my Redeemer, name above all names,

precious Lamb of God, Messiah, oh for sinners slain. Refrain

 

When I stand in glory, I will see his face,

and there I’ll serve my King forever, in that holy place. Refrain

 

11    The Lord’s my shepherd Psalm 23

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.

 

My soul he doth restore again, And me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness even for his own name’s sake.

 

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill, for thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still.

 

My table thou hast furnished In presence of my foes; my head thou dost with oil anoint and my cup overflows.

 

Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.

 

650 He leadeth me

He leadeth me: oh blessed thought! oh words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain:    He leadeth me! He leadeth me! By his own hand he leadeth me!

A faithful follower I would be, for ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

 

Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,

by waters still, o’er troubled sea, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me! Refrain

 

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine,

content, whatever lot I see since ‘tis my God that leadeth me! Refrain

 

And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory’s won,

e’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me. Refrain

 

620   Go now in peace

Go now in peace; though friends must part, Your presence lives in every heart.

Your gifts to us no words can tell: Go now in peace in Christ go well.

 

Go now in hope, and hopeful stay, Though shadowed valleys hide your way;

Through good and evil, joy and pain, With God, in Spirit, you remain.

 

Go now in faith, through time and chance, Until we join the wedding dance

As partners of the Three-in-

Connections 18 April 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

Call to Worship

We come to you, O God, to thank you for what is good.

We come to you, O God, to cry out for what is wrong.

We come to you, O God, with aching hearts and glad souls.

Let us worship God.

Hymn# 706  Come, let us sing

Assurance of Pardon

Trusting that our Creator knows us through and through, let us open our hearts to the healing of God’s forgiveness.

Join me in  prayer:  Good and gracious God, we repent of our failure to give as you have given to us. We beg your mercy for our fallen world and seek your Word, that we may live with the faith of Jesus. Be our solace in this life and always. We ask this as your own children, holy and incomplete.  Forgive us and lead us. Amen.

God’s promises are sure: you are forgiven.

May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

 

Prayer For Illumination   

Holy God, by your Spirit reveal your radical, surprising love to us through your holy Word. Amen.

Readings

Psalm 4; Acts 3:1–19;  1 John 3:1–7; Luke 24:36b–48

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   # 638     Take time to be holy

Connections

Last week the passage from John’s gospel reminded us that locked doors can mean many things. Locked doors preserve privacy or boundaries and provide an assurance of safety in the dark of night. The locked door eased the fear of persecution for the disciples. The locked door helped the disciples to see the resurrected Jesus. The locked doors of the sanctuary prevent us from gathering during a pandemic and help us to see that God continues to be present in our lives.  And, the locked doors have provided an abundance of time to reflect on where you find support for your faith. Scriptures teach us that God prioritizes relationship with us, offering faithful love and grace.

Our reading from the gospel of Luke is similar, yet different, from John’s gospel last week. Luke tells of the disciples and others living in confusion, fear, and terror. Their leader was dead and his body was missing. Then, Jesus appeared with words of comfort. “Peace be with you” and “Why are you afraid? At the beginning of his Gospel Luke tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem all creation.  God transforms the tragedy and the horror of the crucifixion with the resurrection. The scriptures help us to understand that from the beginning, to the law of Moses to the prophets to the Psalms through to Jesus,  the focus is on God. It has always been about God and God’s purposes.

The disciples were afraid. They were afraid that the authorities. Then suddenly, Jesus is there opening their minds and setting them free from their fears. Jesus responded to their fear by meeting them where they were and offering them peace. He invited them to touch and see. He ate with them. The disciples discovered that Jesus was there in their midst despite the locked doors. Their fear turned to joy even as their disbelief lingered. It seems we cannot escape fear in life. Each of us have our personal fears, the thing or the things that set us off. The issues that seem to push away all sense of peace and puts all logic aside. It may be risk to our health, risk to our finances or to our employment. It may be a fear of being alone and isolated. Each of these threats are significant and magnified during the pandemic. There is the fear that this may never end. The risen Christ taught the disciples to calm their fear and doubts.  Jesus opened their minds to bear witness to the nations of what they experienced and what they knew. They were sent out into a troubled world to heal in his name.

Nancy R. Blakely captures the work of Dorothee Soelle.  Born in Germany in 1929, Soelle grew up in the time of Hitler and the Nazi regime. Her theological writing reflects her struggle with the horrors of the concentration camps and life after World War II. Her work challenges the distorted need for safety. In her essay “Jesus’ Death,” Soelle writes,  “because you are strong [in Christ], you can put the neurotic need for security behind you. You do not need to defend your life like a lunatic. For the love of the poor, Jesus says, you can give your life away and spread it around.”

In our reading from the book of Acts, the narrator tells of Peter as a Jew speaking to a gathering of Jews who were amazed by the healing. Our recent book studies remind us that the early follows of Christ were primarily Jewish. There are many ways in which a distorted and warped lens shifted the meaning of scriptures through the centuries. When we look back it seems rather obvious. Anti-Semitism is contrary to the biblical witness of Peter’s love for the growing Jewish Jesus movement. We are encouraged to remember that Christ is the child of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He comes into our lives to transform our destructive way of living. Christ offers pathways to peace and understanding.  Christ reveals the God of life. We are urged to reflect on the gift of faith as it is found in our hearts and souls and in the lives of others. This gift is not a possession to hide away out of sight. This is a gift to be shared with others. How better to share than in faithful relationship with God and one another.

In our reading from Acts, Peter and John were going to the temple when a lame man asked for their help. He was told that the apostles did not have silver or gold, however, they could offer healing in the name of Jesus Christ. When the man was healed he jumped up and down, praising God.  Witnesses were astonished. Peter spoke to those who were amazed and he continues to speak to us today. He reminds us that it is faith in God that has healed the lame. It was not the power of the disciples, but the power of God. Peter urges them to remember how they made Jesus into a scapegoat for their fear. In this passage we are reminded of the grace and love of God. Later in Acts, Paul, who persecuted followers of Christ and ordered the stoning of Stephen, will eventually become one of the first theologians of the earliest Christian churches and a dedicated follower in the ways of Christ. Jesus has shared the gift of healing with them and they share the gift with others.

How do you share your gifts with others during the pandemic?. Many of us sit in our homes, behind locked doors, waiting for the danger to pass. Our fear may hold us captive in isolation. Some are fortunate to be in their homes with supportive families and friends. Others are struggling. Struggling to pay the bills, struggling to find safety within their homes, struggling to hold onto their gift of faith, struggling to find balance in this topsy turvy world. It is vital, and for many there is a sense of urgency, that you reach out to one another. Reach out as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc in our lives. Go for a walk and wave at your neighbour. Reach out with email, social media, telephone calls. Reach out to your elder and to me. Now is the time to put an extra effort into connecting with each other.

Connecting does not mean that you need to be witty or, quite frankly, interesting. When we connect, even in silence, a bond is formed. The more we connect, the stronger the bond. The more we connect, the less isolated and lonely we feel.  What stops you from picking up the phone and calling someone you haven’t talked with for a while? Call and talk about your frustration. Your frustration may lead you into creative discussions that lead to action.

There are many signs of hope that emerge from tragedy. Beyond the 11th was started in 2003 by two American women whose husbands were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Susan Retik and Patti Quigley created the foundation out of their radical response to hate – compassion. Beyond the 11th partners with international aid groups to provide job training and economic opportunity to Afghani widows. Retik and Quigley found the connections helped to make sense of the world. They model the gift of open and understanding minds and hearts.

Jesus recognized the fear within the disciples. He helped them to shift away from fear and disbelief to open hearts and minds. The shift led them to share their faith with the world.  Jesus brought them peace but he did not bring them security. The disciples risked their lives to follow in his way. Through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the disciples were able to emerge with hope.

We continue to live in a world that suffers with war, poverty, and disease. The whole world is suffering with COVID and the measures taken to protect against the virus. There is assurance that God’s presence is here. God is present in the comfort, assurance, and nurture in our interactions. We witness God’s intention of peace, love, justice, and mercy when we reach out to one another with kind support.

How do we find our way into a communal response to God’s presence in the world? How do we participate in God’s work on earth? We seek justice, love, mercy, and walk humbly with God.  We are each called to declare the presence and power of God in the midst of tragedy, despair, and death.   As people of faith, we are to be witnesses to Christ’s presence among us, in our words and in our deeds; our faith demands nothing less. Peace be with you.

Hymn # 811       Standing at the portal

 

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote:       The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.  Psalm 24:1

All that we have is a gift from God. In faith and gratitude, we return a portion of what we have so abundantly received.

 

 

 

 

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Join me in prayer:

Holy One, as the risen Christ opened the minds of the disciples to understand the Scriptures and gave them power through the Holy Spirit to walk boldly in this world, open your people today to the healing, wisdom, and faith given in your Word. Great Creator, we humbly offer a portion of what you have given us. All that we have is from your creative hand. All that we can give, we share through Jesus’ love. May these gifts be multiplied to provide others with joy.

We pray for peace among nations, peace throughout communities, and peace within families. May your Spirit guide leaders, governments, judges and juries.

May our actions ensure that all creatures share in the abundance of your creation.   Loving God, may we have compassion for the wounds of our neighbors, the fears of individuals and families, especially during the pandemic. Hear us, O God, your mercy is great.

We pray your love will calm those who are shrouded in violence. May the pain hidden in secret be revealed and healed. Unveil the needs of our own hearts so that we may know the healing acceptance of vulnerability.

You command us to bring to you our deepest desires, O God, and we pray now for those persons and concerns that lie on our hearts, spoken aloud or in silence. . . . [A time of silence]  There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, 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. Trusting in your abundant mercy, O God, we commend into your care all for whom we pray.

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 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 #670        Amazing grace

Benediction

Live with hope, share your joy, and turn to all people with gentleness. May God bless and keep you. May God shine upon you with grace and mercy. May God give you what is needed for each new day. This day and forevermore.  Amen

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

Questions for Reflection 

When Jesus appeared to the disciples, “he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). What is it to “understand” God’s word? How does understanding feed your faith? In the coming week, take note of one new understanding that comes to you from something you hear or read or realize through another person.

 

Morning Prayer

God of surprising revelations, I thank you for rest and renewal. I thank you that when you come to your people, you speak peace and invite faith in you. Make this new day a time when I will give more thanks for life than I did yesterday. Give me ears to hear your will for me, hands that are open to others, and eyes to see the beauty in your world; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Evening Prayer

For all that has happened this day, O God, I give you thanks. Even for the obstacles I faced, I thank you. Especially when I wobbled in doubt, I thank you because I did not fall. You came to hold me strong and help me take the next step. Now give me rest, secure in your never-failing arms. Let my dreams revolve around what is pleasing and good, bringing me to a new day with zeal for your gifts; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, your power makes the lame walk and the dead rise to new life. We give you thanks for the love poured into our world through Christ Jesus, who opened our minds to understand what you have made, whose appearance among his followers brings peace, and who creates faith through touch and taste. Show us Jesus, even now, through the mystery of your threefold presence, one God, abiding now and forever. Amen.

Scripture readings next week – 4^th Sunday of Easter

Psalm 23; Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18

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

 

706   Come, let us sing

Come, let us sing of a wonderful love, tender and true, tender and true;

out of the heart of the Father above, streaming to me and to you:

wonderful love, wonderful love dwells in the heart of the Father above.

 

Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell joyfully came, joyfully came,

came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell, sharing their sorrow and shame: seeking the lost, seeking the lost, saving, redeeming at measureless cost.

 

Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet; why do they roam? why do they roam?

Love only waits to forgive and forget; home, weary wanderers, home:

wonderful love, wonderful love dwells in the heart of the Father above.

 

Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love; come and abide, come and abide,

lifting my life till it rises above envy and falsehood and pride:

seeking to be, seeking to be lowly and humble, a learner of thee.

 

638   Take time to be holy

Take time to be holy; speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in him always, and feed on his word. Make friends of God’s children; help those who are weak, forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

 

Take time to be holy; the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be; thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

 

Take time to be holy; let him be thy guide, and run not before him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.

 

Take time to be holy; be calm in thy soul, each thought and each motive beneath his control. Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love, thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

 

 

811   Standing at the portal

Standing at the portal of the opening year, Words of comfort meet us hushing every fear, Spoken through the silence by God’s loving voice, Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.

Refrain:    Onward, then, and fear not, Children of the day, For God’s word shall never, Never pass away.

“I, your God, and with you: do not be afraid; I will help and strengthen; do not be dismayed, For I will uphold you with my own right hand; You are called and chosen in my sight to stand.” Refrain

 

God will not forsake us and will never fail; God’s eternal covenant ever will prevail.

Resting on this promise, what have we to fear? God is all-sufficient for the coming year. Refrain

 

670   Amazing grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

 

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

 

The Lord has promised good to me: This word my hope secures;

God will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

 

What thanks I owe you, and what love—  a boundless, endless store—

Shall echo through the realms above When time shall be no more.

 

When we’ve been here ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

Peace be with you 11 April 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

The Lord be with you … and also with you. Welcome to worship at Knox Presbyterian Bayfield on the Second Sunday of Easter.

Call to Worship

We gather with joy as Easter continues. We celebrate the presence of the Risen Christ among us. Let us offer our prayers and our praise with humble, hopeful hearts.

Hymn# 528   Jesus calls us here to meet him

 Assurance of Pardon

Hear the words of the risen Christ: Peace be with you. Receive the peace and forgiveness of Christ. Rejoice in his gift of new life this day and every day. Thanks be to God.  May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

 

Prayer For Illumination   

1 John 1:1; John 20:27–28

God of all who doubt and believe, by the gift of your Spirit enable us to hear with our ears, to see with our eyes, and to touch with our hands your Word of life—Jesus Christ— our Lord and our God. Amen.

Readings

Acts 4:32–35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1–2:2; John 20:19–31

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   # 258     Thine be the glory

Peace be with you

During this time of the Easter season we celebrate the biggest mystery of faith. The paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Christ is central to our faith. The liturgical year devotes seven weeks to the Easter season. The Sundays during this season are Sundays of Easter. The fifty days are set aside as a time to live into the reality of the resurrection. A time to reflect on what it means to be a community shaped by Christ.  Sounds simple, but the reality is anything but simple.

We look to the scriptures and discover that Jesus was crucified, died and resurrected. We find that the original disciples were confused, afraid, and hiding behind locked doors. We are able to look back and see the unfolding events. The disciples were living without the knowledge of how it would be resolved. In his death, Jesus was able to physically demonstrate his resurrection and his divinity, even to the most skeptical among his followers. We are looking back at their accounts of events that have encouraged people through the centuries to see Jesus more clearly. Events such as healing miracles, walking on water, and the resurrection.

In this account of the resurrection, Thomas and the others provide us with reassurance that faith can include questions and doubt. Isn’t this the way that many of us have come to our faith? We were not there two thousand years ago to see the events as they unfolded. We did not see or touch the wounds. We heard, read, and experienced that which allowed our faith to blossom. We heard the stories of Jesus in a way that invited us to explore our faith. Something spoke to us, as if calling our name. There was a sermon, a passage, a prayer. We discovered the love of God in nurturing relationships and generous acts. Our faith is typically not grounded in logical argument or debate. The ebb and flow of our faith is reinforced when we are open to God’s presence in our midst.

When Thomas heard of the extraordinary event, that Jesus was resurrected, he was not convinced. He wanted proof. It sounded too good to be true and Thomas was hesitant to believe. We live in a culture that tends to favor doubt over faith. Theologian Lesslie Newbigin pointed this out when with our use of language.  We use terms like “honest doubts” and “blind faith”. Belief is often spoken of as inferior to “science” or “objective truth. However, Newbigin points out, “one does not learn anything except by believing something, and — conversely — if one doubts everything one learns nothing. On the other hand, believing everything uncritically is the road to disaster. The faculty of doubt is essential. But as I have argued, rational doubt always rests on faith and not vice versa. The relationship between the two cannot be reversed. ”

In our reading this morning, Thomas was not present when time Jesus first appeared in the room with the disciples. A week later, Thomas was present when Jesus appeared. He said nothing. Can you imagine his mind racing as he searched for clarity. It seems that Jesus already knew of his doubts, of his search for evidence in which to ground his faith. When Jesus directed Thomas to touch his wounds, Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus seems to give us what we need.

Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” What is it for you to see and to believe?  We are invited to the Lord’s Table, to open our empty hands, to touch and taste for ourselves. The elements of communion – bread, wine or juice – remind us that Christ is evident in the elements of life.  All of life is provided by God for us to see and taste and for our faith to blossom.  Yet, doubt arises and the peaceful still waters that we seek are stirred up.

This passage from John tells that Jesus appeared in a locked room and reached out to Thomas. Jesus was determined to reach him.  It was Jesus who refused to let dead bolts block the outpouring of love toward the one with doubt. When doubt crowds out hope, Jesus meets us where we are, even if it is out on the edge of a faith that has forgotten how to believe.

Where are you finding support for your faith? In this world burdened with injury, sickness, and fear there is also awesome beauty, wonder, and kindness. Scriptures teach us that God prioritizes relationship with us, offering faithful love and grace … again and again. In John’s gospel we discover that Jesus seeks out Thomas in that closed room with the locked door. Jesus came along side Thomas to show him. He told him to touch the wounds, to not doubt but to believe.

In our readings today, Jesus offered his presence and he offered peace. Serene Jones writes, “When God comes, we will recognize God’s presence in those moments when peace is offered, in those moments when life’s most brutal violence is honestly acknowledged, and when, in the midst of this bracing honesty, we realize that we are not alone but have, in fact, been always, already found.”

During this time of the Easter season we reflect on what it means to be a community shaped by Christ. The passage from John’s gospel reminds us that locked doors can mean many things. Locked doors preserve privacy or boundaries and provide an assurance of safety in the dark of night. The locked door eased the fear of persecution for the disciples. The locked door helped the disciples to see the resurrected Jesus. The locked doors of the sanctuary prevent us from gathering during a pandemic and help us to see that God continues to be present in our lives.

Peace be with you.

Hymn #692        Where charity and love  prevail

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote:       What I spent is gone. What I kept I lost. But what I gave will be mine forever. Tombstone Epitaph

In this season of Easter, we celebrate God’s most precious gift to us in Christ’s dying and rising. As we present our gifts to God, may our generosity reflect God’s goodness to us and the hope we have found in Christ Jesus.

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Psalm 133:2–3; John 20:21–22

You are encouraged to participate in this prayer. The responsive portion begins when you hear, Lord in your mercy, and you respond with hear our prayer. We will conclude the prayer by joining our voices in the Lords prayer.

Join me in prayer:

Almighty, faithful God, we lift up our voices in praise of you. You made all things and called them good. May your planet earth be held in reverence by all people.

May its resources be used wisely and its fragile balance be respected. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. O Holy One, in your creation nations rise and fall. Hear our prayers for those who govern, that they may learn wisdom and truth.

We pray for your church. May your church be a living sign of the Ways of Christ,

sharing the gift of forgiveness and the gospel of reconciliation.

Guide us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers for others may serve your will

and show your steadfast love for all.

We pray for our community. Give us a vision of the common good: not clinging to our own possessions but seeking the fullness of life for all. We pray for loved ones. We lift up those who walk in despair and anxiety.  By the blessing of your Spirit, help us to live as we pray so that the world may come to know the gift of life in Christ. There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, 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. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

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 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 #484        The church is wherever God’s people

Benediction

John 20:29–31; Psalm 133:3

Let your life be a sign of Christ’s life so that others may come to believe that the Lord is risen indeed. This is the blessing the Triune God: life forevermore. Peace be with you, this day and forevermore. Amen

 

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

 

 

Questions for Reflection 

It all happened on Sunday. It was on “the first day of the week”—the same day Jesus rose from the dead —when the risen Lord appeared to a group of disciples in a locked house and offered them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, one week later, Jesus came again to the disciples, this time allowing Thomas to see and touch his hands and side. Think about the space where you worship during the pandemic on Sunday. Is the space open to the surprising presence of Christ and the liberating gifts of the Spirit? If not, does the Spirit still move? Does Jesus show up anyway? Are there times when your questions and doubts grow deeper? Are there times when your faith is strengthened and renewed?

 

Morning Prayer

God of light, I praise you for the gift of this new day. By the power of your Spirit

enable me to live in your light and seek the holy fellowship of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Be with me, Lord Jesus, at the evening of this day. Enter into my heart and fill it with your peace so that I may rejoice and rest in your presence. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Breathe in this place, O Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit, to open my mind,

unlock my heart, and enliven my faith so that I may welcome the risen one. Amen.

Scripture readings next week – 3^rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48

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]

 

#528                Jesus calls us here to meet him

 Jesus calls us here to meet him as through word and song and prayer,

We affirm God’s promised presence Where his people live and care.

Praise the God who keeps his promise; Praise the Son who calls us friends;

Praise the Spirit who, among us, To our hopes and fears attends.

 

Jesus calls us to confess him Word of Life and Lord of all,

Sharer of our flesh and frailness Saving all who fail or fall.

Tell his holy human story; Tell his tales that all may hear;

Tell the world that Christ in glory  Came to earth to meet us here.

 

Jesus calls us to each other: Found in him are no divides.

Race and class and sex and language: Such are barriers he derides.

Join the hands of friend and stranger; Join the hands of age and youth;

Join the faithful and the doubter In their common search for truth.

 

Jesus calls us to his table Rooted firm in time and space,

Where the church in earth and heaven Finds a common meeting place.

Share his bread and wine, his body; Share the love of which we sing;

Share the feast for saints and sinners Hosted by our Lord and King.

 

#258        Thine be the Glory

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering son, Endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won; Angels in bright raiment rolled the tone away, Kept the folded grave clothes, where thy body lay.

Refrain:   Thine be the glory, risen, conquering son;

Endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom; Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, For her Lord now liveth; death hast lost its sting. Refrain

No more we doubt thee, glorious prince of life; Life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife; Make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love: Bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Refrain

 

#484        The Church is Wherever

The church is wherever God’s people are praising, singing God’s goodness for joy on this day. The church is wherever disciples of Jesus remember his story and walk in his way.

The church is wherever God’s people are helping, caring for neighbours in sickness and need. The church is wherever God’s people are sharing the words of the Bible in gift and in deed.

 

#692        Where charity and love  prevail

Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found;

Brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound.

 

With grateful joy and holy fear His charity we learn;

Let us with heart and mind and soul now love him in return.

 

Forgive we now each other’s faults as we our faults confess;

And let us love each other well in Christian holiness.

 

Let strife among us be unknown, let all contention cease;

Be His the glory that we seek, be ours His holy peace.

 

Let us recall that in our midst dwells God’s begotten Son;

As members of His body joined, we are in Him made one.

 

No race or creed can love exclude, if honored be God’s name;

Our family embraces all whose Father is the same.

 

Easter Sunday 4 April 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

The Lord be with you … and also with you.

Call to Worship

Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Hymn #814  Morning has broken

Assurance of Pardon

All-knowing, all-powerful God, we confess that, even on this most holy day,

we struggle to believe in the victory over death shown in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We confess our dependence on you for life and for faith, hope, and love. We are thankful for your astonishing appearance to our ancestors and your presence throughout the ages among humanity. We pray all this in the name of Christ. Amen

Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. The rejected cornerstone has become your strength and your song. By God’s grace we are forgiven and set free to find new life in Christ.

May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

 Prayer For Illumination   

Living God, you feed us with bread and with your Word. Give us undivided hearts and undistracted minds, so that we might walk in your truth and live in your light. Amen.

Readings

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16

Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God

Acts 10:34-43

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   #78       This is the day

He has been raised

After the Sabbath, two women named Mary –  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome went to tend to the body of Jesus. We can imagine what they felt as they walked—their grief, anger, fear, disappointment. Yet their determination to care for him, even after death, led them to the tomb.   According to Mark, the women had a complex relationship with the good news of resurrection. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, yet they went with spices believing he was dead. Their intention was rooted in deep devotion. Were they making peace with the death of a man and with the death of their hope of the Messiah?

Early that day, just as the sun rose over the hills, they arrived at the tomb. The normal patterns of life and death were not visible on that morning. Everything was changed. The tomb was open and a young man in a white robe told them not to be alarmed. He knew they were looking for Jesus and that he has risen.

He told them to go with a message for the other disciples, including Peter. William Barclay wrote, “How that message must have cheered Peter’s heart when he got it! He must have been tortured with the memory of his disloyalty, and suddenly there comes a message, a special message for him.”  The message that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.

The women experienced such terror and amazement that they fell silent. They fled from the tomb and said nothing. What words could the women speak in those first few moments as they leave the tomb? It is a moment of holy awe, astonishment and wonder at the realization that the Messiah was resurrected and lived. Praise be to God.

Hymn #250       I danced in the morning

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To God           

Quote:        Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4:10

With compassion for our needs, the Risen One stands beside us, calling our names. Let us, with that same mercy, share our gifts and offerings to relieve the suffering of this world and to proclaim far and wide the good news of Jesus Christ.

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

O holy God, help us see you in those we do not expect to encounter. We pray for the strength to move through the fear in our hearts. With gratitude, we give you thanks for our sisters and brothers, our siblings in Christ, in every land. Guide them and keep them, open their eyes again and again to your blessings.

Holy God, you shower us with gifts so abundant we cannot take measure of them. You give us life itself. You nurture us and teach us to love one another. Bless the gifts offered in your name for those in need.

Great Creator, we pray for this planet, our home. We seek your guidance to heal what we have scarred and broken. May you embolden us to aid in the renewal of the Earth from north to south, from east to west.

With hope, we pray for the nations of the world, especially those places overwhelmed by the pandemic, war, and conflict. Bless those who provide care and protection during the time of COVID. Bless the peacemakers who work to bring justice to their communities.

Almighty God, guide us to the ways in which the hungry can be fed, the naked can be clothed, and the troubled can be comforted. May your angels watch over the vulnerable and sick and guide the caregivers.

God in your mercy, hear our prayers. Hear the prayers of all who have joined in our worship of you, whether spoken aloud or held in silence.

We remember those who saw our risen Lord and witnessed to his resurrection so that we might have faith. May their words and deeds inspire us to sing our “hallelujah!” again and again.

Passing from bondage to freedom, from death to life, we commend to you, faithful and loving God, all for whom we pray. There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, John, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hymn #371 – Love divine, all loves excelling 

This is the Lord’s table. All are invited and welcome to share in the feast which he has prepared. O taste and see that the Lord is good.

Affirmation of Faith

#539 The Apostles’ Creed

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.

We are called to 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. 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

Responsive Prayer

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. 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. 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. He revealed your living and redeeming hope for all people.  When he ascended into heaven, your Holy Spirit came to be our Counsellor and Comforter.  In 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 – across space and time – 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, we lift our voices with the words that Christ 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

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. This do in remembrance of me.’ [eat]

Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God

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.’ [drink]

Hymn #64 Be still and know that I am God

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

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.

Benediction

Go out with joy to share the good news. Christ has risen! May the face of God shine upon you with beauty, blessing, & peace. Go with the grace of Jesus the Christ, the love of God, & the communion of the Holy Spirit this day & forever more.  Amen

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

Questions for Reflection 

Paul’s claim about Christ Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15 is a creed: Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to many disciples and finally to Paul, who writes, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (v. 10). If you were to say those words of yourself, what would it mean that everything about you—all you are and have done—is “by the grace of God”? Where is God’s grace evident in your life today?

Morning Prayer

Heavenly God, our Father, I am full of thanks for a night of rest and for this new day and all that now awaits me. I go forward toward encounters with family and friends, work and play, and all that will bring me into contact with strangers, certain that you are with me. Lead and guide me in the way of a resurrected life. Help me to see the risen Lord today; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Holy God, our Mother, you are my comfort at the end as at the beginning of each day. You pull me toward the goodness you desire for me. I give you thanks for all that has come my way this day,and I ask your enveloping power to watch over me this night. Give rest to all your people. Wherever there is pain and struggle, may your holy angels bring peace; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Holy One, you come to us with power beyond all knowing. You lift all things out of the dust, you breathe love into every cell, you call us into communion with you, and you claim victory over death. Blessed be your holy name now and forever. Amen.

Scripture readings next week

Acts 4:32–35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1–2:2; John 20:19–31

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]

 

814 Morning has broken

Morning has broken, like the first morning; Blackbird has spoken like the first bird; Praise for the singing, praise for the morning, Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.

 

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, Like the first dewfall on the first grass; Praise for the sweetness, praise for the morning, Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight; mine is the morning; Born of the one light Eden saw play; Praise with elation; praise every morning God’s re-creation of the new day!

 

64   Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God. 3x

 

I am the Lord that healeth thee. 3x

 

In thee, O Lord, I put my trust. 3x

 

 

78     This is the day

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

 

Open to us, open to us the gates of God, the gates of God; we will go in, we will go in and praise the Lord, and praise the Lord.

Open to us the gates of God; we will go in and praise the Lord.

Open to us, open to us the gates of God.

 

You are our God, you are our God; we will praise your name, we will praise your name;

we will give thanks, we will give thanks for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.

You are our God, we will praise your name; we will give thanks for your faithfulness.

You are our God, you are our God; we will praise your name.

 

250   I danced in the morning

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth; At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain:    Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, But they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; They came with me and the dance went on.       Refrain

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame: The holy people said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, And they left me there on a cross to die.          Refrain

I danced on a Friday and the sky turned black; It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body, and they thought I’d gone, But I am the dance, and I still go on.          Refrain

 

They cut me down and I leap up high; I am the life that’ll never, never die; I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. Refrain

 

371 Love divine, all loves excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;

fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

 

Breathe, oh breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest;

take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

 

Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy grace receive;

suddenly return and never, never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,

changed from glory into glory till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

 

Good Friday April 2 2021 Knox Bayfield

Prelude

Meditation  Be still and know that I am God (3x)

Call To Worship

The grace of Jesus Christ be with you  And also with you

 Prayer

Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, we pray for your mercy upon us. We have come together at the foot of the Cross to remember the events of suffering and death of Jesus the Christ. We come together to meditate on the mystery of His passion and its meaning for all. We recognize our part with inflicting and the bearing of suffering and in the mercy of God, shown in Christ.

Holy God, we pray your forgiveness, a new awareness of your love, and a fresh zeal for your mission in the world. We seek this through him who suffered, died, and rose again, Jesus Christ our Lord. Have mercy on us, we humbly pray. Amen

Hymn    # 206      Jesus, remember me

The Cross

During Holy Week, we are on a journey of contrast. We journey through the stories of the exuberant hosannas of Palm Sunday, the solemn last supper, the prayers of grief, and the contrast of betrayals, denials, loyalty, faith, crucifixion and resurrection. What do we see when we look at the cross? Suffering, pain, loss?  All of this is part of the crucifixion. Yet, there is more. If today is only a day of suffering and brutality, a day to re-enact the execution of Jesus, then it makes no sense to see this as good.

When Good Friday becomes only the suffering of the crucifixion then we are put at risk of a thin understanding of the cross? This thin story could leave us with an angry God seeking payment for sin. Is that the good news of Jesus the Christ?

When we read and study the stories of the crucifixion … we discover the story does not only focus on the betrayals or the brutality and violence of the cross. The violence is there but it is not the whole story. In the gospels, Jesus does not have a singular focus on suffering and death. His focus is on love. Perhaps this is why Jesus can give himself to the cross. He doesn’t look at the cross, he sees through it. Death is not the end. Jesus trusts God’s love more than he fears his own death.

When we experience only the sorrow and pain … life is reduced to a thin story.

Can we also see and experience love? The love of God and the love of one another? The deeper, richer part of life’s story.  Could it be that this is what makes Friday good? The love of Christ is stronger and more than death. The love of Jesus does more than pull us together in suffering and dying. The love of Jesus is with us through every aspect of life.  God’s love defeats sin and death.

Each day we decide whether we can trust in God’s love. This decision creates our perspective, our view of our life and the world. The decision of whether we trust in God’s love will guide our relationships and affect how we approach our lives. This decision will guide how we experience God. Good Friday offers the challenge and the hope of trusting in God’s love.

Praise be to God.

 

Prayer for Illumination

Holy God, as we bow our heads beneath the cross pour out your Holy Spirit to testify to the truth so that we may believe. We pray through Jesus Christ – your Word made flesh. Amen.

 

Reading     Mark 15

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.  Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.”  Then the chief priests accused him of many things.  Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.”  But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

 

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked.  Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.  So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom.  Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”  For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.  Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”  They shouted back, “Crucify him!”  Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!”  So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

 

… silent reflection

 

Hymn         #206  Jesus, remember me

 

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort.  And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.  And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him.  After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.  Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).  And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it.  And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.  The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”  And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”  In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

 

… silent reflection

 

Hymn         #231 When I survey the wondrous cross

 

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.”  And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”  Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.  And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he[j] breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

 

… silent reflection

 

Hymn         #233 Were You There?

 

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.  When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then Joseph[l] bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

 

… silent reflection

 

Hymn         #240 Rock of ages, cleft for me

 

Drape cloth over pulpit and communion table.

 

 

 

 

# 206       Jesus, remember me

Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom. [repeat]

 

# 231       When I survey the wondrous cross   

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God!

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood.

 

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small.

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

Were You There?                               # 233

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

 

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

 

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

 

#240        Rock of ages, cleft for me         

Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee;

Let the water and the blood, From thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure: Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

 

Not the labours of my hands Can fulfil thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone.

 

Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling:

Naked, come to thee for dress; Helpless, look on thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

 

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyelids close in death,

When I soar through tracts unknown, See thee on thy judgement throne,

Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.

 

 

Holy week begins 28 March 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

The Lord be with you … and also with you.

Call to Worship

Micah 6:8

God has told you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you?

To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus said, come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day. We are called to the promise of God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God. Amen.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

 

Hymn #644  May the mind of Christ 

 

Holy Week Begins

The worship services during the next week may feel unfamiliar, well, less familiar. Many changes have taken place in the last year due to the pandemic. The less familiar way of being has become the norm. Although the world has spent the last year in this shared pandemic we each have our own story to tell. When we read the scriptures, it is important to remember that the gospels share individual accounts of time spent with Jesus. Although the gospels are similar, they each have their own story to tell. We have been weaving our way through the gospels of John and Mark during this unusual season of Lent. Our journey through Holy Week will focus on Mark’s gospel. Today’s passage will lead to our Good Friday and Easter Sunday worship services.

Readings from the gospel will be interspersed with silence for reflection and hymns. Allow yourself to settle in as you listen to the reading and follow along in your bible if you like. During the silence simply reflect on the passage.

 

Prayer For Illumination

Philippians 2:5, Isaiah 50:4, 5

Come Holy Spirit, source of all life.  Awaken our ears, open our hearts, and sustain the weary with your Word. Amen.

 

Readings

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14

Mark 14 

It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him;  for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

 While Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.  But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way?  For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.  But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me.  For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me.  She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

 

HYMN #348      Tell me the stories of Jesus

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.  When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  So Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”  So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

 When it was evening, Jesus came with the twelve.  And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”  They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”  He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Hymn   #500     Open my eyes

 

 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’  But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”  Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.”  Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.”  But Peter said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated.  And Jesus said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.”  

And going a little farther, Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.”  He came and found them sleeping; and Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?  Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  

And again Jesus went away and prayed, saying the same words.  And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him.  Jesus came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

 Immediately, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”  So when he came, Judas went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.  Then they laid hands on him and arrested him.  But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  

Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit?  Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”  All of them deserted Jesus and fled.

 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

Hymn   #500     Open my eyes

 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled.  Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and Peter was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.  For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.  Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’”  But even on this point their testimony did not agree.  

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?”  But Jesus was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”  Jesus said, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.  Some began to spit on Jesus, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took Jesus over and beat him.

 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by.  When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”  But Peter denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed.  And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”  But again Peter denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.”  But Peter began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.”  At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

 

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   #500       Open my eyes

 

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote:        The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.  Chinese Proverb

Jesus gave of himself for the life of the world. With humble hearts and in awe, we offer ourselves and our gifts to do good work in God’s creation.

 

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Join me in prayer:

Holy God, we give thanks for your steadfast love made known to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We pray for your blessing of the offerings within this congregation that they may be multiplied for those in need. Holy God, we pray for those holding positions of power. May your Spirit guide them to seek justice for all people. Healing God, raise us to a new and rightly ordered world through the reconciling love of Christ,

where all victims of violence, shame, or terror may stand together with you in peace. Enlighten us to care for your creation, awaken us from our denial and abuse, and help us to alleviate suffering. O holy One, we lift up all who are suffering due to the pandemic. We pray your Spirit will linger with them that they may know your love and peace during this difficult time.

There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, John, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of 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. Make us true neighbors to one another and true children of your own calling. Lead us to serve others faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, who taught us 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 #78  This is the day

Benediction

Philippians 2:5

Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus Christ. Go forth in peace to love and serve in the world. May the blessing of God, fill you with a zeal for justice and passion for peace, this day and always.

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

 

Questions for Reflection 

The passion of Christ is a story in which, against all odds, love wins. How might this story reshape your week, your life, our world? Where will you commit to letting love win? How will this change your life?

 

 

 

 

Morning Prayer

Jesus, in your passion and resurrection, you show me there is no place you have not been and no place you fear to go. Morning by morning, you awaken me more deeply to this truth. Send me into the world this day with the courage and wisdom

to be a faithful witness to your coming reign of justice, mercy, and peace. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Although I have sought to serve you this day, I have failed to keep your love.

You know my strengths and weaknesses more than I; reveal them to me that I may be healed this night and begin afresh tomorrow. Amen.

Daily Prayer

God of salvation, our Lord entered his passion to raise us to life. In this holiest of weeks, help us to walk the way of the cross, that we may be raised in a resurrection like his and dwell forever in you, Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Scripture readings Good Friday

Psalm 22, Mark 15

Scripture readings Easter Sunday

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16

 

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]

 

 

 

 644  May the mind of Christ

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour, Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling All I do and say.

 

May the Word of God dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph Only through His power.

 

May the peace of God my Father Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort Sick and sorrowing.

 

May the love of Jesus fill me, As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing, This is victory.

 

May I run the race before me, Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus As I onward go.

 

May His beauty rest upon me As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him.

 

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

 

 

78    This is the day

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

 

Open to us, open to us the gates of God, the gates of God;

we will go in, we will go in and praise the Lord, and praise the Lord.

Open to us the gates of God; we will go in and praise the Lord.

Open to us, open to us the gates of God.

 

You are our God, you are our God;

we will praise your name, we will praise your name;

we will give thanks, we will give thanks for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.

You are our God, we will praise your name;

we will give thanks for your faithfulness.

You are our God, you are our God; we will praise your name.

 

348   Tell me the stories of Jesus

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,

Things I would ask him to tell me If he were here:

Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

 

First, let me hear how the children Stood round his knee,

And I shall fancy his blessing resting on me:

Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, All in the lovelight of Jesus’ face.

 

Tell me about the disciples from far and near,

And I will listen among them eager to hear.

Whose loaves and fishes did Jesus bless, Showing the people God’s tenderness?

 

Tell me, in accents of wonder, How rolled the sea,

Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee,

And how the Master, ready and kind, Chided the billows and hushed the wind.

 

Into the city I’d follow the children’s band,

Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;

One of his heralds, yes, I would sing Loudest hosannas: Jesus is King!

 

 

 

 

 

Written on your heart 21 March 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

The Lord be with you … and also with you.

 

Call to Worship

Come, all who desire to know God and yearn to see Jesus. Come, all who thirst for the Spirit. Let us worship God with heart, mind, strength and soul, and declare God’s goodness to us.

Hymn# 370  Hallelujah sing to Jesus

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus said, come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day. We are called to the promise of God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God. Amen.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

 

Prayer For Illumination   

Ps. 119:10–11, 15

Your Word, O God, has power to change our lives and to create a whole new world. As we meditate on your word this day, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may treasure your word with our whole hearts and fix our eyes on you. Amen.

Readings

Jeremiah 31:31–34, Psalm 119:9-16, Hebrews 5:5–10, John 12:20–33

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

Hymn   # 209  O love that wilt not let me go

Written on your heart

This is the 5th Sunday of Lent- traditionally a time of reflection, a time for emptying ourselves as we  remember  the journey to the cross…as we prepare for the good news of Easter.   In the midst of Lenten reflection, this inspiring message of hope comes from the prophet Jeremiah. He wrote, … “I will put my law within them,” says the Lord, “and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” …

What are we to make of these hopeful words deep in this time of the pandemic? How can these words give us hope? Many communities are dealing with rising infection numbers, slow progress with the vaccines, and continued social isolation measures. We live with caution when our neighbours face different levels of risk. Currently Huron Perth is in the Yellow-Protect category while Lambton Shores is in the Grey-Lockdown zone. The map of Ontario is full of colour categories that illustrate the pandemic risk. Many are struggling with worry over the risk of infection for themselves and others. There is an increasing financial struggle with the ongoing disruptions to the world economy. The many changes and disruptions of the past year have created a weariness and a sense of disconnect within our lives.

There is strength and hope in Jeremiah’s words, which were written as the prophet struggled with the consequences of Israel’s disobedience to the law of God. Their nation was overthrown…the walls of Jerusalem were torn down, their holy temple was destroyed, and many Israelites were banished to Babylon. The prophet realized that humanity did not have the capacity to heal itself. Human solutions and tools are necessary but not enough. The need exists for divine help, a need of resources that only God can provide.

In Jeremiah’s prophecy he speaks to the sense of loss experienced when the temple was destroyed. Jeremiah warned his people of the consequences for their behaviour, for their lack of faith. Despite injustice and exploitation, despite idolatry, despite all the ways the people had broken faith with God—God did not break faith with them. God promised to write the covenant on the hearts of the people.  The temple would be part of them.

They felt an immense sense of loss. Loss of community, stability, and a disconnect from the familiar rituals that connected them with God. Instead of judgment, the people received a promise, unexpected good news from the prophet. God will bring newness out of destruction. God will bring hope where there is no hope. Jeremiah spoke of a time when it would no longer be necessary for the law to be engraved in stone and displayed within the temple. The days were coming when the law would be engraved on the hearts of the people and displayed in their lives.  The days are coming when the people, from the least to the greatest, will know God.

In John’s gospel, the writer refers to Christ as “high priest according to the order of Melchizedek, which links him to an Old Testament priest and king. Jesus, the anointed one, is connected with the history of Israel, with those who were anointed as prophets, priests, and kings. Christ, the high priest who stands as mediator between the people and God. A priest is human. The priest struggles in life and is called upon to receive, to bear, and to lift up before God the common needs of the people. When Jesus is understood in this way … he can enter into our world and be inter-connected within the fabric of our lives. He is one with God and one with humanity.

When Jesus walked through the crowds at the Passover festival there were some who were eager to meet with him, to learn more about this miracle worker. When Philip and Andrew brought people to him, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

If you work in your garden…you recognize the logic of his words. Grains of wheat die in order to produce the new plant.  The seeds cannot remain the same if they are to be fruitful. They must split and lose what they were … in order to become the plant they are intended to be. People must lose their known way of being… we are to let go of our love for our comforts, our expectations, and our sense of control in our own lives.

The parable urges us to look at how we choose to live. To reflect on and examine how we are living into the ways of Jesus. In recent years there have been multiple opportunities to reflect on how we experience life. It can be challenging to see the world through a different viewpoint. It is challenging when we feel our hearts responding to injustice in this world. It can be tempting to turn away in an effort to not see the problem. Yet, we are called to respond.

Brave individuals have formed into courageous groups that seek to clarify the perspectives that are murky. The ongoing efforts within faith communities to seek Justice, Healing and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Increased efforts to recognize and stop the harm perpetuated against individuals who identify as LGBTQ. It is necessary to become informed and to take action to rectify the problems that exist where there is the injustice of oppression, poverty, slavery, and war.

Poverty exists within every continent and every country. Armed conflict, oppression, and tyranny within governments, business, and personal relationships must be addressed. In the words used by Jesus, “Now my soul is troubled” Jesus teaches about suffering, suffering on behalf of others. We can become informed and take action to be in solidarity with those who suffer. When issues are brought out for all to witness, to discuss and explore, then it is possible to seek justice, healing, and reconciliation.  Where is God enacting that new life within or around you? What in your life must die so that you may flourish? We are strengthened in faith as we remember that God has written the law on our hearts and we are God’s people.

Praise be to God.

Hymn #  489     Help us to help each other

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote:       We are God’s smorgasboard of talents and gifts waiting to be served up on        behalf of God’s world. David N. Mosser, minister, professor, author

Jesus taught, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and takes on new life, it remains just a single grain. With grateful hearts, we bring the fruit of our lives to God with our offerings to the church.

Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

Heb. 5:7, 9 Gen. 14:18, Heb. 5:5, 6, 9

Join me in prayer:

Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and our hands have been filled with good things.        Receive the gifts we bring in gratitude and help us to bless you with dedication of our lives. Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we glorify you, almighty God, with unending thanks and praise.  As the high priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham and offered his tithe of bread and wine at your holy altar, may our gifts be used to glorify you in the world.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. We open our hearts this day as we lift up our deepest needs and concerns to you, O holy One. We pray for all leaders within your creation. May they heed your call to drive out all violence, domination, and injustice . We pray for our ravaged world, that you would teach us to walk together in your way of righteousness and peace.

We pray for the church, that our prayers would bear the fruit of action when we hear the cries of pain and suffering. We pray for the poor, the terrified, the oppressed, and the isolated. May they find peace with you.

There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, 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.

O holy One, we desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. Make us true neighbors to one another and true children of your own calling. Lead us to serve others faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, who taught us 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

John 12:26 Jer. 31:33

Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Go into this week in peace, to love and serve Christ. May God, whose hand has written the law of love upon your heart, fill you with peace from deep within. May the blessing of God, who loves, forgives, and calls us home, be with you now and always.

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy

Questions for Reflection 

God is at work offering forgiveness, showing mercy, and giving knowledge of life, death, and salvation. Where is God enacting that new life within or around you? What in your life must die so that you may flourish? What must fall away so that you can rise again in Christ?

 

Morning Prayer

Loving God, you offer the gift of new life each day. Open my heart to receive this grace that I may be wholly yours, then give me the courage to share this gift wherever I go as I seek to walk in your way of mercy, forgiveness, and newness of life. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Forgiving God, who makes all things new, you know where I have flourished this day, and you know where I have failed. Help me to know that in all my challenges there is a seed of hope that enables me to more faithfully depend on you. May I rest in peace this night and awake refreshed to greet the newness of your day. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Jer. 31:33; John 12:32

Holy God, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus, you lift the suffering world toward hope

and transformation and open the way to eternal salvation. As we move ever closer to the passion of Christ, may your law of love be written on our hearts as he draws all people to himself revealing your love for the world. Amen.

Scripture readings next week

Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

 

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]

 

 370 Hallelujah sing to Jesus

Hallelujah! Sing to Jesus! His the sceptre, his the throne;

Hallelujah! His the triumph, His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood;

Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by his blood.

 

Hallelujah! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now;

Hallelujah! He is near us, Faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the cloud from sight received him When the forty days were o’er,

Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore”?

 

Hallelujah! King eternal, Thee the Lord of lords we own;

Hallelujah! Born of Mary, Earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne.

Thou within the veil hast entered, Robed in flesh, our great High Priest.

Thou on earth both priest and victim In the eucharistic feast.

 

209 O love that wilt not let me go

O Love that wilt not let me go, I can rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow

may richer, fuller be.

 

O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee;

my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze, its day

may brighter, fairer be.

 

O joy that seekest my through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain

that morn shall tearless be.

 

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red,

life that shall endless be.

 

489 Help us to help each other

Help us to help each other, Lord, each other’s cross to share;

let each our friendly aid afford and feel each other’s care.

 

Up into thee, our living Head, let us in all things grow,

and by thy sacrifice be led the fruits of love to show.

 

Drawn by the magnet of thy love let all our hearts agree,

and ever to each other move, and ever nearer thee.

 

This is the bond of perfectness, thy spotless charity.

Oh let us still, we pray, possess the mind that was in thee.

 

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, iIn 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.

 

 

The love of God 14 March 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson

Call to Worship   Psalm 107:1

O give thanks to the Lord, who is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Hymn#  651 Guide me oh thou great redeemer

Assurance of Pardon

God’s forgiveness shines into the world and the darkness scatters. Jesus knows our every strength, 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 our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

Hymn   # 189 As when the Hebrew prophet   

 Prayer For Illumination   

John 3:21

Almighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, open your Word and illumine our world, that we may see clearly and live faithfully by the light of your truth in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Readings

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.

The love of God

The passage from the gospel of John is one of the best-known and loved verses in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” This passage has also caused great debate as we seek to understand it.

Does the good news proclaim God’s gracious love for the world, or is God’s love reserved for those who have faith? Scripture proclaims that God’s extravagant love for the world is an act of grace for all people. Despite this recurring message in scripture of God’s love for the world the idea persists that some are not worthy. God gave the incarnate, crucified, resurrected Jesus, yet there are some who feel unwelcome in faith communities. John’s Gospel assures us that “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Yet John’s Gospel also says that “those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Does God love all people, or only those who have faith in Christ as Savior?  How do we place the emphasis in this passage? Do we see God’s love as a gift, available to all people?

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul declared, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”. A gift from God. The gift that is openly available to all people. The gifts of God are not divied up by our rules and expectations. These amazing gifts are provided by God to all who will turn toward and follow in the ways of Christ.

John began this passage with reference to the passage from the book of Numbers. Moses was instructed by God to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole to save the people from the poisonous snakes.

The passage from the book of Numbers is referred to as a “murmuring” story. The murmur refers to the complaining and rebelling against Moses in the wilderness.  They speak out over the lack of food and water. They are frightened by the poisonous snakes and their fear is increased when people die from the snake bites. Their fear leads them to beg Moses to intercede for them with God.

The deeply embedded fear of snakes persists long past the wilderness journey. Beyond a healthy fear of poisonous snakes, Ophidio-phobia [ow – fi – die – uh] is the most common phobia – it affects about a third of the population. This passage catches us by surprise when God tells them to look to a fiery serpent set on a pole. Anyone bitten by a poisonous snake can look to it and be cured. The plan worked so well that the snake sculpture became an ancestral treasure. This odd action may lead us to question whether Moses was lifting up an idol to protect against the snakes. This idea goes against teachings about idols, yet at first glance this explanation seems to fit.

Barbara Brown Taylor explores the meaning of the bronze snake and the link in John’s gospel to Jesus. If the people believed that the bronze serpent was responsible for their cure, then that snake was an idol. But was that God’s intent? What if it was considered from the perspective that God loved and cared for the people? The use of an idol that is reminiscent of Egyptian symbolism seems highly unlikely. What if the serpent is a reminder for the people to lift their eyes and hearts to God? Taylor writes that the snake then becomes a sacrament. “Looking up at it, they looked through it to their only Physician, who alone was their Health, their Salvation, and their Cure.”

In Scripture we discover the opportunity to be saved by grace and through faith. The opportunity to accept God’s grace and follow in the ways of Christ. In Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we discover that God’s grace and human faith interact. We lack a concise understanding because we are seeking to understand our relationship with the Divine. It is a mystery that allows us to recognize the more we know, the more we realize that more is to be known.

For God so loved the world … is it is possible to read all Scripture within the context of God’s love? God’s love created the world and freed the slaves in Egypt. God’s love offered the guidance of the law and the security of the promised land.  God’s love called prophets who declared God’s Word and God’s love. Prophets teaching God’s compassion for the outcast, the foreigners, the oppressed, and the insiders.

It was God’s love that created Jesus to be incarnate, in the flesh, to be human like us. Jesus, as a human, was able to teach and love in ways that we could understand. He was no longer a distant, untouchable God. In his human life he lived among us, experiencing life and teaching directly into the lived experience. Jesus continues to teach us that God’s love is for everyone, not just those who look and think the same.  God so loves the world, the whole of creation, that he sent Jesus into the world. The light and the Word in human form. The good news of Christ, the love of God, is offered to all … yet some will turn away.

The books of the bible provide stories of lives impacted by the Divine. The ways in which we read and understand the stories shape our faith and our understanding of God. In John’s gospel, we are taught and reminded to look to the love of God as our primary perspective. We look to the teachings of Jesus to find the love of God for all people. Praise be to God.

Hymn # 274  Crown him with many thorns

The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord            

Quote: Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with

whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10

With thanksgiving for God’s gifts to us, we offer ourselves and the fruits of our labour for God’s work in the world.

 Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People

God of love and compassion we bring to you the need of this world, the needs within your amazing creation. We pray that you will gather us, protect us, help us to grow to be the people you intend us to be as a reflection of your image, of your goodness. We bring our prayer for peace in this world of conflict. May we seek peaceful resolution of political conflict and peace within our nations and our relationships.

Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and our hands have been filled with good things.        Receive the gifts we bring in gratitude and help us to bless you with dedication of our lives; in Christ and through Christ.

We pray for all who suffer in body, mind, and spirit.  Those who suffer with pain, with grief, with mental illness. Those who are victims of greed, injustice, and violence. God of grace and light, we pray for those who are overwhelmed with hopelessness  We pray that your spirit will touch our hearts and minds when we struggle with temptation. May we turn toward you and away from unhealthy appetites.

God of love and nurture, we pray for all who are uncertain in their spiritual journey.  Those who are newly discovering their faith and those who are struggling with accepting your will in their lives. We pray for those who are spiritually lost, who wander, blind to your presence in their lives.

There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, 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.

O holy One, we desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. Make us true neighbors to one another and true children of your own calling. Lead us to serve others faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, who taught us 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 # 765      We’ve a story to tell the nations

Benediction

Numbers 6:24-26

May God bless you and keep you. May God be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace. May the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the light of the Spirit bless you and keep you in the way of truth.

 

Postlude   #623  Holy, holy, holy      

Questions for Reflection 

What does the light of God’s truth reveal about your life? Are there parts of your life that you want to hide from God? Can you imagine what it would be like to live completely transparent to God’s piercing light?

Morning Prayer

Loving God, draw me to your light, that I may receive the freedom of your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Lord Christ, as shadows of night draw near, sustain me. Help me believe in you with all my heart that I may know the freedom of salvation and receive the joy of eternal life. Amen.

Daily Prayer

Ephesians 2:10

Almighty God, through Jesus Christ you bring salvation to the world. Give us strength to believe in him that we may fulfill the purpose for which you have made us, for he dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture readings next week

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10;John 12:20-33

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]

 189   As when the Hebrew prophet   

1. As when the Hebrew prophet raised the brazen serpent high

the wounded looked and straight were cured; the people ceased to die,

1. so from the Saviour on the cross a healing virtue flows;

who looks to him with living faith is saved from endless woes,

1. for God gave up the Son to death, so generous was that love,

that all the faithful might enjoy eternal life above.

1. Not to condemn us, or to judge, the Lamb of God appeared;

no weapons in his hands are seen, nor voice of terror heard.

1. Christ came to raise our fallen state, and our lost hopes restore;

faith leads us to the mercy seat and bids us fear no more.

 651   Guide me oh thou great redeemer

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy powerful hand:

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

Feed me now and evermore; Feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through:

Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,

Be thou still my strength and shield, Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side:

Songs of praises, songs of praises,

I will ever give to thee; I will ever give to thee.

274   Crown him with many thorns

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne:

Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!

Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died to be

Your Saviour and your matchless King Through all eternity.

Crown him the Son of God, Before the worlds began;

Let all who tread where he has trod, crown him the Son of Man,

Who every grief has known that wrings the human breast,

And takes and bears them for his own, that all in him may rest.

Crown him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave,

And rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save.

His glories now we sing Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of peace whose kingdom is at hand;

From pole to pole let warfare cease and Christ rule every land!

A city stands on high; Christ’s glory it displays,

And there the nations “Holy” city cry in joyful hymns of praise.

Crown him the Lord of years, the Source, the End of time,

Creator of the rolling spheres in majesty sublime.

All hail, Redeemer, hail, for you have died for me;

Your praise shall never, never fail through all eternity!

765   We’ve a story to tell the nations

We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right,

a story of truth and mercy,

a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright,

and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

We’ve a song to be sung to the nations that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,

a song that shall conquer evil and

shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright,

and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

 

We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above

hath sent us his Son to save us,

and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright,

and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

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2021-03-06 9:02:36 AM   Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Testing and case data for Huron-Perth for March 6, 2021 is now available at https://www.hpph.ca/en/health-matters/covid-19-in-huron-and-perth.aspx