The August long weekend was finally here and this Sunday was exceptional --blue skies, warm zephyrs fanning your face , and a just perfect summer day in every way. For many of us, this is a time for the cottage, to get out of town, for family and friends and of course, with all the excitement comes --FOOD.
And here we were, serving as Ushers greeting all these people--- so many families and visitors alike --- who preferred to be in the Sanctuary at St Andrew's seeking FOOD --food for the Soul, than being anywhere else. And Rev Bill MacLellan, as our visiting Minister was set to serve us "a Super-sized Lunch" (the title of the sermon).
The first hymn "Through the changing scenes of life" set the tone for deep reflection. Yes! so many aspects of life are undergoing change and yet there is one Constant, One who never changes, the same yesterday, today and forever, God!
The Scripture Readings, Isaiah 55:1-5 and Mathew 14:13-21 illumined us and prepared us for the message. The New Testament passage was indeed the familiar "Feeding of the Five thousand" miracle --one that we had heard since we were children. And yet, Rev Bill wove the fabric of his sermon around the caring that Jesus had for others -even at a time when he was suffering grief after the execution of his cousin. Rev Bill gave an insight into Herod's palace and the excesses of the privilege, wealthy ones contrasted against those in want, those who didn't know where the next meal was coming from. And here was Jesus, the embodiment of compassion and love, when faced with a super-sized crowd of at least ten thousand in totality, serving up a super-sized lunch out of three pita bread loaves and two fish!
Indeed this was FOOD enough knowing that my Lord cared for me and my needs, and for everyone of us, in the same way.
The closing hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" gave us the assurance that God is always faithful in His promises. This was sustenance indeed!
It was good to be in the House of the Lord.
Beulah P.