I Thought You Had Stolen The Car

Rev. Hill was our guest preacher. That booming Irish voice was in fine fettle today. He talked about a conversation he heard while in the barbershop about Quebec’s new religious symbols law. How he thought about how odd it was that we seek to find symbols to divide us when there is so much that binds us. The key to our faith is not the symbols that we wear or put on our walls, they are the internal symbols of the beliefs that Jesus taught us.

Psalm 28

3. Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with those who do evil,

who speak cordially with their neighbours

but harbour malice in their hearts.

This is not Christianity, the way we treat people with love is the true lesson. The true symbol is the one we wear in our hearts as we have been taught.

John 13

34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Rev. Hill walked us in the way the Lord wanted us to treat all those, with love, not just other Christians but all of his people. For the world is broad and has many faiths and many have none yet all are God’s Children.

Matthew 25

40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[a] you did it to me.’

Rev. Hill told the story of the man who slowed up as he approached a yellow light and the lady behind him who was in a hurry blasted the horn and called him many names not normally in the paper. She cursed him out until a police officer came and told her she was under arrest. When she asked why he replied. I heard the honking and cursing and as I approached, I saw the bumper sticker that said "If You Love Jesus Honk Your Horn". After I heard you, I thought you had stolen the car. 😊

The true symbol of Jesus and Christianity is the internal and eternal love of all.

In Jesus name.

Amen

Noral R.

Luke 10: 25-37 "And who is my neighbour?"

It was fitting for Sydney to introduce Mr. Rogers during Children's Time this morning. It brought back memories of his quiet voice, songs and cardigans.

As Alex pointed out in his sermon the Parable of the Good Samaritan is presented in a gold box when using the Young Children and Worship programme in church school. It is a gift to unwrap. Neighbour is as neighbor does, so to speak. “Neighbor” is not defined by location or group but by those who need concern and care. Our “neighbours” are those who need us.

We have unwrapped that golden box and heard the message - what do we do with it is now up to us.

Jeanie H.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

The scriptures were convincingly read by one of our elders, and included readings from Colossians 2:6-19 and Luke 11:1-13.

Colossians 2:6-7 on the Spiritual Fullness in Christ read: ... “6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Part of the scripture readings today as quoted above, was the source of the children's story. Ways to help us grow spiritually include praying and reading the bible. Similarly a plant needs to be cultivated with water and sunlight to help it to grow. If not fed and cared for there would be no growth and no life.

Our sermon by Rev. Fred Demaray, also reflected on Jesus as our source of life, through whom all things were made. The body of Christ is strengthened when we come together by caring and sharing the bounty that we have received from Him with our neighbours. This reflects our thankfulness for all that we have been blessed with by our Gracious God.

Verse 1 of our final Hymn # 451 touched to me:

1. Dear Father, Lord of humankind,

forgive our foolish ways;

reclothe us in our rightful mind;

in purer lives thy service find,

in deeper reverence, praise.

Barbara S.

By the Oaks of Mamre

Abraham's Oak Holy Trinity Monastery at the site of the ancient Oak of Mamre. By Copper Kettle - originally posted to Flickr as Monastery in Hebron, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5767963

My favourite bible stories for children involve Abraham and Sarah. It was always fun to prepare using the Young Children and Worship materials and the children always enjoyed them…almost as much as I did.
From the scripture reading the following words immediately came to mind, following on Sydney’s time with the children: look, wait, reach. Abraham offered hospitality with no strings attached. He doesn’t know who is coming toward their tent but he serves and blesses them.I think of the hospitality offered by St. Andreans - Wednesday Communion, Open Doors, Theology on Tap. Perhaps we will be like the oaks of Mamre - known for their longevity and strength.

Jeanie H.

Waiting patiently for the Lord

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit” - Psalm 40:1-2

In today’s sermon Rev. Dimock continued our journey through the psalms. Something she said which really struck a cord with me is that the psalms give us the ability to speak to God authentically about who we are. In particular, she discussed Psalm 40. In this psalm, the psalmist is in the midst of a difficult time and is remembering a time past when God heard his cry and lifted him up out of his difficulties.

To wait patiently for God in difficult times, when the world seems to be falling apart, or when we feel we’ve lost our way, can be the hardest thing. It is easy for us to lose faith during these times, to feel we have no words to express how we are feeling, or to have words but be afraid to utter them. During these times the psalms can give us comfort and give us words to express our pain, sorrow, doubt and anger. God never loses faith in us. If we wait and are patient, he will always find a way to reach out a hand and lift us up out of the pit.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Melanie A.

Sing, sing a Psalm

Sing out loud

Sing out strong

Sing of good things not bad

Sing of happy not sad

 Sing, sing a Psalm

Make it simple to last

Your whole life long

Don't worry that it's not

Good enough for anyone

Else to hear

Just sing, sing a Psalm

Psalm 42

1  As a deer longs for flowing streams,

    so my soul longs for you, O God.

2  My soul thirsts for God,

    for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

    the face of God?

3  My tears have been my food

    day and night,

while people say to me continually,

    “Where is your God?”

4  These things I remember,

    as I pour out my soul:

how I went with the throng,

    and led them in procession to the house of God,

with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,

    a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

    and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

    my help

6 and my God.

Little needs be added to our study of the Psalms as we show the Lord in praise through thought, prayer and song.

Sunday a time to sing a Psalm.

Noral R

Amen

Service through Witness

Psalm 145

9 The Lord is good to all,
    and his compassion is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
    and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

This is one of the Psalms that formed part of our readings to day and it so appropriate.

We have a dedicated group of people who witness the importance of God and this Church through out the summer and Canada Day.

Led by Luc, Elizabeth and Dianne they give of their time and their unique talents in delivering a true witness of the power of service and worship of the Lord. We have literally hundreds walk through our doors. They deal with those churched and those who still have not heard the word. They represent us to the people who come with wide eyes and many questions. I have seen them at work, they answer the curious, counsel the seekers, inform the questioning.

 They have taken to the time to open our doors as is the way we would be proud. They deal with many wonderful people and some odd as well(Yes,I will be passing through Canada Day. )

 Let us thank them when we see them and offer our support for such a quiet but meaningful ministry.

Canada Day and Summer Open Doors: We are expecting a lot of curious passers-by on Canada Day (Monday, July 1) and we’ll need lots of volunteers to greet people and answer questions. (There are many resources available, so volunteers don’t have to memorize our 191 years of history!) All ages are welcome to help out, a great family activity. If you would like to help on Canada Day or throughout the Summer Open Doors (July & August),
My thanks to our dedicated volunteers and a hope for their support.

In Jesus Name.

Noral R.