Mystery

This morning, Huda began by drawing us into the satisfaction of reading, guessing, and finally being told a solution for the mystery genre as entertainment. And led us into the wonder of the mystery of God's grace and gifts to us. Have we come to the solution of the mystery of faith? Do we need to completely understand this mystery to be faithful along our paths as Christians?

Through our study of God's word given to us in the Bible, we work to fully understand the mystery of grace. As a reforming people, will we reach definitive solutions? Perhaps not, but by accepting the promise of the Resurrection, our faith assures us that there is a defined solution, even though we cannot flip to the back page for the complete wrap up.

Throughout our lives, we are called to be still so that glimpses of the wondrous solution are clear for even a fleeting moment. We are called into community to share our stories and experiences to help one another grow in faith. And we are called to know that the mystery of God is a precious gift.

Billie S.
 

A sacred space

I spent yesterday with the women of St. Andrew's for our annual retreat.  We spent the day thinking of, and creating, sacred spaces. These were places and activities that brought our minds and hearts closer to God. It was remarkable that through painting, reading, walking the labyrinth, laughing and singing together we were able to create a space that felt holy.

It was with this mindset that I came to church this morning and slid into my pew. The familiar church looked different somehow - yesterday's day away made me see our own sanctuary as one of the "thin places" we talked about.

In her sermon, Karen quoted a thought of Henri Nouwen who was considering church buildings in the busy city of Rome. How the churches were empty much of the week, but still these large spaces were kept, set aside, to be used by God's people.  And in the same way, we are the church of God.  We are set aside to be filled with God's power, that same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  Yesterday's work in creating Sacred Spaces was ultimately about finding the sacred space within - that space were we breathe in the spirit of God. (And it is only thanks to the grace of God that this is even possible.)

And just as the seemingly empty church buildings in a busy city are fulfilling a great purpose, so are we called to fulfill our purpose. "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works." (Eph. 2:10) How important it is to see ourselves filled with the Spirit, and sent out into the busy world to do the good works God has planned for us to do.

 

Maureen R.

Reflections on Easter Sunday

Church was packed on Easter Sunday, which is always a pleasant sight. Friends and family from afar gathered together in the pews, to glory in the fact that Christ is risen indeed. So many years after the fact, it is easy to discount how palpable the feelings of loss and discovery must have been that first Easter. 

To mourn the loss of a dear one so intensely, and then arrive at the grave site a few days later to find it empty, the body seemingly stolen or confiscated. 

To sink into renewed depths of despair only to discover that a supposed gardener is in fact the dear one risen, no longer dead, very much alive.

That first Easter was full of heightened emotions as Mary, Martha and the other disciples faced up to the impossible made possible. A couple thousand years later, in packed churches and homes the world over, disciples numbering manyfold millions affirm that He is risen indeed. An affirmation of stedfast belief, made in community, and devoid of palpable emotions.

Time has worked the miracle of the resurrection into the fabric of our lives, into the very tenor of being, generation after generation. The discovery made that first Easter could not but lead to a new hope, of which we are the benefactors, gathering together year after year in large numbers to bear witness. 

What was palpable on Easter Sunday was the feeling of community in Christ, and of life eternal with God and in God. It is what binds us together in this time and space, and what binds us to the first disciples, those who awoke in the midst of loss to discover a world radically transformed.

We will continually attest as they did - He is risen indeed. 

Jide A.

The 3 gifts of the resurrection

During the children's time today we talked about the aftermath of the resurrection. Jesus left us with 3 incredible gifts; Peace, Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. What wonderful news – to know that we are already forgiven and can forgive others freely. How liberating to have the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ with us. And how comforting to have the holy spirit with us.

In my class of 8 kids spanning the ages 10 – 12 we spoke about “doubting” Thomas and questions we have about faith. We discussed questions we have about the bible, about Jesus, and how we have to come to be believers. Sometimes our doubts can lead us to deeper believe. However as we grow in our faith, the ultimate goal is to be like the “Blessed, who have not seen and yet have come to believe”. 

Koko A.

Blog from Scots Kirk, Paris

Office_12 by Jason Jones on Flickr.

Office_12 by Jason Jones on Flickr.

This morning, I shared greetings from St. Andrew's Ottawa and was asked to take the greetings of the Scots Kirk in Paris and Rev. Cowie back to Ottawa.

The sermon was entitled 'A Covenant Relationship'.  For the children, Rev. Cowie used a paper plate and a paper clip and asked the children what would happen if he turned it over.  He then used a magnet on the back of the paper plate and asked what would happen if he tried the same thing. 

He could not stump them!  He explained that a magnet attracts things are metal.  The most powerful 'magnet' in the world is Jesus' love.  Like the paper clips, some are attached strongly, others dangle because they are stuck to another clip and still others fall.  With God's love we cannot break the covenant even if we fail or fall.

Jeanie H.