Break!

Image by Sarowen on Flickr

Karen gave us a lot of images about communion today. In being the "eucharist", it is a sign of thanksgiving. In being "communion", it is something in which we are bound together (particularly wonderful to think about on World Communion Sunday). In the "breaking of the bread", we are reminded of the words Jesus spoke to those closest to him. In "mass", we think about mission - how we are sent out to be the presence of Christ in the world.

It is this last one that resonated most clearly with me today. As Karen pointed out, we are bombarded these days with consumerism, with feelings of inadequacy, with prioritizing the things we buy/wear/drive as the most important things that define us. By being obsessed with these things, we are, like the church in Corinth, showing contempt for the body of Christ.

Communion serves to remind us of what is important, to ground us, to remind us of where our lives should be centred. In the midst of so much greed and selfishness, we are brought back to the communion table to be reminded of love, kindness, and generosity. We are reminded that that is the way we should be living.

In our younger (and more irreverent!) days, my brothers and I would joke from the pews that the elders being sent out to distribute the communion elements were like a football team at the end of a pep talk. It is like the minister says "Ready? Break!" and the elders disperse amongst the congregation. I thought of that again this morning, but not just in terms of the elders. All of us who shared in that bread and wine today - at St. Andrew's and around God's earth. We have received our pep talk, we have been reminded of our mission in this world. Now it is up to us to go out and be the body of Christ. Ready? Break!

Laura S.

Being Church

"...speak through the gentle wind of your holy word.... " What lovely words to begin the sermon this morning. Based in the scripture readings from Mark 9: 38-50 and James 5: 13-20, the sermon helped us in the understanding of 'Being Church'.

Huda pointed out that 'prayer is Jesus' recipe for tough times' and isn't that so true! Get rid of the stumbling blocks in life and pay attention to our words and actions. Put our prayers into action as the children and youth from VBS did this summer as they gathered school supplies for Syrian children.

People may ask: 'Why pray? If God is in control what is the use?' Our prayers become an action - not for ourselves but for others. The Church is called to minister in tough times. Although Rev. Durie ministered for only nine months at St. Andrew's Ottawa his relationship has not been forgotten.

So, how do we 'be' church? Remember to put prayer into action. Remember, we ARE the church, and wherever we go, Jesus goes with us.

Jeanie H.

The power of the tongue

Now admit it when you first read the title of today’s Sermon how many though Miley Cyrus?
Thank goodness it means so much more. The human word has meaning and definition but until a voice lifts it, it does not have texture or tone.

So much of our history has been changed by the tongue, for better and for worse. On the anniversary of 9/11 we remember the power of the tongue speaking hate. Yet at the same time we remember the same day the tongue of our Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation say in a quiet but strong voice “We will not be afraid. We will offer support and comfort to our friends and neighbours who were still flying a safe haven." A place opened freely by so many ordinary Canadians to the shocked and scared brothers and sisters from the US. Operation Yellow Ribbon was the tongue used at its best.

Without the wise word of the great teachers of Classical Greece much of what we believe in Democracy and freedom of rights would simply not exist. How fitting at the time of our National Election that we reflect on the great privilege we believe in the right to vote as it has come down from those early teachings.

It is only fitting that Karen remembered those who teach and what they give to us all. Knowledge, strength and wisdom. To this day our Sunday school teachers carry on the tradition of our churches great teachers and of course our Lord Jesus Christ the first teacher of our Church.

What we often forget in the day and age of twitter and the politics of disparagement is that the use of the tongue is not only a right but a great responsibly. We oft hear the phrase” Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But is it true? Sadly the wounds from words carry far more deeply than sticks or stones.

Proverbs offers sage advice.
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

The responsibility however extend beyond not saying the wrong thing but trying to say the right thing.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

The power of the Word takes flight when given wings by the masterful tongue. Let us give thanks for those so blessed.

Noral R.

From Away: Visiting St. Andrew's Lunenburg

It was a warm welcome and a warm sunny day on the South Shore. The Rev. Dr. Mawhinney began with some thoughts about the refugee crisis and recent photos which touched many. There has always been an issue of the migration of people beginning back with Adam and Eve. The South Shore has had its share of settlers starting in the 1700's. Dr. Mawhinney felt that today this issue has resulted in a certain unanimity with churches taking action.

The sermon, 'The Labour Of Our Hands', and Psalm 90 went well together. We all remember hands - from our parents, a child, a partner or a fisherman. We've all had many jobs over our lifetime and they have helped shape who we have become. Do we live like there is always some other job to do? What does God call us to do? What does God want us to be? Do anything you want and belong to Me.

The reading from 2 Corinthians 12 is one of my favourites. Everyone has a job and all are equally important in God's eyes. There is no job description for following Jesus - bring faith.

Jeanie H.

Sunday August 30

Baptism is a gift from God.  There is nothing we can do to earn, deserve, or purchase baptism.  It is first of all a sign that God, in Christ, has done all that is necessary to redeem us.  

Sunday we celebrated one of my favourite Sacraments. Baptism.

The first official step as a Christian. The first step in joining a new wider family.

It is always a great joy to watch the young child and proud parents approach the baptismal font and with some trepidation take the first steps on the road to life as a Christian. The gift of the Word given to the new Christian in the Bible and the cleansing of sin by “washing” with the blessed water. The process is such a direct connection with our history, the tradition passed down through thousands of years. The world is very different than it was in Jesus’s time an yet this simple ceremony remains the same. It is quite comforting to note that happy simplicity remains. No bells, no whistles just the simple cleansing and welcome by God.

Almost as important for me however is the oath taken by the parents and the Congregation. The parents promising to raise the child in faith. The child named only by Christian names as the Covenant with God is made one to one as the promise is kept between God and the child. My favorite part is always when the Congregation stands as one to welcome the new in faith and promise to support, guide and protect along the path to faith and understanding of God. The beginning of a new family relationship so wide and powerful. A chance to reaffirm the importance of our own Baptism.

Sadly in today’s age we have forgotten the importance of the bond and to oft terms like God parent are used a means to illicit gifts not spiritual guidance. It is therefore a great joy to see the earnest oath we choose to make before God to the child as they come forward down the path of faith.

A gift from God. One we may joyfully share and work hard to protect and pass on.

Noral R.

Sunday, August 9

Dr. Dimock began by referring to a line from Psalm 84 read this morning....
'...even the sparrow finds a home...
It reminded me of the songs of sparrows and other birds in the stillness of old churches including those that have been destroyed in wars. The sparrows find a refuge...without invitation... and it becomes a place of deep connection and protection.

Dr. Dimock reminded us when we feel safe and truly loved we become our best selves.  How important it is for us to help create that environment for others!

Referring to Kathleen Morris' book, 'Amazing Grace', Dr. Dimock noted we can't be a Christian on our own...we are a mixed community, 'living stones' building a church together.

Jeanie H.

Sunday, August 9

Image: Georgie Sharp on Flickr

It can be a bit nerve wracking, hearing how God stepped in to Moses' life. When Karen started her sermon about Moses being called by God, I felt I had a lot in common with early Moses. I have a calm, predictable life. I enjoy my family, my work, and my routine. And then when Moses hears his name called from the bushes, he (like I probably would!) starts with the excuses and all the reasons he shouldn't have to disrupt his comfortable life.

When I picture Moses taking off his shoes and accepting he's on holy ground, I picture him committing to whatever God holds for him in the future. And that's scary!

But our last song was Great is Thy Faithfulness, such a familiar hymn. I was struck by the verses, how it tells of how God is ALWAYS and forever taking care of us. But the last verse moved me the most. Because the words were so familiar, I could feel the congregation looking up from their hymnbooks for the final chorus. It truly felt like God was showing up in the faces of those with me there in the pews. I was so thankful for God's faithfulness in showing himself where needed, and for providing his people to help one another take these scary steps of obedience to God together.

Like Moses in that scrubby desert hearing the voice of God say his name, I don't know the end of the story yet. But I do pray we continue to listen for God's voice, and to accept the signs of the faithfulness of God when they're shown to us.

Maureen R.