Can you explain the Trinity?

I’ve read that some have tried different illustrations for the Trinity:

 -H2O being water, ice and steam (all different forms, but all are  H2O

-sun from which we receive light, heat and radiation. Three distinct aspects, but only one sun.

Not perfect.  How do you fit the Trinity into monotheism?

During his sermon, Alex pointed out that we get to know God the Son, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit by prayer.  

Someone said: If you try to explain the Trinity, you will lose your mind. But if you deny it, you will lose your soul. 

Perhaps it is a divine dance, as Alex said.  Through it we participate in the divine life of God.

Jeanie H.

Pentecost

This Sunday celebrated the Day of Pentecost. It is the recognition of a truly great gift that God is living with us.  The service was enriched with the participation of the many national cultures that can be found in our congregation. Personal testimonies provided evidence of the ability of the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our spiritual journeys, and in our outreach to others. And finally, what better way to cap the day of celebration, than with a picnic that was held outside on a beautiful warm June day.

God’s Word began with the reciting of the 23rd psalm. A psalm which we know gives us great comfort in God’s love. The 23rd psalm was recited in 7 different languages by members of our community. This can be seen to illustrate how the Holy Spirit has worked since the time of the disciples and the first Pentecost, to spread the word of God to all nations in the world.

The heartfelt testimonials described personal impacts that the presence of the Holy Spirit has had, and how it has guided people on their personal spiritual journeys. The testimonials also brought to our attention what each of us can personally do to further the work of the Holy Spirit. Several testimonials mentioned the important role of welcoming visitors and new members into our church.  For example, it was highlighted how it is important to follow-up our initial welcome with actions of inclusion. Inclusion is a choice that we make to reach out and put into action our welcome to a person. It can start with asking a person their name and where they are from. It is the first step of an active process that moves someone from feeling alone to feeling a part of God’s community that is present at St Andrew’s.  

As I left the church by the north door, I passed under the stained glass with the Lamb of God supported by the 4 symbolic animals which are attributed to represent the four Evangelists, as described in today’s reading from the book of Revelation 7:9-12. It is a reminder that we are not alone. God is with us. The Holy Spirit of God can inspire, excite and empower us, to play an important role not only inside the church walls but also as we pass through the doors and go out into the larger community.

 Alex M.

Breaking Bread with new family

Sunday was a very busy day. Whew.

Karen asked “Where is Jesus?” , we welcomed new members, it was Ascension Sunday and we  celebrated communion.

Welcoming new members is always one of my favourite things. An opportunity to widen our family, to see the joy of new fellowship and a new home for their spiritual and faith journey. We were blessed to have a diverse group of new members, whose different cultural backgrounds can not but help our congregation grow.

Our time of fellowship afterwards is a chance to meet and greet them so nothing better than sharing cake and conversation. The fellowship is of course directly related to the idea of breaking bread with family and friends and pours out in our remembrance of Jesus and the disciples who at the end broke bread together sharing one last time together, reinforcing the bonds of faith and lessons they had learned.

Early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper as a full meal, but by the third century, it had ceased to be a banquet and had become a ritualized small meal instead.

Early Christians participated in meals characterized by inclusivity, care for one another and unity (Acts 2:43–47; cf. Acts 6:1–7). But as Paul’s letters indicate, these idealistic practices at the Lord’s Supper sometimes became abused because Christians either practiced Jewish purity laws at the table (e.g., considering what types of foods were appropriate to consume), or they transformed the meal into a gathering modeled after Greco-Roman banquets by drinking too much wine (Galatians 2:11–14; cf. Romans 14–15; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34).

Luke 22:14–20

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

So it was is it was with us that a family gathers to remember the teachings of the Lord and the sacrifice made on our behalf. We do this regularly but when new family members are brought in it makes the remembrance that much more special.

 In fact St. Paul made that very point.

1 Corinthians 11: 33-34

33 So then, my brothers and sisters,[a] when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation.

 Blessed are we to share our faith with one another and to welcome new members to our family of faith.

Noral R.

Decisive events ...

Who has experienced these decisive events and how have they shaped our lives?
They bring newness to our lives and are gifts - although sometimes it may take us a while to realize this.  Abraham and Moses lived through decisive events that they did not expect.  God wanted Peter to realize that the Gospel is for everyone and not just those who followed the rules.
His message is to love one another, to reach out and to demonstrate true care for others.
Sometimes if we act in God's love then the rules follow.

Jeanie H.

Mother's Day and Christian Family Day

On this Mother’s Day and Christian Family Day, Rev. Karen shared with us the story of Tabitha, called Dorcas who truly was a woman of faith and discipleship.  As she was telling this story and reflecting on the important role that women play in our lives, it was impossible for my beloved Nan not be a resounding thought in my mind.  As we have our first Mother’s Day without her, I am blessed that I was graced by her presence, love and devotion for so long.  If I think of a woman of faith in my life no question do I think of Nan.  It almost seems fitting that I was called on to write this week’s blog, and as I sit to type this post, I am reminded of the many times I sat down to write Nan letters.  So, in honour of a woman that blessed me with her guidance in my own faith and never-ending love, I wanted to share my memories on this Mother’s Day. 

 I have to say it is hard to sum up 95 years of a woman that, I feel was ahead of her time.  This strong and faithful servant that was involved in many ways within her church throughout her life from the choir, W.M.S, church school teacher to countless other hats she wore.  She was also so much to many people: a companion, a caring aunt and cousin, a loving daughter, a faithful sister, a devoted wife and mother (even was referred to as mom by many others) but to me she was best known as Nan. Our letters would be about anything and everything of what was happening in life or a random thought that I wanted to get her perspective on.  As I came back to my faith over the past few years, it was Nan I went to.  I will always admire how she lived in grace -- her faith through her actions -- I hope to carry on all that she taught me.  While she taught me this, I also learned that through her faith she got strength for life’s hardships.  While it is impossible to sum her up in words, I am blessed by the very special memories we shared from sleepovers, to surprising her with visits, to reading the bible together, to our letters, to sharing her last Communion with her and to just sitting quietly in each other’s company.  I am forever thankful.

Colleen G.

The Lord`s Breakfast

Today's Sermon was from John 21:1-19

Jesus appeared to his disciples at the beach and had breakfast with them beside a charcoal fire, this was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after his death. 

John 21:15-19(Good News Bible)
15 After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." 16 A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." 17 Third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me?" so he said to him, "Lord you know everything; you know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. 18 I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you and take you where you don't want to go." 19 (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"

The last time Simon Peter was close to a charcoal fire was when he denied Jesus three times and now his open confession of Love for Jesus. Every act of confession needs to be centered around the Love of Jesus, we as the sheep are called to spread the love of God to the world. 

Eric D

To start anew

Today's message centered around the appearance of Jesus to His disciples after the resurrection.  Karen described the disciples as experiencing "fear, doubt and darkness" as a result of the crucifixion, as hiding behind walls.  We might also think that they felt discredited and isolated from their own community and culture as the followers of someone who overturned much of the Old Covenant.  What was left for them if Jesus was dead?  But the resurrected Jesus broke down the walls and gave a new sense of community from which no one was excluded by their identity or their experiences.

I am reminded of the story of Thomas Edison after a fire destroyed his vast laboratories.  Viewing the disaster the 67 year old Edison said, "Thank goodness all our mistakes have been burned up.  Now we can start anew in the morning."  All of the travails and dilemmas and contention that must have confronted the disciples during Christ's life were now behind them, and they could see His victory in the end.  And no matter how battered they may have felt on Good Friday, they could now start anew, reaching out, their confidence and devotion to Christ offering living proof of the resurrection.  And so it is for us, when overcast by doubt or fear or darkness, to start anew, with the same belief in that victory.

Rob R.