Two services resume this Sunday, Sept 14

It's that time of year again - two services of worship each Sunday resume this week, Sept 14th.  Join us at 9:30 a.m. or at 11:00 a.m.  (This week we welcome back Milton Fraser to the pulpit.) 

It's the first Sunday of Church School too, and we're kicking off with a congregational picnic after the 11 a.m. service - join us in the courtyard for fall fare, music and games.

Sunday Lunch - August 31

What would a suffering God do about the ALS and water security challenges?

Today's service focussed a bit on Peter. He had correctly answered a question, regarding the identity of Jesus, put to him by Christ himself. On the heels of that success however, he rapidly experienced a failure, for he would not countenance the idea of Christ dying. To him, the Messiah was exalted, and had to stay exalted. God, by definition, could not suffer. Christ, of course, corrected him, for indeed, he was soon to be crucified. 

As was pointed out during the sermon, we still tend to be very much like Peter. We rather like our Christ without the cross sometimes, even though we ourselves bear our crosses. That is our lot, not his, certainly. That way, this cross-less Christ can relieve us of our own burden, since in our minds, to follow him is to be similarly exalted. However, and on the contrary, the admonition of Christ is that we pick up our cross and follow him, for ahead of us, he bears his own also.

A God who suffers is a God accustomed to human grief and misery, and while his ways are not our own, and his thoughts not ours either, we can believe him capable of understanding and grace in the course of our very human challenges.

Which brings me to the question at the top of his missive. Before the service, I learned that my brother had taken up the ALS campaign challenge by dumping a pot of cold water over his head. He had then challenged me to do the same, which is the social and viral way in which the campaign has spread and has generated both publicity and funds for research into a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease. Right after the service, I learned that actor Matt Damon, similarly challenged, had noted the issue on the minds of some, that all these cold water dumps have now amounted to millions of litres in wasted water in the West, in a world in which millions go without, fall sick, or die in the bid for a clean water source. Mr. Damon decided that the best way to respond to the challenge was to use toilet water, and that is exactly what he did, on video.

As humans, even in caring about one blight, we are apt to inadvertently promote another. Ours is a world so throughly broken, even in all its beauty. A suffering God, however, understands the plight of both the infirm and the parched. The point, stated earlier, is thus further buttressed that his ways are indeed not our ways, and his thoughts aren't ours either. He can see through to both miseries, and we can but pray for his grace in addressing both. A suffering God then, is not the God of one, both the God of all. He is not a God that feels just your pain uniquely, but all pain, and we believe in so doing, works all things together for good.

As I pray for a cure for ALS, and for a world with water security for all, I just might follow Matt Damon's example in responding to my brother's challenge.

Jide A.

Sunday Lunch - August 17

This morning with Rev Demaray, we read about Joseph meeting his brothers again in Egypt, this time while he was the one at the advantage. And our New Testament reading was the persistent Gentile woman that insisted Jesus heal her daughter.

The gentle admonition to ‘Get on with it’ was a good reminder for me. The past is past and the time comes when you just need to forgive those around you (and equally important, forgive yourself!) and move along. Rev. Demaray reminded us that the abuse young Joseph suffered at the hands of his brother was still wrong, but God had been working behind the scenes to redeem their dysfunction, if only they would not get bogged down in past mistakes. He reminded us that just last week (in our readings, at least) Peter had been chastised for being “of little faith,” and yet this Gentile woman was praised for her “great faith.” Peter, like Joseph, was going to have to Get on with it! and move forward.

How important it is that the grace of God is for all. Grace greater than we can imagine – grace big enough for Joseph’s bullying brothers, for a pushy Gentile woman, for a scared disciple that can only almost walk on water. Grace big enough for me – and my mistakes, too.

We're Gearing Up for summer camp!

We're getting ready for next week's summer camp!  With 45 kids registered (and over 25 volunteers!) we're sure to have loads of fun.  

Our Workshop of Wonders summer camp is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch, and even taste!  Please keep the kids, staff and volunteers in your prayers next week - we're praying for good weather and safety for everyone, but especially that God's word touches our lives as we learn and play together.

Sunday Lunch - August 10

That sinking feeling we experience at times, the one that is called by many names -- worry, fear, hopelessness; the one that is so real to us at times that it seems to overpower us,  was masterfully woven into a powerful sermon by our visiting Minister --Rev Bill MacLellan-- a sermon aptly entitled "That Sinking Feeling."

It was a griping introduction about the complexity of today's TV shows, which can be easily be divided into Reality TV and Unreal TV. However, neither is really what it is supposed to be! Somewhat like what the disciples experienced in Mathew 14:22-33.
The disciples must have felt their eyes were playing tricks on them when they saw their Lord walking on the water. It was a fearful time. The sea was turbulent and they were scared. But we are reminded that in the midst of the turbulence of life, the Salvation of God is there. And so Jesus appeared walking towards them and they thought it was a ghost! Reality or unreality?  

When Jesus announced that it was He who was coming towards them, that impetuous Peter asked to walk on the water also. And he started to walk on the water but when he saw the wind, instead of walking, he started to sink.

And this is where Faith and Trust comes in. How often we lack the faith and we allow situations to overpower us. Then we stop placing our trust in God's ability for every situation.

I learned this morning that our faith allows us to relax in the buoyancy of God, no matter what the situation. Thank God for His Grace and Salvation.

Sunday Lunch - August 3

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.