BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

August 29, 2021 Celebration of Baptism

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104.

Gathering Music: Out of Deep Unordered Water – Voices United #453 Instrumental

Welcome & Centering for Worship Rev. Kim. Vidal

Good day everyone! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on this 14th Sunday after Pentecost. Today we are happy to welcome the families of Elly Crow and Conor Morris as we celebrate the baptism of their child, Cian James Morris during the onsite service in the sanctuary. Wherever you are, whether you are joining us via online, or onsite, or even reading the printed text of the service in the comfort of your homes, we are glad that you have joined us today.

As we continue to be under pandemic restrictions, please be reminded that the work of the church carries on. Please take time to keep in touch with each other through prayers, phone calls, emails or via Zoom. Check also the many announcements on our website at bcuc.org to keep you informed and give you opportunities to respond.

Our sanctuary has re-opened for in-person worship service on Sunday at 10 am with a maximum number of 50 people. The Public Health recommends staying at home but if you wish to attend the service, you are most welcome. The usual health protocols will be in place which include masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing and staying home if you feel unwell. Take note too that our worship service will still be offered via Youtube, by email and by telephone.

Friends, at the font and at the table, in the church and in the world, in our tears and in our laughter, we meet Christ. Let us come as faithful people, centering ourselves in God as we worship together.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Mandy & Meighen Crow

Friends, as we light this Christ candle, remember the promise expressed by these words: “The voice of God is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, God’s spirit over mighty waters. The voice of God is powerful; the voice of God is full of majesty.” (Psalm 29: 3-4)

Call to Gather & Opening Prayer Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Inspired by the writing of Gord Dunbar, Gathering ACE 2016-17. Used with permission)

Come and listen: to the beat of water in your veins,
the very stuff of life within us all.
Come and drink: the beauty of rain-washed earth,
the awesome wonder of God’s holy glory drawn in light.
Come and see: the baptismal waters of promise and of covenant,
The proclamation of God’s power in humble relation.
Come let us worship God who calls us by our name!

Let us pray…
Holy God, you have fashioned and formed us in your image, calling us by name.
You fire in us a shining glaze that reflects your tender loving care.
We ask that you pour your love upon us, a refreshing, cleansing water
calling out all that is Christ in us, shining into our world.

Remind us in our gathering today that we are your beloved,
for we see your love reflected in ourselves and in one another.
In the name of God: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, we pray. Amen.

Hymn: Worship the Lord - Voices United #401 Ellen, Chris, Bernice & Angela

Refrain:
Worship the Lord (worship the Lord)
praise the Creator, the Spirit, the Son,
raising our hands (raising our hands)
in devotion to God who is one!

1 Raising our hands as a sign of rejoicing,
and with our lips our togetherness voicing,
giving ourselves to a life of creativeness,
worship and work must be one! R

2 Praying and training that we be a blessing,
and by our workmanship daily confessing:
we are committed to serving humanity,
worship and work must be one! R

3 Called to be partners with God in creation,
honouring Christ as the Lord of the nation,
we must be ready for risk and for sacrifice,
worship and work must be one! R

4 Bringing the bread and the wine to the table,
asking that we may be led and enabled,
truly united to build new communities,
worship and work must be one! R

5 Now in response to the life you are giving,
help us, Creator, to offer our living,
seeking a just and a healing society,
worship and work must be one! R

Storytime Rev. Lorrie

Summer is almost over for another year and school will be starting soon! Have you had a good summer vacation? I know that my grandkids found it better than last year because there were more activities open – like day camps and even sleepover camp!

I think kids all over the world really missed those kinds of activities last summer when everyone was locked down because of the pandemic. You might remember hearing about a day camp that happens in the little village of Chipembi in Zambia – the village we are in a three-way partnership with – BCUC, Emmanuel UC in Ottawa, and the church in Chipembi. For several summers, young adults from Ottawa traveled to Zambia and worked with young adults in the village to plan a day camp that was a bit like our Camp Awesome. More than 100 children went to the camp from Chipembi and from other villages in the area. It was a highlight of the year for them! Well, last summer, the pandemic meant that there was no Camp Chipembi there, just like there were no day camps here in Ontario. Well, this summer, Camp Chipembi was back – a little bit different but still lots of fun. Our partners at Emmanuel made a little video to show us how it went. You might see a familiar face in here!

Camp Chipembi 2021 video

Preparations

In April 2021, it was decided that, after a year off due to the pandemic, Camp Chipembi would proceed this year. With the disruption of life in general and school in particular for the children in Chipembi, Omega Bula, our prime contact in Chipembi, felt that it was important to hold the camp.

One thing for certain was that, given the situation with COVID 19, we would not be sending young people to participate as leaders in the camp this year and possibly for several years to come. We would, however, continue to provide financial support for the camp and explore ways of having “virtual leaders” participate in the camp.

In early June, Emmanuel started a fund raising campaign to provide t-shirts, face masks and lunches for the children at the camp. Funds for other elements of the camp had been raised previously and events such as the online Christmas Market – Just Gifts.

Between some folks at Emmanuel and others at Bells Corners United (a third member of the partnership), we created a number of virtual leader videos with stories, songs and crafts. Due to the uncertainty of the internet in Chipembi and the size of the files transmitted, only a small number of the videos were received successfully.

Planning

From July 3 – 6, 2021, Omega held a Camp Leaders’ Planning and Training session at her farm in Chipembi. Because Omega was going to be back in Canada for cancer treatments during the camp, Muyunda Zileni was recruited to be the Camp Director. In all, there were 12 leaders planning and running the camp.

The main goal of the camp was to rebuild the community from the effects of COVID and mining activities nearby and as such the theme was “Together We Can Overcome”.

COVID 19 had created havoc in the community and, at the time, very little vaccinating had been done. The mining activities had started in nearby villages within Chipembi and were having a negative effect on the community. People had relocated to the mining areas to earn a living, leaving their children unattended. In the camp planning, the leaders had to consider that many of the participants would be arriving unkempt, late and hungry.

In the planning of the camp, the usual COVID precautions were to be followed with crafts and games being done in small groups. Only morning devotions, held in the church sanctuary, would include the camp as a whole.

The Camp

The camp was held from August 2 – 6, 2021. With 100 kids in attendance.

(video from Day 1 in the sanctuary)

Over the course of the 5 days, the children listened to stories, made crafts, sang songs and played games (pictures of the crafts) (videos of the group singing and playing games).

Winners never quit. Quitters never win
Oh oh ooooh - We can win
By Acting together, acting together
Oh oh ooooh - We can win

Celebration of Baptism: Cian James Morris

Parents: Elly Crow & Conor Morris
Godparents: Meighen Crow & Joseph Cacoilo

In our onsite worship service, we welcome Cian James Roy Morris, child of Elly Crow and Conor Morris, grandson of Mandy & Pete Crow, Jan and John Blagg, Frank Morris and Tracy Bankley Morris, and great grandson of Ruth & Ian Howes and Marion and Roy Blatherwick. Today we welcome him into our church family through the sacrament of baptism. We also welcome the godparents, Meighen Crow and Joseph Cacoilo. Let our offer our support, our prayers and our congratulations to Cian and his family on this momentous occasion.

Hymn: I Have Called You by Your Name – More Voices #161 – BCUC Choir

1 I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.

2 I will help you learn my name as you go;
read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim,
offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

3 I know you will need my touch as you go;
feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,
hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.

4 I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
go and tell my precious people they are mine.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Sue Morrison

God of Wisdom, as we ponder on your Word, remind us again that we are your beloved children. Open us to receive your spirit of grace and inspire us to embrace your life-giving Word. Amen.

Readings from the New Testament: (NRSV) The Baptism of Jesus – Mark 1: 9-11

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

All are Children of God– Galatians 3: 26-29

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

May we find ourselves renewed through these ancient words of faith. Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Affirmed by Love: Immersed in Grace!” Rev. Kim Vidal

At first, I thought it was for real. But I was relieved to learn that it actually was just a staged photo that meant to be funny! I’m referring to the photo of Fr. Stephen Klasek of the Diocese of Nashville, TN that went viral using a water gun to baptize an infant when the COVID-19 pandemic was on its rise. The photo received many criticisms – both good and controversial. The parish facebook post went to explain that the family had requested for Fr. Klasek to do this pose as copied from several posts of priests circulating around the internet. It was not his original idea. He agreed because he thought it was funny. The water in the water gun is not holy water and was squirted towards the dad and not the baby for humor impact.

The photo garnered millions of views and was posted in several websites and memes. While some took this story to be lighthearted and funny, others criticized the photos, suggesting they seemed to make light of the sacrament of baptism or underestimate clergy ministry. Today we have witnessed the baptism of Cian James Morris and aren’t you glad I did not use a water gun to baptize him? (But great grandpa Ian might try it with Cian at home!)

In our gospel reading this morning, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer at Jordan River. Here he makes his first public appearance on the stage of human history. The baptismal account of Jesus was the opening act in the book of Mark. Mark introduces us to Jesus as a thirty-year-old something, and we don’t have a clue as to what happened prior to his baptism. When Jesus stands up, according to Mark, the waters of the Jordan dripping down his face, he saw the heavens torn apart. Torn apart! Mark uses a form of the Greek verb schitzo – the same root we find in the word schism and schizophrenia. It is a more violent and dramatic word than just the word “open”. Its message tells us that through Jesus’ baptism, God ‘s presence and power are on the loose in the world, nothing will be the same again. There was also the presence of the Spirit descending like a dove that rested upon Jesus’ head. The Spirit comes, not as an all-consuming fire of judgment, but in a form of a dove, with the flutter of hopeful, unfurled wings, the symbol of shalom – God’s vision of peace. And a voice from heaven addresses the crowd: “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.”

For most of us, one thing that brings us to church on Sunday is the fact that we were baptized through the symbol of water. Since ancient times, water is a symbol of cleansing, healing and renewal. Water, as we know, is one of the most powerful elements on the face of the earth. But many people do not have a clue as to why baptism is an important sacrament that we still do. Let me share with you a funny story. Before celebrating a baptism, the minister approached the young father and said solemnly, “Baptism is a serious step. Are you sure you’re prepared for it?” "I think so,” the man replied. “My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for our guests.” “I don’t mean that,” the minister replied. “I mean, are you and your wife prepared spiritually?” “Oh sure,” came the reply. “I’ve got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey." Kidding aside, how many of us really understand the meaning of baptism?

The Greek word for baptism is baptizo which means: "To dip, to immerse, to submerge—and the best one for me—to saturate." Someone even said “baptism is like a marinade. We are marinated with water, with light, with God’s grace and blessing.” "You’ll know it when it happens" says the preacher Caspar Green. He notes that “Baptism might just get you wet. Or it might just change your life. In itself, there’s nothing magical about it. Even if it’s a religiously motivated one, with a formal liturgy, with water, with candle, godparents, and the whole works. What makes baptism special is what you do with it after you get out of the water…” Jesus began his ministry on earth after his baptism! He went about doing good as the song says – healing the sick, affirming the marginalized, teaching the Good News, socializing with his friends. Baptism is a revelation of God’s grace and abounding love. It is a sacrament through which we become part of the family of faith. The symbol of water becomes the tide that sweeps us into God’s love; that washes us in to receive the nurture and support of a Christian church, and then washes us out to do the work of Christ in the world. This water tells us who we are. It tells us that we are affirmed by loved and immersed in grace - that we belong, and that we are connected. It tells us who we might become.

The apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians encourages us to look at a deeper meaning of baptism. Paul says that “In Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Obviously, for Paul, baptism is a sign affirming our identity and relationship to Christ. Putting on Christ literally means to “clothed yourself with Christ.” Be like Christ to others – no matter who they are. Jesus taught us to be a loving neighbour to both friend and stranger beyond religion, colour of the skin, language, race, status or sexual orientation. Paul went on to say that our baptism makes us all brothers and sisters – siblings in faith. And “in Christ’s family”, according to Eugene Peterson in The Message, “there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. We are all equal.”

Some people believe that baptism is an exclusive privilege and a necessary requirement in receiving God’s grace. I don’t think so. I believe that whether one is baptized or not, everyone is welcome in God’s love. Everyone is God’s beloved child. Through baptism, we are provided with the opportunity to commit ourselves to live a life of being in right relationship with God, with others and with ourselves. Yes - baptism offers us to become a member of a faith community with a commitment to follow the ways of Jesus Christ to guide us in making life’s choices. Parents profess their faith on behalf of their children with the hope that their children will later profess their faith after undergoing the rite of confirmation. Through the waters of baptism, we proclaim that our lives can be transformed and renewed over and over again. Water is the visible symbol of God’s grace reminding us that we are affirmed intimately in a relationship of love - a love that is not distant, but real, alive, tender and completely present in that very moment.

In the United Church tradition, infant baptism is the primary baptismal practice, but we certainly encourage adult baptism as well which we sometimes call the “believer’s baptism”. We sprinkle candidates with the baptismal water. Other traditions utilize pouring or immersion. I once read a facebook illustration entitled: “Babies’ Perspective on Baptism”. The photo shows a toddler on the phone talking to his friends. The toddler with his big “I’m not kidding you” eyes said: “So today at church, a man wearing a suit dunked me in the water trying to drown me! No! I am not joking! My family just stood there taking pictures!” While sprinkling is part of our United Church tradition, whatever the practice or mode, no matter how much water is used, and regardless of the location of the event -- the Spirit, like the dove descending on Jesus in Mark, is present in the act of baptism and infusing the baptized with the possibilities of a new beginning to follow Jesus’ way of life. And that is more powerful than any flowing water on the face of the Earth.

Baptism is not just a sentimental ritual that we perform because it makes for Kodak moments. Baptism is a human, physical ritual to remind us of the divine transformation soon to take place in us through our connection with Jesus’ baptism. Theologian and preacher Walter Brueggemann wonderfully capture this connection in his book, Prayers for a Privileged People. This is what he says: “We become aware, out of Jesus’ baptism, of a new world, a world of grace and goodness, a world of freedom and opportunity, a world of justice and mercy and forgiveness, all from that moment of water . . . and the dove and the name and the power. And we remember our own baptism when we were named and claimed, and called to newness. In our moment of water… our world began again: we are grafted to God’s new governance; we are summoned into new obedience; we are rooted in fresh goodness and forgiveness. We hear the splash of water and pause, and begin again . . . not burdened by what is old, not bewitched by what is failed, not cowed by what threatens us. Now is our time for newness and hope and love and forgiveness, and we, after him, reenter your newness yet again.”

Today, baby Cian, his mom, Elly and dad, Conor, his whole family from both sides and his godparents came with him to these waters, filled with expectations and hopes. But the one that bubbles up for us today is the expectation that in these waters, Cian was sprinkled in the life of God through the story of God’s people. This water is full of our very own stories. Today, Cian becomes one with our stories that will help him grow in hope, in faith and in love.

Baptism does not protect us from the harsh realities of life. Like all human beings, we will pass through the waters of life's difficulties. We will cross the rivers of life's pains, and we will walk through the joys and challenges of being human. But we also recognize that God will go with us, and calls us by name as God called on Jesus that day of his baptism. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims, God says to you and me:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire, the flame shall not consume you.
I have called you by name, and you are mine.”

Mark added to Isaiah’s words. God declares: “You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased.” We need to hear this affirmation over and over again. These are life-giving words that transform our lives forever. Jesus heard them and his life was changed forever. They will do the same for Cian. We are affirmed by God’s love. We are forever immersed in God’s grace. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sources of my sermon:

Debbie Thomas, Thin Places, Deep Water. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/
Rev. Dr. Scott Black-Johnston, Sermon “How’s the Water?” Day1.org.
Walter Brueggemann, Prayer for a Privileged People.
Facebook illustration

Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim

Let us gather our hearts in prayer.

Gracious God, your spirit moves over the waters to bring forth life. Your Spirit rains and pours and floods in rivers, in oceans, in baptismal fonts - cleansing, purifying, anointing all creation, to live your goodness and love.

Like Cian, you have called us by our names and we respond with joy, knowing that we are your beloved children. We come to your font of grace to celebrate and to give thanks for calling us your beloved. Open our hearts as we pray, and call us to a new faithfulness in our baptism. Inspire each one of us to show forth our loving kindness in our hurting world, and bring healing and peace to all your people.

Loving God, baptize us with the water of love, service and hospitality. Empower us to be your bringers of good news to others. May our feet move in directions of service. May our hands seek to do the work of justice. May our hearts be shaped to see love and connection.

Healing God, baptize us with the waters of compassion and wholeness. We pray for those who seek healing and recovery from illnesses, from grief, from despair. We pray for those for those who are in the midst of health challenges; for those awaiting surgery and other medical procedures; for those who are recovering in hospitals and in home; bring comfort for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. We pray for those in long-term care facilities and nursing homes, those who are still affected by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the many of us who seek your healing grace. And now in silence, hear the deepest concerns of our hearts. (Moment of Silence)

Compassionate God, we pray for our communities, the neighbouring places, our city, our province and our country as a whole. Baptize us with the waters of justice so that the poor, the lonely and grieving, the homeless and all those pushed to society’s margins can once again be gathered into the heart of neighbourhood.

Justice-seeking God, baptize our world with the waters of compassion, hope and strength so that evil systems and acts of terror will come crashing down replacing them with systems of sharing, of peaceful endeavours and acts of grace. We pray for the people in Haiti especially those who are suffering due to the massive earthquake that destroyed livelihood and killed many people. We pray for peace in the world particularly in Afghanistan as terror, violence and fear sweep the country. We pray for the Afghan people facing great uncertainty, displacement and death particularly for women, girls and ethnic and religious minorities. We pray for the peacekeepers from many parts of world and the families of the US service members and Afghan citizens who died. We pray safety for those who are fleeing from the country that they may find refuge.

Ever-Present God, affirm and baptize us with the water and spirit and fire of your love We, whom you call as your beloved may spread the good news of Jesus through our words and our actions. Implore us to rekindle hope, transform our ways and offer fresh possibilities. These we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, baptized in the waters of Jordan, who taught us this ancient prayer that we recite together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.

Invitation to Offer Rev. Lorrie

On a morning like this, when we celebrate the blessing of a new baby and the joy of baptism, we are reminded to share our many blessings with others. And so, we take this time to offer our gifts of time, talents and treasures. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer (Glad Faith Klassen, Gathering, Pentecost 1, 2021 Year B. Used with permission)

God our Creator, giver of all good and perfect gifts, we bring our praise for who you are, the one who is and was and is to come. You continue the work of creating, of giving and forgiving, and we give thanks for it all, embracing your grace and love. Help us on our journey to live the mystery of being born of water and spirit. Be patient with us as we learn to embrace your grace and extend it to others. We offer up to you all we are, all we have, and all we are becoming, in the name of Jesus, our perfect example. Amen.

Sending Forth Rev. Kim (Inspired by the prayers of Rev. Dawn Hutchings and Rev. Beth Johnson, Gathering 2016-17. Used with permission)

Let the waters of baptism sooth you, nourish you,
and sustain you for all the possibilities yet to come!
We are the beloved children of a Creator who rejoices with us!
Listen closely. Hear the flapping of the wings of a dove
as the Holy Spirit alights upon you.
We gladly receive the blessings of possibility!
Go forth as God’s baptized people,
knowing that the refreshing waters
will sustain you in your journey. Amen.

Hymn: Let All Things Now Living - Voices United #242 BCUC Quartet, Erin:flute

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
By guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o'er us, pure light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into Light.

By law God enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We, too, should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!"

Departing Music: Take Up This Song - More Voices #213 Ellen, Chris, Bernice & Angela

Take up this song of *peace and go into the world.
Take up this song of *peace in ev’ry moment.
In ev’ry moment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives,
Lay them down, in *peace lay them down,
And take up this song.
*hope, faith, love

Zoom Fellowship – 11 am

Sunday Worship Service - August 29, 2021