Connie Davidson

November 21, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - November 22, 2020

Connie Davidson

November 21, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

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: Agnus Dei – M.W.Smith Vocalist: Angela Starchuk

Welcome & Announcements

Good day everyone! I welcome and greet you wherever you are in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns in our hearts forever! Today around the world, the Christian Church is celebrating the “Reign of Christ” which is also referred to as Christ the King Sunday. This Sunday signifies that our faith in Jesus the Christ is founded on the principles of justice, compassion, integrity and love.

Next Sunday, Nov 29th, we begin a new liturgical season. It’s the first Sunday of Advent and we are celebrating the sacrament of communion. We have an opportunity to gather in the sanctuary for a modified worship service at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people are invited to gather. Please call the office to register. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website.

If you are not able to worship with us in the church sanctuary, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings, events and other updates. You can also listen to the service via telephone by dialing 613-820-8104. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

And here are some announcements:

- The Veterans’ House project is due to be completed by January 2021 that hopes to accommodate at least 40 veterans. Please continue to support this project financially. For information on how to give, please check the website at multifaithhousing.ca.

- The 2021 Canadian Church Calendars are now available for purchase for $8 each, as well as grocery cards and the Book of Memories Volume 2. Please contact the office to place an order.

- If you are interested in exploring or discussing the biblical passages that Kim or Lorrie will use in their Sunday sermon, please join the Lectionary Group every Tuesday at 10:30 am via Zoom. Please inform Rev. Kim or the office of your attendance.

- Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.

- And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 00 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information. For other announcements, please check your email or the church website.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of God to remind ourselves that the reign of Christ is the reign of love. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: David Stafford & Barbara Bole

We light this Christ candle reminding us that the spirit of Jesus reigns in our hearts. We long for God’s love to come to our world, to break through and reign over us with compassion, justice, and peace.

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes
(Beth W. Johnson, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

In a world with so many competing voices,
we are called to focus on you, O God.
In a world with many options,
we are called to make you and your ways a priority.
In a world with many stories and tales to tell,
we are called to give you praise and tell the story of God’s love and generosity.
Great and awesome God,
we come in worship today to give you thanks and praise!

Prayer of Approach: (Gord Dunbar, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year C, 2013).

Knit us together, O God, joining us as one body in Christ’s name.
Breathe into us your inspiration for work and worship.
Light our lives with grace-filled self-giving.

Fire our hearts with the Good News of your love.
Unlock our minds with your revelation.
Gift us with your presence, we pray. Amen.

Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love - Voices United #593

Refrain: Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love,
show us how to serve
the neighbours we have from you.

1. Kneels at the feet of his friends,
silently washes their feet,
master who acts as a slave to them. R

2. Neighbours are rich and poor,
varied in colour and race,
neighbours are near and far away. R

3. These are the ones we should serve,
these are the ones we should love,
all are neighbours to us and you. R

4. Kneel at the feet of our friends,
silently washing their feet,
this is the way we should live with you. R

Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Hello! Do you know what I have here? Well, this is a set of rules that we have at BCUC for how to keep everyone in our congregation, and anyone who comes into or around our church building, safe during this covid-19 pandemic. It’s 12 pages long and pretty small print! It took a whole committee several weeks to go through all the rules and guidelines set out by the Federal government, the Ontario government and the city of Ottawa and all the medical advisors to see what applied to what is happening in our church. We want to stick together and keep as much of our church life happening while still making sure no one gets sick. That’s a lot of rules!

I bet you have heard lots about rules during this time too – rules that apply to different situations. There are rules about school, rules about wearing masks in stores and other buildings. We have to follow arrows on the floor and line up outside 6 ft apart… There are rules about washing your hands and using hand sanitizer everywhere you go. There are even rules about who you can visit or let into your house! Then, there are rules about no hugging and even no singing!

Whew! I don’t know about you, but I am getting tired of this pandemic. I am tired of worrying and tired of staying home – and I’m really tired of so many rules. I think lots of people are starting to feel this way. Some even argue about the rules and say that some are more important than others or even that some of the rules are silly. Sometimes people get really upset with each other if they disagree about what is essential. Sometimes people make mistakes and then get yelled at. Sometimes people are just rude – that’s no fun!

If I asked you which rule is the most important, I wonder what you’d say. I wonder if we would get a lot of different answers. It’s really hard to pick out just one…

Jesus was asked a question like that in the Gospel lesson today. The Pharisees tried to trick him again. They came and asked what the most important commandment was. See, the Jews had the ten commandments, which were a big deal for them. But they had even more laws on top of that, actually, hundreds of specific rules that governed how they were supposed to live. They wanted Jesus to mess up somehow by picking out one of those rules over the other ones.

He narrowed the commandments down to two key things: Love God and love others. Jesus said that the number one rule was to love God with heart, soul, and mind. That means that everything we do, think, or say should be done with God would want in mind. Jesus also said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. And we know that he didn’t mean just the person living next door, but all the people in the world, even the ones we don’t know and the ones we don’t like. Jesus said that when we do those things—love God and love our neighbor, everything else comes into place. The other laws all hang on love. If we do both those things, it just follows that we will choose to do what is best for everyone. That’s how good rules are made in the first place. They are made to make sure that everyone is treated well and that they are treated fairly. They are made to make sure that everyone is safe and healthy.

That was true of the hundreds of laws the Jewish people were expected to follow and it’s true of the laws in our country. It’s even true of the rules for the games we play and for the rules about how we have to behave during this Covid-19 pandemic.

I would have a hard time making a list for you of all the rules that are in this 12-page document for our church – and I helped create it! But I know, that if I remember that the most important thing is to keep everyone safe and healthy, I know I will do the right thing. The most important thing to remember is that we are acting out of love – for God, for each other, and for the whole world.

So, I will do my best to keep all of you safe, and I am grateful that you are doing the same for me and for all of our neighbours. Thank you for the love you share – even when it’s hard to do.

Hymn: What Does the Lord Require of You? Voices United #701

What does the Lord require of you?
What does the Lord require of you?
Justice, kindness,
walk humbly with your God.
To seek justice, and love kindness,
And walk humbly with your God.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: John MacFarlane
(Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

Holy God,
you are the Storyteller,
you are the Word.
Bless the reading.
Bless the listening.
Bless the sharing.
Bless the love in Christ’s name. Amen.

The Reading: Matthew 22 :34-40 (NRSV)

The Greatest Commandment

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,
35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the greatest and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

May we find ourselves renewed by this story of faith. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “All We Need is Love!” Rev. Kim Vidal

Who is Jesus to you? This is a good question to ask. Nowadays, you can’t help noticing that people say a lot of things about Jesus. They write it down on books, magazines and newspapers. They say it out verbally at worship services and on street corners. They talk about it on the kitchen table and over the internet. They share it at home, in classrooms and in pulpits. In just about any context you can imagine, people say all kinds of things about Jesus, because nearly everybody has an opinion. You don’t have to be a follower of Jesus to understand that the man is big; he is as influential a figure as the planet is likely to see. They describe him, decry him, defend him, deconstruct him. They explain him, complain about him, and just plain old argue about him. The first century Jewish people did the same thing. Jesus is the most talked about Biblical figure for over 2000 years!

Traditionally, on this Sunday, we acclaim Christ's role as a “King”– that is why in some Christian traditions, particularly in the orthodox churches, they call it Christ the King Sunday. But I’m sure some of us are not comfortable with the image of Jesus as a king especially when it is understood to be an imperial title, or a symbolic head, or a monarch who could easily use his power in oppressing people; or someone who is detached and remote from the realities of the everyday world; or a king who is garbed in wealthy garments and live in a palace with guards and troops to protect him. My theological understanding of Jesus is the notion that Jesus refused to be seen as someone who is “high and mighty” but rather who is “among the least”, the compassionate one, the one who blessed children as heirs of God’s reign. Instead of being a king, I would rather describe Jesus as a kin to all – K-I-N - a kin who is one among us – one who is dear and near – one whom we can relate to, or someone that we can keep close to our hearts; someone who, in the language of Anne of Green Gables, is a bosom friend or if you wish, a brother or a comrade, one who rolls up his sleeves and find comfort in his hands-on approach to helping the needy, embracing the lonely, uplifting the poor, healing the sick.

We know that the Pharisees love to test Jesus, but perhaps the lawyer, the one who approached Jesus in today’s gospel reading had a similar feeling of being overwhelmed when he asked him, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” — for there were 613 laws in the Torah. How was a person to keep track of them all, let alone prioritize them? The lawyer may be trying to do one of these three things when he questioned Jesus: first, he was trying to outwit Jesus; second, he may be siding with the Pharisees by confirming to the crowds that the Pharisees were far smarter than the Sadducees; and third, he may be genuinely seeking to discern what the law requires of him. What he has heard may have inspired him to believe that Jesus is able to answer the strongest questions of his heart. Jesus answers with two commandments quoted from the Torah: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.” (Deuteronomy 6: 5) and “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Leviticus 19: 18). And Jesus concluded with this statement: “On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” Loving God –loving others – these two tenets of love cannot be separated. You cannot love God if you hate your neighbour. Similarly, you cannot love your neighbour if you do not love God who is the source of love. Love is a profound, radical word. We say it almost all the time. We try to express it in many ways. And yet for some reasons, love is also the most violated, abused and misunderstood of all words.

The poet, Mary Oliver in some of her poems talks about the ordinary despair so many people feel in the face of the enormity of the world’s problems. ‘What can one individual do?’ she asked. Oliver may have answered her own question, as Jesus answered the Pharisees, by testifying to the power of love with her poem “Wild Geese,” which begins:
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let …your body love what it loves.
          But what does love mean? Christians are, indeed, called “to love and serve the world." Some of our theological positions tell us that God sends us to love and serve others as faithful witnesses of Jesus’ way. We are taught to put into practice what we have become in the sacrament of the Holy Communion – that we are the body of Christ on earth. The sixteenth-century mystic and Carmelite reformer Teresa of Avila said, “…God so loved the world that God sent Jesus, who healed the sick, fed the poor, raised the dead and lived, preached, ate and made friends in the world alongside ordinary human beings, especially those on the margins of society...” We are Christ’s embodiment of God’s radical love!
          Much of Jesus’ earthly life and many of his undertakings were tied to giving and receiving love through hospitality. He was a guest in many homes and at numerous meals. Although without a place of his own, he acted as a host to individuals, small groups, and huge crowds, making use of places that were available to him. Jesus’ practices of a loving hospitality were often brief, intense, personal, and countercultural. Canadian theologian Douglas John Hall encourages for a “hospitable Christianity” whose love for neighbour as Jesus taught us, provides room for people of different faiths to exist together and value one another for the well-being of our world without watering down their differences – a way of being together that invites dialogue, respect and listening to each other. These words echo one of the Dalai Lama’s visions for the world: “Love and hospitality are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
          Fritz Eichenberg was a German born artist who moved to the United States in the 1930s. While still in Germany he started drawing politically and religiously poignant artworks. One of his drawings, called “Jesus in the Breadline” shows Jesus walking with the "least of these", men and women who most of society thought were outcasts, poor, worthless. Eichenberg portrays Jesus as a homeless man, and when you think about it, if Jesus came during the era of breadlines, He probably would have been standing in one. This type of imagery speaks to me, portraying Jesus Christ as someone journeying among us. Indeed, he declares that his neighbours, his sisters and brothers are the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the stranger, the prisoners, the homeless. They are the people we can easily pass by and easily ignore. The Great Commandment proposed by Matthew’s Jesus is a call to profound unity of heart, mind, body and spirit. The Golden Rule is the measuring stick in loving ourselves so we that can love our neighbours in good faith: “Do unto others what you would like others do unto you.”

Who then, is our neighbour? Our neighbours are those different from us. Our neighbours are the little ones - ignored by the society yet wanting our care and compassion. Our neighbours are the street marchers who confront those in power. Our neighbours are the homeless people with the desire to have decent lives. Our neighbours are the privileged and the affluent wanting to reach out for friendship and understanding. Our neighbours are those facing life’s uncertainties because of illness or loss of employment. Our neighbours are those in our community wanting to be affirmed and welcomed. Ours is not only about seeing others as a neighbour; our calling is also to become the neighbour we would like to meet. And you can only love your neighbour when you honestly and truthfully love God with your whole being – heart, soul and mind. To love God is to practice who and what God means to us. For me, God is the epitome of justice, compassion, kindness, peace and love. And even when we profess that we are God believers or atheists, I believe these are universal values that each human being must put into practice for the world to heal from the atrocities of violence, hatred and evil.

Loving God and our neighbour mean that we need to listen to the world and engage with it. As stewards of love, we need to be vulnerable, to pay attention, to participate in endeavours that bring hope and give life. An ideal way of engaging the world with love is to be like those children in the Special Olympics. We start out together and if one falls, another will stop and kiss the scratched knee or the bumped elbow. Another will sit down and see how we are coming along. Maybe someone else will find a Band-Aid to cover the boo-boo and another brings water to refresh the spirit. Sooner or later, everyone gets to be together as we come to the end, with each other, holding on for dear life, upholding each other in the power of community and the presence of God. No one, not even the least of these will be forgotten or ignored. As Frederick Buechner has written, “humanity is like a giant spider web. Touch it anywhere and the whole thing trembles.”

I took a break from my sermon writing and found two inspiring stories of love:

The first story talks about Max Woosey, a 10-year-old British boy, who set out to raise 100 pounds for a local hospice that looked after his neighbours who died of cancer. Days after Britain imposed a national lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, Woosey raised money in memory of his neighbours by sleeping in a tent in his garden. People were touched by his love for his neighbours that his charity camp-out amassed more than 40,000 pounds.

The second story was shared by an Ottawa Teen named Aya Abou Rshd - Two laptops present new hope and opportunities to her and her siblings when their schooling was disrupted by the Syrian civil war, persecution from Lebanese authorities and now the global COVID-19 pandemic. Things will now be a bit easier for their new life in Canada – thanks for the love and concern of an anonymous donor who came forward and donated two brand new laptops to Aya and her family. A symbol of hope and a glimmer of light for Aya and her family.

The Reign of Christ is indeed the reign of love! We all have our love stories to tell. And yes, all we need is love to heal the world. In closing, let me share with you a Franciscan Blessing, written in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi as you go and love God, your neighbours and yourself:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness and love to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Jesus the Christ reigns forever! Love reigns in us! Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Let us gather our hearts in prayer:

God, author of our lives, create for us a life that opens a path to new visions and vistas of compassion, love and understanding. Make us a sanctuary of a just society through our acts and deeds. We are your people, your creation and in that creation is your expectation that we offer love to the best of our ability to make that expectation a reality. Continue to challenge us, to push us, to prod us to walk the talk. Broaden our thinking with new ideas. Enrich us with your spirit. Make us a community of love who embraces a purpose of “no condemnation.”

We pray that you would guide us on our journeys through this land of such abundance. Help us not to be seduced into thinking that material resources can ever make us happy or content. Help us as we see our neighbours’ success not to feel inadequate, deprived, or greedy. Help us rather to find our strength, our comfort, and our satisfaction in knowing whose we are and to live life with a sense of hope. Provide us an inner serenity which exterior things can never bring.

God of grace and compassion we are always mindful of our tenuous hold on life and health and safe keeping. With those thoughts in mind, we ask for your healing presence to those affected by the ongoing pandemic. With love and earnest concern, we pray for those in retirement homes and long-term care facilities especially those who are affected by COVID-19 and those unnamed among us in need of your healing touch. We continue to pray for the families of those who have died from the virus, may healing love be with them in this time of sorrow. For those who are sick and those recovering from illness, may they find comfort from those who tend to them. For the health workers, first-line responders and essential workers who serve to heal the sick and who put themselves at risk, may they know that many are praying for them and rallying behind them.

For the leaders in all sectors of the society, may they lead with wisdom and foresight to act with love and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. May we comfort those who have suffered deep losses in their lives and those who are troubled and distressed. We pray for peace in our neighbourhood and wider communities. We also bring to you those who are frail and weak - the bereaved, the dying, the lonely, the lost, the downtrodden. We pray for this church family, for its vitality and its mission to love others. Empower us to be the body of Christ in the world. Be with us as we meet and share the joys and concerns of this congregation.

God of harmony and peace, we pray for the world where your reign of love is still calling each one for transformation; where bombs of war are dropped and people live in terror and death; where people suffer under the pangs of economic upheaval – where unemployment rises in its toll and people live in despair; where people ravaged by calamities and natural disasters seek daily survival. And we pray for ourselves that we may be sustained by the hope and love that you have offered to us.

God of life, God of love, God of all that we have and all that we are, we give you thanks.

These we ask in the name of Jesus the Christ who reigns in hearts and who taught us this prayer…

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 Lowes

I invite you to give lovingly, as we serve God through sharing and offering of time, talents and treasures. These gifts empower the ministry within our congregation and respond to the needs of our community and the world. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

This offering has the power to help others.
This offering demonstrates our love for those in need.
This offering reflects your love, O God.
Bless these gifts and the givers,
we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Sending Forth: Rev. Kim Vidal

People of God, step forward into the world in which we live
and be lovers in word and in deed.
Keep your hearts steadfast on the priorities to which God guides us:
to love mercy, to do justice, and to walk humbly.
Let us go forth with confidence in the name
of God the Lover,
of Jesus Christ, the Beloved
and the Holy Spirit who is Love. Amen!

Hymn: Fairest Lord Jesus – Voices United #341

1 Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O thou of God to earth come down:
thee will I cherish, thee will I honour,
thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

2 Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
who makes the troubled heart to sing.

3 Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
and fair the twinkling, starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

4 All fairest beauty heavenly and earthly,
wondrously, Jesus, is found in thee;
none can be nearer, fairer or dearer
than thou, my Saviour, art to me.

Words 1677 from the German Crusader’s Hymn, Music 1842 Silesian Folk Melody
Song # 97906 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing: Higher Realms - Abe

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:00 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

Connie Davidson

November 14, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - November 15, 2020

Connie Davidson

November 14, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

24th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

NOVEMBER 15, 2020

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: Roll Over the Ocean Erin & CGS

Welcome & Announcements

Good Morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I extend a warm welcome to you today and I greet you in the name of Jesus, our mentor and guide, and the very reason we gather together as a family of faith.

We continue to open the sanctuary for a small number of people each Sunday following the health protocols to keep us safe. If you would like to attend, please call the church office to register by the Friday morning preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place.

If you are unable to attend in person, there are several ways you can still participate in worship, through the YouTube video, the audio version or the text of the service, through the links provided on our webpage. You can also call 613-820-8104 to listen to the service on your telephone.

Wherever you are as you join us this morning – in your living room with your family, in your kitchen with a cup of coffee, or with the small group gathered in the sanctuary, know that you are welcome. We are glad that you are here and we hope that today’s service offers what you need as you head into the next week.

Here are a few announcements to highlight this week:

- Before the pandemic hit, we had planned to do another BCUC Photo Directory. We have decided to wait to complete this until things are a bit more stable. However, our photographer is happy to begin taking some of the photos now so that you can have them in time for Christmas gift giving - we just won’t produce the directory until we can get photos of the whole congregation. We have set aside Friday, November 20 for photo sittings - individuals or families - from 9:00am to 8:30pm. All health protocols will be in place and sittings will be spaced to allow for sanitizing between groups. Prints can be ordered and will be available in plenty of time for Christmas.

- The Ottawa West End Community Chaplaincy (OWECC) will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Sunday November 22nd at 2 p.m. via Zoom. If you are interested in attending please contact Marilyn Bruce by November 18th at marilyn.brucei@sympatico.ca or phone her at 613-828-0704.

- INVITATION TO JOIN THE LECTIONARY GROUP
We are pleased to invite you to join the lectionary group every Tuesday at10:30 am via Zoom. This learning group seeks to provide a nurturing space for those wanting to discuss or explore Biblical texts based on what Kim or Lorrie will preach about on Sunday. If interested please inform Kim or the office.

- For those who are able to join us by Zoom, there will be a “Virtual Fellowship Time” every Sunday at 11:00 am. The link will be sent to you by email. If you have not yet received it, please call the office for more information during regular church office hours.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Amelia and Georgia Baynes

With something as small as a candle, we can do great things. We can offer a light in the darkness. We can share that light with others until the whole world is filled with its glow and no dark corners are left to cause us fear. One small candle flame can ignite a fire powerful enough to offer comfort and warmth to everyone around us. This candle we light this morning reminds us that Christ is with us as we gather for worship – no matter when or where we may be. Let it also be a reminder to take this light of Christ with us wherever we go.

Call to Gather: Noah and Nicholas Berard

All that we are is a gift of God!
All that we have is a gift of God!
Every breath we take…
Every movement we make…
The life in which we partake…
Is a gift of God!
And so we gather –to receive and give back.
To listen and to teach,
To remind ourselves that we are stewards of all God’s gifts,
Blessed in the sharing of all talents and treasures!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.[1]

Prayer of Approach: Rev Kim

Holy One, you are invisible to us. We notice you only through your effects.
Come to us here today, affect us that we may be changed by you.
Open our hearts and minds to the glory of your creation and to our part in that creation.
Let us feel your warm embrace.
Grant that we may trust in you so completely that we accept the risk in so doing, that we maybe challenged by the path you set us upon, and be born again through your son.
We journey upon the path you set us, thankful for our journey together!
May we be all that we can be through your infinite love. Amen.[2]

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” - Voices United #575

1. I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.

2. I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.
I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.

3. I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.

4. I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime.

Words & Music © African American Spiritual Song #95386
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Kim

When I was 9 years old, I had this huge ambition to be a great diva singer someday. I was already a good singer and when I was 10, I learned to play the guitar. I’ve got talent in music! One day I joined a singing contest called “Stairway to Success”. The first prize winner would win – are you ready for this? – five pesos (which is equivalent to less than 25 cents) and a litre of Pepsi-Cola! I had to enter that contest! I had to win the Pepsi – never mind the five pesos! I practiced the song, “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand and in a week’s time, I was so ready to win that Pepsi! To make the story short I won the contest. Yes! I’ve got talent! Looking back now, I knew that my singing talent had been harnessed somehow at a very young age and I never buried that talent – I used it all the time.

Think about some of the special gifts or talents God gave you. I got thinking about what talents people at BCUC have. I came up with a long list. Just to name a few – Noah plays piano, Nicholas sings, Arcadie draws, Inara reads well, Phoenix and Raven play the fiddle. We have “big kids” too who have wonderful talents – Wendy dances, Keith sings, Erin plays the flute, Abe plays organ and piano, Ruth bakes…Wow! BCUC sure got has super talents!

In our parable today, Jesus talks about talents in a very different way. It was not about what things we can do best but it was about money. A Bible scholar named Richard Henderson said that one talent was the equivalent of the wages a day labourer would make in fifteen years. So if someone earned $10,000 in one year, a talent would be about $150,000 – a huge sum of money in Jesus’ time which probably would be about 6 million dollars or more in today’s standards.

I’m sure many of us remember this story: "A master went away on a journey, and entrusted his servants with a certain amount of money- each according to his ability. To the first he gave 5 talents, to the second, 2 and to the third, 1." The first two servants decided to use their talents - they invested their money and earned more out of their hard work. The third servant, however, did not use his talent. He buried it in the ground. Maybe because of fear. Maybe he was not smart like the two other servants. Maybe he was keeping it safe. Sometimes we find ourselves like the third servant. We are afraid to use our talents because we might make mistakes or we might use them in the wrong way or simply because we don’t have the confidence. Sometimes it is easier for us to hide them. Sometimes we feel embarrassed to show what we can do or maybe we are just holding on to them because are not given the opportunity or an invitation to use them. What do you think will happen if we do not use or share our talents?

No matter what talents or gifts you have, no matter how big or small, God expects you to use them. God wants you to say, “Yes, I can!” God doesn’t want your talents to go to waste. God wants you to take those gifts and use them to help others or to make the world a better place. Even a small act of kindness can go a long way. So use your talents! Don’t hide or bury them or else they will be wasted.

I wonder what you will be doing with the gifts and talents that you have? I hope you will take up the challenge and say, “Yes, I can!”

Let me close with a prayer. Generous God, we thank you for the gifts and talents you have given to each of us. We pray that we will use these gifts in good and wonderful ways to show others how amazing your love is. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Shout, Shout” – More Voices #183

1. I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today, at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

2. I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today, at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

3. I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today, at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Katrina teGrotenhuis

God, sometimes the words we hear in scripture challenge us more than we like. There are times when all we want is to hear something life-affirming and easy. But then you bring us words that call us to be more, to do more, and to love more. Open us to the challenge of these words and strengthen our faith; for we ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.[3]

The Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “Well Done, Good and Trustworthy Servant!” Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Yet another parable from the book of Matthew for us to ponder today! This time we hear the story of three men who were each entrusted with large sums of money while their master was away. None of the three squandered the money they were given. None of them spent it on themselves or put it in their pockets and high tailed it out of town to set themselves up for a better life, a luxurious life, free from the rule of the master. Really, all three seem quite responsible and worthy of the trust the master put in them. So, I was shocked at the master’s reaction when he returned home, weren’t you? If anything, I would have been more concerned about the huge risks the first two took with that money that didn’t belong to them. They really had a lot of chutzpah! (I thought I’d throw in a Yiddish word there to fit with the Jewish origin of the story. Chutzpah. It means audacity, or bravery that borders on rudeness.)

The money we are talking about here are no small amounts. As Rev. Kim mentioned in her Children’s Time, by today’s standards we are talking about millions of dollars! The trust the master put in these men, the responsibility they were given was huge! Even the man who was only given one talent was holding 15 years-worth of wages for a minimum wage worker. He was handed millions of dollars in today’s terms. I can understand why he decided to play it safe and bury that money for safe-keeping until the master got back. I think I might have done the same thing. That’s a lot of responsibility and he took the safest action of the three. So, yes, I was quite taken aback at the harsh reaction of the master. And I am quite certain that the people hearing the story would have been shocked as well.

And that’s the way parables go, isn’t it? Every single one we’ve heard from Jesus contains a twist, something that just doesn’t seem to fit, something to force us to think outside the box. And so, I read the story again…

It’s obvious to me now that these men were no lowly slaves. They weren’t house-boys or men who worked in the stables. I think they must have been very well-educated, responsible men. Their relationship with their master must have involved an awful lot of trust and respect for him to leave this treasure with them when he wasn’t even close by to keep an eye on what they did with it. He must have known that they would live up to his expectation of making that money grow for his benefit and the benefit of his household.

And he was right in trusting them! Not one of them took off with the money! That’s pretty amazing in itself now that we know the value of what he gave them. Even if they were afraid of him, as the third servant seems to imply, I think you could get pretty far with that kind of coin and hide for a very long time. But, they all stayed and the master came home to find his money had not been stolen or squandered. In fact, in the case of the first two servants, it had grown substantially!

These men had no doubt about the master’s motivation in leaving them with these riches. They knew – and accepted – that it wasn’t theirs to do with as they pleased. It was entrusted to them for the glory and honour of the master – to further his influence and power – and, I suspect, they realized that doing so would mean a better life for all of them.

I heard a story once, about a basketball team playing in a championship game. This team was the underdog. Everyone figured it was a given that their opponents would beat them easily and win the championship. But, to everyone’s surprise the underdogs won! A reporter asked the coach what he thought happened. It seemed miraculous that these players could pull together such a fantastic game! “Well,” he told the reporter, “When they went into the game, everyone knew what he had to give. And each one gave more than was expected of him.

This is a real “feel good” story. Given the circumstances, it would have been completely understandable for this team to go out on the court and just play enough to make it a basketball game - just the bare minimum. But, they had enough respect for the game, respect for the coach, for their fans and for each other that they took up the challenge. They were there to do their best. They gave more than they thought they were capable of - they took the risk of pushing and they came out on top!

Sounds a bit like those first two servants, don’t you think? They could all have done the bare minimum and given the money back to the master when he returned. That was a pretty safe thing to do. And that’s exactly what the third servant did. The other two, however, took a risk. They put the talents that the master gave them to work. What a brave thing to do! If the master was upset with the servant who protected the money and did nothing more, imagine how he would have felt if the first two had risked his money and lost it!

This master knew what he was doing though. He gave to each “according to his abilities”. He gave the most to the man who he knew could handle the responsibility. He trusted that he had trained him well and that he had the tools to do a great job.

So, the first two put that training to work and doubled the investment the master gave them. Now here comes another kicker in the parable! What was the reward for taking this risk and making such a great profit? More responsibility! “You have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things!” I guess you could look at it as a kind of promotion – but I wonder if the servants saw it that way.

Mother Teresa talked about her experience with her Master: “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.”

So, back to Jesus and this parable... Just what was he trying to tell the people then and what does it mean for us today?

If we think of the master in the story as God, what is being entrusted to us the servants? Isn’t it interesting how the word “talent” is still meaningful today, in a slightly different context? When we think of God-given talents or gifts in light of this story, we can see that, just like the master who didn’t give to each servant equally, God distributes those “talents” to each according to his ability. We are also given resources - time... opportunities... finances...

What happens if we don’t cultivate these talents? If we don’t practice the piano, or speak the new language we are learning? If we don’t keep on exercising? If we don’t keep in touch with friends or family members? …We lose them!

What happens if we don’t seize opportunities? They slip by! If we are afraid to take the risk? We often live with regret.

“Use it or lose it!” the familiar saying goes.

But what happens if we do use the gifts we are given? If we have the courage to live the way God wants us to? It often leads to greater joy - and more opportunities to use those gifts in an even bigger way.

Like the master in the parable, I can imagine God being pleased when we use our gifts and when we cultivate those gifts - and being disappointed - maybe even displeased - when we play it safe. Is this what Jesus was trying to say?

Sometimes, I look around at the talents some others have been given and I confess that I wish I too had some of those gifts. Imagine the good works I could do if I had money like Bill Gates! Imagine what I could accomplish if I had the medical and scientific knowledge to cure cancer or even this virus! But God has entrusted me with talents “according to my ability” and it is up to me to use them in the best way possible. I can take the risk to do that, or I can bury them, just like the third servant. It’s up to me..

A few years ago, I retired. I had been a teacher for 22 years. I worked as a coach for other teachers in the school board and I worked with the Ministry of Education as well. I was tired and I felt that I had given all I could to teaching. I was pretty excited to be able to stay at home and be a Grandma to my three little grandchildren. I loved it! But I also found that I had quite a lot of time on my hands. So... I decided to take the Lay Preaching course. I had always been very involved at my church and I enjoy writing and speaking in front of people so this seemed to be a good fit. I was also interested in learning more about the Bible and how to write prayers - and just to spend some time with other people who were interested in the same things. Well, God had some other plans for me, I guess! An opportunity came to me to apply for a job as Congregational Designated Minister at Bells Corners United Church. At first I said, “I’m not qualified for that!” but... others thought I was and kept encouraging me to apply... The more I learned about the job, the more I realized that it was actually a pretty good fit! I have a degree in Social Work as well as my teaching degree... I have worked with volunteer organizations ... I have worked with children and adults... It started to sound like a job leading Christian Education and Pastoral Care might just be the best way to combine all the things I had done well so far in my life. Sometimes I think God saw me sitting back on the gifts I was given - burying them in the ground? - and so he offered me an opportunity to use them all, to leave my little comfort zone and try something brand new. I could have stopped at “I’m not qualified for this!” and probably thought no more about it. But am I ever glad I took the risk and applied for the job! I loved the work! I was learning and growing every day. I thought, “This is it! I have found the perfect job for me. I am using all of my talents – God-given ones and ones I worked hard to develop!” I was ready to glide through a few more years and then look at retiring again. However, just like the two servants who worked hard to develop the money they had been entrusted with… yes, a call to more work and responsibility came through loud and clear. So, several years of work and study later later, here I am with a new title and new responsibilities – thinking, “Yes! I have finally accomplished what God had in mind for me all along.” (but, I admit that I’m almost afraid of what God will expect of me next!)

Did you notice that the master in the story was just as pleased with the servant who gave him four talents as he was with the one who gave him ten when he returned from his trip? It wasn’t the amount of the return but the effort each put into the task that counted. Big profit or small, he called both in exactly the same way to “enter into the joy of your master”.

But what about that poor guy who was condemned into the darkness? That still seems awfully harsh. It doesn’t seem to fit with the God of love and grace that Jesus taught about. I wonder if, perhaps, that darkness was of his own making. Instead of being welcomed into the joy of his master, he was condemned to continue living in fear and anxiety about what will happen next – a pretty dark way to live for sure.

No talent is too small. God has given them to us in love. Think about the talents God has given to you. Are you using those talents in a way that gives glory and honour to God? Is there some new way you can be using your gifts? I think perhaps the message in this parable is that by accepting that challenge, we all have the opportunity to earn the praise, “Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Well done!”

Prayers of the People (Rev. Lorrie Lowes) and the Lord’s Prayer
(Sacred Dance by Wendy Morrell and friends)

Generous and challenging God,

You have entrusted us with so many gifts – the amazing beauty of your creation, the love and support of family and friends, our comfortable first-world lives, and the abilities to make those lives rich and meaningful. Is it ever enough to just say thank you and then tuck those gifts away for safe-keeping? Today we are reminded to bring our gifts out into the open, to nurture them and make them grow.

We come to you today, as we often do, with concerns big and small – concerns for ourselves, for those around us, and for the world itself. Our world is faced with the difficulties of illness and poverty, of conflict and hardship, of injustice and lack of the things necessary to healthy living. Help us to see how we can use the talents we have been given to face these concerns in ways that not only make the world a better place but that also bring honour and glory to you.

Help us to accept the responsibility that comes with the gifts you bestow on each one of us. Help us to make good use of our unique talents to make them grow and to further your dream of God’s kin-dom here on earth.

We ask these things in response to the teachings of Jesus and in the words we now repeat together…

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

We have all been given gifts, each one unique to God’s vision of what we can do in the world. These gifts have been entrusted to us to further the building of God’s kin-dom. Our time of offering is one opportunity to share our gifts of time, talents and resources.

If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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.

Hymn: “What Can I Do?” - More Voices #191

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

Offertory Prayer

Loving, Gentle, Wonderful God, you gave us gifts, and we have used them, filtered them, multiplied them, regenerated them; we offer them now to you as love, gentleness, and wonder. Be pleased to accept our gifts, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.[4]

Sending Forth: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

May the blessing of God, the giver of every good and perfect gift;
And of Christ, who summons us to service;
And of the Holy Spirit, who inspires generosity and love,
Be with us all.[5]
Amen.

Hymn: “Go Make a Diff’rence” - More Voices #209

Refrain:
Go make a diff’rence.
We can make diff’rence.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence.
Go make a difff’rence in the world!

1. We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see,
the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

2. We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need,
The face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.

3. So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.
Go make a diff’rence in the world!

Departing: Breach (on video)

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:00 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Richard Bott, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p35. Used with permission.

[2] Roger West, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p38. Used with permission.

[3] Susan Ivany, Gathering Pentecost 2 2017, p 37. Used with permission.

[4] Kate Gregory, Gathering Pentecost 2 2017, p39. Used with permission.

[5] Celebrate God’s Presence, p71

Connie Davidson

November 7, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - November 8, 2020

Connie Davidson

November 7, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

23rd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

November 8, 2020

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: Jimmy Findlater – David Brown

Remembering our Veterans and those Active in Uniform (Photo Slides)

Acknowledgement of Territory Rev. Kim Vidal

We begin our worship service by acknowledging the territory where most of us gather and where I am located. We acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe First Nation. We pay respect to the elders past and present and honour all indigenous people’s reverence of this land throughout the ages. Today, we also pay tribute to all indigenous veterans who have served in the two great wars and those who are currently serving our country in uniform. May we live in peace and friendship to sustain the earth and all its people. Thank you for permitting us to live and work on this land.

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Kim Vidal

Good day everyone! I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ this time of remembering. Today we remember those “who shall not grow old” and to honour those who knew what those wars were like and lived to tell their stories. We remember the brave souls who are out there currently serving in many parts of the world that peace may prevail. We honour and give thanks to the veterans and their loved ones. From those who shivered and starved through the winter, crouched in the muddy trenches of France, to those seaborne in the Battle of Normandy and liberation of the Netherlands, those who fought in the Korean War, or the young peacekeepers patrolling the mountains of Afghanistan and Iraq, we remember and honour them all. They remind us that all of those who fought and those who have died have real faces, real lives, real families and theirs are real stories of ordinary people who were able to make a difference in the world. Our presence today reminds us that we cannot be silent when the terrors of wars confront us. In today’s remembering, I invite you to reflect within the context of our faith, to uphold the teachings of Jesus when he declares, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

During this time when only a limited number of people are able to worship in the church sanctuary, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings, events and other updates. You can also listen to the service via telephone by dialing 613-820-8104. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Here are some announcements:

- An opportunity to have Photos for Christmas will happen on Friday, November 20 from 9:00am to 8:30pm. This is part of the photo directory project being planned for Spring 2021. If you are not able to come for the photo session on Nov 20, don’t worry, another photo session will be held in Spring. All health protocols will be in place and sittings will be spaced to allow for sanitizing between groups. Prints can be ordered and will be available in plenty of time for Christmas. Please call the office to book your appointment.

- The 2021 Canadian Church Calendars are now available for purchase for $8 each, as well as grocery cards and the Book of Memories Volume 2. Please contact the office to place an order.

- And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be a Zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 00 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information.

For other announcements, please check your email or the church website.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of God who opens us to the Spirit of peace and freedom. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Kael & Connor Fowler (Air Cadets)

We light this Christ candle as we honour and celebrate those who have offered
their lives in the name of peace and freedom.

The light of this candle represents our grief, our courage,
our memories, our love and our hope.

It also reminds us that the light of Christ shines on the road to peace and illuminates our most difficult moments.

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes & Nicole Beaudry

(Pat Mayberry, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2017, Year A, French Trans - Nicole Beaudry)
We gather together on this day of remembering.
We lift up our hearts in the Spirit of Life.

Nous nous souvenons aujourd'hui de ceux et celles qui ont donné leur santé, et souvent leur bien-être et même leur vie, dans les guerres et dans leurs actions à la recherche de la justice et de la paix. Nous élevons nos cœurs dans un esprit de mémoire.

We come together to honour the gifts of all, gifts of courage and community, of music and laughter, of justice-making and healing touch.
We lift up our hearts in the spirit of love made visible.

Nous sommes réunis dans un même esprit pour trouver de nouvelles façons d’agir, pour créer des liens nouveaux, pour tenter de comprendre, et pour garder en mémoire.

We lift up our hearts in the spirit of possibility.

Alors, rassemblons-nous.

Come, let us gather.

Prayer of Confession: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Inspired by the prayers of Richard Bott and George Allan)

On this Remembrance Sunday, let us be reminded that peace is a gift from God, the presence of the Holy One. But sometimes, we forget how to act as instruments of peace and so we approach God with our prayer of confession and to ask God’s forgiveness and assurance of love. Let us pray. We know that God take no joy in deaths. We know that God take no joy in wars, in battles, in conflicts. We know that our tears are for all God’s children of every land and race, of every time and place. When we live comfortably in a peaceful land, too easily we forget about some parts of the world where there is no peace. Forgive us, O God, when we did not answer your call to pursue your gift of peace, shalom, salaam in this world. Forgive us, we pray.

Assurance of Love

We are not alone. In every corner of the earth, in every town and village torn apart by war; in every home where our loved ones are remembered. God is present through others - healing, restoring and bringing about God’s reign of peace in the world. Grant us your peace, O God. Amen.

Hymn: I Feel the Winds of God - Voices United #625

1 I feel the winds of God today;
today my sail I lift,
though heavy oft with drenching spray
and torn with many a rift;
if hope but light the water’s crest,
and Christ my bark will use,
I’ll seek the seas at his behest,
and brave another cruise.

2 It is the wind of God that dries
my vain regretful tears,
until with braver thoughts shall rise
the purer, brighter years;
if cast on shores of selfish ease
or pleasure I should be,
O let me feel your freshening breeze,
and I’ll put back to sea.

3 If ever I forget your love
and how that love was shown,
lift high the blood-red flag above;
it bears your name alone.
Great pilot of my onward way,
you will not let me drift;
I feel the winds of God today,
today my sail I lift.

Words 1907 Jessie Adams, Trad. arranged 1904 Ralph Vaughan Williams, Oxford Univ Press
Song #6ECAD29E Reprinted with permission ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Our Children’s Story today is a reading of the book “Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion” by Jane Barclay. It is a story about a young boy watching his grandpa get ready for the Remembrance Day parade. The gentle and caring grandpa answers his grandchild’s questions about what it was like to serve in the war. As the two make a game of preparing for the memorial service, the child comes to understand the importance of the solemn occasion and the act of remembering. It is read for today’s worship service by Rev. Lorrie’s granddaughter Bree Kelly and her grandpa, Neil Lowes.

An Act of Remembrance

The Story of Remembrance:[1] Rev. Kim Vidal

Across Canada, and in many other countries, people gather on November 11 to honour the courage and devotion of brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice of dying for their country. The hostilities of the First World War ceased on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The following year marked the first observance of a day to remember and honour those who died, as well as to give thanks for the sacrifices of those who came back from serving their country. Since then, Canadians have fought in other conflicts and many have given their lives so that we might enjoy freedom today. They too should be remembered.

*Laying of Wreath: Capt Angela Starchuk & MCpl (ret’d) Trevor Starchuk

Poem: “In Flanders Fields” (by LCol John McCrae) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

In Flanders fields the poppies blow,
between the crosses row on row that mark our place;
and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing,
fly scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago we lived,
felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved,
and now we lie, in Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw the torch;
be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep,
though poppies grow in Flanders fields.

*Response: Rev. Kim Vidal

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them. We will remember them!

*The Last Post
*Two-Minute Silence
*Rouse
*Lament - David Brown

*National Anthem: O Canada (Bilingual Version)

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command,
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits,
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Capt. Angela Starchuk

Gracious God, as we hear your Scripture today, bless us with your spirit of understanding.
Heal us from the pains of war and make us instruments of your peace. Amen.

The Reading: “Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids” Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

May we find ourselves renewed by this story of faith. Thanks be to God!

Hymn: Give Me Oil in My Lamp (traditional)

1 Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning
Keep me burning ‘til the break of day.

Refrain: Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna!
Sing hosanna to the Servant King!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna!
Sing hosanna let us sing!

2 Mets la joie dans mon cœur, que je chante;
Mets la joie dans mon cœur, je te prie,
Mets la joie dans mon cœur, que je chante,
Que je chante tout au long de ma vie.

R: Chante Hosanna! Chante Hosanna!
Chante Hosanna! Pour Jésus vivant.
Chante Hosanna! Chante Hosanna!
Chante Hossana! Avec moi.

3 Give me love in my heart, keep me serving
Give me love in my heart I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving
Keep me serving ‘til the break of day. R

Traditional
Reprinted with permission ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sermon: “Waiting Gone Awry!” Rev. Kim Vidal

At first glance, this parable is not comforting. This parable does not make me feel good. This parable challenges most of the things I believe about God and Jesus. For me, it doesn’t make sense to compare this parable with that of the Kingdom of Heaven. I don’t want to preach on the 5 wise bridesmaids, who have extra oil but didn’t share with the foolish. I don’t want to criticize and point fingers at the 5 foolish bridesmaids who left their post to get more oil thus making them late for the wedding. And I detest preaching about the bridegroom who was interpreted by many Christians as Jesus Christ himself shutting the door at the foolish bridesmaids and turning a deaf ear to their pleas to come in. This is not the Jesus that I follow! What do we do with a difficult parable like this? What is Matthew trying to say to us here and now?

In this parable, Matthew uses the imagery of a wedding in the first century. In ancient Jewish tradition, weddings begin with a proposal between the fathers of the bride and the groom. The fathers would arrange the marriage by exchanging an engagement contract with a waiting period that could last up to a year. It was customary to have bridesmaids, who were younger sisters or cousins or close friends, to wait for the groom carrying lamps ignited with oil. The groom was expected to arrive in a procession at night in order for the whole town to be home and be able to celebrate. When the groom arrives, he collects his bride and the bridesmaids, in a procession, singing, dancing and creating an atmosphere of celebration. The procession signifies that the period of waiting was over and then culminated in a wedding feast that often lasted up to seven days.

For most of my life, I have identified with the five wise bridesmaids, always seeking to have enough oil in my lamp – good works, values, achievements and faith – to come prepared when things get tough. The truth is- I do like to be prepared, and I bet most of you do, too. We are part of a culture that practically loves planning, organizing, forethought and preparation for the unknown that lies ahead. I think this is why we get so angry when something goes horribly wrong. We love to be on the safe side – to be like the 5 wise bridesmaids. But do we really like to see ourselves as the wise ones, those who have extra oil but refused to share with those who do not have enough? There are times too when I see myself as the 5 foolish bridesmaids, having just enough oil to last me for a day – just enough energy, just enough patience, just enough resources, just enough faith- watching as my lamp’s light slowly evaporated in thin air, sometimes quite resentful of those whose lamps still burned so brightly. What is wrong with that? Why were the foolish ones ridiculed, door shut in their faces and were not invited to the feast? In the story, both the wise and the foolish ones, fell asleep while waiting for the groom to arrive, when they should have kept awake. Surely the foolish ones were not the only guilty ones and cannot be blamed for not being watchful enough as the story indicates. And it was the bridegroom, not the bridal party, who broke social protocol, took his time and arrived late for the banquet. So why was the bridegroom not blamed for the mishap?

But what would have happened, I wonder, had the foolish bridesmaids simply continued to wait, with flickering lamps? What would have happened if they simply waited in the darkness of the night? Waiting is difficult, waiting is hard, waiting tests our patience and our time management. But I think this was the point Matthew was trying to emphasize in this story – the bridesmaids should have persisted waiting no matter what. Sue mentioned in our lectionary discussion last Tuesday that the foolish bridesmaids’ mistake was they did not wait – they came unprepared bringing no extra oil for emergency, left their posts, and redirected their attention by purchasing more oil and they missed the whole wedding event! The Rev. Matthew Skinner comments that this is a parable of waiting and that Christianity is a “waiting” religion. And since we have to wait, he says, we better get to work! He calls it “faithful readiness”. Lorrie said the same thing. She said that we need to wait actively not passively. The foolish bridesmaids left when they should have persistently stayed however the oil situation was. I’d like to hope that the bride and the groom would have forgiven them, welcomed them into the party, unconcerned about the state of their oil lamps, happy just to see their friends waiting.

What do we do in our waiting? As I write this sermon, the United States have not announced its new President yet. Although Democratic candidate Joe Biden is on the verge of being elected as the next US President. The whole world was waiting for the outcome of what people dubs as the most divisive election in the history of the United States. And in the moment of waiting, Trump and his cohorts have gone to the streets to protest – banging the windows and doors of the electoral polls, threatening the other party with a lawsuit for electoral fraud. Biden’s followers, were on the streets too, pushing that every ballot be counted. While loud protests are ongoing, there are also the silent majority who are earnestly praying for a smooth outcome of the election. No clear winner has been declared. And the waiting continues.

There is waiting involved too when men and women were deployed in wars. In a book she titled While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront, author Kristine Henderson has this to share: “When our nation decides to wage war, we women and men who love America's war-fighters comfort them when they call home sounding hollow, we manage their lives while they're gone -- we pay their bills, service their cars, care for their children. We're told: "If there's a problem, don't cry to your spouses, there's nothing they can do about it, it will only distract them, and where they are, distractions can be fatal." So we solve the problems ourselves. And while we're doing all that, we're waking up every morning knowing today could be the day the staff car pulls up in front of our house and two or three people in dress uniforms walk up to our door. Today could be the day our life as we know it disappears into a black hole of grief. As a result, when our warriors return, they're not coming home to the same person they left behind. This is the war story you never hear. This is the horror story of waiting while they're at war.”

There is another thing that bothers me about this parable. What are we to do with those wise ones who did not share even an ounce of oil, those wise bridesmaids who chose their needs over the needs of others? Some preachers even elevated them to be emulated by us. How could we sympathize with their selfish behaviour when we embrace the true meaning of good stewardship or walking the talk? How can we agree with the wise ones who held their heads up high and said: “We cannot share with you because we might not have enough for ourselves and just to be on the safe side, we’re not sharing what we have.” Is this the good news here? To be always prepared, hang onto your oil, and remember that only a fool gives it away? Well, that's depressing for me. Couldn't we reasonably conclude that perhaps Matthew portrayed the Kingdom of Heaven as not different than the empires of earth, where we hoard material goods, and embrace consumerism for our own survival?

The parable lacks many details. It doesn't say a word about motives or circumstances or reasons why the five foolish women have no extra oil. And that's significant, I think. Maybe this is not a story about how much oil you have. Maybe this is a story about the kind of oil you carry with you. To prepare for the delay not for the time being – to have extra oil for emergency – turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, forgiving the persecutors. What fills you up when you run out of oil? What replenishes your oil? Where do you find God, and how can you make sure that you get enough of that oil for your lamp, so that God can fill you up again? Because you will run dry. And when you do, you can't be a light for anybody. I like what Anna Carter Florence have to say about this parable: “There are some kinds of oil you can't borrow from anyone else. There are some kinds of preparation we can only do for ourselves. There are some reserves that no one else can build up for us. You can't borrow someone else's peace of mind or their passion for God. You can't say to your friend, "You have such a happy marriage, don't you? Could you give me some of that?" It doesn't work. You have to find it yourself. You have to figure out what fills you up, spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and then make sure you have some to carry with you, every single minute of the day, because that's how often you'll need it.”

I strongly believe that both the wise and the foolish ones operate on the same premise of scarcity and fear. Neither trusts the love the bridegroom has for his friends. Neither trusts that the bridegroom will embrace them regardless of whether they walk in the light or wait in darkness. Yet, traditional preachers interpret this parable to praise behaviour that runs counter to the central message of Jesus: the gospel of radical inclusivity and compassion. What are we to do with this bridegroom, the one who apparently was interpreted over and over again as Christ-figure who acts so uncaring, so cold and calculating, who shut the door and tells the foolish bridesmaids to go away? This is not the same Jesus that we know, he is not the Shepherd who leaves the 99 to search for the lost one; nor is he the woman who turns her house upside down in search of a lost coin, nor the prodigal father who lovingly waits for his prodigal son to come home. Some thinks that this parable is about the end times or what others believed to be the second coming of Christ. If the bridegroom is already with his bride when he arrives, this parable cannot be interpreted as the second coming of Christ. It can’t be. Because this parable isn’t about the return of Christ. The Spirit of Jesus Christ lives among us here and now so why would interpreters think Jesus is still not here with us?

Friends, where do you find yourself in this difficult story especially as we remember the unsung heroes – those who died in the name of peace and freedom? Have you been the foolish ones whose lamps have run out? the wise ones who feared sharing and losing what they had? the bridegroom who refused to let people in? So, if you find yourself feeling like the foolish bridesmaids, remember to wait - even in the dark. Don’t run from it. It is a holy place and God will meet you there. If you find yourself feeling like the wise bridesmaids, remember to share what you have, even if it scares you. The opportunity to give of yourself is a holy place and God will meet you there. And if you find yourself feeling like the bridegroom, remember to open wide the door to the banquet feast. Don’t let hurt feelings and fear insulate you from others. Welcoming those who have made mistakes and who walk in darkness is a holy place. God will meet you there.

The unsung heroes of our times, those whom we remember today, I’m sure waited for the day when finally, peace and freedom dawned. They waited patiently in the dark abyss, endlessly, with their blood, sweat and tears so that the evils of war will come to an end and people will enjoy life once more. They emulated an active waiting, doing what they need to do for the sake of others. Today, we honour and notice intentionally their courage, their dignity, their vocation, their service to the country. To wait is serious work. It is to be done with great honesty and integrity. And it is to be done with a sense of responsibility. For who and what we are today is drawn from who went before us. They have passed a torch to us and we must carry it forward. The Rev. John Maich, a military padre shared an excerpt of the following prayerful appeal reminiscent of Jesus’ teaching: “Perhaps today will be the day that Remembrance translates into doing. Perhaps today will be the day that we acknowledge that there is no greater love than to lay our lives down for others and no greater offense than to demand others to take lives on our behalf. Perhaps today two minutes of silence will finally be enough for us to actually remember and not repeat the failures that rob our brave sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbours of their humanity or their lives.”

So today, as a reminder and a time of recommitment, we shall remember them. Every day, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we actively wait for a new dawn to break. When love, justice, peace and freedom will lead the people’s hearts. And yes, in our waiting, remembrance is a must. Lest we forget. Amen.

Sources:

BCUC Lectionary Group; David R. Henson, The Breaking of the Bridesmaids – Rethinking A Problematic Parable, patheos.org;

Anna Carter Florence, Filling Stations, day1.org; David Lose, www.workingpreachers.org; pursuitsofgod.com, Matthew Skinner, huffpost.com, Kristin Henderson, npr.org.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal

Let us gather our hearts in a prayer written and inspired by Diaconal Ministers Ted Dodd and Kimiko Karpoff:

Lord, Lord,
the wedding feast is delayed.
The banquet tables do not make space for everyone.Your realm has not fully arrived.
Earth has not evolved into Eden.
Apologies have not led to reconciliation.
Too many struggles with knees on their necks and they cannot breathe.
A pandemic circles the planet with sickness, unemployment, isolation, and stress.

So, we pray …
On earth as it is in heaven.

In the meantime,
we wait, gathered together.
We prepare.
We expect and envision,
We long and yearn and hope
for a renewed creation,
for right relations,
for dignity and respect,
for sharing and inclusion.

And we pray …
On earth as it is in heaven.

While we wait, we try to be wise:
to discern, to stay alert,
to shed light at midnight,
to see the coming realm:
in the eyes of a stranger,
in the stories of survival,
in acts of courage and justice-making,
in the telling of truth to power,
in moments of compassion and community,
in study and prayer,
in the holy inbreaking of blessing and gratitude. We try to stay awake … and even be “woke.”

And we pray …
Lead us not into temptation.

And when we are drowsy and foolish,
when our lamps run dry,
when are unprepared and caught short,
when we are irresponsible and fall asleep,
we pray, surely you will not shut the door,
surely you who are mercy will let in some latecomers, surely you will tolerate a little foolishness or forgetfulness
surely you will know us.

And so we pray …
Forgive us our trespasses.

Today we remember and we pray
There are those who lived through and died in combat, And those who lived and died imprisoned by their own countries
We pray for them
We pray that what we envision is God’s kingdom, That we see ourselves as agents of peace in every aspect of our lives
That we envision a love that both holds the other, And holds each other accountable,
With compassion and kindness,
as we walk this journey together
We remember the past so we can join God in co-creating our future
We remember the past because our story emerges from these stories
We remember the past and remember that
We live the kingdom of God
Or we don’t
Lest we forget

We lift these prayers in the name of Jesus who taught us the way to peace, as we recite together these words he taught his followers:

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 Lowes

There are opportunities to give every day, certainly through gifts of time, talents and money, but also through brave and courageous action, faithful service, and loving devotion. Let us share of ourselves and of what God has so graciously given.

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents, resources, bravery and courageous acts as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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: (Gord Dunbar, Gathering, 2015)

Our gifts seem so insignificant against the needs and conflicts of the world, yet we still are called into witness and service. Bless us God and these gifts we offer, that we may fulfill your mission for all creation. Amen.

Sending Forth: (Sandy Ferguson, Gathering, 2014) Rev. Kim Vidal

People of God, once more we return to the world,
remembering what was lost to secure what we have today.
Let this Remembrance renew our faith in the peace
that God continues to create through us.
Let our witness be a guide to others
so that we will no longer have to add names
to our sacred task of remembering.
Go in peace. Amen.

Hymn: Make Me A Channel – Voices United #684

1 Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring love
Where there is injury, your healing power
And where there's doubt, true faith in you

Chorus:
O, Spirit grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
to be loved as to love with all my soul

2 Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope, Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

3 Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Departing Music: Maple Leaf Forever - David Brown

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11: 00 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Veterans.gc.ca

Connie Davidson

October 31, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - November 1, 2020

Connie Davidson

October 31, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

22nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

November 1, 2020

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: On Wings of Song - Mendelssohn

Welcome & Announcements

Good day everyone! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, wherever you are, in today’s worship service. We gather from many places, distant yet connected by the spirit of God’s love that calls us to gather. Today, we pause and remember the saints of the past who followed and lived out God’s call to sainthood. We also celebrate the saints of today who are called to walk the talk in the name of humility and faithful service.

Nov 8 is Remembrance Sunday. We have an opportunity to gather in the sanctuary for a modified worship service on Sundays at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people are invited to gather. Please call the office to register. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website. We are also in need of ushers for the Sunday services. Please inform the office if you are able to help.

We offer our sincerest condolences to Jean Butler and family in the passing of her son, Phillip, this week. Please hold them in your thoughts and prayers.

Here are some announcements:

- Copies of the Book of Memories Volume 2 are now available for purchase. Please contact the office to place an order.

- Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.

- And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 00 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information.

For other announcements, please check your email or the church website.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of God who opens us to the Spirit as we continue being the saints God have called us to be. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Susan & George Young

As we light this Christ candle,
we are reminded of those who live and have lived God’s love;
saints of yesterday and today, the hands, heart and voice of Christ.
May the light of Christ continue to shine in all of us!

Call to Gather: (Inspired by David Sparks, Prayers to Share) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Wonderful Covenant Maker, we come before you.
We are your saints and you are our God, and we rejoice!
Great Teacher from the beginning, we come before you.
We are ready for fresh understanding.
God’s word will open up new ideas.
The God of our ancestors will never abandon us.
Great is your faithfulness, O God,
from generation to generation.

A Litany for All Saints: Rev. Kim Vidal

(Worship Resources for All Saints Day, Rev-o-lution.org)

Let us remember and give thanks for all the saints, past and present:

For all the saints who have gone before us,
God, we give thanks for our ancestors in the faith.
For all the saints who have been beloved to us,

God, we give thanks for our loved ones who have passed on.
For all the saints who have left us too soon,
God, we mourn their passing, and they remain in our hearts.
For all the saints of today who exemplify the faithful life,
God, may we learn from their ways and follow you.
For all the saints at BCUC, God, we give thanks to you;
On earth, in heaven, we are one, we are your children.

May we know that we are loved by the same God, from this life into eternity.
In the name of Jesus the Christ, who lived, who died,
and who lives forever in our hearts. Amen.

Hymn: For All the Saints – Voices United #705

1 For all the saints, who from their labours rest, all who by faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Hallelujah, hallelujah!

2 You were their rock, their fortress, and their might: you were their captain in the well-fought fight; you, in the darkness drear, the one true light. Hallelujah, hallelujah!

3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one within your great design.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

4 The golden evening brightens in the west,
soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest; sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

5 But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day the saints triumphant rise in bright array: as God to glory calls them all away.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

6 From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Hallelujah, hallelujah!

Words 1864 William How, Music 1906 Ralph Vaughan Willams, Oxford Univ Press
Song #18303 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

If you are watching this on Sunday morning, last night was Hallowe’en! It was a very different celebration for most of us because of Covid. In many places trick or treating was cancelled. It was disappointing for sure – but I wonder if you and your family found some new ways to celebrate.

Did you know that Hallowe’en is actually related to today’s church service? It doesn’t seem very church-like, does it? Well, the name Hallowe’en actually started out as “All Hallow’s Eve” and hallow is another word that means sort of the same as saint – and today is All Saints’ Day. If you think about Christmas Eve – that means the night before Christmas, right? So All Hallow’s Eve is the night before All Hallows’ Day or All Saints’ Day.

We often think about saints as special people who have died – maybe that’s where all the spooky stuff related to Hallowe’en come from. I’ve heard that Trick or Treating came from a time when people dressed up as ghosts and asked for food in return for not haunting you. Makes some sense! I think, like most holidays and celebrations, things have changed over time and there are lots of different traditions all rolled into one.

But, I thought it might be good to talk today about this word “saint”. In some Christian religions, like Anglican and Roman Catholic, people who have done wonderful things in their lives are sometimes officially given the title of “Saint” after they die. It’s often linked with some kind of miracle. So… that’s Saint with a capital “S”. There are even special days for them – like St. Patrick’s Day or St. Nicholas Day… but today is ALL Saints Day. So, I wonder who else that includes… can you think of some others?

You might hear people call someone a saint if they are especially kind or extremely patient. I know I’ve said it – “That man (or woman) is a saint!” In the United Church, we don’t have an official process for making someone a saint. Maybe that means we can all be saints! I wonder how we do that?

Well, I don’t think God expects us all to go around performing miracles – but I do think God celebrates when we do something that helps make the world a better place. Isn’t that something we can all do – each in our own way?

I can think of some people who just make the world a better place by being helpful to others or by bringing them comfort. Sometimes, if someone helps me with a really tricky problem or situation, they are a saint to me. Even when you just do your very best to accomplish something you are proud of… I think that’s a way to be a saint too. It means being committed enough to doing the right thing that you push through things that might distract you or slow you down. It means noticing when someone needs something or help or even a hug – and then making sure they get it.

So, today, after all the fun of Hallowe’en, let’s take this All Saints’ Day seriously. Let’s think about all the people who make this world a better place… and let’s think about all the opportunities we have to do that… and let’s celebrate the fact that God has given all of us the gifts and talents we need to be saints. Happy All Saints’ Day to every single one of you!

Hymn: I Am Walking A Path of Peace - More Voices #221

I am walking a path of peace (3X)
Lead me on. Lead me on.

I am walking a path of love (3X)
Lead me on. Lead me on.

I am walking a path of hope (3X)
Lead me on. Lead me on.

I am walking in wisdom’s way (3X)
Lead me on. I am home.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Keith Bailey

God of all saints, you constantly surprise us with your Word
that seeks and embraces us with a welcoming grace.
As we ponder on your life-giving Word,
help us to affirm your presence in our lives. Amen.

The Reading: “A Lesson on Humility” Matthew 23:1-12 (NRSV)

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat;
3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.
6 They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,
7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.
9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven.
10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.
11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

May we find ourselves renewed by this story of faith. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Between Words and Actions” Rev. Kim Vidal

Today is All Saints Sunday. It is a time to remember the cloud of witnesses who have been part of our faith journey. It is also a moment to celebrate the saints of our current times. Wikipedia defines a saint as a person who is recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness or closeness to God. Immediately we think of Biblical saints like St. Peter or St. Mary Magdalene or Teresa of Avila, St. Patrick or St. Francis of Assisi or perhaps modern saints like Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela.

The American theologian and preacher Walter Brueggemann in his sermon called Saints Remembered and Saints to Come[1] offers three ways in defining a saint: 1) saints are the ones through whom the light comes upon us; 2) saints are people who knows the meaning of the “other”, that is, who are kind and generous toward others and who respect people who are not like us – others of different race, age, class, culture, ethnic background and sexual orientation. Saints are those who know that the “other” may be where God meets us. 3) Saints are those who do not run when they smell death. They are unafraid of suffering and they stay in love where there is dying or violence or illness. Bruegguemann’s definition of saints made me realize that saints are not only those who have already died and left a lasting legacy to the human world but also those who are still here, alive and well, who commit to making the world a better place. It also led me to reflect on those who have offered their lives for the sake of saving others. It reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant Lutheran Pastor and theologian who opposed the policies of Hitler. Due to his opposition to the Nazi regime, Bonhoeffer was arrested and executed in a concentration camp, during the last month of the war. He remains an important symbol of opposition to Hitler’s tyranny, and his views on Christianity increasingly remain influential among biblical scholars and theologians. Bonhoeffer’s principled resistance to Hitler’s regime was a source of inspiration for other modern saints such as Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu and shared many ideals with Mahatma Gandhi.

In our gospel reading today, Jesus alludes to another definition of saints – those who walk the talk and those whose finest virtue is humility. This is a timely theme for a sermon especially as we continue to live in this pandemic time; as the Americans head to the electoral polls to vote for their next US president; as we continue to challenge those in power on issues of racism and all sorts of injustices; as we remember those who died in the hands of hate and violence. It is a message needing our urgent attention here and now.

Karoline Lewis commented that this passage is about the “pastors and politicians as they call upon the name of God to justify their speech and actions, and yet disregard and displace the very persons Jesus loved so much…”[2] I almost did not wear my clergy collar today. Why? Because in this text, Jesus gets upset with the religious authority. He calls them hypocrites. He reprimands the Pharisees and the scribes who proudly wear their robes with the phylacteries and fringes so that everyone would know that they were the big shots of the temple. Phylacteries are those little boxes filled with scripture and strapped to the forehead, in adherence to the law, “write these words upon your forehead”. Fringes are those tangly bits on the ends of the prayer shawls. Jesus of course was giving a word of caution to any who might like to make sure that everyone notices how well / how prayerfully / how spiritually / how energetically they are worshipping. They enjoyed sitting at the head table and the front row in synagogue/church. And they loved their titles. In fact, they expected to be addressed by their titles. I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with robes or clergy garb or even titles. I have a number of robes and stoles in different styles and colours that designate me as your minister. I try to wear them lightly, but it is easy to get caught up in expectations that others will recognize and honour my vocation. And sometimes I wonder too if I am walking the talk as expected of my position.

One Sunday morning a man entered a church just before the service was to begin. He was wearing a worn and ragged shirt and jeans. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the man had ever seen. It had high cathedral ceilings, elaborate pipe organ, beautiful stained-glass windows, plush carpet and velvet-like cushioned pews. The building must have cost millions of dollars to build and maintain. The people of the congregation were all dressed in the finest and most expensive suits, dresses, shoes and jewelry the man had ever witnessed. As the poorly dressed man took a seat, others looked at him indifferently. No one greeted him. No one welcomed him. No one offered a handshake. No one spoke to him. As the man was leaving the church, the minister approached him with these words. “We do have a dress code in this church. Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask God what God thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.” The man assured the minister he would do that and left. The very next Sunday morning the man showed back up for the service wearing the same ragged jeans and shirt. Before the service began, the minister noticed the man and had a short talk with him. “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to this church,” the minister said. “I did,” replied the man. “God told me that God wouldn’t have the slightest idea what was appropriate attire for worshiping in this church. God has never even been in here because you do not do what you preach.”

Jesus spoke many times about walking the talk as if he was saying “Do what you say or you lose all credibility.” Jesus knows that actions speak louder than words. In this story, he points to the Pharisees and religious leaders for not practicing what they preach. Jesus reminds them that faith is not about how many scripture passages you can quote, nor how many religious laws you claim to observe, but about how wide is your reach of love, compassion and justice. So if someone used his or her authority to divide, label, oppress or hurt others, then you are not walking the talk. Your service and intention are just empty words. The most dangerous temptations for all of us is to use words to make ourselves think that we are on the right track, when in reality our lives don’t come anywhere near to matching what we say. The best leaders lead by example. This is true for parents, politicians, civic leaders, preachers and teachers, to name a few. Jesus says, “Do what you preach. Walk the talk.”

It's no accident that Jesus speaks about humility towards the end of this text. Humility- its root comes from the word for ground, humus. But being humble doesn't mean treating yourself like dirt. It can mean being fertile, being grounded, being filled with possibility, being open to the planting of the seeds of hope and the watering of compassion and love. Matthew’s Jesus does not mince his words: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” I like what Eugene Peterson’s version of this verse: “If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."[3]

What is this about being humble and the virtue of humility that Jesus would like us to emulate? In one occasion Jesus told his disciples that the greatest in God’s reign, are those who humble themselves as a little child. Jesus took a little child in his arms and said to them: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me. Whoever welcomes we, welcomes God.” Children were not valued at the time of Jesus. They had no rights. They were not considered the greatest members of the society. They have no voice and were seen as subservient to parents. But unless we become like children, whose innocence and curiosity leads to new opportunities, children who are open to change, with humble hearts and spirits, we can never understand, we can never experience the reign of God in the world. The children among us today are not only those whose age mark them as children, Children are also those people who are not highly regarded; those without a place of their own; those without a leg to stand on; those whose voices are heard not because they have a right to be heard, but only because the more powerful indulge them from time to time; those who are seen as less important by us and by our society. These are the children in our midst.

To be humble - does it mean to feel inferior? Does it mean to put yourself down? Does it mean to compare yourself with others and come up short? Does it mean to have a walking inferiority complex? I don’t think so. Is the word humility equivalent to being timid? To be a mouse in the corner? To be afraid to say what’s on your mind? To be scared to stand up and be counted? I don’t think so. In our lectionary group discussion this past Tuesday, Peggy Aitchison offered a wonderful definition of humility which I find very relevant: “Humility is having a sane assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses along with a willingness to listen and learn from others.” A preacher also gave this wonderful definition of humility. He said: “At the heart of this quality of humility is an attitude of the heart which realizes that gifts come from God. All of my talents. All of my money and resources. All my personality traits which allow me to advance in life. Everything that I have is a gift from God. Humility is grounded in this deep psychological awareness. You cannot have genuine humility without it. Humility is grounded in the conviction that everything I am and everything are gifts from God. Therefore, how can I boast? How can I use these God-given gifts as a measuring stick to elevate myself above others?”[4] Humility is one of the hallmarks of a person of authentic faith and a central principle in God’s reign.

Here at BCUC, I am surrounded by humble saints, past and present, who lived and continue to their faith on a day to day basis. Saints who practice radical connectedness and hospitality. Saints with genuine humility, faithful love, and deep compassion. Saints who share their gifts and talents for the betterment of the community and the world. Saints who serve the vulnerable and pray for the sick. Saints who embody the vision Jesus has shared throughout his life. You are saints in your own way because you find love and fulfillment in service to others as you walk the talk. And I am blessed to journey with saints like you as you inspire and teach me to walk the talk.

So today, let us celebrate all the saints – both past and present, as we continue in this journey called life. I offer these words from a song written by Leonard Cohen as we go about our business of humbly walking the talk:

“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring:
the bells of friendship,
the bells of hope. the bells of love, the bells of joy
The cracks are there for all to see. Let the light shine in.
And still we connect. And still we embrace.
And still we stand. And still we find time.
And still we become light of the world.”

Thanks be to our loving God. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Lorrie Lowes

God of us all,
We come in prayer this day to lift up all the joys and concerns of our lives.
We come to offer thanks for your presence with us and with hope and faith that your grace and
guidance will help us be the people you need in the struggles of this earthly life.
On this All Saints Day, we lift our prayers for all the saints who went before us, for those who
live beside us, and for those who live beyond us:
Thank you for witnesses of the faith, O God:
For those who have helped us hear the story of your people,
for the ways the story has touched our lives.
Thank you for the evangelists who have written the gospels;
for the power of their telling.
Thank you for the prophets who have disturbed us;
for their ability to help us examine our living.
Thank you for those people we have known who have lived out the faith;
for the inspiration they have been to us.
Thank you for the courageous disciples who have stood up for their beliefs;
for their example.
Help us also to be witnesses to the faith.
Let our living be consistent with our preaching.
Help us to be powerful prophets.
Let our work of justice and compassion influence our society.
Help us to be disciples serving and ministering in your name.
Let us convey everywhere the graciousness of your love.
We pray for the saints in our midst…
For all your saints, O God, we raise our hallelujahs.
(Celebrate God’s Presence, p 215-216)

We lift these prayers in the name of Jesus, our mentor and guide, as we recite together these
words he taught his followers:

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

On this All Saints Sunday, we give thanks for the joy of being a part of the communion of saints, with those who have gone before and those scattered here and around the globe. May we continue being the saints God has called us to be.

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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: (Seasons of the Spirit, All Saints Sunday, Year C)

We offer our whole selves to you, O God, creator of everything.
It is a joy and a blessing to share our gifts with one another.
As we offer these things for the work of your church,
help us to be mindful of all that we can do together
as the Body of Christ. Amen.

Sending Forth: (Celebrate God’s Presence, p. 216) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

May Christ, who makes saints of sinners,
Who has transformed those we remember today,
Raise and strengthen you,
That you may transform the world. Amen.

Hymn: Three Things I Promise - More Voices #176

Three things I promise, Holy God,
in age and youth, in life and death:
to bless your Name, and cling to Christ,
and listen for the Spirit’s breath.

Your love unfolded time and space,
and life, and all that life became,
and so, with thankful heart and voice,
through good and ill, I bless your Name.

I follow, serve, and cling to Christ
amid out culture’s tides and trends,
for here your Name is most revealed:
Majestic Love, and Best of Friends.

Enlivened as the Spirit moves
to cleanse, awaken, and renew,
I pray that justice, peace, and truth,
may seed and grow in all I do.

If I should live when vigour fades,
and family and friends are gone,
three acts of loving faith remain
when days are slow, and work is done.

Revive and guide me, Living God,
as day by day, until my death,
I bless your Name, and cling to Christ,
and listen for the Spirit’s breath.

Departing: for America - arranged by Mark Hayes

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Walter Brueggemann, Collected Sermons, p. 206.

[2] Karoline Lewis, Words For A Time Such As This, Oct 29, 2017, workingpreacher.org

[3] Eugene Peterson, The Message.

[4] Rev. Edward F. Markquart, “You May Not Want to Invite Jesus for Dinner”, http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com.

Abe TeGrotenhuis

October 25, 2020

Sunday Worship Service - October 25th Reformation Sunday

Abe TeGrotenhuis

October 25, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

21st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REFORMATION SUNDAY

October 25, 2020

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: Adagio – Galuppi

Welcome & Announcements

Good day everyone! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, wherever you are, in today’s worship service. We gather from many places, distant yet connected by the spirit of God’s love that calls us to gather. Today, we pause and remember the works of Martin Luther, the father of Reformation whose legacy of transforming the Christian faith continues to live in many Protestant and mainline Christian churches. Thank you for joining us.

I’m glad to be back after 6 weeks of medical leave. I would like to express my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all of you for your prayers and messages of well wishes and concerns during my leave. Special mention goes to Rev. Lorrie Lowes for her wonderful leadership at worship and for offering pastoral and spiritual care during my absence.

We have an opportunity to gather in the sanctuary for a modified worship service on Sundays at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people are invited to gather. Please call the office to register. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website. We are also in need of ushers for the Sunday services. Please inform the office if you are interested.

Here are some announcements:

- We have had a very successful Outdoor Market on October 17th that helped raise more than $5000 towards the operating fund. A big thanks go to Ellen & Bob Boynton for organizing the event along with the many volunteers who ran the market.

- Copies of the Book of Memories Volume 2 are now available for purchase. Please contact the office to place an order.

- Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.

- And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information.

For other announcements, please check your email or the church website.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of God who calls us to gather in Spirit and in truth. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle:
Acolyte: Nicole Beaudry & Gerry Okolowsky

In our praying and in our listening,
in our longing and in our dreaming,
in our singing and in our stillness,
we light this Christ Candle to remind us that

we are One in the Spirit of Love.

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Jeff Werner, Pentecost 2, Gathering 2014, Year A)

We are blessed by a variety of witnesses this day:

From our Roman Catholic friends,
we have received the blessing of tradition.

From our Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran friends,
we have received the work of all people in prayer, song and scripture.

From the prophets,
we’ve received a passion for acting with God’s justice and love.

Through encounters with Jesus Christ in our gathering,

we are blessed for where the journey will take us.

Come, let us gather as a community of faith!

Prayer of Approach:

(Seasons of the Spirit, Reformation Resources)
Reforming God, we give you thanks
for your love and your blessing.
As we gather today,
Fill us with a spirit of openness to your Spirit,
to hear and receive your promises
and to keep our covenant with you.
Where we commit mistakes, guide us.
Where we are in error, direct us.
Where we are in need, provide for us.
Where we are divided, reunite us.
And where we are close-minded, reform us and make us new.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: A Mighty Fortress - Voices United #262

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper sure amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing:
for still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
power and malice great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth he has no equal.

2 Did we in our strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing:
dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
the truth to triumph through us:
the prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure,
one little word shall fell him.

4 That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through Christ, who with us sideth:
let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
God's kingdom is forever.

Words and Music 1529 Martin Luther, translation 1853 Fred Hodge, descant GIA pub
Song #24687 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Have you ever seen a picture of God? I’ve seen lots of paintings and drawings that people have done of what they think God looks like, I have a whole folder of them in my office - but I have never seen a photograph. No one that I have ever heard of has actually met God face to face. I think everyone has a different image when they try to imagine God.

In today’s reading, Jesus answers a tricky question from the temple leaders and the Romans about paying taxes. He says, “Give Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and give God the things that belong to God.”

He is looking at a Roman coin that is the money used in that time by countries who were being ruled by the Roman empire. On that coin there is a picture of a man that everyone recognizes as Caesar, the Emperor. It’s the money that people would use to pay their taxes. It’s the legal currency of that time and place. Just like any money – even ours today – it belongs to the government. It only holds value in that country. You can’t use it somewhere else to buy things. If you’ve ever gone shopping in the United States or on a vacation to some other place in the world, you will know that before you can buy anything there, you have to exchange your Canadian money for US dollars or Pesos or Rubles or Pounds, or Kwatcha – whatever the currency is in that place. So, in this case, the coins with the pictures of Caesar were only useful in Roman occupied places and they belonged to that government and to Caesar.

That part of what Jesus said makes sense then, and it would have been acceptable to those government men who were there that day. But what about the giving to God what belongs to God? We believe that God created the world and everything in it, right? So, I think we would agree that all those things belong to God – mountains, rivers, trees, plants and animals, oceans and deserts, and even you and me and all the people in the world. Did God put an image on all those things? What does the image of God look like?

The Bible tells us that we can see God in the natural world. It also tells us that we were created in God’s image… That sounds to me like it means we are all stamped with the image of God – just like that coin was stamped with the image of Caesar – and so, I guess that means we all belong to God and I like that thought, don’t you?

So… going back to what Jesus said that day… “Give Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and give God the things that belong to God.” … I wonder what Jesus is asking us to do. If God gave us our life and all the amazing things in Creation, how can we give those things back?

Caesar’s image on the coin told the people of Jesus time that this coin stood for something valuable to Caesar and so it was valuable to the people who held it. God’s image on us and all of creation, tells me that we are valuable to God and so is every person we meet and every mountain, river, tree, plant and animal, ocean and desert… No one throws money in the garbage, do they? And just as we are careful to take good care of our money, we need to take care of each other and the world. The more we take care of it, the more it grows in value.

Maybe that’s what Jesus was talking about that day… and so, I think the challenge for us is this:

How can we live in a way that values what God has created and how can we help make that value grow and grow? How do we give God what belongs to God?

Hymn: We Give Our Thanks - More Voices #187

1. We give our thanks to God, (4X)

2. We give our hands to you, (3X)

because you reached for us.

3. We give our eyes to you, (3X)

because you looked for us.

4. We give our feet to you, (3X)

because you walk with us.

5. We give our hearts to you, (3X)

because you first loved us.

Prayer for Illumination:

(Susan Lukey, Pentecost 2, Gathering 2018, Year B)

Reader: Erin Berard

Scripture alone! Faith alone! Grace alone! Christ alone! For the glory of God alone! With these gifts, the Reformers invited all of us to study and interpret scripture. May we receive your Word, gracious God and let it stir in our hearts and shape us anew. Amen.

The Reading: The Question about Paying Taxes
Matthew 22: 15-22 (NRSV)

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

May we find ourselves renewed by this story of faith. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Whose Image Is On Your Coin?” Rev. Kim Vidal

On filing for his income tax return, famous genius Albert Einstein was quoted that this whole business about income tax is too difficult for a mathematician like him. It takes a philosopher to understand it. And the late George Harrison of the Beatles summed up his stand on taxes in a song they recorded in 1966 called the Taxman:

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street; If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat;
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat; If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Here in Canada, we pay all kinds of taxes – federal, provincial, city, property, land, sales, fuel carbon, tobacco, liquor and there might be others. We may not like paying all these taxes, but we pay them nonetheless. And of course, taxes are part of our public conversation today and always a favourite topic at electoral debates.

If you think that only modern-day citizens like you and I love to debate taxation, think again. Apparently, those same disputes could be heard among the Jewish people in first century Palestine. Palestine in that era, as we know, was a colony of the Roman Empire and the Jews were heavily taxed. The paid taxes that supported the military and government that occupied their country. The Roman tax referenced in this story was levied annually on harvests, land and property based on a census. But it put a heavy burden on the peasants and the poor. In 6 BCE, a man named Judas the Galilean organized an anti-tax revolt in the Roman province of Judea. The memory of that revolt and the repercussions on the people was still fresh in the minds of the first century Jews.

There are two camps in this story who took opposing sides on the issue of taxation: the Herodians who supported it and the Pharisees who opposed it. You can almost hear the sarcasm in the Pharisee’s voice as he asks Jesus: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor? It was a law of the imperial Roman government and the law of 1st century Judea that taxes had to be paid to the Roman emperor. In fact, it was illegal not to pay taxes to Rome! The Herodians who supported the taxation law belong to a political party who were supporters of the puppet king, Herod Antipas, appointed and named as king of the Jews by Rome. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were guardians of Jewish law and purity, sticklers for religious correctness. Their opposition was based less on the fact of Roman occupation because they were permitted to exercise their religion, but more on the special coin to pay taxes which bore a graven image, a violation of the first of the Ten commandments. This graven image was of the Roman emperor, and the inscription on the coin identifies the emperor as a god, divine being; the son of the divine Augustus Caesar. How could any devoted Jew pay tribute to someone who claims to be God? And how could a Jewish patriot stomach paying taxes to hostile occupiers anyway?

It is clear that the Pharisees and the Herodians are setting up a trap for Jesus. If Jesus agrees that taxes are lawful, the Pharisees and the Jewish people as a whole would view him as a Roman sympathizer; Jesus might be completely discredited as a rabbi of his people and he would lose the support of the poor and the crowd who have been oppressed by the Roman’s tax system. However, if Jesus speaks against the Roman taxes, the Herodians could accuse him of treason or sedition against Rome and would have Jesus’ head served on a platter. No matter which way Jesus answered their question, it seemed to them that he was entrapped. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor? This is not simply a question of politics or economics or loyalty between state and religion. It is a question of conscience. A question of what to do when the allegiance to Caesar is in conflict with the allegiance to God.

Is it lawful for us to pay taxes? I asked this question to the members of the lectionary group this past Tuesday. Deep-seated Christian values emerged in the responses I received. Some responded that it depends on what kind of government we are supporting. Jan Pound mentions those who are conscientious objectors – those who oppose or question policies regarding taxation. If dictatorial government for example passes laws or supports programs which promotes social injustices, unjust wars and unethical practices, then paying taxes is questionable. And then there are also the conscientious proponents. These are the people who proposes that paying taxes must intentionally be for the common good and the betterment of the community and its citizens, to support common resources, such as responsible policing, ensure that roads and bridges are safe and well-maintained, or to fund public libraries and parks, for health care or supporting the seniors and children or those who cannot fully support themselves, or lobbying and supporting guaranteed basic income. As citizens of a democratic nation we bear a special responsibility, not only for our personal choices, but also for the life of our nation, the priorities of our government and our devotion to God.

Jesus says: Show me the coin used for paying the tax. Show me what it takes to get by in this world where we live. The coin used for paying the tax is not a Jewish coin or the historic currency of Israel. Nor is it a symbol of loyalty to God and God's values. It was a coin with Caesar’s image on it. Roman coins were not suitable in the temple because of their idolatrous image and inscription. This is why there were money-changers in the temple to exchange the Roman coins for Jewish shekels intended for temple offering. The Pharisee stood holding this symbol of so much tension among the Jews. This small coin was a symbol of pain and shame for a conquered people. Yet it was also a symbol of a superpower, it was both a symbol of failure and a symbol of success. It was a symbol of resentment and yet a symbol of allegiance. So many conflicting feelings and issues all centred on this little piece of metal. Jesus interrupts his audience’s mode of reflection: Whose image is on the coin and what is the inscription?

The Pharisee replied; the emperor's. Jesus said: You got it! The coin belongs to Caesar so let him have it. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. The people already know what they are rendering the emperor – taxes, military support, political power, government structure.

That was only half of Jesus’ answer. He finished it with this: Render to God what belongs to God. So what are we to render to God? Everything - because all belongs to God. Money, natural resources, human beings, religious institutions, politics, all belongs to God. This is the subversive little seed buried in Jesus’s answer. Caesar can stamp his face on every coin, but God has already stamped the divine image on every human being. Tertullian writing in the 3rd century said , “Render to Caesar Caesar’s image, which is on the coin, and to God God’s image which is on human beings.” Marcus Borg posed these questions for us to ponder: “What belongs to God, and what belongs to Caesar? And what if Caesar is Hitler, or apartheid, or communism, or global capitalism? What is to be the attitude of Christians toward domination systems, whether ancient or modern?”

As an institution, the Church is just as much a power as any other institution, and therefore capable of being a Caesar. This month marks the 503rd anniversary of the Reformation. Historically, Reformation Sunday is celebrated in many Protestant congregations to reflect on their past as heirs of the Reformation movement which was started in October 31, 1517. It was a time when the religious reformer Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic priest, nailed 95 theses to the door of the Church at Wittenberg in Germany. This action was a result of Luther's great lifelong struggle to get beyond his questions, his doubts and struggles, in order to gain a more desirable faith. He questioned the notion of indulgences being practiced at that time – why people have to pay or taxed by the Church with riches or money to gain their salvation or their ticket to heaven? Luther was a priest and he cannot accept that he is a part of that unreasonable practice. He was a conscientious objector to church corruption Luther wanted healing from his spiritual blindness. And when his eyes were opened through illuminations from the scripture, he was healed and ushered in a new faith movement that United Church is now part of. Luther's spiritual mantra was this: "the just shall live by faith" for he knows that we are created in the image of God. For Luther, justification by faith meant discovering God's complete acceptance of who we are as God’s own.

Going back to the Gospel story, it seems to me that Luther was saying, we all belong to God so no religious institution or empire is over and above God. As human beings created by God, we bear God’s image. And to answer the questions, what is the image of God and what belongs to God? We should answer without a doubt that everything belongs to God. What can this mean in these hard days when families, communities, and churches are breaking apart over political, social, religious and cultural differences that seem unbridgeable? Jesus reminds us by his answer to the question about taxes, that we are in body and soul, the people of God. We are created in God's likeness, living here as stewards of earth and ambassadors of God's reign. We are the face of God on earth, in whose likeness and for whose purposes we are created. Remind ourselves Victor Hugo’s line from his famous novel Les Misérables, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” A preacher who preached on this particular story said: render unto Caesar but never surrender to his oppressive rule. In our society, our home, our workplace and our church, we have to play by the rules but we don’t have to buy into the game all the time! We need to be conscientious objectors or conscientious proponents.

Think about why we are paying taxes? Is part of our intent the care for the needs of others who are less fortunate? Does it include the support of those who work against poverty and homelessness? Does it entail helping organisations that stand for social justice in this country and the world? Whose image is on your coin? Is it the face of Caesar? The face of domination, oppression or imperialism or is it the face of God? The face of love, peace, justice and democracy? In the face of every individual we encounter in this world, we encounter the image of God. In the same way that we are to pay our taxes to Caesar, we are also to pay God by loving our neighbour, by respecting each other and upholding human dignity.

If we belong to God, if we are created in God’s image, then we need to practice our faith and our politics in ways that reflect who God is - remembering that the God whose image is minted in every one of us is a God of love and justice. Amen.

Sources:

The members of BCUC Lectionary Group, the many references in Textweek.Com

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal

Let us gather our hearts and minds in prayer. Gracious God, source of all life, you dwell beyond us and within us and you call us to gather as a community of faith. Empower us as we reflect by word and action the good news of Your love that has touched the world. Inspire us by the prompting of Your Spirit: that we may dream new dreams and find wisdom in our visions. Give us a courageous heart, a bold voice and openness of mind, and above all else, ears that listen and hearts that empathize. Help us, to discover Your way: storytelling and dialogue which leads to understanding; ideas which challenge growth; a journey which will bring hope.

Faithful God, giver and renewer of life, with hearts full of hope we look expectantly forward as we reflect on what it means to be church in this day and in this age. Let your enduring and sustaining love continue to support and direct us along new paths. Help us to celebrate the diversity of spiritual gifts within our congregation and in the wider community. We give thanks for the dedication and faithfulness of this congregation and celebrate the legacy of the past and the nurturing of new beginnings.

Loving God, we confess that often we are overwhelmed by life's problems and challenges. Help us to seek your guidance, to consider the burdens of others and not just our own. May your healing presence and comfort be experienced by all those who are in need especially in this time of pandemic. We pray for those suffering from loneliness and depression, for those who are facing life’s difficulties, those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, We pray for those awaiting medical test results and those who are recuperating in hospitals and homes. We pray for Ross Snider as he recovers at Elisabeth Bruyere. Awaken in us the joy of serving you through our prayers and through our acts of kindness. In silence, we offer to you the deepest concerns of our hearts.

God of peace, we are grateful: for our family, children in our midst, friends and loved ones who bless and enrich our lives; for the challenges of living together; for your call to work for peace and justice in our world. Help us to look beyond boundaries, beyond denominations, beyond doctrines and beyond our own self-interest. Protect us not to lose heart in the face of so many challenges: the threat of war, famine, environmental destruction, diseases and natural disasters.

Open us to the depth of your love and grace that we might know ourselves, and others, as beloved in your sight. Remind us that we all have important gifts to offer in your service.

Empowering God, Grant us vision, which is open to all the surprising ways you choose to make yourself known. Grant us courage and faith in you, knowing we are blessed by your love and mercy. All these we ask in Jesus’ name who taught his disciples this ancient prayer we now 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 Lowes

The great Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that grace and gratitude go together like heaven and earth. The Way of Jesus Christ is the life lived in gratitude for the God who created us and claimed us as children.

Offertory Prayer:

(Kate Gregory, Pentecost 2, Gathering 2017, Year A)

Creator God, you gave us gifts and we have used them: we offer them now to you in love and wonder. Be pleased to accept our gifts in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sending Forth: Rev. Kim Vidal

(David Sparks, Pentecost 2, Gathering 2017, Year A)

Go out as God’s friends.
Be unafraid to question, relentless in your search for the truth.
Willing to act on what you discover,
Patient when the journey is rough,
And joyful when you reach your goals.
And every step of the way, know that God will be your companion. Amen.

Hymn: Let All Things Now Living - Voices United #242

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: Two-Part Invention - Bach

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

Connie Davidson

October 17, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - October 18, 2020

Connie Davidson

October 17, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

20th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SOSA SUNDAY

OCTOBER 18, 2020

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: to the Rising Sun - Torjussen

Welcome & Announcements

Good Morning! Welcome to this service of worship devoted to our mission of Service, Outreach, and Social Action. Each year, our SOSA committee take the opportunity and the responsibility to highlight one of the many projects that this congregation supports as we reach beyond the doors of our building here at Bells Corners United Church. This year they are excited to share with you a project of the Multifaith Housing Initiative that has been a long time in the making: Veterans’ House. We celebrate the progress being made on seeing this dream come to fruition and we hope you will gain a deeper understanding of the need for it in our community, as well as a glimpse into just one of the many projects that the SOSA Committee supports on our behalf. Today is also an opportunity for you to consider how you might want to be involved in the work of our SOSA committee. Perhaps there is a service project that you would like to take a hands-on part in or a cause that you would like BCUC to look at more closely. We can always use enthusiasts, fundraisers, letter writers, and creative minds. We would love to have you join us!

Here are a few announcements to highlight this week:

- We continue to open the sanctuary for a small number of people each Sunday as a way to offer a gathering of a few while still following the health protocols to keep everyone safe. If you would like to attend, please go the website or call the church office to register by the Friday morning preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place. We will be closely monitoring the changing health regulations to ensure that we are safely able to continue offering this modified in-person worship.

- If you are unable to attend in person, there are several ways you can still participate in worship, through the YouTube video, the audio version or the text of the service, through the links provided on our webpage. You can also call 613-820-8104 to listen to the service on your telephone.

- Wherever you are as you join us this morning or at whatever time you are tuning in, know that you are welcome. We are glad that you are here and we hope that today’s service offers you spiritual nourishment as we begin this new week.

- For our families with children and teens! Have you seen the weekly Sunday School and Youth activities on the BCUC website? We really miss having the kids together for classes and Youth group on Sunday mornings, and we want to keep them connected with what’s happening in our church community. Each week, we offer some activities based on the scripture theme of the online service. We hope you will check it out!

- Every Wednesday evening at 8pm, we invite you to join your prayers with others from the comfort of your own home. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, for your community, the congregation, your family, and yourself. This week, we offer particular prayers for the family and friends of Bev Cromb as they mourn her passing. She will certainly be missed by us at BCUC.

- Grocery gift cards and Volume 2 of the book of Memories are available for purchase. Please call the church office to reserve yours and arrange for payment and pick-up.

- For those who are able to join us by Zoom, there will be a “Virtual Fellowship Time” every Sunday at 11:30 am. The link will be sent to you by email. If you have not yet received it, please call the office for more information during regular church office hours.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolyte: Angela Starchuk

We gather in worship as an outpouring of gratitude and awe. It is our practice of opening ourselves to God’s still, small voice of comfort. The voice of Jesus echoes; “come to me all who carry burdens”.

Call to Gather

May the God of grace be welcome in our midst.
May we receive the power and peace of divine love.
We are blessed because God heals, guides and unites us.
So that we may seek justice and compassion for all who have been left homeless and voiceless. Amen.

Prayer of Approach

Gracious God,
These moments of worship can change lives, can bind us together as a community of compassion,
and can give us purpose and direction. These are awesome moments we share in worship.
We thank you for the opportunity that is before us.
We thank you for the blessing that will assuredly be ours. Amen.

Hymn: “Let Us Build a House” More Voices #1

1. Let us build a house where all can dwell and all can safely live
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

4. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

5. Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Storytime for the Young at Heart Erin Berard

How do you draw a house? I’d need make some walls, a roof, a door, maybe some windows to let light in. If it was an apartment, it might be really tall, or depending on where I live, maybe my house could be more like a tent. Basically it would still have those elements, wouldn’t it? So there… (drawing) that’s a house.

Hmm… but is that all that’s important in a home? When you did those first Google Meets with classmates back in April, (or maybe in mid-September for those of you doing remote learning now), everyone was pretty excited to show off their houses to their friends, weren’t they? People showed off their favourite quilt, their special stuffies, cute pets, little sisters. Did anyone show off their windows, or roof in your class? Although these are things we might need to create a HOUSE, they are not the things we think about too much when we think of what is important about our HOME, is it? It’s the people you talk to about your day, it’s the special comforts you have, like snuggling a pet or stuffy when you’re feeling sad, it’s a place to be yourself, and where people understand and support you and love you.

The Veteran’s House project here in Ottawa that we’re talking about in the service today is different from some other MHI housing. Not only will it be an affordable roof and walls for veteran’s without homes, but it will have community support built into it, too. There will be places indoors and out to get together with others, people available to help with mental health issues, and a community of people with similar experiences that might ‘get’ what someone else is going through. That will really help it seem like more of a HOME and not just a HOUSE, I think.

Let’s give thanks for all the things that make our houses a home, and for all the people working in our community to help everyone have a place to call home.

Hymn: “Draw the Circle Wide” More Voices #145

Refrain:
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
Standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.

1. God the still point of the circle, ‘round whom all creation turns;
Nothing lost, but held forever, in God’s gracious arms.

2. Let our hearts touch far horizons, so encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call.

3. Let the dreams we dream be larger, than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us, open every door.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Barbara Bole Stafford

Eternal God,
In the reading of the scripture, may your Word be heard;
In the meditations of our hearts, may your Word be known;
And in the faithfulness of our lives, may your Word be shown. Amen[1].

The Reading

Psalm 55:1-8

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God;
    do not hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and answer me;
    I am troubled in my complaint.
I am distraught 3 by the noise of the enemy,
    because of the clamor of the wicked.
For they bring trouble upon me,
    and in anger they cherish enmity against me.

4 My heart is in anguish within me,
    the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
    and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove!
    I would fly away and be at rest;
7 truly, I would flee far away;
    I would lodge in the wilderness;
8 I would hurry to find a shelter for myself
    from the raging wind and tempest.”

Matthew 25:31-40

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “Healing From the Shrapnel of the Soul” Guest Preacher: Rev. Andrew Love

“It is wonderful. I drove up here earlier today to produce a recording of this video. And I was amazed at how far along this initiative had come in terms of construction and development. All the work, all the energy, all the financing that has gone into this so far has already produced amazing results.And when this is completed and our homeless veterans are here being housed, being supported, we're going to realize just how significant this initiative will have been, not only to the veterans who will call this home, but hopefully to communities across this country.I want to take a minute now to just lift up and really celebrate the work that's being done by the Multifaith Housing Initiative. Faith communities, drawn across the great spectrum of the faith traditions in the Ottawa region have come together to support this. They're supporting it because it is direct, realcharity working in our community now. And it is something that draws heavily on what we understand the importance and value of charity to be –sound use of resources, stewardship of financial and human capital, all geared towards really identified value and benefit. Changing people's lives. That's what Veterans' House is about.I come to this to support this initiative, not only as a United Church Minister but as a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. As such, I've worked with a lot of men and womenwho have been deployed in domestic and overseas operations, often, multiple times, and they've come home carrying deep and intense scars that affect every part of their lives.Our Scripture readings today, that we invite you to consider as part of your worship, really speak to just the reality of what operational stress means, and what it means over the longer-term especially when it's cumulative. The psalm that we selected for you, Psalm 55, really presents the problem of what it means to be a soldier returning from operations. In many ways, it's a story of betrayal. And that's something that often men and women who have served feel: intense betrayal.In the psalm, David lifts up and then at the same time mourns intensely that sense of betrayal. Treachery within his own family. And the treachery of his most trusted advisor, Ahitophel. His own son Absalom turns against him. And I think if we really were to look at this in depth, we would see so many parallels to what many men and women talk about when they talk about post operational stress. And indeed, when they talk about post traumatic stress. It speaks to something that is the undercurrent of all the issues of many, I would submit to you, all the veterans who end up homeless. They come to, what we're starting to understand as moral injury. Moral injury is something that sometimes gets connected to post traumatic stress disorder. It's a subset of it but it's at the heart of what we're talking about when we're talking about what I would consider to be some of our most vulnerable people in our society today.

Men and women who we asked to serve overseas, or in domestic operations, we asked them to do important but difficult work. And I believe as a country, we have a unique obligation, a special obligation to them. And that's what drives me. And I know it drives a lot of people to support this initiative.When we talk about moral injury, we're talking about an assault on one's sense of confidence and expectation of the capacity to act in a moral and ethical manner. And, you know, moral injury usually comes as a consequence of acts or as a witness to acts. Things that were done to the person, or what the persons did themselves or maybe what they didn't do in the face of obvious moral transgression. These kinds of moral injury affect people at a very deep, visceral way. It's an injury that takes hold and it affects every aspect of their lives.And in many ways, it leads to a spiral, a spiral down. Fellow United Church Minister, military chaplain John Nites, he calls this the Elijah effect. And he draws from the narrative of 1 Kings to talk about the descent into darkness and suicidal thoughts that Elijah experienced. And he captures this nicely when he talks about the idea of shrapnel of the soul ... shrapnel of the soul. That's exactly what veterans start to experience. As a serving military chaplain, I work with men and women who are still in the Armed Forces, and I see the moral injuries being played out in many different ways. But Ialso understand how difficult that transition is from active military service to becoming a veteran. And in some cases, people just don't get the support services that they need, or, for a host of reasons, they don't, they choose not to access those services. Well, in those instances, it becomes extremely difficult to hold down a job, to maintain and nurture strong relationships, to make sound moral and financial decisions. And the enticement of different addictions -drugs, alcohol, and other addictions takes hold. And then the spiral just goes worse and worse and worse. And soon that veteran is homeless. It doesn't take much when the moral injury is deeply felt. I think for us, as churches, the response is obvious. Jesus lays out in the Gospel of Luke, quoting from Isaiah, a pretty clear indication of what out moral priorities should be. Jesus says we are to focus on issues of poverty, to bring release to captives and the oppressed, to bring up the broken hearted, to proclaim God's providence over debt. Not just financial debt, but the incredible burden of guilt, the debt of guilt that many people feel. And that is so, so true when it comes to veterans who are struggling with operational stress and moral injury. Our reading today from the Gospel of Matthew 25, really just puts it in stark terms for us. Jesus is very much saying that, as a church, we will be judged on the credibility of our response to the call that Jesus offers us in the Gospel of Luke. And, as I compete, here against all the different sounds, and the trucks and the movement and the hustle and bustle (on this construction site), might I be so presumptuous as to paraphrase Matthew 25, and offer to us, a very clear indication of why and how we should respond. For it is the homeless in our society that are hungry and in need of food, thirsty and the need of drink, lost and isolated and need of a shelter and support, mentally and physically ill and in need of care. Imprisoned in their own thoughts of trauma, betrayal and moral injury. Veterans' House, as it is being built now, has been the product so far, of faith communities throughout this region, and many other concerned citizens. We're asking United Churches now to support this

initiative, to not only help with the completion of the construction, but the continued operations and the support services that will be vital to helping veterans reclaim their lives and rebuild their lives. This isn't going to solve the problem of homelessness, either for veterans or homelessness in general, but I'm absolutely convinced it is going to empower many people to realize they truly are blessed as God's children. And that the experiences they had, don't define them. We offer them hope through Veterans' House. I believe this is the kind of initiative that will be a model for other communities across Canada. And I invite you now, as churches, to discern exactly how you can support and can continue to support Veterans' House. May God bless you in that mission. Amen.

Multifaith Prayer for Veterans’ House

Christian Representative – by Major-General Chapdelaine, Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces, delivered by Rev. Capt. Andrew Love, Acting Brigade Chaplain, 33CBG, Canadian Armed Forces:

“In the respect of individual conscience and belief, I invite you to take this moment for prayer or personal reflection: God of hosts; we are grateful togather under the shelter of peace afforded to us by those who have offered themselves in service to Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces, on land, at sea, or in the air. As a people of memory, gratitude, and respect we stand ready to fulfil our duty of love and care, so that those who have given so much might be granted the safe haven they have provided to us. Lest we forget.”

Muslim representative - CaptainBarbara Helms:

“For our veterans—for those who have served here and abroad, who have done their duty with honour and have learned to soldier on without rest, to protect us here at home, we own a debt that cannot be adequately repaid.

Hence it is fitting that coming home, they have a home to which to come—a shelter, a place of rest, a neighbourhood, a community which supports them—where they belong and where their continued contributions are recognized and valued. Puissiez-vous maintenant et pour toujours avoir votre propre maison protégée, votre propre demeure de sécurité et de paix. For you who have pledged unlimited liability and served without rest to protect the safety and peace of our homes and our nation--may you now, and forever, have your own protected home, your place of rest, your own abode of safety and peace.”

Jewish representative - Rabbi Reuven Bulka:

"We live in a blessed country. But a twist of fate many years ago could have changed the entire world. Our blessings were made possible by those who were willing to put their lives on hold, and on the line, to defend freedom. The more we love our country, the more we love and we venerate our veterans. May our veterans live out their years energized and inspired by our eternal gratitude and appreciation to them. Amen."

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Based on everything that you have heard in this service so far...please join with me in these words of prayer. Eternal God, the testimony of holy scripture is clear: you call us to be expressions of healing and hope for the most vulnerable people in our society. From the words of the great prophets, like Isaiah, to the witness and ministry of Jesus Christ, you have called us to empower the impoverished, to release the captives of oppression and injustice, to care for those suffering physical and mental health challenges. Today, we pray for a small but important example of this moral imperative: we pray for continued support for Veterans’ House –as it is being built, and when it is in operation. We pray for the work of the Multifaith Housing Initiative, and all the faith communities who are a part of it. We pray for growing awareness of the needs and aspirations of homeless people in our community. We pray that each church that is part of this shared service will discern how it can best support the work of Veterans’ House. For each church that is part of this service, we pray for those who carry heavy burdens this day. And in the silence of our own prayers, we lift up to you the thoughts and concerns that are closest to our hearts. And we offer this prayer in the sure and certain bond that brings together all United Churches of Region 12 and throughout Canada, in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together when we gather in his name, saying,

Invitation to Offer

Some people are required to offer much, even their lives, in the service of justice and of freedom. We too have the opportunity to serve justice and freedom with our lesser gifts of time, talent, and money, for the work of our faith community. As always, if you are not on PAR, offerings and donations can be dropped in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mailed to BCUC or sent in by e-transfer.

If you wish to make a donation to Veterans’ House, please go to www.multifaithhousing.ca for information.

Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC and to the Service, Outreach, and Social Action projects that are part of our mission.

Offertory Prayer

We sing of God’s good news lived out, a church with purpose: gifts shared for the good of all, instrument of the loving Spirit of Christ. We sing of God’s mission. Amen.

Sending Forth

(based on the Song of Faith)

In Jesus’ resurrection, God overcomes death. Nothing separates us from the love of God.

The Risen Christ lives, present to us and the source of hope. We place our hope in God -Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Grateful for God’s loving action. Amen.

Hymn: “Christ Has No Body Now But Yours” More Voices #171

Refrain:
Christ has no body now but yours, no hands but yours.
Here on this earth, yours is the work, to serve with the joy of compassion.

1. No hands but yours to heal the wounded world, no hands but yours to soothe all its suffering,
No touch but yours to bind the broken hope of the people of God.

2. No eyes but yours to see as Christ would see, to find the lost, to gaze with compassion;
No eyes but yours to glimpse the holy joy of the city of God.

3. No feet but yours to journey with the poor, to walk this world with mercy and justice.
Yours are the steps to build a lasting peace for the children of God.

4. Through every gift, give back to those in need: as Christ has blessed, so now be his blessing,
With every gift, a benediction be, to the people of God.

We give our sincere thanks to the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council for the worship resources prepared for this service.

Departing: Guide Me O Thou Great / Kleine Nachtmusik
Organ/Piano duet - arranged by Linda McKechnie

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Celebrate God’s Presence, p44

Connie Davidson

October 10, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - October 11, 2020

Connie Davidson

October 10, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

5th SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY SERVICE

October 11, 2020

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: Thanks A Lot – Raffi CGS/Bell Canto

Welcome & Announcements

Happy Thanksgiving! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, let me say that we are thankful that you have joined us for this service of worship.

We have begun to open the sanctuary for a small number of people as a trial to see how we can offer a gathering of a few while still following the health protocols to keep everyone safe. If you would like to attend, please go the website or call the church office to register by the Wednesday preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place. At the next Board Meeting, we will look at both the interest of people to attend and the feasibility of following the necessary procedures to decide how we will continue going forward.

In whatever way you are joining us, from whatever place or time, know that we are glad that you are here and we hope that today’s service offers what you need as you head into the next week.

I have a few announcements to highlight this week:

- Every Wednesday evening at 8pm, we invite you to join your prayers with others from the comfort of your own home. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, for your community, the congregation, your family, and yourself. This week, we offer particular prayers for Lynne Fox as she mourns the death of her brother, for Ross Snider and Helen Jol as they recover in hospital and at home from falls, and for Rev. Kim as she takes the time she needs to get well.

- Don’t forget that you can order Volume 2 of the Book of Memories as well as grocery gift cards by calling the church office to arrange payment and pick-up.

- The church office is now open from 9 to 4 Monday to Friday. The doors will be locked but Ruth and Ellen are happy to arrange to meet you and let you in if you call first to let them know you are coming. Just ring the doorbell upon arrival and they will meet you there.

- Our Lectionary study Group has resumed meeting through zoom every Tuesday morning at 10:30. If you would like to take part in a lively discussion about the next Sunday’s scripture reading, we’d love to have you join us! Contact Lorrie or the office to get the link.

- Plans are well underway for our Outdoor Market next Saturday and we are still expecting it to go ahead. We are, however, closely monitoring the health regulations so I advise you to watch the website for any updates this week.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Sue Morrison and Arcadie Gagne

May this spark of Divine Energy be a beacon of hope to all.
We welcome the Christ to brighten and ground our worship.[1]

Call to Gather

The flaming leaves of autumn are like the fire of God’s spirit.
The bounty of the fields is like the fullness of God’s love.
We are called to share the blessings of the land with the world.
Let us worship God.[2]

Prayer of Approach

Creator God,
We come to celebrate the beauty and bounty of your good earth:
Glorious blue skies and blazing fall colours; fields ripe for harvest; gardens overflowing with goodness.
Grant us thankful hearts, we pray.
May our prayers and our lives overflow with gratitude.
We offer this worship to your glory, now and always. Amen.[3]

Hymn: “Come You Thankful People Come” Voices United #516

1. Come, you thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest-home!
All is safely gathered in, safe before the storms begin;
God, our maker, does provide for our needs to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple come, raise the song of harvest home!

2. All the world is God’s own field, harvests for God’s praise to yield;
Wheat and weeds together sown, here for joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Harvest giver, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

3. For our God, one day, shall come, and shall take this harvest-home;
From the field shall in that day all offenses purge away;
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the weeds to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore.

4. Even so, God, quickly come to your final harvest-home!
Gather all your people in, free from sorrow, free from sin;
There, forever purified, in your presence to abide:
Come, with all your angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Words 1844 Henry Alford, Music 1858 George Elvey
Song #84090 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart Sue Morrison

This weekend is our Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, and so I’ve been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving and getting ready for the Thanksgiving celebration we will have this year at my house. I remember the Thanksgiving celebrations that we had in my childhood. At my house we always had a turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, fruit salad and both sweet potatoes and mashed white potatoes. Lots of other things we didn’t always get at ordinary meals. And of course, pie-- usually at least two kinds of pie. It was a very special meal, and my mother put a lot of love, effort and time into preparing it. But it wasn’t just the food that made it so special, it was also a big family feast and we had grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins there to share our meal. Many of you probably usually have those kinds of meals on Thanksgiving, too, maybe not exactly the same, but still a special meal and maybe some relatives or friends who come to visit at your house, or you go to visit someone else for a big Thanksgiving dinner. And it makes great memories for most of us.

This year is a bit different for many of us because of the pandemic, and we can’t get together in big groups for that kind of family dinner. But I am getting ready for a little Thanksgiving dinner for just the four of us who live closest together in our family. I’m going to set the table with the best china dishes and make sure that each person has their favourite Thanksgiving foods. My granddaughter Arcadie really likes pumpkin pie, so I have a pumpkin pie that she will enjoy. When we all get together for a nice Thanksgiving meal, I feel like it is the way God wants it to be for us--love around the family table, all enjoying and appreciating each other and the good things God’s Earth provides.

In our Bible reading today we are going to hear a parable that Jesus told about a king who invited everyone to a big feast, but some of the invited guests didn’t come when it was time, and they didn’t even have a good reason not to be there. What if at my house, instead of everyone arriving when they said they would to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast, something like this happened: It’s the time and day we agreed to have our meal, I’m ready to start, the turkey is done cooking, the gravy is made, and it’s time to put the food on the table while it is still nice and hot, but nobody has arrived. I’m getting a little concerned, so I start phoning to see what’s keeping everyone. I call Arcadie first, and say, “Are you and your mom coming now? The dinner is all ready and I am waiting for everyone to get here before it gets cold.” And she says, “Huh? Oh, yeah. I guess I sort of forgot, and now I’m in the middle of binge watching old Doctor Who shows. So we can’t come now, ‘cause it’s really interesting and I’m right in the middle of it. You’ll have to excuse us this time. Maybe you could just put some pie in the freezer and we’ll come by and pick it up some other time.”

Now, they have never done this sort of thing to me, really, but what if they did? I think I would feel hurt and not very appreciated. And they would miss out on a really nice meal and family time, just because they didn’t care enough to show up. Would this be the way God wants it to be in our family? Would we be helping to make the Kin-dom of God a reality in our world? God invites us all, but we each have to care enough to show up and show our appreciation for each other and the good things that have been offered to us, or we aren’t helping to make it the way God wants it to be.

Hymn: “Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving” More Voices #185

Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving.
God, you’ve been so good to me.
Ev’ry day you’re blessing me.
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving.
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today!
(Repeat)

You keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me.
You opened the door that I might see you’re blessing me.
And you keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me.
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today!

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Ellen Boynton

Eternal God,
In the reading of the scripture, may your Word be heard;
In the meditations of our hearts, may your Word be known;
And in the faithfulness of our lives, may your Word be shown. Amen.[4]

The Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

22 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “Come to the Feast!”

In the spring of 2018, Prince Harry married Meaghan Markle. It was an amazing affair, televised all over the world. The congregation included not only royalty from around the world but Hollywood and television royalty as well. Can you imagine receiving an invitation to that wedding? Even if you are not a fan of the royalty or all the pomp and ceremony that goes with it, even if you are not a particular fan of Meghan or Harry, would you turn down the opportunity to mingle with that crowd, to be in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, to share in the excitement of the day? Imagine what the wedding reception would have been like… the food, the drinks, even the place settings! I bet the souvenir at your place setting wouldn’t be a little piece of dry fruitcake! Imagine the stories you’d have to tell your friends – and your grandchildren! The whole world would be watching! So, would you toss aside the “Save the Date” card? Would you be “too busy” on that particular day to bother showing up?

The parable that we read today, the third in a row that Jesus told those Chief Priests and Elders who confronted him in the Temple, tells a story about a royal wedding where that happened. Not just one person snubbed the invitation from the king to his son’s wedding, but everyone originally invited! They didn’t even have the courtesy to send their RSVP with their regrets. They waited until the feast was ready and the ceremony about to begin to decline the invitation.

What kind of message were they sending to the king? They considered themselves and their business to be much more important than a momentous occasion in the life of their monarch, that’s clear. And to mistreat the messengers with violence and murder, certainly sends a strong message about their feelings for this king. To say he wasn’t understanding would be an understatement. He responds with the same anger and violence. What a mess!

But the feast must go on! The king is not about to give up his dream of the perfect wedding. Everything has been carefully planned and prepared, so he sends an invitation to those who would least expect to be considered worthy enough to celebrate in such high style with the king. This time, everyone was invited, regardless of their status, even regardless of whether they were good or bad.

So far, Jesus’ telling of the story seems to make some sense. If the king represents God, as we have come to expect in the stories of the Bible, then those people first invited would be the Priests and Elders. They have been given the honour to be called to the king’s inner circle. They have been given special status among the people, and responsibility for the upholding of the kingdom. However, they have betrayed that trust by giving more importance to their own interests than to the work God called them to. Not only are they absorbed with their own self-interest, they don’t even want to be part of the celebration that comes when the royal family grows through marriage. How fitting then, that God would open that invitation to others – and not just a few but to everyone. The doors of the kingdom are opened wide and everyone is invited in.

If we were reading this story from the book of Luke, this is where it would end. After the original guests declined his invitation, the kings dispatched his servants to find the marginalized – the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame – and invite them to the feast. Even that still left more room at the table, so they went out even beyond the city to gather people from and wide. It’s a great story for Thanksgiving, isn’t it? A reminder to share our blessings with others, especially those less fortunate than us, those who are marginalized in some way - even those we have never met… A reminder that everyone is worthy of an invitation to the table, without judgement… a reminder that the table is big enough to accommodate everyone… A reminder that everyone has an invitation to God’s kingdom.

Unfortunately, Matthew doesn’t leave it there. He adds in a new twist. As the feast is in progress, the king notices a man who is not properly dressed for the occasion. It seems surprising to us that the king would react to this in such a violent way, throwing him out and condemning him to a horrible fate. This seems counter to what we’ve just heard. Everyone was invited, especially the marginalized. How could they all be expected to have the right clothes to wear? And, furthermore, if we show up in God’s kingdom without the right clothes, will we be kicked out and sent to hell? How does this align with what Jesus taught us about a loving and forgiving God who offers endless grace? What about the inclusivity that seems to be a cornerstone of his teachings? Could this really be part of the story told by Jesus or is it simply a way for Matthew to further some personal agenda, an attack perhaps on the leaders of the Temple?

Well, my reading this week taught me something new about the customs of Jesus’ time. It seems that purity was important to the ceremony of a wedding. It was expected that everyone attending a wedding would wear white – not just the bride – and that they would present themselves clean. Remember the washing of feet at the beginning of the Passover meal? This wasn’t just a whim of Jesus that night. It was what happened whenever you entered someone’s home. The climate was hot, the roads were dusty, and most everyone moved around by foot. It would be almost impossible to arrive at someone’s home clean and fresh. As well, people of those days were not likely to have more than one outfit, let alone something set aside just for such an occasion. It is quite likely that this man is wearing the very best clothes he owns, probably the only clothes he owns. It was common, apparently, for the wealthy to meet these obstacles head on. Upon arrival at a wedding, the guests would be given an opportunity to wash their hands and feet. They would be provided with wedding garments – a clean white robe to take the place of the clothes they had worn that day to work and travel. So, the man in our story would have been offered this opportunity to freshen up and a change of clothes when he accepted the invitation. He would have been expected to wear the white robe as a sign of acceptance of the invitation to this celebration, and out of respect for the one who invited him. When this man is confronted by the king, we are told he is speechless. He has no excuse for showing up inappropriately dressed.

What was Matthew saying? Was he directing this specifically to those elite of the Temple who took on the role of Priest or Elder or Pharisee, who basked in the prestige and the lifestyle of the chosen few, who wore the robes and the titles but weren’t really committed to the teachings and the responsibilities? These men weren’t picked at random from the streets. They had spent years studying and working their way up their prestigious place. They were well-educated and likely from middle-or upper-class families. But, like the Tenants in last week’s parable, they had been corrupted by the power that came with their positions. They put more importance of their worldly business than their priestly roles.

That would seem to be the obvious point - except for the fact that the man at the wedding was not one of the elite upper-class, inner circle. Those people had already snubbed the king’s invitation. This man was a commoner; someone the servants had rounded up on the street or in the countryside and given this honour of attending a royal wedding. He didn’t have to be born into the right class. He didn’t have to earn this invitation. He just had to accept it. Even if he had never been inside a palace before and had no idea of the protocol, he would have had his hands and feet washed when he arrived and he would have been given a clean white robe to wear. The expectations would have been quite clear.

So, I suppose this man has chosen not to make himself clean or to wear the robe. It seems he’s not there to celebrate the wedding of the king’s son. He’s just there for the fancy food and drink… or maybe he has made this choice as a protest against a king he has no respect for. Either way, the king cannot let him stay. He cannot allow this man to put a blemish on the celebration. He cannot allow him to sabotage this special event. He is sent into the chaos and violence that is happening outside with those who chose not to accept the invitation.

I wasn’t invited to Harry and Meghan’s wedding. I can’t say I know anyone who was. But through the teachings and example of Jesus, we have all been invited to the kingdom – to the love feast in the kingdom, the very home of God. Some of us received the invitation because we were born into the family, but there is room for everyone. God opens the door and invites everyone in. It doesn’t matter where you are from or even what you have done before you passed this way. The invitation is freely given. Your personal invitation is in your hand. How will you respond?

Will you send an RSVP right away and start preparing? Or will you put the invitation aside to deal with later when you’re not so busy?

What will you wear? You weren’t given the invitation based on what you are wearing today – but is it enough to show up without changing from the soiled clothes you’ve worn every day? Do you need something new? Does your appearance need to be extravagant or does it just need to be clean?

What gifts will you bring? Does it need to be something extravagant and expensive? Or should it be something personal and heartfelt?

Are you going looking for a good time, luxurious food, and a chance to hob-nob with royalty? Are you hoping the world will see how special you are to have been invited? Are you going because it will be great for your image or are you going to do your part in making this feast a wonderful experience for everyone on the guest list?

Your invitation has arrived! Before you accept it, think carefully. Are you excited about what this celebration represents? Are you willing to do what it takes to get ready and to meet the expectations of the host? Can you fit it into your schedule?

Your invitation has arrived. Please come to the feast!

Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

God, we come into Your presence
   with praise and thanksgiving for Your faithful love.
Your love never fails—not even we turn away from You:
   when we ignore Your invitation,
   or desert You for gods of our own making.
Even then You do not abandon us,
   but reach out—again and again—
   inviting us back into relationship once more.
As You welcome us, so You welcome our prayers.
We bring them to You with confidence,
   knowing that You will hear and answer.
We pray for the world You created, and the people who share it with us:
   - for countries caught up in war or violent conflict,
   - for regions of the world struggling with increased cases of COVID-19,
   - for those whose homes and lives are threatened by natural disaster;
For these and all the other areas in our world
   where there is need and despair,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our country and for its people:
   - for our government leaders, federal and local,
   - for our judicial system, police forces and military,
   - for our cities, towns, and rural communities,
   - for employers and employees, for young and old,
For all who are part of this great country,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our local community—the people of this city,
   - for those who are unemployed,
   - for those in prison,
   - for those who are hungry,
   - for those who are alone and afraid,
For all our neighbours, both known and unknown to us,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for this congregation—our brothers and sisters in Christ,
   - for those who are ill. or whose loved ones are ill,
   - for those who are anxious about the future,
   - for those struggling with their faith,
   - for those who minister among us,
For all Your people in this place,

Lord, hear our prayer.

Pour out Your Spirit on us!
Fix our hearts and minds on what is true and honourable and right.
Give us the joy and peace that comes from knowing and doing Your will.
Keep us faithful to the call we have received in Christ Jesus, our Lord,
extending Your loving invitation to the world around us.[5]

These things we ask in Jesus’ name and in the words we say together:

Invitation to Offer

On this day when we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives, we remember that Jesus asks us to share those blessings with others.

Offertory Prayer

For the blessing of this and all our days, we thank you, Gracious God. Accept, we pray, not just this offering of money but also our lives freely offered in gratitude for all you have done for us. Bless and use all that we offer in this place and wherever you might take us. Amen.[6]

Sending Forth

Go into the world ready to live with gratitude and generosity.
Go into the world knowing that God’s intention is abundance for all.
Go into the world and share this life-giving abundance with all you meet,
Today and every day. Amen.[7]

Hymn: “Sing to the Lord of Harvest” Voices United #519

1. Sing to the Lord of harvest, sing songs of love and praise,
With joyful hearts and voices your hallelujahs raise;
By whom the rolling seasons in fruitful order move;
Sing to the Lord of harvest a joyful song of love.

2. God makes the clouds drop fatness, the deserts bloom and spring,
The hills leap up in gladness, the valleys laugh and sing.
God fills them all with fullness, all things with large increase,
And crowns the year with goodness, with plenty and with peace.

3. Bring to this sacred altar all things God’s goodness gave,
The golden sheaves of harvest, the souls Christ died to save:
Your hearts lay down before him when at his feet you fall,
And with your lives adore him who gave his life for all.

Departing: Johnny Appleseed

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Jani Francis, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p33. Used with permission.

[2] Celebrate God’s Presence, p540

[3] Celebrate God’s Presence, p541

[4] Celebrate God’s Presence, p45

[5] Christine Longhurst

[6] Tony Tuck, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, pg 42. Used with permission.

[7] Allison Abbott-Wiebe, Gathering Pentecost 2 2019, p47. Used with permission.

Connie Davidson

October 3, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - October 4, 2020

Connie Davidson

October 3, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

4th SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
World Communion Sunday

October 4, 2020

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: Come to the Banquet Soloist: Susan TeGrotenhuis

Words & Music © Fay White, Grapevine Music
Song # 117649 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Welcome & Announcements

Good Morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I extend a warm welcome to you on the World Communion Sunday. We are glad that you have joined us and hope that this time offers what you need as you head into the next week.

If you are joining us online today, we will be marking World Communion Sunday in this service. Since we aren’t gathered in one place – or even at one time – the online version will offer a modified version of Communion, an “agape meal”. You may want to pause the video while you get yourself something to drink and eat as part of this ritual.

Here are a few announcements I want to highlight this week:

- We began to open the sanctuary for a small number of people for the month of September as a trial to see how we can offer a gathering of a few while still following the health protocols to keep everyone safe. We will now be looking at both the interest of people to attend and the feasibility of following the necessary procedures to decide how we will continue going forward. If you have comments to share, please contact us.

- In the meantime, if you would like to attend, please go the website or call the church office to register by the Friday morning preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place.

- A reminder that every Wednesday evening at 8pm, we invite you to join your prayers with others from the comfort of your own home. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, for your community, the congregation, your family, and yourself.

- Grocery cards as well as Volume 2 of the book of Memories are available for purchase from the church. Please call to arrange payment and pick-up.

- Plans are underway for an Outdoor Market on the grounds of the church on Saturday, Oct 17. This will be in conjunction with a similar sale at Christ Church Anglican being held on the same day. If you have ideas or suggestions – or if you would like to volunteer to help – please contact Bob and Ellen Boynton.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Message from Ministry & Personnel

Good morning:

My name is David Stafford and I am speaking to you as the Interim Chair of the Ministery and Personnel Committee of Bells Corners United Church.

First a quick note about our Rev. Kim Vidal, who is currently on sick leave. While she receives medical attention for recent health concern, she is resting at home and any urgent pastoral messages should be sent to Rev. Lorrie. Please do not send messages directly to Rev. Kim at this time. If you wish to send cards or messages of good wishes, please send them to the Church office and they will be forwarded. Rev. Kim reports that she is slowly getting better, so we continue to keep her in our prayers.

Today, we welcome as our worship leader, The Reverend Lorrie Lowes, who was Commissioned yesterday as a Diaconal Minister in the United Church of Canada. The ceremony was conducted by the Eastern Ontario & Outaouais Regional Council at Rideau Park United Church in Ottawa. It was live streamed and hopefully many of you were able to participate.

After many years of extended study and several careers and life experiences, Lorrie has completed a further course of study in the Diaconate and today, she sees the results and reaps the benefits of that success. Today is an occasion for great celebration as Lorrie is now able to participate as a fully-fledged member of the Order of Ministry of the United Church and it is unfortunate that the Pandemic is affecting our ability to celebrate and welcome Rev. Lorrie in more appropriate ways. If you wish to send cards or messages of congratulations, please send them to the church.

The next step is a Service of Covenanting to take place at BCUC on a date to be determined when it is safe for more people to gather and participate. We will keep you apprised. In the meantime, Congratulations to the Reverend Lorrie Lowes as we continue to seek ways to be the church and make meaningful contributions to our community.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolyte: Raven Miller

As we now bring fire to this candle wick,
Making it glow with light,
May we also bring the fire of love,
To this time of prayer and worship.[1]

Call to Gather

What a tremendous day! We gather to celebrate!
With people from around the world, we join as partners on a journey.
We sing thanksgiving! We sing hope!
We are the church, strong and resilient in Christ.
With one voice, we proclaim God’s inclusiveness.
With one voice, we gather around the world today.[2]

Prayer of Approach

Our God, we draw near to you and to others in the faith.
We come remembering the taste of bread and wine.
We come remembering the freedom of forgiveness and the strength of your presence.
Draw us nearer to you.
Help us to know our lives start from faith and end in faith. Amen.[3]

Hymn: “We Are One” Voices United #402

1. We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
In the praise on our lips there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek we are found,
And we come needful of God’s grace as we meet, together in this place.

2. We are one as we share, as we share brokenness and fear,
In the touch of a hand, there’s a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed;
And we share warmth in God’s embrace as we pray together in this place.

3. We are one as we feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign;
In the bread and the wine there’s a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feast, we are fed;
And we feel God’s refreshing grace as we meet at table in this place.

4. We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite;
In the word we receive there’s a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
And we seek justice in God’s ways as we move together from this place.

Storytime for the Young at Heart Erin Berard

Have a look at some of these pictures of people gathered to eat with friends and family in different places all around the world. Do they remind you of special meals or get-togethers you’ve had? What were you eating? Who was there? What was the occasion?

Next weekend we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving here in Canada. With more and more cases of Covid-19, we might not be able to gather like we usually do this year, as we try to limit the number of people we’re in contact with, but I know we’ll find ways to make it a special time to check-in with family virtually and to give thanks for all the things we have been blessed with.

An important gathering for Jesus and his followers was the last time they gathered to eat together before he died on the cross. Jesus passed around bread and asked them to eat some and then a cup of wine and asked them to take a drink. And Jesus asked them to remember Him every time they did this.

At BCUC, we have juice and bread together to remember this Last Supper and God’s love for us and think about the Holy Spirit working in us and through us.

Christian communities all around the world celebrate Communion, some every day or every week, and others only on special occasions. Today is a special day called World Wide Communion where all these communities celebrate communion on the same day. It’s like having a big family meal together!

Whether or not your family does something special to represent communion today, you could still take time to remember Jesus and his teachings, and think of all the other communities around the world remembering and celebrating with you.

Hymn: “Come All You People” More Voices #2

Come all you people, come and praise your maker (3X)
Come now and worship your God.

U-ya-i-mo-se, ti-na-ma-ten Mwa-ri (3X)
U-ya-I mo-se zvi-no.

Words, Music and paraphrase © 1986 Alexander Gondo, World Council of Churches
Arr. © 1995 John Bell Iona Community GIA Pub
Song #00027 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Neil Lowes

God, the words you speak have power:
power to create,
power to disturb,
power to heal.
Help us to hear your Word for us today. Amen[4].

The Reading: Matthew 21:33-46 NRSV

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “The Danger of Rejecting the Cornerstone”

Today is World Communion Sunday. It is that day in the year when we intentionally join with our Christian brothers and sisters around the globe to celebrate that sacrament that is so foundational to the way we remember our deep connection with each other and with Jesus in a ritual act of sharing a meal. Our global table looks very different this year. Jesus’ invitation to all to join at the table comes with many new protocols as we blend the call to hospitality with the call to care for the well-being of each other. However, strange as it may seem, I pray that it will help to quench our spiritual thirst and fill the empty place that this living with social distancing has left.

Our gospel reading this morning certainly doesn’t convey the same feelings of love for your neighbour, or hope, that we’ve heard in the parables and stories so far in this season of Creation. I have to admit that I was tempted to pass it over and look for something more upbeat and celebratory for today. However, I know that Jesus never taught his followers to look for an easy way out. I know that his teachings were designed to be challenging, to get us thinking about the world from a new perspective, so I decided to stick with it and see if I can make sense of what the lesson is here for us today…

We heard last week that Jesus was teaching in the Temple after throwing out the sellers and money changers. The chief priests and elders of the Temple were not impressed by his actions and demanded that he show his credentials. They could see that he was not only gaining a following but was stirring the people against the system that was holding the peace, the oppressive Pax Romana, and the same system that was offering a very comfortable life for that elite group of religious leaders. Jesus countered their questions with questions of his own and with a story to make them think about what “authority” really means. It felt like the lesson was done, that the parable had had its intended effect. I got the impression that the chief priests and elders had backed down… but apparently that wasn’t the case because Jesus immediately goes into a new story… “Listen to this…” he says as he launches into this rather violent tale of the tenants in the vineyard. It’s full of greed and murder and, it seems, a threat of punishment from God.

In our Lectionary Study this week, we read this scripture passage a couple of times. We read it from a couple of different translations of the Bible. We wondered if the writer of Matthew had really heard this story from Jesus or if it was told to further his own agenda. Well, Matthew isn’t the only gospel writer to tell the tale. The same story shows up in Mark and in Luke – and also in the book of Thomas, a book that didn’t make it into our canon. Hmmm… so it’s important in some way for sure.

The story reads like a prophecy from Jesus. At first thought we are tempted to think of the landowner as God, of Jesus as the son and heir, and the greedy, violent tenants as the chief priests and elders. The message is simple then and quite clear: If you wicked people kill God’s son, you will be put to a miserable death and God will take the kingdom back and give it to someone who will do a better job. The little quote from Psalm 118 seems to back up this interpretation:

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.”

Jesus is obviously the cornerstone to the kingdom that God is asking us to build, right?

Seems to fit with the story – but what a dangerous image that is! In fact, it has been used at times throughout history to condemn the Jewish people. Jesus and his followers were all Jews themselves. How does that make sense? And what happened to Jesus’ teachings that tell us of a forgiving God who is always ready to offer grace and a chance to turn your life around?

Once again, I have to believe that Jesus is giving his listeners something other than a blatant threat. His stories always challenge us to look at things in a new way. His stories always take what we think we know and turn it upside down… Perhaps we’d better look again…

What if the cornerstone doesn’t refer to Jesus or to any person or group of people? What if instead the cornerstone is a set of commandments or a set of teachings from Jesus? …

If we make that shift in perception, watch what happens… the teachings about how to build the kingdom of God are rejected by the builders… who are the builders that Jesus is addressing in the tale? Who are the “people” that will be given the kingdom when those builders throw out the cornerstone?

Let’s hear the parable again… I have embellished the words a bit, but I haven’t changed any of the events…

There was a landowner – really a good guy with good intentions. He put a lot of effort and investment into creating a vineyard. It had a fence to keep animals out. It had a wine press built right in to help with production at harvest time; it even had a watchtower so it could be protected from mischief makers. He then leased this well-equipped and well thought out vineyard to some people who knew how to grow and harvest grapes and turn them into a product for sale. Together, they made a covenant – you get to use my vineyard and in exchange for the investment of buying the land and developing it into a good one, you will give me a share of the profits. It seemed like such a good arrangement and he trusted them so much that he was quite comfortable in leaving the country – perhaps to build an investment property somewhere else. At harvest time, he sent his servants to collect his share. There was no reason for them to be afraid of the journey. It was the arrangement the landlord had made with tenants he had entrusted with his property. When they arrived, however, instead of celebrating a good year, they were beaten and some were even killed. When the landowner learned of this, he must have thought there had been some kind of misunderstanding! He didn’t send out an army of enforcers, he sent another group of servants to straighten it out. They were met with the same fate. Well, the landowner decided to send his son to sort it out once and for all. He was the heir to the business after all was being taught the art of the job under his father’s tutelage. The tenants would greet him with the respect of a trusted partner. But that’s not what happened. The tenants were not backing down. They had decided that they deserved to take the vineyard away from the family who developed it and keep it for themselves. They were ready to destroy anyone who got in their way. And so, the son of the landowner also met a violent end. What will the tenants expect to happen when the grieving and betrayed landowner arrives?

The cornerstone of the landowner’s business was not simply his son and heir. He was important on many levels of course, but the cornerstone of his business was a trusted relationship amongst people with the same goal in mind – a successful wine growing business and a prosperous life for everyone involved – himself, his family, his tenants and even his servants. He had proposed a win-win situation. Even his slaves were respected and trusted enough to be sent in his stead to conduct the business of picking up the profits at harvest time. There was enough mutual respect and trust to give him authority without having to wield power. The tenants, on the other hand, broke the trust by looking only for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of all.

It seems from our reading this morning that the Pharisees recognized that Jesus saw them as the tenants in the story. They had been entrusted with managing God’s people in a way that furthered the healthy growth of that world and all its inhabitants. The authority that was given to them as leaders of the faith had been corrupted by the power that came with it. They had turned their efforts to benefitting themselves rather than building God’s kingdom.

The Pharisees were afraid – not of Jesus the man who was teaching in the temple, but of what he was teaching. What Jesus was building, with those teachings as his cornerstone, was a world of shared abundance. This was a threat to the opulent life they had built for themselves on the backs of those they had been chosen to lead.

Who are we in the story and what does it have to do with the world today?

Lord Acton, a British historian, famously said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

We can see so many examples in the world today where this is true. We see it too often in government leadership. Right now, that is perhaps most evident in places like Belarus where a dictator, unwilling to concede that he lost the election, uses horrific force and violence against the peaceful protesters who are gathering in crowds of more than 100,000 daily even two months after that election. We see it brewing south of the border where a president is trying to wield his power to ensure that he remains in office no matter what the constitution says. We see it in countries in the Middle East where extremists re-interpret the teachings of Islam to ensure the people are kept under strict control. We see it in mega corporations who exploit cheap labour and destroy natural resources to increase their profit margins. We see it where the rich live and work in opulent buildings while homeless people beg outside their doors…

On this World Communion Sunday, let us be reminded what the cornerstone of our faith is. Let us remember what we celebrate with this sacrament. Is it the man we call Jesus, the one we recognize as the Christ, or is it everything he stood for and taught? … Who do we want to be in the story? … Are we living our lives in a way that ensures abundant life for all or just a few?

When you imagine this table that we share today with our brothers and sisters around the world, what shape do you imagine it to be? If it is a rectangle who sits at the head? Is it a circle? Is there room enough… is there enough… for everyone? Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Holy One,
As we worship together on this day of World Wide Communion,
Keep us mindful of both the joy of common roots and the responsibility to care for each other in all the places those roots grow in your name.
We pray for a hurting world that teeters in the unbalance of the haves and the have-nots.
We pray for those who struggle through each day under heavy loads – oppression, war, violence and injustice.
We pray for those who suffer illness, injury, loneliness and grief.
We pray for all those who dare to stand up and offer healing in body, mind and spirit.
We pray for those who carry the cornerstone of our faith in their hearts and actions.
Help us to become the people who produce the fruits of your kin-dom.

All these things we ask in the name of Jesus and in the ancient words we share with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world…

Communion/Agape Meal

Today is a special one for me as I celebrate Communion for the first time as a Commissioned Diaconal Minister in the United Church of Canada. It is one of the things I most looked forward to on my journey toward ordered ministry. For those gathered Sunday morning in the sanctuary, this will be a traditional sacrament of Communion with all of the words and actions of this sacred rite, with the necessary adjustments to follow the current health protocols and keep us safe. For those joining us through the magic of technology, it will look a little different again as we gather our own elements to represent the cup and the loaf, gathering in our own corners of the world. Wherever and whenever you take part in this meal today, remember that people all around the world are finding new ways to acknowledge this common part of our Christian faith.

And so…

We remember that when Jesus was with his friends, he took a piece of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them saying: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Whenever you eat this, remember me.” And today, as we eat, we remember these words.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends saying, “Drink. This cup poured out for you is God’s eternal love, making a new covenant. Whenever you drink it, remember me.” And we do this today in remembrance of those words.

Let us pray:

Loving One of wondrous stories, we remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we praise him for the love he poured out to all people of every colour, race and creed.

Transforming God, you call us to feast together in the banquet of your love. As we eat and drink, may we become vessels of healing and joy to those who are in need of your grace, proclaiming the good news that Jesus came to give life, and give it abundantly. Amen.

Invitation to Offer

As we receive God’s gifts in abundance, let us also share our gifts with others.

Offertory Prayer

Abundant God, full of surprises! A simple loaf of bread becomes food for a hungry world. A chalice of unfermented wine becomes hope for the young and not so young. Today we join hands with siblings in Christ all around the world. Today we share our offerings, knowing that they, like the loaf and cup, will help to bring new life to this congregation and to the world that you so love. Receive them with delight, we pray. Amen.[5]

Sending Forth

Strengthened and fed,
People of God,
People of courage,
Go forth as love-bearers to a hurting world.
Amen.

Hymn: “Deep in Our Hearts” More Voices #154

1. Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.

2. Deep in our hearts there is a core is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.

3. Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.

4. Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.

Departing

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] www.prayersandspirituality.com

[2] Laura Turnbull, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p45. Used with permission.

[3] Camillia LaRouche, Gathering Pentecost 2 2015, p42. Used with permission.

[4] Celebrate God’s Presence, 16M001, p37

[5] Laura Turnbull, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p45. Used with permission.

Connie Davidson

October 1, 2020

Announcements

BCUC Outdoor Market is October 17

Connie Davidson

October 1, 2020

Announcements

Outdoor Market at Bells Corners United Church
3955 Old Richmond Rd. (at Moodie Dr.)
October 17, 10 am - 2 pm

We are planning sales areas for baking, deli (we have heard that there will be turkey pies!), crafts, sewing/knitting, gift baskets and books.

Bring books (published in the past 25 years) to the church during office hours the week before the market. Donations of baking, preserves, sewing, knitting will be welcomed. Contact the office at (613) 820-8103 if you have sewing/crafts/knitting to donate.

Bring your friends, your mask and join us to safely enjoy our market.

Connie Davidson

September 26, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - September 27, 2020

Connie Davidson

September 26, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

3rd SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

September 27, 2020

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

Welcome & Announcements

Good Morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, wherever you are, I extend a warm welcome to you today and I greet you in the name of Jesus, our mentor and guide, and the very reason we gather together as a family of faith.

Here are a few announcements to highlight this week:

- We have begun to open the sanctuary for a small number of people as a trial to see how we can offer a gathering of a few while still following the health protocols to keep everyone safe. If you would like to attend, please go the website or call the church office to register by the Wednesday preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place. In the next couple of weeks, we will be looking at both the interest of people to attend and the feasibility of following the necessary procedures to decide how we will continue going forward. The numbers attending have been small, it’s true, but the experience of being in the sanctuary and worshipping together with others has been wonderful for many of us. One of the things we will be asking over the next while is why do people choose to attend or not to attend? We would be interested in your thoughts. Give us a call or drop me an email if you want to let us know what you think.

- If you are unable to attend in person, there are still several ways you can still participate in worship, through the YouTube video, the audio version or the text of the service, through the links provided on our webpage. You can also call 613-820-8104 to listen to the service on your telephone. We have no intention of stopping any of these things in the near future.

- Due to the change in the weather, David’s Flowers are finished for this year, but thanks to the very generous donations from those who came by, a total of $3,235 has been raised to support online service provision over these difficult times. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help and to all those who donated to the cause!

- Watch for new plans for fundraising and ways to gather in community as we move into the fall. Planning is underway for a BCUC Outdoor Market on Saturday, October 17, from 10am to 2pm, to coincide with a similar sale happening that day at Christ Church Anglican. We hope to have sales areas for baking, deli, crafts, sewing/knitting, gift baskets and perhaps even a book table. To offer help or suggestions, please contact Bob and Ellen Boynton.

- Please remember that Grocery Gift Cards as well as Volume 2 of the book of Memories are available for purchase. Please call the church office to place your order and to arrange payment and pick-up.

- Next Saturday morning at 10:30am, I will be commissioned as a Diaconal Minister in the United Church of Canada. Due to the current health restrictions, it will be a small ceremony and the number of people allowed to attend is extremely limited. However, I would like to celebrate this milestone with all of you! The plan is to have this event live-streamed from Rideau Park United Church. The link will be sent to you in our usual weekly “BCUC Happenings” email on Thursday. If you are not on the recipients’ list for Happenings and wish to access the livestream, please contact the church office or Lorrie.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: The Forster family

In the dawn’s cool glow, in the bright of the day, in the evening’s painted sky, in nighttime’s starry dark… The Christ Light shines, made bright by God’s love for all![1]

Call to Gather

We are not alone…
In these days of social isolation and rules to keep us safe,
It’s easy to feel like we are alone.
In these days where window is its and outdoor gatherings have replaced hugs and shared meals,
It’s easy to feel disconnected.
In these days when we can’t reach out to others for comfort or celebration,
It’s easy to feel that the world has become small and dark.
But we are not alone…
God calls us into relationship with one another in new ways,
And our faith reminds us that even when we feel most lonely,
God is with us.
We are not alone…
And so, we gather our hearts and minds in the spirit of community
And in the embrace of the one who binds us together in love.
Let us worship God - together!

Prayer of Approach

We reach out to you, even as you reach for us, O God,
And pray that in this hour of worship and beyond, we may know the touch of your hand,
Shaping us, molding us into the truly human creatures Jesus showed us you intend us to be.
Come into our hearts, Holy Spirit of love! Amen.[2]

Minute for Social Action

One of the focus points of the Service Outreach and Social Action committee for 2020 was promotion of a Basic Income Guarantee, for which this congregation has been very supportive. The COVID-19 crisis revealed so painfully the glaring inadequacies of our social services across the country. Members of BCUC moved quickly to have a ZOOM enabled discussion showing how a Canadian designed Basic Income could offer coverage of living costs for those below the Low Income Measure (or LIM) of poverty. If you missed it, the video and some selected resources are on BCUC website. The Canadian Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) is also giving support at the LIM level. Over the last months there has been growing public support for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income (GLBI) being a sensible replacement for CERB, as it is phased out.

With so much development favouring a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, let me give some updates on Basic Income and remind us that we must keep the pressure on for its long-awaited implementation. We begin right here in BCUC and refer to last week’s sermon where Lorrie so ably showed how the parable of the workers in the vineyard is interpreted as a livable basic income for that time. Keeping that message in mind, it is empowering to see the numerous opinion columns and webinars which have been encouraging us to push the federal government to include a Livable Guaranteed Basic Income in the Throne Speech.

Whether or not it was included in the Throne Speech, is important only as a significant step along the path of Basic Income adoption. Majority agreement would need to be followed by development of policies and Parliamentary debate to iron out the essentials. It is assured that the path toward a Basic Income will be long and difficult and we must continue to tell our politicians at all levels that we want social services which preserve dignity and improve the well-being of Canadians across all segments of our society. Thank you.

Hymn: “For the Fruit of All Creation” Voices United #227

1.     For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
        For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
        For the ploughing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping.
        Future needs in earth’s safe keeping, thanks be to God.

2.     In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
        In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
        In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
        In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.

3. For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.

Storytime for the Young at Heart Erin Berard

Which apple would you rather have? (Shows 2 apples, one ‘perfect’, the other discoloured/misshapen)

In the parable we read today, there are 2 children who are asked to do their chores. One says “Yes, yes, sure, of course I’ll do my jobs,” but doesn’t actually do any work. The other says, “No, I don’t want to,” but later realizes they should do what is right, and goes and completes all their required chores. In the end, which one did what they were supposed to?

Have you ever had a classmate or teammate like the first person? Someone who says all the right things around their teachers or parents, but then around other kids they are completely different and can sometimes be rude or unkind; or someone who promises things like an invitation to a party or a place in the game, but doesn’t follow through?

Have you ever known someone like the second person? Maybe it’s someone who make a bad choice, but realizes their mistake and tries to fix it; someone who maybe didn’t know how to do something properly, but they take the time to learn and figure it out?

It’s like these apples…
This one is beautiful, the perfect example of an apple, but you know what? It is actually completely fake and has no food value at all! Nothing to contribute to my hungry stomach! It didn’t live up to the expectations.
Whereas this one seems pretty unappetizing… but when I open it up, it has edible fruit, and seeds to grow new apples, even if the fruit had started to spoil. Good things now, and the promise of more good to come.

Let’s remember that it’s what inside that counts. Even if we, and others around us, have made mistakes we can say sorry and try again. God forgives us and wants us to keep trying to do what’s right, keep trying to do God’s work in the world.

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Shout, Shout” More Voices #183

I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today
At home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today
At home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today
At home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Chris Brown

You are the Storyteller, you are the Word, you are God.
Allelujah!
Bless the reading. Bless the listening. Bless the sharing. Bless the love.
In Christ’s name! Amen.[3]

The Reading: Matthew 21:23-42

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The fatherwent to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “By What Authority?”

Next Saturday morning I will be commissioned as a Diaconal Minister in the United Church of Canada. There will be a laying on of hands, some prayers and promises, and presentations and music. From that moment on, I will have the authority to serve communion, baptize, and marry (once Ontario agrees); I will be authorized to wear a stole and a clergy collar and to use the title Reverend. Just a short, beautiful ceremony and then… I will have all this authority!

Well, those of you who have journeyed these past five years with me – my family, my friends, and all of you here at Bells Corners United Church – know that a ceremony, no matter how important and meaningful, isn’t all it takes for a person to earn the authority that comes with being commissioned or ordained into ministry. It even takes more than study. Yes, I took a lot of courses in theology, spirituality, worship and the writings in the Bible; I took courses in church history and church polity; I took courses in pastoral care and in ethics and, because I was in the diaconal stream, I also took courses in Social Justice and Christian Education. I did field placements both here at the church and at the Ottawa West End Community Chaplaincy. I worked with two wonderful diaconal mentors and two field supervisors, one of whom was Reverend Kim, and committees of folks who helped me make connections between the work and my faith. It was a lot of work! But even all that, with the reading and the study and the assignments completed and my diploma in hand, didn’t give me that authority. It also took a lot of soul-searching and wrestling with my understanding of my own faith. It took hours and hours of interviews with folks in our presbytery and in our conference and then in our region, interviews that drilled down into my soul to determine if I was truly called to this role, what gifts I have to offer, and if I was really ready to take on the sacred responsibility that comes with it. The ceremony next weekend is the culmination of that journey, a time to affirm that readiness and commitment before God, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the work we have all done to come to this point, and to mark the beginning of the next stage in my faith journey, my life journey.

By what authority do I stand in the pulpit today, or facilitate a Lectionary Study, or create Sunday School curriculum? Is it a ceremony that gives me that authority? Is it a stole or a clergy collar? Is it my diploma or my other university degrees? No, my authority comes from my life experience that led me to this call, the work I have done to find and use my gifts – and, perhaps most of all, it comes from the trust you have in me, the confidence that I am someone who you can rely on to fill the role as a minister to this congregation.

In our gospel reading today, Jesus is teaching in the temple. Just the day before, he had caused quite a scene in this same place – overturning tables and chasing the sellers and money changers out into the street. It’s an event I like to call his “temple tantrum”. And so, on this day, Jesus has returned to the temple and is teaching – a more fitting thing to be doing in that place. More fitting, perhaps, but a total disruption of business as usual – and so the chief priests and elders come to challenge him:

“By what authority do you do these things?”

In other words, “What makes you think you can walk in here and change everything? Who made you the boss here?”

They are talking about the events of these few days, yes, but I think they are also questioning the content of his teaching, his re-interpretation of scripture, and his going around offering healing and forgiveness to people.

Where others are amazed and comforted and encouraged to see the world in a new way, the chief priests and elders are skeptical. More than that, they are angry! It’s not so much that they are curious about his authority as they are threatened by the power that this authority gives him. They need to find a way to not only get rid of him, but to discredit him in the eyes of his followers. Although he is known as a rabbi, a teacher, he is not a priest and he has certainly not been recognized by the powers of the day, both religious and secular, to change the way things work. They are in this elevated position, with the permission of Rome to keep the traditions of the Jewish faith, as long as that also means keeping the people under control and preventing them from rising up against that imperial power. They have made a compromise in order to keep the faith alive under a government that doesn’t share their beliefs – and it doesn’t hurt that doing so has been very rewarding to them in worldly ways as well. Upsetting things as Jesus was doing would not only hurt them personally but it would upset the peace that they have negotiated with Rome. They are angry and they are scared of what this stirring up of the people will bring.

So, they come up with a way to discredit him in front of those followers. They ask him a question that will force him to show his credentials – of which he has no formal ones – and to even blaspheme by attributing his power to God. They have set a trap.

I was a teacher for many years before I started down this road to ministry and before that, a social worker. One of the most powerful things I learned over the years is that for real learning or change to take place, you don’t tell people what to do or give them answers, you ask questions to make them consider what they already know and to find the answers and solutions within themselves. Careful guidance is important, for sure, but for meaningful learning to happen, the work needs to be done by the one seeking to understand… “How do I figure out the answer to this math question?” I could give them a formula, but if they don’t understand why it works, they will be back to ask the same question tomorrow… “What do I do about my rebellious daughter?” I might be able to tell them how I dealt with my own children but sending them home with a “Lorrie says you have to do this!” could backfire and then I am the blame for the rift in the relationship and nothing changes, in fact, it could make matters worse. A question that leads to new insight is a very powerful tool.

When I think back through the stories of Jesus’ ministry with this in mind, I see what a master teacher and healer he was. No healing story I can think of comes with a simple wave of his hand or a touch – I hear affirmations like “Your faith has made you well.” I hear challenges like, “Take up your mat and go home.” “Go show yourselves to the priests.” “Wash the mud off your eyes.” I hear “Try something new, cast your nets on the other side of the boat.”

When he is teaching, I don’t hear, “This is what you must do!” I hear parables and stories designed to make the listeners consider their own position and how a change in perspective can lead to a change in the world.

In this reading today, Jesus asks a question – not to get the priests to give a pat answer but to get them thinking about why the answer is important to them. Do they want to stir the people against him or do they want to expose their struggles with their own beliefs?

And while they are still pondering the question, he tells this parable. At first glance, it doesn’t seem to connect with the issue at hand at all – but we know this Jesus well enough to know that he isn’t just telling a story to give himself or the priests time to figure out next steps. There must be a point to it…

“Which of the two did the will of his father?” he asks.

If we view the story through the lens of Hebrew teachings – neither of the sons were following the commandment to honour your mother and father… neither of them showed their father the respect he deserved. One refused to do what he was asked and the other mouthed the words with no intention of following through.

In the end, however, we are told that the son who was honest about his intentions, changed his mind and went into the vineyard to work. He “changed his mind.” What does that tell us? Did he just decide that he had nothing better to do so he might as well go do this work he really didn’t want to do? Or did he think about what he had done and change his mind about what was important, what he cared about?

In the end, which son is most likely to be redeemed in the eyes of the father – the one who said the things expected of him but then didn’t follow through or the one who did the work?

Why does he say that the sinners are in a better position to enter the kingdom of God than those who have dedicated their lives to following the rules? Which were willing to look at their lives in a new light and change what they considered important? Who was willing to examine what they cared about? Who was more focussed on following rules to the letter rather than searching their hearts to understand the intent of those rules?

Where did Jesus’ authority come from to give him the power he had with the people? Did it come from a diploma or a ceremony? Or did it come from his life experience and the work he did to not only read the scriptures but figure out what God was really challenging people to do? Did it come from those words at his baptism, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased?” or from the actual work he did - and was willing to do - in order to please God? Did it come from his telling the people what to do and what to believe – or from his way of challenging them to think for themselves and act accordingly?

Is he saying that all Priests are bad and all sinners are good? Or is he asking us to question who we are in the story and what we are willing to do to follow the will of God and move this world closer to what God intends for it to be?

Rituals and ceremonies are important to what we do as a church. I don’t think any of us, or Jesus himself, would argue with that. They serve as signposts on our faith journeys and they also remind us about what we do as Christians and why we do it. They aren’t simply a way of parading pomp or of saying magic words. In our United Church tradition, we more often make covenants rather than vows. Our promises are grounded in our willingness and our intent to following the example of Christ and the will of God. They are our acknowledgement that we don’t do any of this alone. Our rituals are a reminder of who and whose we are. They acknowledge not only the work we have done but the expectations of us as we move forward.

Next week is very important to me. I am excited to acknowledge the work I have done and all the work you have done to take us to this point in our faith journeys – but it doesn’t mark the end of the road for me or for any of us. If anything, it challenges us to celebrate what we have done and to use what we have learned in the process to help us move further along this path that God calls us to.

So, today I don’t leave you with answers. Today I leave you with questions:

What gives us the authority to call ourselves Christians?

Who gives us the authority to try to change the world?

Who are we willing to be in the story?

Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Holy One,

As summer days turn cooler and the gardens begin to fade, we stir from our pandemic cocoons, venturing out to school and work, a little wary of the dangers outside our homes.

But the trees have begun dressing for the parade of colour that comes with the changing of the season, a reminder that life goes on and that there is still much beauty in this world.

As you awaken our senses, awaken too our love for our neighbour. Let us be stirred into action that we may be a blessing to others.

We pray for those lacking the basic needs of life: clean water, clean air, nourishing food, and a shelter against the changing weather…

We pray for those who feel alone, forgotten, or unloved.

We pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, the loss of employment, the loss of health, the loss of hope…

We pray for those who are anxious and afraid – those facing war, unrest, violence, uncertainty…

We pray for our leaders, for our front-line workers, for our teachers and their students…

We pray for our community, for this church, for our families…

We pray for ourselves that we might look beyond the stresses of these Covid days with hope for a brighter tomorrow.

All of the joys and the concerns that we express aloud, and all those we carry in our hearts, we bring to you as we repeat the ancient prayer that Jesus taught his followers:

Invitation to Offer

Even in these days of social distancing and isolation, when our church building is closed to many, we are still called to be the church in the world, sharing our blessings with others.

Offertory Prayer

Because we live in a world where many are at the limit of their strength,
We bring these gifts for the building of a church that will share burdens and gladden hearts.
May it be so. Amen.[4]

Sending Forth

With the confidence of the presence of God within and around us,
With the promise of the companionship of Christ on our every journey,
With the enlivening of the Spirit to keep us joyful,
Let us go now to be God’s people in the world.[5]
Amen.

Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Voices United #288

1. Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator;
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To they great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Wondrous the portion thy blessings provide.

Departing: From a Distance - Gold

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Richard Bott, Gathering Pentecost 2 2015, p30. Used with permission.

[2] George Allan, Gathering Pentecost 2 2013, p26. Used with permission.

[3] Richard Bott, Gathering Pentecost 2 2015, p38. Used with permission.

[4] John Moses, Gathering Pentecost 2 2015, p39. Used with permission.

[5] Bob Root, Gathering Pentecost 2 2015, p41. Used with permission.

Connie Davidson

September 24, 2020

Announcements

More In-Person Modified Worship Services offered on selected Sundays

Connie Davidson

September 24, 2020

Announcements

For this and all events we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you would like to attend, please read more about the service below. You must pre-register by the Wednesday before each service by using the online form (find the link below for the service you want to attend) or by contacting the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Connie Davidson

September 19, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - September 20, 2020

Connie Davidson

September 19, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

2nd SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

September 20, 2020

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: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen/All Night, All Day Mark Hayes

Welcome & Announcements

We begin this morning by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe First Nation. We pay respect to the elders, past and present and honour all indigenous people’s reverence of this land throughout the ages. May we live in peace and friendship to sustain the earth and all its people.

We have begun to open the sanctuary for a small number of people for the month of September as a trial to see how we can offer a gathering of a few while still following the health protocols to keep everyone safe. If you would like to attend, please go the website or call the church office to register by the Wednesday preceding the service. You will be asked to answer a health questionnaire and given the procedures that have been put in place. At the end of the month, we will look at both the interest of people to attend and the feasibility of following the necessary procedures to decide how we will continue going forward.

Here are a few announcements to highlight this week:

The Annual Memorial Cemetery Service will be held this afternoon Sunday, September 20, at 2pm. It will be held outdoors in the Bells Corners Union Cemetery and you are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and a bottle of water to ensure your comfort and hydration! You are also encouraged to wear a mask and observe social distancing protocols. You can find information about making donations to maintain the cemetery on our website or by speaking with Vernon Sulway.
David’s Flowers continue to be available for purchase by donation on Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30, at the front of the church. The flowers will be displayed on tables outside the main entrance, and everyone is asked to bring donations by exact change or a prepared cheque, and follow the instructions from our volunteers. Thanks to the generous donors, more than $3000 has been raised to date and will be put toward the increased costs of providing online worship services and music licensing fees. And… exciting news! On Saturday, September 26, from 10am to 12 noon, Pickles, Preserves and Ruth’s famous buns will also be for sale! Pick up your flowers and a treat at the same time! We appreciate your support.
Every Wednesday evening at 8pm, we invite you to join your prayers with others from the comfort of your own home. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, for your community, the congregation, your family, and yourself. This week, we offer particular prayers for the Stephenson family as they mourn the passing of Doris Stephenson On Wednesday, and for Rev. Kim as she continues her journey to wellness.
If you haven’t ordered your Volume 2 of the book of Memories, now is the time! It is full of great stories and memories of the last 20 years in the life of BCUC’s church family. Please call the church office to reserve your print or digital copy and to arrange payment and pick-up.
The present health restrictions are preventing us from holding our traditional Christmas Bazaar this year but, never fear! Plans are underway for a BCUC Outdoor Market to be held on Saturday, October 17. We hope to have sales areas for baking, deli, crafts, sewing/knitting, gift baskets, and other items that can be sold safely. Christ Church Anglican will be holding a sale outside their church on the same day, so you can shop the street. Please contact Bob and Ellen Boynton if you can offer any help or suggestions. It sounds like a great new community event!
For those who are able to join us by Zoom, there will be a “Virtual Fellowship Time” every Sunday at 11:30 am. The link will be sent to you by email. If you have not yet received it, please call the office for more information during regular church office hours.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolyte: Calliyanna Fowler

In these days when we are not all gathering
together in the church sanctuary,
When life is not the way
we wish it could be
and our church family
seems so far away,
It’s sometimes hard
to remember that Christ is still with us.
We light this candle to remind us
that, even when we can’t be together in body,
We can still be connected in love and in spirit-
And to remind us that Christ is still among us.

Call to Gather

Wait a second! I was here first!
I have been working here for hours! They just turned up.
Yet, the boss is going to pay us all the same!
What’s going on, how can this be fair?
We bring our questions of fairness into worship this morning.[1]

Prayer of Approach

If I asked you to tell me the stories of Jesus, what would you say?
Would you tell me…
“I don’t know them well enough!”
Would you tell me…
“Someone could do it much better!”
Or, would you tell me…
There once was a man who said such wonderful things and did such amazing things that people would ask him, ‘Who are you?’ And his name was Jesus.”
As stewards of the story, as walkers on Christ’s Way,
We are gifted, we are privileged, called to a responsibility to share.
So let us learn together,
Let us teach,
Let us come together to live the story!
Let us come together –
To worship God![2]

Hymn: “God We Praise You for the Morning” - Voices United #415

1. God, we praise you for the morning;
    Hope springs forth from each new day,
    New beginning, prayer and promise,
   Joy in work and in play.

2. God, we praise you for creation,
    Mountains, seas, and prairie land.
    Waking souls find joy and healing
    In your bountiful land.

3.God, we praise you for compassion,
   All the loving that you show;
   Human touching, tears, and laughter,
   Help your children to grow.

4. God, we praise you for your Spirit,
    Comforter and daily friend,
    Restless searcher, gentle teacher,
    Strength and courage you send.

5. God, we praise you for the Saviour,
    Come that we may know your ways.
    In his loving, dying, rising,
    Christ is Lord of our days.

6. Hallelujah, hallelujah,
   Hallelujah, hallelujah!
    Hallelujah, hallelujah!
    Christ is Lord of our days!

Storytime for the Young at Heart Erin Berard

Put up your hand if you’ve ever said, “It’s not fair….”
Yep, I think I see everyone’s hand up…

Sometimes we say that when we see things that aren’t right – it’s not fair when someone is treated differently just because of the colour of their skin, or it’s not fair that not everyone in our community has enough food to eat.

But often when we whine, “it’s not fair…” it’s all about ourselves, isn’t it?

In today’s parable some people who were hired to work were complaining that things weren’t fair. Early one morning they had been hired to work in a vineyard. They were told how much they were going to get paid for the day’s work, and at the end of the day they got that money. Doesn’t seem to be a problem, right? What have they got to complain about? They got paid what they were supposed to.

You know what it was that bugged them? It turns out that more workers were hired that day after lunch, and others hired just before the end of the day, and THEY got paid the SAME amount as the people hired early in the morning! What do YOU think about that? Was it unfair to the early workers?

Everything seemed fair until they started to compare themselves to others. The first workers forgot to appreciate what they did receive (which was what they were supposed to) and just got jealous about what the other workers got. Rather than seeing how the vineyard owner was being generous, they focused on themselves and how they felt should be treated better than the others.

God loves us all equally. God happily and generously gives love to everyone no matter how much we’ve done for God. Think of how we are all blessed with the beautiful blue sky and the warm sun no matter how old we are, how rich we are, how many years we’ve been in school…

This story can help us remember to be glad when good things happen to others and be thankful God’s continued generosity.

I wonder… Can we try letting God and others around us give generously to others and appreciate what we have next time we feel like whining…?

Hymn: “Magic Penny”

Love is something, if you give it away,
give it away, give it away.
Love is something, if you give it away,
you end up having more!
It’s just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won’t have any.
Lend it, spend it, you’ll have so many,
they’ll roll all over the floor!

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Cathy Dowsett

The Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 NRSV The Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “That’s Not Fair!”

“What’s it worth to you?”

Have you ever been asked that question, seriously or in jest?

I suppose the answer to such a question might depend on your perspective. If I am the person giving or selling something, I might be asking the intended recipient, “What would you be willing to pay for this?” or “What would you be willing to sacrifice for it?” The intent here would be to make a deal that would be worthwhile to me, that would benefit me in some way. The bigger the value in the eyes of the buyer, the bigger the profit to me!

If I am the person on the buying or receiving end, however, I am more likely hoping that I can obtain this item or service or whatever at a low cost to me. I hope to be getting a bargain, something of great value for the least amount of output.

The whole point of negotiating then, is to find the point where everybody feels like they have won, where everybody is happy with the outcome. Everybody gets a fair deal.

But it doesn’t always work that way, does it? What one person sees as fair is not always the same for others. Who gets to decide in the end? When we are far apart on our thinking about fairness, things can get pretty tense – even nasty. Fairness is a tricky concept. No one likes to feel that they have been taken advantage of.

This parable from the book of Matthew addresses that issue in an interesting way. It comes on the heels of the story of the wealthy young man who asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. I suppose Jesus could have asked him, “What’s it worth to you?” but, instead, he gives him a price that he knows will be a challenge; he tells the young man to sell everything he owns, give his money to the poor, and come follow him. The result is that the young man goes away, grieving… I guess eternal life wasn’t worth giving up his earthly possessions…

I think Jesus knew that this would be a challenge the young man couldn’t accept. He knows that the more comfort, and possessions, and wealth that a person accumulates, the harder it is to sacrifice it. It’s human nature. This young man was a good person – devout, kept all the commandments, wanted to do good deeds that would please God… He was willing to do anything – as long as it didn’t impact his life in a big way. Jesus shakes his head, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were curious! They had given up everything – their livelihood, their families, their homes – and followed Jesus. Surely, they will get huge rewards! “We’ve done all that and we’ve been with you from the beginning! What will we get, Jesus?”

And this is when Jesus tells the story we heard today.

So, let’s take that same question – “What’s it worth to you?” – and see how it fits with the parable he chose to follow this experience…

A landowner needs people to work in his vineyards, so, as was the custom of the day, he heads to the market square to find some folks who are looking for work. He hires them, offering the usual daily pay. They happily agree to the terms and head to the vineyard. At this point, everyone is happy. It seems like a fair deal. The landowner gets his workers and the workers get a full day’s work and compensation.

What’s it worth to the landowner? He gets a group of workers for 12 hours, so it’s worth paying each of them the expected daily wage.

What’s it worth to the workers? They get a full day’s work. They don’t have to come back to the market later, hoping to fill in a few more hours. They can go home at the end of the day feeling successful. They accomplish exactly what they had hoped for when they arrived at the marketplace that morning. It’s worth spending 12 hours doing outside labour.

At several points later in the day, the landowner goes back to the marketplace to hire more workers. We aren’t told why this is necessary. Perhaps there is more work to be done than he originally thought. Maybe the early workers are getting tired and progress is slowing down so he needs some “fresh horses”. Maybe there is some different work that needs to be done and he needs different people to take on these new projects without taking the others off what they are doing… For whatever reason, he hires people early in the morning, again at nine o’clock, then repeats the process at noon, three o’clock, and five.

What is all this back and forth to town worth to the landowner? He gets fresh workers throughout the day, those he hires are eager to get some work, even if it is just for a few hours, more gets accomplished in his vineyard. It’s worth it!

What is it worth to the new hires? Instead of spending the whole day standing in the marketplace and going home empty-handed, they get some employment and feel that they have contributed to supporting their families. It may not be a full day’s work, but it might make the difference between the family going hungry or having at least something to eat tonight. It’s worth putting in the effort, even for a few hours.

So far, everyone is happy! Everyone feels they have gotten a fair deal. But at the end of the day, all that changes…

The landowner instructs the manager to line the workers up to be paid, and he is specific about paying the last workers to arrive, first. Instead of paying them a pro-rated amount for the number of hours they worked, he pays them a full day’s wage! And this continues on down the line… everyone gets an equal share, no matter if they have been there for twelve hours or two.

The first to be paid must be ecstatic! They had been waiting all day in the market, hoping for even a little work, losing hope of having anything to show for their time. They were given the possibility of making a few pennies so they wouldn’t be going home empty-handed and in shame but now they are going home with full pockets. It was worth all that standing in the square and getting more and more dejected as time went on.

I imagine that most of those who came later in the day would be pretty pleased to go home with a full day’s pay. It was beyond their expectations.

The ones who were hired at dawn, however, didn’t feel the same way at all… “That’s not fair!”

Even though they received exactly what they had agreed upon, even though it seemed worth it to work twelve long hours to go home with a full day’s wages in their pockets, suddenly the fact that others got the same reward for what seems like a lot less effort, makes them angry. They feel they deserve more than those other guys, that the landowner should have considered their contribution worth more than everyone else’s.

Now, the landowner could have easily prevented this problem by paying the early workers first and sending them on their way. After all, if they didn’t see what the others received, they would most likely have gone home happy with a full day’s wage for a full day’s work. It would have been worth it… but that’s not what happened. He specifically told the manager to do pay the workers from the last to arrive, to the first.

So, for some reason, everyone’s contribution to the day’s work was worth full compensation. It didn’t matter what time they arrived, the work they accomplished, at the end of the day, was all seen as valuable in the landowner’s eyes. Each person’s part was seen as just as important, just as worthy as every one else’s. Each person deserved to go home satisfied with their accomplishments and with enough money in their pockets to meet their needs.

The gospel writer doesn’t tell us how the first ones paid reacted – but we can be pretty sure they didn’t grumble. I imagine they were already grateful to get even a partial day’s work, so this would have been a welcome surprise. What a generous man this landowner was! What a caring person to send them home with not only enough money to feed their families, but with their dignity intact. They wouldn’t be feeling that they were less than the others, or worth less than anyone else. They had made a contribution, perhaps smaller than some, but perhaps all they were capable of that day.

The ones who had worked all day, however, were the ones who complained, the ones who were there from the start… the ones who were picked first for the job. That makes me think… why were they picked first and not the others who ended up standing around for hours? It makes sense to me that they would be the more able-bodied ones, the ones who looked like they could handle a full day’s work, the ones who were probably picked first every day… the ones who were always able to provide for their needs and would, therefore be in better shape physically, mentally and emotionally. They may not have had full time occupations and they may have struggled to get by… but it seems to me that they would have enjoyed some privileges that the others might be lacking for many reasons other than laziness. These others, remember, were not standing in the marketplace begging for handouts. They were willing to work but were passed over for some reason – a disability? Age? Some other reason that might limit their time or their capacity to take on a full day’s work?

So, what was the problem here? It seems that the landowner didn’t follow the norms of the day. True to Jesus’ pattern of taking something we think we understand and then turning it upside down, this man didn’t seem to base the worth of each man’s work on the length of the day or any form of merit, his decision came from a place of grace. No worker received less than he was entitled to… no one went home without the means to support himself and his family… every one of them contributed something meaningful … every person went home with their dignity intact and their needs met. One added bonus is that I bet those who were paid more than they expected would be looking forward to working for this man again. I bet those workers who came last, who had been standing idle all day because no one had hired them, were probably the ones who held back most days, thinking they would be passed over anyway for those healthy, able-bodied men who seemed to get the best work every day. Perhaps this experience will have given them the confidence to put their hands up tomorrow…

The money to pay everyone equally wasn’t coming out of the early workers’ pockets. They weren’t paid less than the fair wage of the times. So, why did they begrudge the others of the means to meet their needs? Why should it matter to them that the landowner was generous?

“That’s not fair!” they shouted…

The story tells us that they were expecting to be paid more., not that they wanted the others to get less…

Would it be fair to give those with enough even more than they were entitled to for the work they did and leave the others struggling to put food on the table?

Would it be fair to raise the comfortable higher when they haven’t done any more than expected and leave the others in poverty – increasing the gap between the haves and the have-nots?

I don’t think the early workers were necessarily being greedy…Perhaps they just didn’t think it through. They were basing their complaint on the premise that payment should be on a sliding scale according to time and ability and so, it follows at first glance that if someone else is being paid the same for something they saw as less, then they should be paid even more than was normal for the work they did – that somehow what they had done was now worth more than it was before.

The idea of a Basic Income Guarantee is a hot topic these days. It’s not a new idea. There have been many studies and even pilot projects put in place over the last decade. Lots of scholars have weighed in – economists, social justice workers, and even theologians. The Moderator of the United Church of Canada has issued a letter in support of the concept. Members of our own congregation have hosted an online presentation explaining what it is – and what it isn’t – and posted information on our church website. (I encourage you to check it out) Everyone seems to have an opinion, it seems, and the discussions between those for it and those opposed can get pretty heated at times. One thing I have noticed though is that the two sides are not always talking about the same thing.

Some people think that it’s not fair that they have to work, while others get paid to stay home. Some people think that it will cost us less to make sure people’s basic needs are being met than it costs us now to keep people on welfare. Some people think it will encourage people to take advantage of the system. Some believe it will give more people a leg up so they won’t always need to depend on outside support. Some people aren’t really sure what it’s all about. Some people think it’s just not fair.

I guess, just like in the parable, it depends on your perspective… and your understanding of the whole issue.

Is Jesus really asking us to sell all we own and live in poverty as he challenged the rich young man? … or is he asking us to replace our thirst for more, and more, with a sharing of resources to help others out of the cycle of poverty?

What’s it worth to you?

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

God of us all,
We give thanks that you see us all as worthy of your love and grace.
Help us to avoid judging others worth using worldly measures
And help us see the value in each one we meet.

There are so many in this world who are suffering.
We pray for all those who hunger for food – in their bodies or in their souls.
We pray that they will be filled.

We pray for those who suffer injustice, oppression, and discrimination
That they may be lifted.

We pray for all those dealing with grief, sorrow, and loss.
That they may be comforted.

We pray for our families, our friend, and our neighbours, near and far,
That they may be strengthened by your love.
We offer up to you all the blessings and concerns that we share aloud or hold silently in our hearts,
Knowing that you hear each one.

We ask all this as we continue in these familiar words together:

Invitation to Offer

Offertory Prayer

These symbols of the sweat of our brow,
we present to you, O God,
as an act of trust:
Trust that they will contribute
to your mission in the world,
Trust that we will become
instruments of your will,
Trust that you will bless the giving and the givers. Amen[4]

Sending Forth

As a community of compassion, reborn in God’s image,
go out into the world to both spread and point out
the goodness of God’s love and grace
that is present in the world around you,
in the coming week.
Do so knowing you are both loved and [5]blessed by God,
This day and forevermore. Amen.

Hymn: “I Saw the Rich Ones” More Voices #127

1. I saw the rich ones I saw what they gave
   The widow who offered two pennies she’d saved
    And I saw she was smiling, I knew she was glad
    And I wondered because she gave all that she had.

Refrain:
            But with God the world is turned upside down
            The poor are embraced and the lost they are found.
            Let’s work for a world where all people are free
            Where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me.

2. I saw Zacheus, a sinner they said
    But to his house I saw Jesus go to break bread
    And I knew something special had happened that day
    When Zacheus gave half of his riches away.

3. The men in the vineyards were grumbling one day
    I knew they weren’t happy with what they’d been paid
    For the ones who came later were paid just the same
    As the ones who greeted the dawn when they came.

Departing: In the Chapel De Severac

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Sandy Ferguson, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2020, p33. Used with permission.

[2] Richard Bott, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2018, p29. Used with permission.

[3] Susan Ivany, Gathering, Pentecost 2 2017, p37. Used with permission.

[4] Gord Dunbar, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2014, p35. Used with permission.

[5] Allan Warren, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2014, p36. Used with permission.

Connie Davidson

September 12, 2020

Announcements

In-Person Modified Virtual Worship Services offered throughout September

Connie Davidson

September 12, 2020

Announcements

For this and all events we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you would like to attend, please read more about the services below. You must pre-register for each service by using the online form or by contacting the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Connie Davidson

September 12, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - September 13, 2020

Connie Davidson

September 12, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

1st SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

September 13, 2020

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: Fallen Embers – Enya

Welcome & Announcements

Here are a few announcements to highlight this week:

- David’s Flowers are available for purchase by donation every Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30, drive-through style. The flowers will be displayed on tables outside the main entrance, and everyone is asked to bring donations by exact change or a prepared cheque, and remain in your car to receive instructions from our volunteers. Thank you for your support!

- Every Wednesday evening at 8pm, we invite you to join your prayers with others from the comfort of your own home. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, for your community, the congregation, your family, and yourself. This week, we offer particular prayers for Bev Wilcox as she mourns the death of her brother, and for Rev. Kim as she takes the time she needs to get well.

- Volume 2 of the book of Memories is available for purchase in either print or digital format. Please call the church office to reserve your copy and arrange payment and pick-up.

- You can also purchase Grocery cards by calling the church office.

For more announcements, please check the church website.

Let us now gather our hearts and minds for worship…

Lighting of the Christ Candle[1] Acolytes: Chris and Kaylee Brown

We light the Christ candle knowing that Christ’s love shines like a beacon for those of us who are troubled, who are anxious, who are unsure, welcoming us into the presence of our God, who loves us into fullness.

Call to Gather[2]:

We turn to the right
and Jesus gives us a sign to let go of the past, to offer forgiveness.
We turn to the left
And the Holy Spirit swirls the freshness of the present moment around us.
Then we recognize God’s voice behind us, urging us to move forward.
Come, let us follow the signs of our faith and breathe in the freshness of the Spirit
As we go forward into worship.

Prayer of Approach[3]

Caring Teacher,
So often we come to you with our questions.
Where are you? What should I do? Why me?
Other times we put questions in your mouth, assuming your main concern is our moral behaviour:
Were we judgmental? Did we give enough?
Loving, nurturing, and at times … challenging God, your actual questions often surprise us.
Freely ask them of us today for our hearts are open to hear them.
Question us, teach us, and guide us, we pray. Amen

Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King” Voices United #217

1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing:
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Bright, burning sun with golden beam,
Soft, shining moon with silver gleam,
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

2. O rushing winds and breezes soft,
O clouds that ride the winds aloft,
Sing praises, hallelujah!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O lights of evening find a voice:
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

3. Earth, ever fertile day by day
Brings forth rich blessings on our way:
Sing praises, hallelujah!
The flowers and fruits that verdant grow,
Let them God’s glory also show:
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

4. And everyone of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part:
Sing praises, hallelujah!
All who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and yield up all your care:
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

5. Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship God in humbleness:
Sing praises, hallelujah!
Praise God eternal, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, three in one:
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!

Words 1225 St. Francis of Assisi, trans 1919 Draper, Music 1623
Geistliche Kirchengesänge harmony 1906 Ralph Vaughan Williams ONE LICENSE #A-733214

Storytime for the Young at Heart Erin Berard

I’d like you to imagine you are the person in this pretend story.

Let’s imagine that you’re really interested in taking pictures, in photography, and one day your uncle lends you his really fancy camera to practice with. You have a really good time taking some pictures in your backyard, and then you put the camera down on your picnic table when you go inside to get a drink. And you forget about it overnight. And it rains. Oh boy… You’re in a lot of trouble now, and you’re probably going to have to use up a lot of your allowance for weeks or even months to come to pay to replace the camera.

So how would you feel when your uncle came the next day and saw the camera and he said, “Don’t worry. It was an accident. I understand. I forgive you. Don’t worry about paying for the repairs or replacing the camera. I’ve got it.”

Would you feel grateful? Relieved? What a kindness!

Let’s imagine some time goes by, and it’s your birthday! You get that camera you’ve been waiting for! You have a great time taking pictures of the birthday celebrations… until your brother accidently dumps a big glass of fruit punch all over your brand-new camera.

Would you be as willing to be forgiving as your uncle was to you?

It’s hard to forgive others sometimes, isn’t it?
But Jesus tells us we should be always ready to forgive others.

When Jesus tells a similar story about forgiveness, Peter asks him, So Jesus, how many times should I forgive someone before enough is enough? (Is it like, ‘3 strikes, you’re out’?) Peter suggests seven times - Is seven times enough, Jesus? Jesus says, No, Peter, try seventy times, or even seventy times seven times. That’s like 490!

I couldn’t keep track of saying sorry that many times! But that’s not really the point, is it? Jesus is trying to tell us that we should keep on forgiving over and over and over again, just like God forgives us over and over and over again for all the mistakes and bad choices we make every day.

Let’s try to follow that example and forgive others as we have been forgiven.

Hymn: “Listen, God is Calling” More Voices #97

Listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,
Offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

Prayer for Illumination[4] Reader: David Stafford

For the word of God in scripture, among us and within us,
Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Reading: Matthew 18: 21-35 NRSV “The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant”

21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Amen.

Sermon: “Extravagant Forgiveness” Lorrie Lowes DM

In today’s scripture reading, we meet the “Story Telling Man” again. Jesus often used parables to teach both his disciples and the crowds who gathered to hear him as he conducted his itinerant ministry. Most of these stories, we have found, take a familiar theme and turn it on its head. The endings are not at all what we, or the people of his time, are expecting. They usually take us by surprise and challenge us to think about things from a whole new perspective. This one, the story of the unforgiving servant, however, seems to be an exception. Not only does the unforgiving man get punished, but Jesus warns us that the same fate awaits anyone who acts in this way – that God will torture those who are unforgiving. What a scary thought! Rather than Jesus’ usual assurance of God’s grace, we are threatened with God’s anger. Perhaps it is the logical ending to the story, but it flies in the face of everything we have come to understand about God and about Jesus. What on earth are we supposed to do with this?

“So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

There are many scholars who believe that this last verse was not, in fact, a direct quote from Jesus at all. They believe that the writer of the book of Matthew added this, that it fit with his own interpretation of what Jesus was teaching that day. So, does that mean we should just ignore that sentence and move on? Should we have just left it out of today’s reading? Even without that direct threat, the ending of the story leaves us with the same challenge: What was Jesus trying to teach with this parable that day?

Forgiveness is a difficult concept for all of us. In Jesus’ time, rabbis addressed this problem with a formula. Forgiveness for a repeated event, they recommended, should be extended no more than three times. After that, I guess, the gloves were off! Peter, in his question to Jesus, was being very generous to suggest forgiving seven times. I imagine he knew that Jesus wouldn’t be so harsh and so he doubled the recommended number and then some. Jesus responds – and I imagine him speaking with a laugh – “Seven times? Try seventy-seven!” In some translations, he says seventy times seven! Obviously, he is not asking Peter to keep a tally. I believe he is making the point that there really is no limit to the forgiveness we should be willing to give. It’s the kind of answer that says to Peter, “You really don’t get it, do you?” Peter is focussed on the process, Jesus is focussed on the intent, the love, that should be behind the act of forgiving. And so, he turns to his usual method for getting a difficult idea across; he tells a story.

In this story, Jesus uses a very concrete example that everyone can relate to – money. He hits his listeners hard where it counts, right in the pocketbook! To get a clear idea of just how hard, we need to understand the money he is talking about. The first slave, we are told, owes the king “ten thousand talents”. A talent was a measure of weight. One talent weighed around 130 pounds. If we consider that this was probably referring to silver, the usual currency of the time, one talent represented about 15 years of work for the typical labourer. Ten thousand talents, then, would require 150,000 years of income. It is an amount that would be impossible for the slave to ever pay back! The fellow slave, we are told, owes the first a hundred denarii. One denarius was apparently the average wage for a day’s work, so, not nearly such an unreasonable amount of debt. So, the king has forgiven a debt of around $10 million dollars and the forgiven slave is demanding payment of, perhaps, $2000, three or four months’ income. It’s not a small amount, by any means, but one that could reasonably be paid off over time.

So, who are the characters in this story? I think it’s natural to assume that the king represents God. In the beginning of the story at least, this king acts in the way we would expect God to. He listens to the plea of the slave, “Have patience with me!” He even seems to accept this totally impossible commitment that in time the debt – that $10 million dollars – will be paid in full. Surely, he realizes that this is not going to happen. He could follow through with his original plan to throw the guy in prison and sell all of his assets, including his wife and children, and at least recoup some of that money. Instead, he chooses to forgive the debt entirely. That sounds like the God we know.

So, I guess if the king is God, that makes the slaves all of us humans… The first slave must be pretty wealthy. If he owes the king ten million dollars, I would think he is living a pretty luxurious life after all. The second slave is more like many of us, I guess, managing alright but working hard to support our lifestyle and sometimes depending on credit to make that happen. When we talked about this in the Lectionary Study Group this week, we thought about how the experience of these two slaves fit with what we know in society today. Jan talked about farmers. They work on bank credit. They borrow money to plant the crops with the expectation that they will be able to pay it back at harvest time. If there is a particularly bad year, the banks are less likely to continue to carry the debt of the small farmers than they are of the ones with huge properties and the greater potential of recovering to turn a profit the following year. Sue also noted that the same thing happens when we take out a loan at the bank. If you owe a thousand dollars, you are in big trouble if you can’t make your payments, and yet it seems that millionaires get by – often by shifting the debt from their large corporation to smaller ones under their control, letting the little guys take the hit for the big guy’s mistake. Sounds a lot like what the wealthy slave was trying to do to the one who owed him money. The more the world progresses, the more human nature remains the same…

But, let’s go back to Jesus and this parable. I don’t think the lesson he was trying to teach was that the wealthier you are, the less likely you are to suffer… and I’m still struggling with the ending of the story where that seemingly benevolent king is suddenly out for blood when he finds out that the recipient of his good will isn’t acting the same way. What happened to the unending grace we are promised by God? What happened to the seventy-seven gifts of forgiveness?

It makes me think that, perhaps, this king doesn’t represent God at all. Maybe he is just human like us. Forgiveness is a difficult thing for us mere mortals, especially when we’ve been burned more than once. Forgiving someone can seem like giving them a pass – or more than that, giving them permission to hurt us again… and again. We want to be loving to our neighbours, but even we Christians don’t want to be suckers, opening ourselves to abuse by those very people we are showing that love to. It’s a nice ideal, but in the real world, we tend to be wary of doling out forgiveness at every turn. We are afraid of being taken advantage of; we are afraid of setting ourselves up to be used.

But, when Jesus talks about forgiveness, is that really what he’s asking us to do?

When Peter asked the question, “How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”, he is focussing on the expectation that he must forgive or face the wrath of God. With that attitude, it’s all about saying the words, not about truly offering forgiveness. “OK, I’ll give you 6 more chances but then watch out!” Is that a sincere act of forgiveness? Will that change the relationship and the trust between the two parties?

It makes me think about those times with children when we say, “Apologize to your sister!” and we get the snarky response, “Sorry!” We all know they aren’t sorry at all, but the offended child is then expected to say, “It’s ok.” Problem solved! Conflict ended!... but is it really? Chances are, the injured party is still hurting or angry and the offender thinks they got away with it. Often, the minute you turn your back there is another poke or a tongue stuck out…. But what else can we do?

I think there has to be more to that exchange of forgiveness and apology. There needs to be a communication between the parties involved – and sometimes a mediator to help that communication take place. What if, instead of saying, “Apologize to your sister!”, we begin with, “Johnny, what you did to Sally has made her very angry (or hurt, or upset). Can you tell me what’s going on that you felt like doing that and Sally, can you tell Johnny why you are crying?” You can be sure it won’t be an easy conversation. It will quickly turn into “Well she said (or did) something first….!” Or “It’s not fair that…!” and there will likely be lots of strong emotions expressed on both sides. Instead of getting a quick interchange of “I’m sorry” and “It’s ok”, you will be forced to get to the bottom of the issue and help work out a solution.

It’s this kind of confrontation that is necessary if we are looking for true reconciliation, for real healing of the situation. It’s how we teach our children to treat each other with respect.

This isn’t just a childhood problem though. Even as adults, when someone wrongs us, are we really looking for an apology or are we demanding justice? Be honest… more often than not we want blood! We want them to pay for what they’ve done.

Is a simple apology - forced or not - ever enough?

Does telling someone they are forgiven solve the problem?

From my days in parenting and in teaching, I can tell you that it doesn’t work that way with kids. From my days as a social worker, I can tell you that it doesn’t work with adults either. Think about the couple that is struggling in their marriage and, often as a last resort, turns to counselling. They will likely say they are there to sort out their problems, but when the conversation begins, they are really looking to the counsellor to justify their anger. At least in the beginning, each one is trying to get the counsellor on their side. A powerful question to think about in this situation, or in any conflict for that matter, is “What outcome are you hoping for?” Sometimes, (dare I say often?), if things have progressed to the point where they are seeking outside help, they have already decided that the marriage is over. What counselling can do in that case, is to heal the relationship to the point where they can part ways but still function respectfully in the future – something that’s especially vital when there are children involved. So, the apology might come in the form of “I’m sorry I can’t be the partner you need to make this relationship work.” And then the forgiveness comes with “What can we do to make sure we don’t continue to hurt each other and those around us?” Once we get past the hurt and anger, the demand for revenge, reconciliation is a much bigger possibility.

We can think about this on a bigger, societal scale, when we apply the same thinking to the Black Lives Matter movement or to the Truth and Reconciliation process here in Canada. In order for any change or healing to take place, there needs to be a time for sharing our hurts, for listening to the other perspective, for creating a real way forward. “We said we were sorry; can’t you just accept that and move on?” doesn’t really address the situation.

We can’t put a limit on this. We can’t arbitrarily decide that seven apologies or seventy-seven is the limit to which we are willing to go. It’s not the formula that counts, it’s the process of finding the way forward.

There is a quote, sometimes attributed to Nelson Mandela, but also to Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddha and several others, that comes to mind for me. “Holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the wrongdoer to die.” Forgiving someone makes us vulnerable and open to being hurt but that risk is absolutely necessary if we want real change to take place.

In the parable about the unforgiving servant, the wicked slave is turned over by the king to a life of torture. Perhaps that king was not meant to represent God, after all, but is rather a symbol of our own instinct for self-preservation and the consequences of not listening to our conscience. Perhaps the king in the tale is ego…

Love your neighbour as you love yourself, is the message we hear from Jesus over and over again. God offers the gift of unending grace, he tells us. What an extravagant gift that is! Can we take up the challenge to offer that same gift to others… not just seven times, but seventy-seven times… or more? Amen

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Holy One,

Over and over again, you offer us your gifts of love and grace. Your compassion is not bound by the limits of time or even by our success or failure in carrying out your dream of peace, harmony, and justice in this world. Through the words and example of Jesus, you call us to live out our gratitude for that extravagant gift by loving our neighbour. Help us to remember those lessons as we struggle to carry them out in the harsh reality of day to day living.

We give you thanks for the many blessings in our lives – the celebration of new babies and the extending of loving families their arrival brings, where we embrace new roles of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings. We thank you for the extravagant gift of ever-growing circles of love. Let it be a reminder to spread that abundance to all we meet.

Your gift of compassion for each of us reminds us to be compassionate to those around us, particularly to those who suffer due to illness, grief, loneliness, or fear. Today we ask your blessing particularly on Bev Wilcox and her family as they mourn the passing of her brother, and all those in our midst who struggle with such losses in this time when health precautions keep us from offering support to each other in person. We pray for Rev. Kim, that she will find the rest and care she needs to come back to us in full health. We pray for Mandy Crow as she recovers from surgery. And we pray for all the caregivers who work on the front lines and behind the scenes to help the healing take place. We pray for all those feeling the loneliness that the pandemic precautions have caused. Help us to remember to reach out to each other through telephone, email, cards, and prayers so that the love we want to share is felt in the hearts of those we cannot see or touch.

We pray for all of Creation, that the interconnectedness of each living thing is honoured by all who share this planet. Help us to find the way to ensure that the basic necessities of life and health are distributed in a way that ensures abundant life for all.

We pray for our leaders here at home and around the world that their decisions and their motivations serve to advance your dream of peace and harmony. Let the desire for power and greed be outweighed by the love for neighbour and a wish for justice for all.

Help us as we struggle to become the people you want us to be. Help us practice the kind of extravagant grace that you are so willing to offer to us.

We ask these things in the words that Jesus taught…

Invitation to Offer

One of the many ways we show our love for our neighbour is by sharing our gifts.

Offertory Prayer[5]

Ever giving God,
We bring these gifts as a response to the many gifts you offer to us.
We have been blessed in so many ways;
May our response this day be a means of blessing others. Amen.

Sending Forth

Enter the world with God’s love reflecting from your heart. Grant forgiveness to your neighbour, and remember, likewise, to seek forgiveness from them.[6]

And as you go, remember that you are held in God’s guiding love and blessed with the extravagant gift of God’s forgiving grace.

Amen

Hymn: “Your Hand, O God, Has Guided” Voices United #274

1. Your hand, O God, has guided your flock from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written, full clear on every page.
Our forebears owned your goodness, and we their deeds record.
And both to this bear witness:
One church, one faith, one Lord.

2. Your heralds brought glad tidings to greatest as to least;
They bade them rise and hasten to share the heavenly feast.
And this was all their teaching, in every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming:
One church, one faith, one Lord.

3. Through many days of darkness, through many scenes of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely to guard your people’s life.
Their gospel of redemption, sin pardoned, earth restored,
Was all in this enfolded:
One church, one faith, one Lord.

4. And we, shall we be faithless? Shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
Shall we evade the conflict and cast away our crown?
Not so: in God’s deep counsels some better thing is stored;
We will remain unflinching,
One church, one faith, one Lord.

5. Your mercy will not fail us, nor leave your work undone;
With your right hand to help us, the victory shall be won;
And then, by earth and heaven, your name shall be adored,
And this shall be our anthem:
One church, one faith, one Lord.

Departing: Puff Balls - Keats

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Fern Gibbard, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2020, p32. Used with permission.

[2] Norah Laverty, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2020, p 34. Used with permission.

[3] Karen Boivin, Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2014, p32. Used with permission.

[4] Gord Dunbar, Gathering Pentecost 2 2020, p41. Used with permission.

[5] Beth W Johnston, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2017, p 39. Used with permission.

[6] George Allan, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2020, p45. Used with permission.

Connie Davidson

September 5, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - September 6, 2020

Connie Davidson

September 5, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

14TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE

September 6, 2020

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: When Peace Like a River – arr. Mark Hayes

Acknowledgement of Territory

We begin our worship service by acknowledging the territory where most of us gather and where I am located. We acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe First Nation. We pay respect to the elders past and present and honour all indigenous people’s reverence of this land throughout the ages. May we live in peace and friendship to sustain the earth and all its people. Thank you for permitting us to live and work on this land.

Welcome & Announcements

Good day everyone! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, wherever you are, in today’s worship service. Thank you for joining us. In the next few Sundays including today, we are going to reflect on the stories in the Gospel according to Matthew. Today, a difficult text is presented to us but with a word of hope at the end – that famous line, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst.”

Here are some announcements:

As we slowly reopen the building, there is an opportunity to gather again in the sanctuary for a modified virtual worship service on Sept. 13th at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people excluding the staff and ushers are invited to gather. To save a spot, you are required to register online or by calling the office. Deadline to register is September 9th. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website. We are also in need of ushers for September 13. Please call the office if you are interested.
Copies of the Book of Memories Volume 2 are now available for purchase. Please contact the office to place an order.
Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.
David’s Flowers are still available drive-through style every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am at BCUC. The flowers will be displayed on tables outside the main entrance, and everyone is asked to remain in their car, and follow instructions of volunteers. Thank you for your support!
And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information.

For other announcements, please check your email or the church website.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Noah & Nicholas Berard

"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light.” (Luke 8:16)

Christ’s light shines on!

Call to Worship:[1] Erin Berard

We gather in the love of God to worship,
hoping to find some new way of knowing our God.
We come seeking you, Creator God.
We gather in the love and fellowship of one another,
offering our friendship, care, and support, ready to serve.
We come seeking you, Jesus the Christ.
We gather in awe of a Holy, loving presence,
yearning for an experience beyond ourselves.
We come seeking you, Holy Spirit.
Come now, worship and experience the holy,
alive in the presence of God, working in Christ Jesus
and living in the mystery of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of Approach

God of summer sunshine and sweltering heat,
God of gentle rains and thundering storms,
God of lakes and rivers, fields and pastures,
Come be with us in this place.
May we be attentive to the rhythm of life that beats within us.
May we see this day and all days as spaces of hope,
open and yearning for your life-giving presence. Amen.

Hymn: Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love – Voices United #574

1 Come let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.

2 Jesus, the Saviour, this gospel to tell,
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell, sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.

3 Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.

4 Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Erin Berard

(Sounds of children arguing and yelling…)

It’s hard to get along sometimes, isn’t it?

In today’s Bible passage, Jesus is giving his followers advice on dealing with disagreements. It finishes with Him saying, “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there with them.”

That might be familiar to those of you who have been in my Sunday School class before. That’s usually what I say as we light the candle to remind us that as we come together to learn, Jesus is there, too.

It also makes me think of the summer camp I worked at for many years. On the first day of every new week of camp, we discussed that verse in our God Chat time. With all the campers and counsellors gathered on the picnic tables under the trees, in the sunshine, it was easy to feel the uplifting presence of Jesus there with us. We were filled with the excitement of possibilities for the week ahead – new friends, fun activities, being outdoors. It was a maybe little more difficult to have a feeling of positive presence as the week wore on - people were maybe annoyed with cabin mates who snored, or there were disagreements over the rules for the sports games, and so on. But “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there” – not just when people are getting along, but when we’re trying to work out disagreements, too.

Think about some times when you and your friends or family members have argued. Would knowing Jesus is there make a difference? Would you be willing let Him help? What might Jesus say as you’re trying to work things out? How would His loving kindness support everyone involved in problem-solving for a solution?

Let’s look, listen, and feel for Jesus being with us as we spend time with others this week – both in the happy times and when we’re trying to work out any differences.

Hymn: Where Two or Three Are Gathered - More Voices #14 (Round)

Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there, I am there.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Ross Mutton

God of joy and delight, open our hearts to receive the good news of your Word. May we hear your Word anew and give us hope as your people. Amen.

The Reading: Matthew 18: 15-20 (NRSV)

“Where Two or Three Are Gathered”

15 “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.

16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

May we find ourselves renewed by this story of faith. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “This Thing Called Community” Rev. Kim Vidal

On a Sunday such as this when we begin a new season in our church life, when we are preparing for a long weekend, when we are confronted by the uncertainty of the schools re-opening in this COVID time, the words of Jesus come to us through one of the difficult teachings of Matthew and his community, instructing us what to do when someone wronged or offended us. Matthew’s words are harsher – he says: when someone sins against us. This Matthean passage was originally written to the new followers of Jesus Christ, around 85-95 CE, who took their corporate life very seriously and was struggling to stay alive in the midst of hostile surroundings. According to Matthew, we are to take the necessary steps to confront those who sin against us and seek reconciliation and justice within the community.

I'm not exactly sure what bugs me so much about this passage. Maybe it's the way too many people easily "wag their fingers at someone and point out their faults”. Or maybe it's the reference to treating the one who sinned as "a Gentile and a tax collector" which I find discriminating. Or maybe this all goes back to Fr. Rick Morley’s probe of the text in today’s church life. In his article he titled, “before you un-friend”, here’s what Fr. Morley wrote: “If another member of the church sins against you…just talk about them behind their back. If another member of the church sins against you…just call a bunch of people in the church to complain about them. You may even want to start a letter-writing campaign against them. If another member of the church sins against you…just send them a nasty email. Copy the clergy to make it more exciting. If another member of the church sins against you…don’t say anything. Just avoid them. Un-friend them on Facebook. And, if you can’t avoid them on Sundays, then just leave the church”. Sounds familiar? But this is not just about church life. We experience these in our personal life, at our workplaces the political world, or in our neighbourhood. The more I ponder on this text, the more I see big words that jump at me: conflict resolution / anger management / disagreements / discipline and reprimand/ reconciliation.

This reminds me of a funny story. There was once a church where the minister and the music director were not getting along. As time went by, their conflict began to spill over into the worship service. The first week the minister preached on commitment and how people should dedicate themselves to the service of God. The music director led the song, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The second week the minister preached on stewardship and how people should gladly give to the work and mission of the church. The music director conducted the song, "Jesus Paid it All." The third week the minister preached on gossiping and how people should watch their tongues. Guess what hymn the music director picked? "I Love to Tell the Story." With all this going on, the minister became very upset over the situation and the following Sunday told the congregation that he was considering resigning. The music director picked the hymn, "Oh, Why Not Tonight?" As it came to pass, the minister did indeed resign. The next week he informed the church that it was Jesus who led him there and it was Jesus who was taking him away. And the music director asked the congregation to sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

If we read Matthew’s passage closely enough, we will soon realize that Matthew's deep concern in this text is the word community – “where two or more are gathered” honest-to-goodness, authentic community. Community, after all, is one of those “feel-good” words that draw us into comfortable zones -- we imagine something out of a social or a civic club, a place where we are accepted of who we are, where we are connected with like-minded people, and where, of course, almost everyone knows our name. But the really difficult thing about community is that it's made up of people – warm blooded sensitive human beings! Diverse, different, unique individuals. There are people who are honest, caring, loving, just and appreciative. And sometimes there are people who are difficult, challenging, tired, offensive and unreliable. Which means that usually when we're daydreaming about community, we’re often prompted to visualize a perfect gathering– a place where there is harmony and peace and compassion all the time. It sounds ideal but it doesn’t work always this way. It’s time to wake up, folks!

Here’s an example of a community life which sometimes confront many churches today. In a church committee meeting, someone made a negative comment or does something which is clearly destructive to the health and wholeness of the congregation. Nasty gossips follow, then false accusations. A self-serving decision was passed that promotes one aspect of the church’s life above another. What do we do in this situation? Well, Matthew suggests that—not there in public—but at the soonest possible moment, go privately and confront the person with their behaviour. Sounds good to me, although confronting the person privately or publicly entails courage and risks. We need witnesses to vouch for the confrontation that’s about to take place. Then, if they do not respond appropriately, Matthew recommends to return accompanied by two other church members, hoping that wise listening and mediation will do the trick. If that doesn’t work, you are supposed to stand up here on a Sunday morning and bring the controversy out into the open for the whole community to hear. "No way," we respond. Who are we to invade the privacy of another? Who are we to question the motives or the behaviour of others? Who says that we are right and they are wrong? After all, we are a tolerant, open-minded community where everyone is welcome and anything goes.

So, instead, we just let the controversy slide. We pretend the conflict, the offense, never happened. But that doesn’t mean we can’t go and find others who agree with us, thus padding ourselves against the problem, convincing ourselves that the community doesn’t agree with the transgressor, and that we don’t need that person anyway. Or maybe we mutter about the problem to anyone who will listen to us…in the parking lot or in the grocery store or through e-mail or on the phone. The one thing we are slow in doing is to bring the concern out into the open where the issue can be named and dealt with. But, my friends, if avoidance is our response, then there will be consequences; consequences for us individually, as well as for the whole community. Probably, affection for the community will begin to fade. And maybe the one who violated the community norms will be shunned, ignored, and allowed to disappear. Any way you look at it, the community is damaged, diminished, and possibly bruised forever.

My friends, we know better. We know that a community—whether it is home, work, family, neighborhood or church—is never served when we "play nice" all the time or when we sugarcoat conflicts. Susan Andrew offers this wisdom: “Community is never served when we build factions; perpetuate gossip, and let anger and frustration fester. Community is never served when inappropriate and destructive behavior is not held accountable. So maybe Matthew—with his difficult strategy, with his advice to stop the brooding and confront the destructive behavior early and cleanly—has got the right idea. When two or three gather together to confront differences and controversies squarely and lovingly, maybe that is when Christ is in the midst of them…and in the midst of us.”

Peculiar as it may sound, an authentic community is hard to come by. It demands a lot of work and involvement. But it's worth it. Because when you find it, it's like discovering heaven on earth; it is like experiencing the reality of God's communal fellowship and existence in our midst. And, as Jesus promises, when you gather this way -- with honesty and integrity, even when it's hard – even when there are only two or three of you, amazing things can happen because God’s spirit is in your midst, right there, forming and being formed by your communal sharing.

What kind of community do we want to be at Bells Corners United Church? Do we want something more meaningful or intimate? Do we want a place that can both encourage us and hold us accountable? Are we looking for a community we can be honest about our hopes and fears, dreams and anxieties? Do we want someplace we can just blend in or are we looking for a space where we can make a difference? Truth be known – a church community is far from being perfect but we certainly can make it happen.

Here’s my personal reflection. An authentic community calls for a listening heart between and among those who dwell in community, whether in conflict or in compassion. A listening asks us to be present, to be honest of who we are and to listen with integrity and compassion. In the midst of all our pre-occupations, the listening heart is exactly what is required between us and among us – in a gathering of two or three or more! In a time of great energy and excitement, it can be difficult to hear with a listening heart. In a church where so much is happening and the joy between us is profound, a listening heart and a discerning mind can be a powerful gift to us as we continue to develop and lay claim to our vision for who we are called to be as people of God in this time and this place.

A listening heart is required as we gather in worship and work together as a faith community, as we become Christ for each other in the world. Let us listen to our own hearts, attempting to discern God's promise and hope for each one, individually and within the community. And let us listen to the heart of God. Perhaps this is the most profound listening of all. God has a promise for all those who choose to live and learn and love in community. "For where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst." God promises presence and deep hope to those who dwell together and dare to cast a dream and a vision of justice, hope and love for all.

As we enter this new season of our community life and leadership in this pandemic time, let us listen with intent. Let's not get locked into our old, normal way routines, which can maximize excitement and minimize reflection. Let's not act as if a full calendar makes a fulfilled life and a deep community. In the midst of social distancing and minimized gathering, let us listen to our own longing and the longings of others and the reality of pain and hurts in the world. Listen to each other. Listen to our own hearts. Listen to the world. Listen to God. Wherever two or more are gathered, God is with us. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal

In this moment, in this place, we have the opportunity to quiet our minds and open ourselves to God's presence among us. Let us gather our hearts in prayer:

Creator God, may we join with the whole of your creation, in praising you, through the fragrance and melody of our lives. As we welcome a new month in our midst, you invite us to look for more surprises in the faces of those around us, in the words of hymns and prayers, in the hopes and dreams of a world that longs for peace and compassion, in the beauty of the earth and all of creation, every creature, every plant, every rock and grain of sand proclaims your presence.
God of love, you are indeed good to us. Sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves, our routines and the need of the moment that we lose sight of the resources and gifts you bless us with. Thank you, God, for Bells Corners United Church, its staff, leaders and volunteers, members and adherents and those who share its common purpose. We pray for all students and learners as a new school year begins. We pray for wisdom and understanding for students and teachers in our public and private schools and in our colleges and universities. May they all be guided and enlightened by love and by your example.

On this Labour Day weekend, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labour—in the farms, marketplaces, in factories and offices, in the professions, in schools and churches, health sector and in family living. We thank you, God, for the gift and opportunity of work; may our efforts always be pure of heart, for the good of others. We lift up to you all who long for just employment and those who work to defend the rights and needs of workers everywhere. May those of us who are now retired always remember that we still make a valuable contribution to community by our prayers, by our presence and acts of charity.

Loving God, comfort all who suffer sickness, sorrow, oppression, hunger and loneliness. Each of us is known and held by you, affirming our place in your heart. Extend your love to all those who are lifted up in our prayer circle and grant us compassion so that we too may extend our hands to comfort and heal. We hold up to you the Garvie and Watson families as they grieve the loss of Arthur Buss.

God of peace, we pray for the storms battering our communities in many forms; the wars and conflicts that never seem to reconcile; the continuing global economic fears because of this pandemic time, the racial strife in the many parts of the world particularly in Canada, the United States, France and Belarus. We feel afraid and powerless. And yet, you remind us that we are not alone in our desire for peace and justice, in the efforts we make in our families, with our friends, in our communities, and in our larger world. We are not alone for you, O God, are with us and with all of the peace-seekers and peacemakers.

Finally, I offer this prayer for all of us who seek to follow the ways of Jesus Christ.
I dare to pray: God, let the world be changed, let my life be changed,
For I long to bring hope where the Good News is needed.
In the strength of your spirit,
And inspired by your compassion,
I make this promise to work for change,
And wait confidently for the day
When you make all things new.
This world,
Your creation, rolled into a sphere, packaged in sunshine, gift-wrapped in love, given to us,
Thank you.
All these we ask in Jesus’ name who taught his disciples this ancient prayer we now recite together.

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Offertory Prayer

Receive our gifts, gracious God, which we offer in sincerity and as an act of trust: trust that they will contribute to your acts of love in the world, trust that we will become instruments of your will, and trust that you will bless the giving and the givers. Amen.

Sending Forth: Rev. Kim Vidal

Let us go from this place out into the world that waits for us.
Let us go with a faith as firm as the earth itself,
with a love as embracing as the presence of God,
with a hope as strong as the life of Jesus Christ,
and a peace as abiding as the winds of the Spirit.
Let us go and be a blessing
this day and in the days to come. Amen!

Hymn: May the God of Hope Go with Us - Voices United #424

1 May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.

Refrain:
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that's new,
faithful when we hear Christ's call.

2 May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear,
to a world restored, to human life renewed. R

Departing: Andante – Handel

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

[1] Heather McClure, Gathering-Pentecost 1 2017, Year A.

Connie Davidson

September 2, 2020

Announcements

Sept. 13 In-Person Modified Virtual Worship Service

Connie Davidson

September 2, 2020

Announcements

We are offering another in-person modified worship service on Sunday, September 13, at 10am

For this and all events we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you would like to attend, please read more about the service below. You must pre-register before September 9 by using the online form or by contacting the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Description of Service

This service will consist of viewing a video service similar to our current online worship videos along with some segments of the service led in-person by our pastoral staff. There will be no Sunday School or nursery care.

Connie Davidson

August 29, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - August 30, 2020

Connie Davidson

August 29, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE

August 30, 2020

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: There is a Time More Voices #165 Vocalist: Vernon Sulway

Welcome & Announcements

During this time when we are not able to worship in the church sanctuary, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings, events and other updates. You can also listen to the service via telephone by dialing 613-820-8104. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Here are some announcements:

As we slowly reopen the building, there is an opportunity to gather in the sanctuary for a modified virtual worship service on Sept. 6th at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people excluding the staff and ushers are invited to gather. To save a spot, you are required to register online or by calling the office. Deadline to register is August 30. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website. We are also in need of ushers beyond September 6. Please call the office if you are interested.
The Book of Memories Volume 2 is completed and copies are now available for purchase. You can order a print copy with a suggested minimum donation of $30 or a Digital copy with a suggested minimum donation of $15. Please contact the office to place an order.
Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.
David’s Flowers are back drive-through style and they are available every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am. The flowers will be displayed on tables outside the main entrance, and everyone is asked to remain in their car, bring exact change or prepared cheque for donations, and follow instructions of volunteers. Thank you for your support!
Grocery cards are now available for purchase. Please call the office to place your order.
And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 30 am. Link will be emailed to you or call the office for more information.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of the Wise God who calls us to gather in the name of justice and love. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Jan & Norm Pound

We are called together in a spirit of gladness,
for the presence of God within and among us,
brings joy and hope in our heart.
The light and love of Christ shines on.

Call to Gather: Nicole Beaudry

Come, let us welcome the gift of time as we
proclaim the philosopher’s words:
“There is a time for everything!”
This is the time where we sing songs of praise.
This is the time where we share the stories of faith.
that inspire us to respond to God’s love.
We are called to be here, in this time and in this place
in whispering winds and in joyful rains.
And with God’s presence,
moves us to enter in this time of worship.
Come let us gather.

Prayer of Approach: (inspired by the prayer of Kate Crawford, Gathering 2017)

You, who created the earth and the air;
You, who designed the sky and the sea;
You, who spoke and things were created;
You, who gifted us with the gift of time;
You, who called us in every season of life;
You have called us your people,
and beckoned us here,
and set a holy longing in our hearts,
for a world where peace and justice reigns,
where there’s a time to speak and a time to be silent,
and a time to love.
We praise You, in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Hymn: Morning Has Broken - Voices United #409

1 Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2 Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from Heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

3 Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning,
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s re-creation of the new day!

Storytime for the Young at Heart: “The Gift of Time” Nicole Beaudry

A long time ago someone named Jim Croce wrote a song called: Time in a Bottle.
That was…..almost 50 years ago! Wow! Time flies!

Jim in his song, wrote that if he could save time in a bottle, if he could make his days last forever, he would save them like a treasure . Then he would have ….all the time he needed to do all the things he wanted to do, and also, he could spend a lot of his time with his Love.

Sadly, he did not get enough time to do all those things he wanted to do: he died in a plane crash just one year after writing his song. He was 30 years old. Some of us are still singing his songs today!

Another person that did not have enough time to do what he wanted to do was Terry Fox. Terry had one leg amputated because of cancer when he was 18. He had the idea to run across Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific to raise awareness, and money for cancer research.

He began training and when ready, he set off to do the impossible: run the 8000 km Marathon of Hope. He ran an average of 42 km a day, on lonely roads, in small towns and on city streets, through freezing rain and gale-force winds, through cold and sweltering heat.

He suffered blisters on his foot and on his stump, tendonitis, shin splints and inflamed knee. He became sore, tired, breathless.

Sept. first, will mark 40 years since Terry ran… out of time: after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, with more than half the distance done, he was forced to end his journey because the cancer had spread to his lungs. He died 9 months later. He was 22.

Terry did raise awareness and money for cancer research, tho not as much as he had hoped.

But his Marathon of Hope did not end. In the short time that he had, Terry Fox accomplished… so much, and so much more!

A year later the first Terry Fox Run was held. It has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over $750 million has been raised in Terry’s name, and it continues to grow. Eight thousand schools across Canada host Terry Fox events every year. That’s quite a legacy!

We know it is impossible to save time in a bottle- for later use. But we are given time to do what needs to be done - well, most of the time….

There should always be enough time, …. if we use time wisely, if we don’t waste it, if we don’t spend it all ….doing nothing .

And if we do run out of time to do those things we want to do, the most important thing is to be proud and happy with what we’ve accomplished.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Time.

1 If I could save time in a bottle,
the first thing that I'd like to do,
is to save every day till eternity passes away,
just to spend them with you.

2 If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you.

Bridge:
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do once you find them. I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go through time with.

3 If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty except for the memory, of how they were answered by you.

Bridge:
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do once you find them. I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go through time with.

Prayer for Illumination: (Richard Bott, Gathering, 2018) Reader: Rick Morrison

Every moment is a new beginning with you, Wise God.
Bless our words that they might become actions filled with the promise of the life that you are in us. Amen.

The Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13 (NRSV)

“Everything Has Its Time”

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

9 What gain have the workers from their toil?
10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense
of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done
from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy
and enjoy themselves as long as they live;
13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink
and take pleasure in all their toil.

Hear what Wisdom is saying to all of us! Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “A Matter of Time” Rev. Kim Vidal

A story was told about a preacher who was admiringly regarded for always finishing his services right at noon. Then one Sunday, the impossible happened. He preached until 12:30 pm. On the way out, one of his elders inquired, "What happened to you?" The preacher answered, "For years I have always put a candy mint in my mouth as the service started, and I would tuck it away. It was always gone at exactly noon. That way, I never had to look at my watch or worry about what time it was. But this Sunday it didn't go away, and I finally realized I had put a button in my mouth."
          It’s Sunday again. Where did the week go? It just flew right by! Time flies! Time is tenacious. It does not slow down for anyone. When I was a teenager, I learned a song with the first line that goes like this: “Time, time, time is fast escaping me!” Preachers are not the only ones who have to keep track of time. We all do. Time is fast escaping all of us! There are deadlines to meet, buses to catch, papers to write, appointments to make, meetings to attend, birthdays to celebrate. Time has become one of our masters in modern society. We track time constantly. We have calendars, agendas, schedules, clocks, alarm watches, computers and cell phones to track time. Time allows us to experience much of what life has to offer –be it wonder or hope, suffering or love, grief or joy, accomplishment or failure. Yet time doesn’t make the rules for how we use it. We do.
          The author of Ecclesiastes known as Qohelet looks at life as a fleeting moment in time. He wasn’t exactly someone who looked at the world and saw a bed of roses. At last week’s text in Chapter 1, you’ll remember him who understood life from a personal experience and declares that life is like hevel - a vapour or a breath that is here today and gone the next second. Ecclesiastes tells us that’s what life is like. Uncertain. Sometimes irrational. Sometimes ironic. Something that can’t be grasped or counted on to unfold in predictable ways. Like a weather that changes from time to time. Qohelet says that life isn’t always fair. That the going can get pretty rough sometimes. That the things we tend to count on in this world will sooner or later fade away. And that’s how he starts his book – declaring that all of life is like a mist.
          Today’s text in Ecclesiastes 3 is a well-known poem. We might find ourselves singing or humming the catchy 1960s folk song by the Byrds, Turn, Turn, Turn —with words taken right from this text. Or Stephen Schwartz’ song, Corner of the Sky in the Broadway show Pippin that says: Everything has its season, everything has its time. Qohelet affirms in verse 1 that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Seasons follow one after another in their time, and that’s how nature works. Winter is followed by spring, spring is followed by summer and summer is followed by autumn and then back to winter again. The same cycle is repeated over and over. Every human being’s life passes through seasons and we shouldn’t expect it to be otherwise.
          The 14 couplets in this Ecclesiastes poem cover every range of human activity. It starts with the two most momentous events in our life – birth and death; then moves on to creative and destructive activities and human emotions. including friendship and enmity using the metaphor of throwing and gathering of stones; a time to say hello and a time to say goodbye; and closes again with destructive and creative activities of human beings – that of war and peace. This poem is not about only the beautiful and awesome things. It also speaks of the messy and the ugly. Life is both wonderful and hurtful, filled with moments of hatred and moments of affirmation. Some days are fantastic, others are painful. Life is about the good experiences as well as the unpleasant moments -the perfect and imperfect, the successes and failures, the tears and the laughter. There will be sunrises and sunsets. Like a mosaic, life is like a kaleidoscope of colours and textures that will look a little different to us depending on where we stand at a particular moment, and how we hold them up to the light. Accept it or not, that’s just the way life is!
            This poem also tells us that life is filled with complexities and opposing poles. Qohelet believes from his ancient tradition that life is made complete by its polarities. “A time to be born and a time to die”; “a time to weep and a time to laugh”; “a time to mourn and a time to dance”. Just think about it – if we only laughed and never had the opportunity to cry; if we only planted and never harvested, if we only knew joy and never experienced pain, how can we appreciate the wholeness of life? Would we ever appreciate to dance and truly celebrate if we have never experienced grief and sadness?
          And here is another point in this text. Because life moves constantly in different seasons and times, there is no experience, no moment that will last forever. This reminds me of the saying that the only constant in life is change. Nothing remains the same. This is both good news and bad news. The bad news comes when life changing events happen such us those we love dies. Or when our health fails us. Or when we could no longer drive. Or when we cannot travel or gather as a family due to COVID-19. The good news is that - when we are experiencing difficulties and challenges in life, we know that this will not last. Better days will come. Every storm has its rainbow. Mourning will turn into dancing. If we are living in this seemingly hopeless pandemic time, know that this will pass and one day we will find ourselves in a new dawn where vaccines are made available and human beings will function in a new normal way. When we are living through racial strife, know that a better time will come when people will realize that they are all created in God’s image, where Paul’s vision of humanity is achieved: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female…” and add to the list - there is no longer white or black, Christians or non-Christians, straight or LGBTQ. Time will surely come when dawn eventually breaks on even the darkest night of the human soul. But this poem also insists that the good times won’t last forever, either. Celebrations will eventually turn into mourning, and peacetime and harmony may revert back to war and violence. Such is life. It is human life in all its beauty and horror, in all its hope and despair, in all its joy and pain, bound together by birth and death.” Life indeed is full of surprises, some good, some bad. But you can count on better days. That is something to look forward to. So enjoy the moment, says Ecclesiastes. Whatever preoccupies your time will happen. Just be here now, in this present moment, and be open to all what life offers. That is the blessing of being human.
          As a congregation, we too have moved through the seasons of time. This pandemic has put some of us in isolation, depression or in a state of uncertainty. We have grieved the death of long-time members and watched with sadness how others’ health has deteriorated. But we’ve also rejoiced at the gift of new life as we have welcomed the birth and baptism of babies, celebrated the confirmation of young people and the addition of wonderful new members to our church family. We marvel at the completion of new projects and saddened when we cannot do more due to financial challenges. Endings and new beginnings.
          So what about the gift of time? Qohelet announces, “There is beauty in time!” So in the midst of all your hustle and bustle, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers and bask in the sunshine. For just as God gifted us with the beautiful flowers and the sun, so also, Qohelet declares in verse 11 that God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” No matter which season you find yourself in at the moment, enjoy and experience it. Keep the faith alive! This faith that taught us to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ to live in love, justice and peace. No matter what season you live in today, there is a word of hope for you in this multi-faceted, many-layered, poem in Ecclesiastes. And no matter how exhilarating, confusing, or infuriating life may be from one day to the next, remember that the sun will rise and it will set, the wind will blow, and those streams will keep running to the sea. Life goes on. And—more importantly—I believe that God’s presence will see us through it all – just as what our New Creed affirms: “in life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.”
          Let me close with a Sanskrit poem written almost 2000 years ago that talks about life as a matter of time: "Listen to the salutation of the dawn... Look to this day, for it is the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the realities and truth of existence: the joy of growth, the splendor of action, the glory of power. For yesterday is but a memory, and tomorrow a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope." So be it! Amen.

Sources that helped me:
Rev. Deborah Hannay Sunoo, Sermon on Ecclesiastes 3, “Times and Seasons”, Magnolia Presbyterian Church, 2017.Robert Williamson Jr., The Forgotten Books in the Bible, 2018.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal

Come all of you who seek a sanctuary and a time to listen to God within. Bring your heart, your needs and your acknowledgement of the sacred in our midst. Let us join our hearts in prayer.

O Great Love, we greet you on this summer day. We give thanks for this cycle of surprising life, its challenges, its beauty and its delights, informed by your presence in and through it all. And yet, some days, words fail us when we wish to speak of love or life or hope. No words come - instead we shed tears, feel our brokenness and an outburst of despair. Those times we turn wordless from the world and from you. Journey with us and show us how to return with hope renewed, with energy to love others and work for change.

Giver of Life, we pray for your healing and comforting presence in the lives of those in need of healing, relief from symptoms of diseases, and wholeness of mind and spirit. We pray for those in senior’s homes and nursing facilities, for those awaiting test results from their health conditions and those recovering from illnesses and medical procedures. We pray for those who are alone, especially in this time of pandemic, who are alienated from their families. We continue to pray for all the workers in this pandemic time. We pray for all the families affected from the virus and healing love to those who are recovering. We pray for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, especially we remember Ross Mutton in the passing of Gail and the Burgess family in the passing of Jean. And now in silence, hear the deepest concerns of our hearts…

God of peace, we pray for the storms battering our communities in many forms; the wars and conflicts that never seem to reconcile; the continuing global economic fears, the racial strife in the many parts of the world. We feel afraid and powerless. And yet, you remind us that we are not alone in our desire for peace and justice, in the efforts we make in our families, with our friends, in our communities, and in our larger world. We are not alone you, you O God, are with us and with all of the peace-seekers and peacemakers.

When you call our names, Great Spirit, you call us into a journey of faith. With you as our strength and with the light of your love, and the knowledge that you are always with us, we can strive to do your work and attain wholeness. Let your spirit guide us, strengthen us, enrich us and call us in this journey of time we call life. These we ask in the name of Jesus Christ who taught his friends this prayer…

Invitation to Offer

Offertory Prayer

O Holy One, in response to your abundant love that you offer us, we offer our gifts: time, talents and treasures for the life of this congregation and to spread love and justice in the world. Amen.

Sending Forth

Go now, and embrace the gift of time which God has given us.
Live each moment with love and justice in your heart
and recognize the spirit of Christ in friend and stranger.
May God’s wisdom dwell with you.
May Christ be your guiding light.
And may the Holy Spirit be your beginning and end
and hold all your times as you journey in life. Amen.

Hymn: The Day You Gave Us, God, Is Ended - Voices United #437

1 The day you gave us, God, is ended,
the sun is sinking in the west;
to you our morning hymns ascended,
your praise shall sanctify our rest.

2 We thank you that your church unsleeping,
while earth rolls onward into lights,
through all the world a watch is keeping,
and rests not now by day or night.

3 As o’er each continent and island,
the dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.

4 The sun that bids us rest is waking
your church beneath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
your wondrous doings heard on high.

5 So be it, God! Your throne shall never,
like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
your rule remains and grows forever,
until there dawns that glorious day

Departing: Turn! Turn! Turn! – Peter Seeger Vocalists: David & Lorrie

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11: 30 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

Connie Davidson

August 22, 2020

Worship services

Sunday Worship Service - August 23, 2020

Connie Davidson

August 22, 2020

Worship services

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE

August 23, 2020

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: Reaching – Carolyn Arends Soloist: Sarah Parker, Violin: Leslie Wade

Welcome & Announcements

Good day everyone! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, wherever you are, in today’s worship service. Today, we are going to reflect on the words of Ecclesiastes as we search the meaning of life.

During this time when we are not able to worship in the church sanctuary, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings, events and other updates. You can also listen to the service via telephone by dialing 613-820-8104. I also encourage you to show that you care by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

We express our sincerest condolences to Ross Mutton in the passing of Gail on Thursday, August 20th. We remember Gail who was a very strong member and a mover at BCUC for so many years. Please keep Ross in your thoughts and prayers.

Here are some announcements:

As we slowly reopen the building, there is an opportunity to gather in the sanctuary for a modified virtual worship service on Sept. 6th at 10 am. A maximum number of 28 people excluding the staff and ushers are invited to gather. To save a spot, you are required to register online or by calling the office. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website. We are also in need of ushers beyond September 6. Please call the office if you are interested.
The Book of Memories Volume 2 is completed and copies are now available for purchase. You can order a print copy with a suggested minimum donation of $30 or a Digital copy with a suggested minimum donation of $15. Please contact the office to place an order.
Join us for a spontaneous Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including the congregation, your family, and yourself.
David’s Flowers are back drive-through style and they are available every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am. The flowers will be displayed on tables outside the main entrance, and everyone is asked to remain in their car, bring exact change or prepared cheque for donations, and follow instructions of volunteers. Thank you for your support!
Grocery cards are now available for purchase. Please call the office to place your order.
And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11 am. Link will be emailed to you or call the office for more information.

Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to seek the wisdom of God as we gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Mandy & Meighen Crow

We light this candle to ask the spirit of Christ to be with us this day.
May this flame of wisdom touch our hearts.
May it stir our minds with the words of life.
May it keep us strong in faith and grounded in truth.

Call to Gather: (inspired by Spacious Faith) Lorrie Lowes, DM

Praise be to God,
Creator of time and space!
Who has set love in the human heart.
Who gives us today
in which we can be happy and do good.
Today, in which we can eat and drink and find satisfaction.
Today, which is a gift from God.
Let us worship the One who makes everything beautiful in its time.
Come, let us gather in worship.

Prayer of Approach: (by Susan Lukey, Gathering 2019)

From the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes,
with spirits reaching out and hearts open wide,
we bring our whole selves to you today, gracious God,
ready to receive blessings
for each of us and for our faith community.
You are more than we can imagine;
you work within us and among us in amazing ways;
From the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes,
with spirits reaching out and hearts open wide,
we bring our gratitude and our love, gracious God. Amen.

Hymn: Come, Let Us Sing - Voices United #222 (Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1976)

1. Come, let us sing to the Lord our song:
we have stood silently too long;
surely the Lord deserves our praise,
so joyfully thank God for our days.

2. O thirsty soul, come drink at the well;
God's living waters will never fail.
Surely the Lord will help you to stand,
strengthened and comforted by God's hand.

3. You dwell among us and cause us to pray,
and walk with each other following your way;
our precious brothers and sisters will grow
in the fulfilling love they know.

4. Deserts shall bloom and mountains shall sing, to the desire of all living things.
Come, all you creatures, high and low;
let your praises endlessly flow.

Storytime for the Young at Heart Lorrie Lowes, DM

Hi Everyone!

I’ve been thinking this week a bit about starry skies because it’s been an amazing time to be outside at night, especially if you are outside of the city and where there aren’t so many lights and to look up at the sky and see the incredible number of stars. The shooting stars that are happening right now are amazing to see! I was thinking about when I was a kid and we would go to the cottage or when I was little bit older and I would go to Girl Guide camp. We would lie out under the stars at night and just look at those millions and millions of stars up there. It was pretty incredible to think that our universe is so big. Sometimes that made me feel really small.

Do you ever feel that way sometimes when you think about how enormous this universe is and that maybe we are just a little insignificant speck in that? I think the author of Ecclesiastes was feeling that way when they wrote the scripture that we are reading today. It’s kind of a depressing scripture. It talks about how one person is just so small that they can’t make any difference at all. I think sometimes we feel that way too. There are so many worries in the world these days and it’s hard to know how someone as small as me or you could make a difference at all.

We have no control over the big things like the pandemic or war, but we can control the way we face each day. We can start with a positive attitude and notice the great things around us like the beauty of the sky right before a thunderstorm happens or the rainbow that comes when the rain stops… the fun things that we do with our families, or the hug that Mom or dad gives us when we fall and hurt ourselves. We can do things to cheer other people up too. We can help out around the house, even if we haven’t been asked. We could phone or FaceTime our grandparents, or even send them a letter. That would make them really happy! We can sing a song or create a dance. We can draw a picture or make a craft…

Now, thinking about pictures and crafts… that makes me think about glitter! Do you like glitter? Most kids I know love it when we get that out! It really fancies up whatever it is that you’ve created – but have you noticed how that stuff gets everywhere? It sticks to everything, even things you thought were nowhere near it! Well, I think joy is a bit like glitter. Once you open up the bottle, that stuff sticks everywhere. So maybe our happy attitude can be like glitter. Let’s open up the bottle and find out! Open it up and shake that stuff everywhere! I bet you’ll find that it will stick too.

Hymn: This Little Light of Mine (Traditional)

This little light if mine, I’m gonna let is shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

This little light if mine, I’m gonna let is shine (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Prayer for Illumination: (by Sheryl Macleod, Gathering 2019) Reader: Vernon Sulway

God of grace, as we receive these words-
words inspired by you-
may we discover your urgings,
may they stir our thoughts,
may we be empowered to grow,
and may we act in ways that reveal who you are
to all who would notice. Amen.

The Reading: “Reflections of a Royal Philosopher” Ecclesiastes 1: 1-18 (NRSV)

1 The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
3 What do people gain from all the toil
    at which they toil under the sun?
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes,
    but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun goes down,
    and hurries to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south,
    and goes around to the north;
round and round goes the wind,
    and on its circuits the wind returns.
7 All streams run to the sea,
    but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
    there they continue to flow.
8 All things are wearisome;
    more than one can express;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
    or the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be,
    and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it is said,
    “See, this is new”?
It has already been,
    in the ages before us.
11 The people of long ago are not remembered, nor will there be any remembrance of people yet to come by those who come after them.
12 I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem,
13 applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with.
14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
17 And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us! Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Seize the Day (Carpe Diem)!” Rev. Kim Vidal

This Sunday and the next, as we continue to reflect the meaning of wisdom, we will explore some passages in the book of Ecclesiastes. The first time I was introduced to Ecclesiastes was at a funeral service when the minister preached about a “time to be born and a time to die”. Many Bible enthusiasts find this book depressing, gloomy and exhausting - one that deals with the meaninglessness of life. Skeptics, atheists, non-believers, seekers – all love this book because it doesn’t have a lot of God-talk. Instead it talks about the “transience” of life and the certainty of death. I don’t know about you but before I put this book down and close its pages forever, I would like to explore it first and try to understand what the writer was actually telling us from his own time and place.

Ecclesiastes is a Greek word that means “one who assembles” - the root word of which is “ekklesia” meaning “an assembly”. We still use ekklesia to denote a church assembly or a worship gathering in our current times. In Hebrew, the word for assembly is “kahal” and one who assembles is called a qohelet. Ecclesiastes therefore could possibly mean an assembly leader, a preacher, a gatherer, a teacher or a proclaimer. I’d like to add another descriptor - that of a philosopher - one who loves wisdom and hopes to find it in life.

There are many assumptions about the date and authorship of the book. Because of the verse in chapter 1 that says: “the words of the teacher, son of David, King in Jerusalem”, Rabbinic tradition and other scholars believed that it was King Solomon who penned the book written during his reign around 970-931 BCE. However, looking at the commercial language, cultural references and the style used by the writer I would lean on what Professor Robert Williamson Jr. suggests that it was written during the Persian era - around 538-331 BCE or that of the Greek period around 331-164 BCE. The writer imagines himself to be an affluent person – like a king with lots of wealth, land, achievements, noble friends, success and fame but looks at life differently in a very pessimistic way. He looks at life as “vanity of vanities” and asked these questions: “What do we gain from all the work that we do under the sun? What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Where do I find value in what I do?”

In other interpretations, the word vanity means pointless, futile or without any purpose. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word used to describe life is hevel which literally means a vapour, a breath, a wind, a smoke or a fog. From hevel comes the idea that life is insubstantial, transitory, and of fleeting value. Life like a vapour is here in a second and gone the next. It is something that you can’t control – something that you can’t grasp - something that you can’t hold onto. It slips through your fingers. It disappears and leaves no trace. Robert Williamson Jr. commented that: “The author of Ecclesiastes insists that you can’t just separate the shiny and happy things in life from the difficult and depressing ones.... It’s the nature of human existence that the two are always mixed up together. Things end. People die. The good old days fade. Nothing lasts forever. To pretend otherwise is to do an injustice to the reality of the human experience.”

Think about it – you get up in the morning, do what you’re supposed to be doing, you rush off to work or go to school, fight for the traffic, you come home, you make supper, binge watch some movies on Netflix until 1 in the morning, go to bed, and the next day, you do exactly the same thing – over and over again. You keep on going, walking, even running all throughout your life with no purpose, no direction except to wait for death to come. Nothing seems to satisfy the deep yearning of your soul What more could be meaningless than this reality?

“Kim, what is your philosophy in life?” The Board of Ordained Ministry interviewer asked me when I first applied as a student at Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines in 1991, few years before I immigrated to Canada. This was in preparation for ordination as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. I thought for a moment and I replied with a quote from a poster that I memorized since high school, whose author I don’t even remember. “Life to live most intensely and completely must be met face to face. Evasion, rationalization and escapism stunt the developing character.” The interviewer looked at me and said, “That is too deep. Please say it in plain language.” I searched for words and said something like this: “Well, I live my life one day at a time. And when opportunities come my way, I make sure that I greet each one with enthusiasm and with wisdom. Yesterday adds to my life history and tomorrow will find me a new person. But today is what matters most. And I need to face each encounter with grace. To evade is to shut down any possibility. To rationalize is to put down other’s thoughts. To escape is just a defeatist’s motto.” The interviewer looked at me one more time and said, “Are you sure you don’t want to be a professor of philosophy instead of becoming a pastor?”

What kind of philosophy would the free-thinking Qohelet might embrace? Is he a proponent of nihilism? The belief that all things are meaningless and no purpose and that nothing can be known or expressed? Is he a follower of existentialism? One that emphasizes the experience of human beings not just thinking subjects but feeling and doing as well? Is he a humanist? Viewing humans as solely responsible for the promotion and development of individuals and society? Might he even be an Epicurean - pursuing pleasure, especially in reference to food, comfort and other luxuries in order to achieve a meaningful way of life? Could he be a little of all the schools of philosophy I mentioned?

The progressive thinker, Lloyd Geering in his book, Such is Life, makes the case for the author of Ecclesiastes being a freethinking humanist who was over 2000 years ahead of his time. Geering comments that: “Ecclesiastes remained a lone individual and found little to relieve his solitariness. He was forced to reflect on what it means to be a human individual living in an unfair and uncaring world. Though he searched for wisdom he found nothing that would stand the test of time. We live in a period that has some similarities to that in which Ecclesiastes was written. Thanks to the Enlightenment all the traditional verities are once again open to question. The words of Ecclesiastes not only manifest the same kind of critical thinking that we engage in today, but they speak to the same basic concerns that challenge us when we do so.”

Even when we think that Ecclesiastes portrays the pointlessness of everything, I strongly believe that he does have several points to make! Qohelet observes that human labour is endless. You do one task, but there is still more to do – like the sun that rises and sets in cyclical motion, or the wind blowing in all directions and the streams that endlessly flow to the sea and yet the sea is never full. Nature repeats itself over and over again. Qohelet also talks about consumption that is never fulfilling. All things are wearisome, he says, life is exhausting! We are never done and the earth is never done. The eye is not satisfied with what it sees and the ear by what it hears. Human beings will not be satisfied. There’s always something new to see or to hear, new places to travel, new music to listen to, high tech gadgets to tinker, cool people to meet, new jobs to accomplish, fast cars to drive, best food to eat, but never enough. And top on the list is the fact that when you die, you will not be remembered. In the end, he sees the pointlessness of it all. So how do you live in a world painted by Ecclesiastes? How do you live a life knowing that you will one day die and the world will go on as though you never existed?

Is there any good news at all in this seemingly depressing text? If we accept that life is pointless, then we are doomed. We – who are advocates of God’s goodness; we - who believe that God is the source of love, justice, peace and truth; we - who are faithful followers of Jesus’s radical way to love others as we love ourselves; we – who are proponents that life is meaningful and offers wonderful opportunities, how should we view this text? If life is like a vapour that dissipates so easily, if the main purpose of living is dying at the end, what do we do with our life in between? I know that these questions may be disturbing to some of us to the point of asking why is this book even in the Bible? Difficult as it may sound, I think you will be surprised how much Ecclesiastes connects to us today especially as it addresses insights into the human condition in a contemporary, secular, pluralistic, post-modern world. If we read closely though, the writer of Ecclesiastes is not saying that life has no meaning but that its meaning is vague and not clear. Like mist, or vapour or breath, life can be confusing and mysterious at times but never meaningless and without purpose.

A preacher once said that instead of seeing life under the sun, why not look at life above the sun? Why not see the brighter, colourful side of life? I take inspiration from the words of the famous football player and track and field athlete John Carlos when he said and I quote: “In life, there's the beginning and the end. The beginning doesn’t matter. The end doesn’t matter. All that matters is what you do in between – whether you're prepared to do what it takes to make change. There has to be physical and material sacrifice. When all the dust settles and we're getting ready to play down for the ninth inning, the greatest reward is to know that you did your job when you were here on the planet.”

If life is like a vapour, that is here today and gone tomorrow, then let’s make the most of the in-between. Let’s make each day productive! Carpe diem! Seize the day! The first known expression of this Latin aphorism is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh but it was the Roman poet Horace in his work Odes that it became famous. Carpe diem literally means to pluck the day – to enjoy life while you can and let tomorrow worry about itself. If there’s one thing that you can control – it is your attitude towards the present moment. Today, stop being anxious of what tomorrow may hold. Today, choose to enjoy a good conversation with a friend. Today, hug your children and enjoy their laughter. Today, take a nature walk and relish the beauty of God’s creation. Today, try and bake a new bread recipe and delight in its taste. Today, go to work with a positive attitude and sip coffee or tea with pleasure. Today, read a book of poetry and memorize a line or two that makes you celebrate the goodness of life. Today, drop off food donations at the food cupboard. Today, enjoy a meal with the people you care about. Today, count your blessings and say a prayer of thanksgiving. Today, play a musical instrument that you enjoy. Today, listen and sing with James Taylor as his croons “shower the people you love with love!” Today, let go and let God. Seize the day! The possibilities are endless. Life is not meaningless at all.

I admit that listening to the words of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 is difficult and depressing and may lead us to some dark places. But I challenge you to read the whole book and you will see for yourself that at the end of the book, the writer doesn’t want us to lose hope. Instead he wants us to be humble – to realize that something or someone out there is far greater than ourselves. The writer challenges us to trust that life has meaning even when we can’t make sense out of it. And we pray that one day, God will clear the hevel that fogs up our seeing and hearing and bring clarity to what life is really about. The reality of death and of endings reminds us to appreciate life while we have it. Live simply, joyfully, lovingly. Seize the day! Carpe diem. Today, God wonders with you! Amen.

Sources used:

Lloyd Geering, Such is Life!, 2010.
Jim Irwin, Is Life Pointless? A Sermon on Ecclesiastes, patheos.org
Robert Williamson Jr., The Forgotten Books of the Bible, 2018.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Lorrie Lowes, DM

God of us all,
Sometimes this world seems so vast that we can hardly imagine our place in it…
Sometimes the problems of this world seem so enormous that we feel we can do nothing to help…
Was there ever a time in human history where things did not seem so big, so overwhelming?
We pray for some cosmic intervention to set things on track,
And yet you call us to take the responsibility for healing action.
Help us see how we can possibly be of help from our small, insignificant place in this immense creation.
When things seem to be spiralling out of control on a global scale,
When the answer to every crisis seems to be conflict and often violence.
When frightening things in the news make us want to close our eyes and ears,
We pray that you will intervene on our behalf,
We pray that you will heal the environment…
We pray that you will end racial conflict…
We pray that you will feed the hungry, clothe the poor, heal the sick…
And yet you call us to act.
Help us see where our actions could make any difference.
When our daily lives are impacted by a world-wide pandemic,
When the decisions and the motives of leaders are called into question,
When we can’t even reach out to those we know and love to offer comfort,
We pray that you will find a cure and a vaccine…
We pray that you will endow wisdom on those we have entrusted to take us forward…
We pray that things will return to the comfortable normal…
And yet you call us to be your hands and feet.
Help us see how we can reach above our lamenting to take those first steps.
Empowering God,
In the times we feel most insignificant and helpless against the enormity of the universe,
Help us to see the beauty that still surrounds us…
Help us to recognize that caring people are still finding ways to connect and to provide …
Help us to celebrate the blessings that continue to arrive – new births, new growth, happy milestones, time for families to spend quality time together …
Help us to see the world with an attitude of gratitude rather than despair…
And empower us to reach out in love, to spread joy more than grief, to offer light to our small corner so that our combined glow will overcome the darkness.
These prayers we offer aloud, and the prayers in our hearts, are reflected in the words that Jesus taught his followers and that we now repeat together:

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Offertory Prayer:

Receive our gifts, O wise God, which we offer in hope and in love.
Bless and multiply these gifts so that they may be used to bring about new possibilities. Amen.

Sending Forth: Rev. Kim Vidal

As we go from this worship service, may we never stop seizing
the many opportunities and blessings that we enjoy each day.
May the music, the words of wisdom, the prayers
lead us to moments of love and compassion.
With the Wise God journeying with us, let us be open to God’s grace,
as we tend to people and places in need of healing.
We go with God’s blessings. Amen.

Hymn: God of the Bible (Fresh as the Morning) More Voices #28

(Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1995; Music: Tony E. Alonso, 2001)

1. God of the Bible, God in the Gospel, hope seen in Jesus, hope yet to come,
you are our center, daylight or darkness, freedom or prison, you are our home.

Refrain (2X)
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise, God always faithful, you do not change.

2. God in our struggles, God in our hunger, suffering with us, taking our part, still you empow’r us, mothering Spirit, feeding, sustaining, from your own heart. R

3. Those without status, those who are nothing, you have made royal, gifted with rights, chosen as partners, midwives of justice, birthing new systems, lighting new lights.

4. Not by your finger, not by your anger will our world order change in a day,
but by your people, fearless and faithful, small paper lanterns, lighting the way.

5. Hope we must carry, shining and certain through all our turmoil, terror and loss, bonding us gladly one to the other, ‘til our world changes facing the Cross.

Departing : Seize the Day – Carolyn Arends Voices: Sarah Parker, Sue TeGrotenhuis

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

Connie Davidson

August 21, 2020

Announcements

In-Person Modified Virtual Worship Service - Sept. 6

Connie Davidson

August 21, 2020

Announcements

BCUC will open its doors for our first modified in-person worship service on Sunday, September 6

For this and all events we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you would like to attend, or to help as an usher, please read more about the service below. You must pre-register before August 30 by using the online form or by contacting the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Description of Service

Our first few in-person services will consist of viewing a video service similar to our current online worship videos along with some segments of the service led in-person by our pastoral staff.

Connie Davidson

August 19, 2020

Announcements

Volunteers Needed

Connie Davidson

August 19, 2020

Announcements

As BCUC begins to reopen this Fall, we have several upcoming events that we are seeking volunteers for, including a 'Two Men & A Stove' outdoor BBQ on August 22 and our first modified in-person worship service on September 6. For all events, we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you are able to help, please contact the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY

Gathering Music: Agnus Dei – M.W.Smith Vocalist: Angela Starchuk

Welcome & Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: David Stafford & Barbara Bole

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes(Beth W. Johnson, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

Prayer of Approach: (Gord Dunbar, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year C, 2013).

Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love - Voices United #593

Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Hymn: What Does the Lord Require of You? Voices United #701

Prayer for Illumination Reader: John MacFarlane(Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

The Reading: Matthew 22 :34-40 (NRSV)

Sermon: “All We Need is Love!” Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Offertory Prayer

Sending Forth: Rev. Kim Vidal

Hymn: Fairest Lord Jesus – Voices United #341

Departing: Higher Realms - Abe

24th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

Gathering Music: Roll Over the Ocean Erin & CGS﻿

Welcome & Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Amelia and Georgia Baynes

Call to Gather: Noah and Nicholas Berard

Prayer of Approach: Rev Kim

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” - Voices United #575

Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Kim

Hymn: “I’m Gonna Shout, Shout” – More Voices #183

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Katrina teGrotenhuis

The Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 (NRSV)

Sermon: “Well Done, Good and Trustworthy Servant!” Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Prayers of the People (Rev. Lorrie Lowes) and the Lord’s Prayer (Sacred Dance by Wendy Morrell and friends)

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Hymn: “What Can I Do?” - More Voices #191

Offertory Prayer

Sending Forth: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Hymn: “Go Make a Diff’rence” - More Voices #209

Departing: Breach (on video)

23rd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Gathering Music: Jimmy Findlater – David Brown

Acknowledgement of Territory Rev. Kim Vidal

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Kim Vidal

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Kael & Connor Fowler (Air Cadets)

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes & Nicole Beaudry

Prayer of Confession: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Assurance of Love

Hymn: I Feel the Winds of God - Voices United #625

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

An Act of Remembrance

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Capt. Angela Starchuk

The Reading: “Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids” Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)

Hymn: Give Me Oil in My Lamp (traditional)

Sermon: “Waiting Gone Awry!” Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Offertory Prayer: (Gord Dunbar, Gathering, 2015)

Sending Forth: (Sandy Ferguson, Gathering, 2014) Rev. Kim Vidal

Hymn: Make Me A Channel – Voices United #684

Departing Music: Maple Leaf Forever - David Brown

22nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Gathering: On Wings of Song - Mendelssohn

Welcome & Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Susan & George Young

Call to Gather: (Inspired by David Sparks, Prayers to Share) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

A Litany for All Saints:﻿ Rev. Kim Vidal

Hymn: For All the Saints – Voices United #705

Storytime for the Young at Heart: Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Hymn: I Am Walking A Path of Peace - More Voices #221

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Keith Bailey

The Reading: “A Lesson on Humility” Matthew 23:1-12 (NRSV)

Sermon: “Between Words and Actions” Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

Offertory Prayer: (Seasons of the Spirit, All Saints Sunday, Year C)

Sending Forth: (Celebrate God’s Presence, p. 216) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Hymn: Three Things I Promise - More Voices #176

Departing: for America - arranged by Mark Hayes

21st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REFORMATION SUNDAY

Gathering: Adagio – Galuppi

Welcome & Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle: Acolyte: Nicole Beaudry & Gerry Okolowsky

Call to Gather: Rev. Lorrie Lowes
(Beth W. Johnson, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

Prayer for Illumination Reader: John MacFarlane
(Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)

24th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FALL WORSHIP SERVICE

Gathering Music: Roll Over the Ocean Erin & CGS

Prayers of the People (Rev. Lorrie Lowes) and the Lord’s Prayer
(Sacred Dance by Wendy Morrell and friends)

23rd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

22nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

A Litany for All Saints: Rev. Kim Vidal

21st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REFORMATION SUNDAY

Lighting of the Christ Candle:
Acolyte: Nicole Beaudry & Gerry Okolowsky

The Reading: The Question about Paying Taxes
Matthew 22: 15-22 (NRSV)

20th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SOSA SUNDAY

Departing: Guide Me O Thou Great / Kleine Nachtmusik
Organ/Piano duet - arranged by Linda McKechnie

5th SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY SERVICE

4th SUNDAY OF CREATION TIME IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST
World Communion Sunday