Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Order of Service for October 21st 2012 - Peace Sabbath


21st Sunday of Pentecost
PEACE SABBATH
October 21st 2012

Welcome to worship. Please sign the guest book if you are visiting.
May God bless you during this time & renew your spirit.
OUR WORSHIP APPROACH TOWARD GOD
*Asterisks invite all who are able to stand
Gathering Music:

Welcome and Announcements:
Lighting of the Christ Candle:
*Introit:          This is my Father’s World                               HFG 6

Call to Worship:

One: Creator God, who made the whole earth, be present to us now.
ALL: Bless O God my soul, for you are very great!
One: O God, you ride on the wings of the wind,
and you bless us with your presence.
ALL: Bless O God my soul, for you very great!
One: Speak to us O God, Creator and Provider.
ALL: Let us hear your voice and feel your presence
as we gather together in worship. AMEN.

Our Personal Confession and Silent Prayer …
            Silent Prayer ……………………… (F) Voices United pg. 959
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
            Thy kingdom 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 kingdom, and the power and the glory,
                        for ever and ever. AMEN

Prayer of Approach:
One: You were there O God when the universe first exploded and the
galaxies began their scattered spinning through space. You were there O God when life first emerged on our frail and precious planet. And yet, O Loving God, each person is special to you, and you love us equally without hesitation or condition. Remind us again, that in your Grace we are forgiven and transformed, and that in your Grace we are made new through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

*Hymn:          Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise               HFG 319

(E) Story Time:
(E) *Hymn:    Jesus Loves Me                                               HFG 226

WE LISTEN FOR A WORD FROM GOD

Job 38:1-7, 34-41
Psalm 104
Hebrews 5:1-10
            Mark 10:35-45

*Hymn:          Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah                   HFG 608

Reflection:      Shalom … the place of awe and wonder …

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*Hymn:          Eternal Father Strong to Save                         HFG 679
Minute for Mission:
Offering:

Offering Hymn: “Praise God From Whom …”                   HFG 382
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost AMEN.

Offering Prayer:

Prayers of the People:
(F) *Hymn:    Jesus Loves Me                                               HFG 226
(F) Story Time:

* Hymn:         Joyful, Joyful                                                  HFG 377
*Benediction:
*Choral Response: Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen           (VU 974)
 


Sermon for Peace Sabbath - Oct 21st 2012




Today is Peace Sabbath, a time to reflect on God’s vision of all creation dwelling together in peace, and a time to reflect intentionally on our current world reality.
If one peruses the headlines, we can quickly see that peace continues to elude us. The powerful are trying to control what happens, the impoverished continue to rebel, sometimes violently against injustice, and the whole issue of bullying has become headline news throughout North America.
Peace Sabbth finds us standing in a world that continues to struggle to find peace … forty plus years ago Martin Luther King Jr described humanity’s situation with the phrase bewildered … fortunately, today our Scripture passages remind us, and indeed actively invite us to consider the call God offers to live and work together IN FAITH, creating a world – a Kingdom; the very Kingdom of God – where concern for status, wealth, prestige, power and influence are less important than bringing the human family together in a spirit of Shalom.

Shalom – translated roughly and simply as PEACE.
But Shalom is so much more than just peace as the absence of War. Shalom is one of the astounding and breath-taking concepts that changes not only the rules, but reality itself …
The Biblical concept and word for Peace is Shalom – and shalom means so much!
It is used as a courteous and caring greeting: “Shalom alekum” – Peace be with you.
It is used as a blessing of good health and wellness.
It is a wish for a long and prosperous life and physical safety and wellbeing.
It is used as a description of good relations between people, and is part of the actions we have towards one another, particularly those of lesser standing, power or influence. Shalom becomes the equalizer in that we treat one another well regardless of background because together we are ALL the Children of God, and the inheritors of this gift.
Shalom is also used to describe and embody the idea of quiet tranquility and contentment – a place of peace so too speak.
But most importantly perhaps, Shalom has HUGE theological dimensions as well. God is the creator and the source of Shalom.
Shalom in its fullest extent and in its richest expression can NOT be experienced, envisioned, or even conceived without the very presence of God.
Shalom is inseperable from God as the creator and sustainer of ALL.

So, this simple little word – Shalom – peace  - Salaam … is about so much more than just the absence of war. It is an active embodiment of Holiness in our midst and in our world.
And it begins with you and I … and it begins by facing a choice:

Father Elias Chacour, a Melikite Catholic priest of Palestinian descent, writes of the moment in time when after hearing the news of the massacres at Shatila and Sabra, the Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut Lebanon, he chose to return home to the village of Ibillin nestled in the mountains above the city of Nazareth in Galilee. He held a necklace of doves and fish that had once belong to his mother, and that was now a memento and a reminder of the struggles his family had had since their village was destroyed in 1948, and his family became part of the Palestinian problem. The Palestinian problem has loomed large in the life of the United Church, with recent decisions at General Council. For me, Father Chacour is one of the voices I listen to and listen for when considering what our faith response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is.
At the conclusion of his book Blood Brothers, Father Chacour writes:

“I looked at Mother’s necklace curled neatly in my palm. Each link was beaten and hand-fitted by some skilled craftsman. I had not fully known about peace before. It was not at all like a slim thread, as I thought. Peace was like a chain. And every link was important in its rightful place. Before me stood my two commitments – one to God, and one to my people. They were inextricably bound together. And suddenly, I knew I would rather be on God’s side which is stronger than human might. THEN I knew where I should be – not living in comfort, but back in the place where village and churches were being reunited, where schools and community centres and spirits were being built up, where, amid the terrible noice of violence, I could hear the whispers of the Man from Galilee, saying “Behold I make all things new.” (Blood Brothers, pg 221-2)

Peace – the gift of Shalom, is that interconnectedness that not only brings us together, but that actively challenges us to RE-VISION the world in which we live and see it how God wants it to be.
Father Chacour, himself a Palestinian and a full Israeli citizen, trusts fully in that call to transformation that Shalom offers through faith.  
God’s open and forth-right challenge to Job in our reading from the Hebrew Scriptures today, strikes at the heart of stepping out of our narrow and egotistical view of the world, and stepping back to see some of the big picture – some of what God intends and plans. Stepping back and daring to see the possibilities of transformation in our lives and in the world.
This re-visioning is the heart of the exchange between James and John, the other disciples and Jesus in our Gospel reading. James and John want to feel special and important, so they ask for places of glory in the kingdom to come. But the other disciples want the SAME thing, but are reluctant to ask – so they bicker …
And into the mix Jesus lobs the reminder that the last shall be first, and the first shall be last … if we want to be first, we must become a humble slave to all … reality is THUS TRANSFORMED!!
Admittedly, we live in a world that has taken this idea and kind of spun it off in a weird way.
Every time I read Jesus admonishment “the last shall be first and the first shall be last” I think of the old Country song “O Lord, it’s hard to be humble …” and envision leaders of the Church patting themselves on the back and saying “Oh look at how humble I am, and what a good servant I am …” as they do what they consider grunt work.
In our modern consumerist and business modeled culture that idea is kind of the norm. We earn our stripes as disciples by ticking off items on some check list that expects us to do good deeds for others with humility and so on … but humility isn’t about building a nice CV to submit for a gold star of faithfulness.
Humility is doing what needs to be done because it simply needs to be done. No glory. No recognition. No pat on the back … just doing it.
Father Chacour touches on this in Blood Brothers when he shares the experience he had prior to his ordination when a friend and mentor addressed he and his classmates by saying:

“If there is a problem somewhere, this is what happens. Three people will try to do something concrete to settle the issue. Ten people will give a lecture analyzing what the three are doing. One hundred people will commend or condemn the ten for their lecture. One thousand people will argue about the problem. AND one person – ONLY ONE – will involve himself so deeply in the true solution that he is too busy to listen to any of it.” Now, the wise old priest asked gently, his penetrating eyes meeting each of the young students’ in turn, “Which person are you?” (Blood Brothers pg 129)

Father Chacour’s moment of decision that came while he held his mother’s necklace of doves and fish, came BECAUSE he stood in a place where he asked himself this very question: Which person are you?
Would he sit in a comfortable teaching position far from the struggles of Israel and Palestine and be one of those who discuss and argue about the problem, or would he roll up his sleeves and get to work back home?
Father Chacour went home, and continues to strive to be part of the true solution by teaching, embodying, and promoting TRUE Shalom – the very presence of Holiness in our midst that can and will AND DOES transform reality into something more.

This place of Shalom truly begins in that moment when we stand before God’s holiness and am overwhelmed with wonder and awe, and find ourselves utterly changed … then we move back into the world, and embrace, embody and live as Servants of that one wonderous and awesome God …
Shalom, in that moment becomes an active reality, not just a passive greeting, or wish to an acquaintance.
Shalom, when we stand in that place of Holiness, and dare to feel the fullness of God’s presence in and around us, becomes a place of healing and wholeness and restoration.
To use the contemporary example of Bullying, that is getting so much press lately with the spotlight firmly pointed at the tragic story of BC’s Amanda Todd, Shalom is about more than just stopping the Bully.
Shalom means actively sharing this gift of Grace and love that is integral to our faith. Shalom means embracing THE BULLY and offering them a place of peace, tranquility and healing that will allow them – and actively encourage them to find healing and wholeness from the brokenness that they are experiencing.
The breadth of Shalom means living the transformation that God’s love and presence and strength offers, and not only tending to the woundedness of the bully’s victim, but tending to the woundedness of the bully as well!
Shalom means being THE ONE seeking to solve the problem, but it also means being THE ONE who stands in awe and wonder before God, and who is open to the call to servanthood God offers …
Embracing the gift of Shalom means facing and living and celebrating the simple question: “which person are you?” fully as a Child of God!! And daring to be part of the transformation God offers …

May it be so – thanks be to God – let us pray …

Friday, October 19, 2012

Today I shall wear purple ...


To raise awareness about the dangers, effects and perils of bullying - there is an online campaign today encouraging people to WEAR purple!!

I'm in !!!

(my reflection on why is over at Prairie Preacher - I invite you to check it out!!)

Peace!

Order of Service - October 14th 2012 (World Food Day)



20th Sunday of Pentecost
WORLD FOOD SUNDAY
October 14th 2012

Welcome to worship. Please sign the guest book if you are visiting.
May God bless you during this time & renew your spirit.
OUR WORSHIP APPROACH TOWARD GOD
*Asterisks invite all who are able to stand
Gathering Music:
Welcome and Announcements:
Lighting of the Christ Candle:
*Introit:          Take My Life and Let it Be                            VU 506

Call to Worship:
One: Loving and Caring God, our world is not a fair place
ALL: some have more than they can eat, others starve.
some have the luxury of sheets and blankets,
others have no bed.
One: Help us O God, to make this world a better place
ALL: where all who are hungry have food,
where all who are homeless have shelter.
One: Give us strength and courage to feed the hungry.
ALL: Give us the strength and courage to
live by Christ’s example today and always. AMEN.

Our Personal Confession and Silent Prayer …
            Silent Prayer ……………………… (F) Voices United pg. 959
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
            Thy kingdom 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 kingdom, and the power and the glory,
                        for ever and ever. AMEN

Prayer of Approach:
One: Ever-present God, we come together seeking you, We are eager
and ready to find you waiting for us, seeking us out. May this time of  worship time be a place of gracious thanksgiving where your kindness and compassion come to us in abundance even when we are tempted to turn away. May we remember that your presence is with us today and always. AMEN

*Hymn:          Lord Speak to Me                                           VU 589

(E) Story Time:
(E) *Hymn:    Seek ye First                                                   VU 356

WE LISTEN FOR A WORD FROM GOD

Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22 (part 1)                                                  (VU pg. 744)
Hebrews 4:12-16
            Mark 10:17-31

*Hymn:          Would You Bless our Homes and Families    VU 556

Reflection:      To a Place of Hope-filled Trust … the heart of faith …

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*Hymn:          Let There Be Light                                         VU 679
Minute for Mission:
Offering:

Offering Hymn: “Praise God From Whom …”                   HFG 382
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost AMEN.

Offering Prayer:
(from resources prepared by The Canadian Foodgrains Bank
for World Food Day, Oct. 16t )
Prayers of the People:
(F) *Hymn:    Seek Ye First                                                 VU 356
(F) Story Time:

* Hymn:         To Show By Touch and Word                        VU 427
*Benediction:
*Choral Response: Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen           (VU 974)