The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of dear parents Theo and Ramona Joyes, also loved ones, given by Raymond Joyes.
*Board Meeting. June 13 at 7 p.m.
*Epiphany Emporium. Crafters Show and Sale. Saturday June 17. 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Set Up Fri. June 16. Help needed.
*Penny Social. Thank You. $400!
*June 20 Tuesday Planning Meeting. 7 p.m..
*Mint smoothies Sandra $3.
*Jeremy Smith in Concert. Sunday July 30 at 2:00 ! 10$ Lets all come!
*Craft Club – Saturday, June 10 – 10am-noon
*Food Cupboard. Butch. 519-615-9106. Text or call.
at the crossroads where humanity and divinity meet.
Invite us into your joyful being
where you know and are known
in each beginning,
in all sustenance,
in every redemption,
that we may manifest your unity
in the diverse ministries you entrust to us,
truly reflecting your triune majesty
in the faith that acts,
in the hope that does not disappoint,
and in the love that endures. Amen.
Reading from Genesis
2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude.
2:2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.
2:3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
2:4a These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
Sermon
Worship is Your Rest Stop Genesis 1:1-2:3,
Today:
imagine for a moment that you are in your favorite place –
that place where you feel
relaxed and calm and refreshed and happy.
Maybe for you it’s a real place,
or maybe it’s an imaginary place.
Okay, now close your eyes, and go to that place.
How do you feel?
Do you feel more relaxed?
More at ease?
You just experienced
what might be called a psychological “rest stop.”
==
A rest stop is a brief reprieve
from the stresses and roller coaster of life.
It’s a time of relaxation,
refreshment, and joy
in which for a brief time,
you can put your troubles aside, and breathe.
We all need something that breaks our stress,
interrupts our pain
with a little bit of pleasure and joy,
with a little bit of peace.
We all need a “selah,”
a peace pause,
a “rest stop.”
===
In a way, it’s just like a “rest stop” on the road.
It’s “time out.”
Break time.
Relief time, even if just a little while.
Rest Stop
You know,
when you go traveling
and you’re driving for hours,
and you really need a pit stop?
Or worse, maybe you’re almost out of gas!
That feeling of exasperation and panic,
worry and anxiety when that gas gauge
is all the way down to the bottom,
and you’re scraping along
just “knowing”
you could end up
by the side of the road out of gas
in a strange place
in the middle of nowhere
with no filling station in sight for miles.
Then you see that sign on the road that reads:
“Rest Stop 1 Mile.”
You heave a sigh of relief. Made it!
You’re exhausted.
You’re tired.
You’re parched.
You can just feel those hunger pangs
starting to gnaw at your peace of mind.
Then that rest stop comes,
and you climb out,
It’s almost a feeling of heaven.
That’s the kind of feeling of satiation
and simple joy
that comes with getting a needed “rest.”
Rest stops were created
for this kind of necessary break.
Day been long?
Road been hard?
Life been tough?
Take a break.
Pull over. Relax. And refresh.
===
In the Jewish tradition,
we call that “sabbath,” named by God,
who after six hard days of labor
in creating the entire universe,
decided to take a little rest.
But “rest” is a tricky kind of word.
You see,
we’ve kind of misconstrued that word in our culture today
with the idea that taking a “rest”
means taking time for ourselves
just to do more stuff!
But here’s the problem with that.
That’s not the kind of “rest”
that God intended with God’s idea of the sabbath.
Sabbath is not a break FROM God.
Sabbath is a break WITH God!
Some of you know what I mean.
Imagine you’re married or you have a partner
and you work hard all week
and barely see each other.
And then you get to the weekend,
and all you want to do is enjoy each other’s company,
revel in relaxation together.
It’s all about the relationship.
Shabbat is a “rest of the heart.”
The word is used hundreds of times in the scriptures
to signify the “peace” of God.
You observe sabbath “to” or “with” God.
And during that time, God “releases” us
from our heavy load or burden.
From our days of toil and trouble,
we are given rest, refreshment.
In other words,
sabbath is time to take a breath.
But not just any breath –
a breath from our rejuvenator,
the Holy Spirit.
This is why Jesus told us,
“Come to me, all you who are weary,
and I will give you rest.”
Jesus is our Sabbath.
He IS our break.
Sabbath is a time when we allow
Jesus to refresh us,
heal us, renew us, and rejuvenate us
before sending us out again into the service field
to follow him into long and sometimes difficult places .
Jesus is our resting place
Sabbath is not nap time
but take a breath time.
But it’s a time when we remember
that each breath we take is a gift of life from God.
For us on the discipleship road with Jesus,
that journey can sometimes feel like
an endless and hard one sometimes.
That’s why we have worship.
Worship is our rest stop on the way through
the service field
to our destination of glory.
life can be hard.
But worship is our refreshment stop.
We sing, we praise, we pray,
we smile,
we see our church family
and we release all of the trouble and tension
we’ve been holding in our bodies all week long.
Sabbath “worship is what
keeps us going from week to week.
Most of all it’s what keeps our faith fresh
from week to week,
so that we can get up
and keep on walking
that discipleship road again.
God’s rest
doesn’t mean you completely
get off of the road.
You stay on course to your destination.
But you pull over for a moment
and take time to refresh your spirit
and load up on nourishment for your journey ahead.
Sabbath worship is a time to revel
in your relationships,
especially your relationship with God.
And it’s a time when you renew your strength
and get ready to make a new start.
Our ancestors were nomadic.
They were nearly always on the road.
A “rest stop” for them was a great relief
–time out from being on the road,
time to pitch a tent and put down some roots,
stay for a little while.
Time to build an altar and to worship.
Sabbath was God time.
And during God time,
the heart was at rest.
==
Sabbath is not a time to “check out” of worship,
but a need to “check into” worship!
That’s where the refreshment “stand” is.
That’s where the living water fountain flows.
That’s where you eat the food of holy communion
and are rejuvenated in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Worship is where you gear up again
for the road
and the way and the journey still to come.
For the vineyard is ripe….
and the workers are few.
Come to worship.
Come help Jesus.
Hymn: Let All the World In Every Corner Sing
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing,
“My God and King!”
The heav’ns are not too high,
God’s praise may thither fly;
the earth is not too low,
God’s praises there may grow.
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing,
“My God and King!”
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing,
“My God and King!”
The church with psalms must shout:
no door can keep them out.
But, more than all, the heart
must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in ev’ry corner sing,
“My God and King!”
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
Holy, holy, holy God,
in calling forth creation from the void,
revealing yourself in human flesh,
and pouring forth your wisdom to guide us,
you manifest your concern for your whole universe.
You invite us, as your people,
to gather the world’s needs into our hearts
and bring them before you.
Prayers: Kenny; Diane; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); : Maryanne;Gus; Jay P.;; Randy; Rick W.;.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Jeff B.; (Sandra); Jean (Bruce J.);Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam D.; Janice L & Darrin R; Roland; Helene.(Suzie D.) Debbie H (Lorenz); Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; Jack and Julie. (Church) Joel; Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Ella D., Keanna, Nancy (Dan & Sue); Donna Mc.; (Ron and Jan); Jamie; (Gloria);Marilyn; Val ; Karen T.;Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter); Allan (Brian G.); Dori; Belinda,; Kim; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori);
Holy, holy, holy God,
fill us with strength and courage,
with discernment and compassion,
that we may be your instruments of justice and love in this world, that it may be on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
As our Savior taught us, let us pray,
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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer based on Scripture for today:
God, whose fingers sculpt sun and moon
and curl the baby’s ear;
Spirit, brooding over chaos
before the naming of day;
Savior, sending us to earth’s ends
with water and words:
startle us with the grace, love, and communion
of your unity in diversity,
that we may live to the praise of your majestic name. Amen..
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
*The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of grandparents John & Alta Wilson; Herbert and Mable Winterton, and dear parents Keith and Doreen Winterton, and are given by Sandra Winterton
*Penny Social. Thank you.
*We welcome the members of Middlesex Lodge Number 379. Thank you for being with us today. And in advance thank you for the lunch.
*June 20 Tuesday Planning Meeting. 7 p.m..
*Epiphany Emporium. Crafters Show and Sale. Saturday June 17. 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Set Up Fri. June 16. Help needed.
* Mint smoothies Sandra $3.
*Jeremy Smith in Concert. Sunday July 30 at 2:00 ! 10$ Lets all come!
Craft Club – Saturday, June 10 – 10am-noon
*Food Cupboard. Butch. 519-615-9106. Text or call.
2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2:2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
2:3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
2:5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
2:6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
2:7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
2:8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
2:9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
2:10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
2:11 Cretans and Arabs–in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”
2:12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
2:13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
2:14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
2:15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.
2:16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
2:17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
2:18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
2:19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
2:20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
2:21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Sermon
Acts 2:1-21
When was the last time you had trouble communicating with someone? Maybe it’s because you didn’t understand the other person’s language.
==
Here is an interesting fact: there are a little over 7,000 languages in the world. But communication researchers believe that most of them share one common word. This one word has the same meaning in every language, and it has a similar pronunciation in almost every language. What is the “universal” word I’m talking about? It’s “Huh?”
N.J. Enfield and his colleagues studied 31 languages from 16 different language family groups, and they came up with the same conclusion: “Huh?” is the easiest and fastest sound to make when we don’t understand something said in a conversation. Conversations usually move quickly, and it takes less than a second to say “Huh?” It is also a sound that can be made when the tongue and mouth are in a relaxed position, so it doesn’t require much effort. This is universally understood to mean, “Wait a minute. I didn’t understand you.” It’s one strange little word that encourages clarity and better communication.
In an article for American Scientist magazine, Enfield writes, “. . . Huh? does not stand for universal confusion. It stands for universal cooperation. It shows that there is a global need, and willingness, to pause a conversation and sort out a communication problem as it occurs.” (1)
We will all feel a little better next time someone says, “Huh?” to usbecause it gives me an opportunity to clear up any misunderstanding.
===
A few months back, I read an interview with Luis von Ahn, the creator of Duolingo, the most popular language learning app in the world. Almost 50 million people around the world use this app each month. Luis was born in Guatemala, where he saw a vast gap in the educational opportunities offered to poorer children.
As he said, “. . . what happens is the people who have money can buy themselves the best education in the world, and because of that, they remain having a lot of money, whereas the people who don’t have very much money barely learn how to read and write and therefore remain not having very much money.” He created Duolingo as a free learning app because he wanted every person on earth to have an equal opportunity to learn another language, especially English.
According to Luis, approximately 800 million people around the world are trying to learn English in order to lift themselves out of poverty. It was always his dream to give the poorest citizens the same educational opportunities as the richest citizens in terms of learning a new language.
===
Back to our Bible Story.
The believers sit and wait as Christ had instructed them until they received the promised Holy Spirit. Then it happened. Our Bible passage reads: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
This is a pivotal moment in human history. It’s the beginning of the worldwide Christian church.
God sent His Spirit on us for the purpose of partnering with us for the good of the world. So yes, you could say this is a really important moment.
The first great gift we receive from Pentecost is that the Holy Spirit fills us with the mind of God.
What would we see if we saw it through God’s eyes? Wouldn’t we see a world that is governed by God’s peace and love and justice?
===
In 2020, a 13-year-old boy named “Abraham” was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Abraham would need to undergo radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant to treat his condition. That’s a lot for anyone to endure. So the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Abraham’s hometown, arranged to grant him a wish to cheer him up as he went through treatment.
Most of us can imagine dozens of things we wished for when we were 13 years old, but this young man isn’t like most of us. Abraham used his wish to request help to feed the homeless citizens in Jackson’s Poindexter Park for a year.
In September 2021, Abraham and volunteers from the Foundation, using food donated by local businesses, served meals to around 80 homeless people in Poindexter Park. The Make-A-Wish Foundation partnered with Abraham to get supplies and volunteers so that he could serve a meal once each month for one year to those in need.
How did a 13-year-old get the vision and compassion to feed the homeless people in his local park for one year? As Abraham said in an interview with his local news station, “I am a person of hope, so when you come against a big mountain, you have to remember you have a big God.”
===
That’s what the Holy Spirit did for the believers at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit reminded them that they have a big God, a God that would equip them for any challenge. It filled them with the mind of God, with God’s passion and vision for filling the world with His grace and truth. And from that point on, no matter what challenges they faced, the believers at Pentecost lived as people of great hope.
===
At Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit on a group of believers to fill them with the mind of God .
What kind of vision does God have for us? How does God want to work through us? There are powerful and awesome dreams God has for this world that He wants to accomplish through ordinary people like us.
Hymn: Jesus Shall Reign
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head.
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where’er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honors to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
Empowering God,
you gave the church
the abiding presence of your Holy Spirit.
Look upon your church today and hear our petitions.
Prayers: Gus; Jay P.;Maddex; Randy; Rick W.; Shelley and Martin C.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Tara; Jeff B.; Nicole; Shelley (Sandra); Jean (Bruce J.);Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam D.; Janice L & Darrin R; Roland; Helene.(Suzie D.) Debbie H (Lorenz); Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; Jack and Julie. (Church) Joel; Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Ella D., Keanna, Nancy (Dan & Sue); Donna Mc.; (Ron and Jan);Jamie; (Gloria);Diane; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Marilyn; Val ; Karen T.;Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter); Allan (Brian G.); Dori; Belinda,; Kim; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori);
Grant that, gathered and directed by your Spirit,
we may confess Christ as Lord
and combine our diverse gifts with a singular passion
to continue his mission in this world
until we join in your eternal praise. Amen
As our Savior taught us, let us pray,
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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer based on Scripture for today:
Perplexing, Pentecostal God,
you infuse us with your Spirit,
urging us to vision and dream.
May the gift of your presence
find voice in our lives,
that our babbling may be transformed into discernment
and the flickering of many tongues
light an unquenchable fire of compassion and justice. Amen.
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of a dear husband and father Don Hawkins, given by Carole Hawkins and family.
The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of a dear father Maurice Delves given by daughter Gail Rees and family.
The flowers in the Sanctuary are dedicated to the Glory of God in memory of Don Rake, loving husband of Marion Rake.
Thank you Rev. Peter for preaching at 11 a.m.
*Garage/Rummage/BakeSale.Thank you workers! 1000.00$
*Trivia Night. $1700.00
*Mason’s visit. With lunch after. May 28. Let’s do our church proud shall we? Write this on your calendar.
*Penny Social. Friday May 26 Help needed. Doors at 6:30. Calling or Drawing at 7:30. Donate Little prizes? 1:00 set up. Chips and Drinks for sale.
*Epiphany Emporium. COFEE CANS NEEDED. Crafters Show and Sale. Saturday June 17. 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. Set Up Fri. June 16. Help needed.
* Mint smoothies Sandra $3.
*Jeremy Smith in Concert. John Denver. Sunday July 30 at 2:00 ! 10$
Craft Club – Saturday, May 20 and June 10 – 10am-noon
*Food Cupboard. For the sake of inventory clarity, we request that all requests go through Butch. 519-615-9106. Text or call. See reverse for current needs.
through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
you have brought us out to a spacious place
where we are called to live as those redeemed.
Empower us by your spirit to keep your commandments,
that we may show forth your love
with gentle word and reverent deed
to all your people. Amen.
Thematic Prayer:
Creator of the universe,
you made the world in beauty,
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Reading John 17:1-11
17:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,
17:2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
17:4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.
17:5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
17:6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
17:7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you;
17:8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
17:9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.
17:10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
17:11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Sermon
In one of his writings, Thomas Carlyle
told of a boy who went to a fancy dinner.
In the midst of the meal,
he got a piece of hot potato in his mouth.
Much to the embarrassment
of all those dignified dinner guests
he spit the piece of potato out
and put it back on his plate.
Then he looked around at the shocked faces
and said,
“You know,
there’s many a fool
that would have tried to swallow that!”
===
And now I am no longer in the world,
but they are in the world, ,
protect them,
protect us
A man was being tailgated
by a stressed-out woman on a busy street.
Suddenly the light turned yellow.
And though he could have run it,
he chose not to.
The tailgating woman –
who was all set to run it with him –
missed his rear end by a matter of inches.
Screeching to a stop,
she jerked forward in her seat.
Figuratively, she hit the roof.
Literally, she hit the horn.
Rolling down the window,
she screamed and gestured
until an officer approached her in mid-rant
the officer
asked for her license and registration.
When he returned,
she had calmed enough to inquire as to why she
was under suspicion.
“Well,” said the officer,
“when I pulled up behind you
blowing your horn and screaming,
I paused to read your bumper stickers.”
“God loves you and so do I.”
“Honk if you love Jesus.”
So you can understand
why I assumed you had stolen the car.”
====
And now I am no longer in the world,
but they are in the world, ,
so they may be one, as we are one.
Oneness is the goal:
A Canadian
draws cartoons
called “Pot Shots.”
There is one
.
Two people with walking sticks in hand
are climbing a mountain in knee-deep snow.
The caption reads:
“Keep Climbing Upwards!
You may never reach the top,
but it’s definitely in that direction.”
According to today’s reading,
Our goal in unity.
——
We have to continue to work toward unity and understanding –
between each other, ,
between cultures and between faiths.
We may never reach it,
but by working toward it,
at least we’ll be going in the right direction.
=====
but they are in the world, ,
We still have to live in the world
But that is a good thing.
We all have work to do on earth.
The work of Love.
Each of our individual skills
can be used for good.
For example;
Idlers of a seacoast town watched the village smith day
after day as he painstakingly wrought every link
of a great chain he was forging.
Behind his back they scoffed
at such care being taken on such an ordinary thing
as a chain.
But the old craftsman worked on,
ignoring them as if he had not heard them at all.
Eventually the chain was attached
to a great anchor on the deck of an ocean vessel.
For months it was never put to use.
But one day the vessel was disabled
by a breakdown in its steering
while nearing the coast in a storm.
Only a secure anchorage
could prevent the vessel
from being driven onto the rocky coast.
Thus the fate of the ship
and hundreds of passengers
depended on the strength of that chain.
No one knew of the care and skill
that had been lavished on each link
of that chain
by an obscure smith
who was only doing his best.
The chain held,
both the ship and its passengers and crew were saved.
The blacksmith had saved the day.
====
The reading goes on:
but they are in the world, ,
protect them,
Ivan Denisovich,
endureed all the horrors of a Soviet prison camp.
One day he is praying with his eyes closed
when a fellow prisoner notices him
and says with ridicule,
“Prayers won’t help you get out of here any faster.”
Opening his eyes, Ivan answers,
“I do not pray to get out of prison
but to do the will of God.”
Our reading says:
_____________________________
And now I am no longer in the world,
but they are in the world, ,
protect them,
so that they may be one, as we are one
At a Midwestern fair
many spectators gathered
for an old-fashioned horse-pull
The grand-champion horse
pulled a sled with 4,500 pounds on it.
The runner up was close,
with a 4,400 pound pull.
Separately, they had totaled nearly 9,000 pounds,
but when hitched as a team,
the winning horses were able to pull
more than 12,000 pounds.
Almost three times
what either one of them could pull, alone.
Imagine the powerful force
we could exert as a congregation,
as a denomination
and as the Church in the world,
if we all “pulled together as a team.”
Hymn: Holy Holy Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty Early in the morning Our song shall rise to Thee Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see Only Thou art holy There is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love and purity
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty All Thy works shall praise Thy name In earth and sky and sea Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity
Oh God in three persons
Blessed Trinity!
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,
teaching them to love all people as neighbors.
As his disciples in this age,
we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe
in which we are privileged to live
and our neighbors with whom we share it.
Prayers: Lynda M. (Jan M.) Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam D.; Janice L & Darrin R; Roland; Helene.(Suzie D.) Debbie H (Lorenz); Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; Jack and Julie. (Church) –Gus;Jay P.;Maddex; Randy; Rick W.; Shelley and Martin C.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Tara; Jeff B.; Nicole; Shelley (Sandra); Joel; Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Ella D., Keanna, Nancy (Dan & Sue); Donna Mc.; (Ron and Jan); Jamie; (Gloria);Diane; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Marilyn; Val ; Karen T.;Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter); Allan (Brian G.); Dori; Belinda,; Kim; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori); Jean (Bruce J.);
We pray forBev Black and all who mourn her passing especially Dori and all her family.
Open our hearts to your power moving
around us and between us and within us,
until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,
in communities transformed by justice and compassion,
and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.
As our Savior taught us, let us pray,
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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer based on Scripture for today:
O God of glory,
your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us
and ascended to your right hand.
Unite us with Christ and each other,
in suffering and in joy,
that all your children may be drawn
into your bountiful dwelling. Amen.
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
On Sunday July 31st at 2 pm our friend Jeremy Smith – world’s greatest John Denver tribute artist – gave a concert at our little church. The concert was well attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon full of music, something that has been missing from Epiphany since the start of the pandemic.
Jeremy started off the concert with songs made famous by the likes of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Frankie Valli. This was followed by a gospel tune, a country ballad and a weird by wonderful rendition of Homegrown Tomatoes made famous by Guy Clark. After that Jeremy moved into his strength as a performer, John Denver songs.
It was a great afternoon of music, One we will remember for a long time.
Above is a picture of our friend and neighbour, Nazia along with Rev. Teresa and Judy
A few weeks ago our Muslim neighbours Nazia & Humaira (Members of ICNA Sisters London) contacted Epiphany through our website with the following beautiful words.
Rev. Teresa responded and the result was a small informal get together last week. I have added a couple of links at the bottom of this post for those of us who wish to know more about our Muslim neighbours and the celebration of Ramadan.
Greetings of Peace and everlasting Health!
I am writing to you today to express my wish to extend a small symbol of my respect and neighborly love for you and your Church community. I am a Muslim neighbor of yours and a member of a Muslim women’s organization called ICNA Sisters Canada, and we are reaching out to you in friendship and goodwill.
This year as we celebrate Eid, which is a celebration at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, we want to share our happiness with you. Islam teaches us, as I believe Christianity does too, to spread love and peace and instructs us to begin with those nearest to us. Moreover, not only are we neighbors but brothers and sisters in the Abrahamic tradition. As Muslims, we honor and recognize the immense love for God the Creator that you, as Christians, have in your hearts and see your dedication to all things good as an example for humanity. If you would like, we would love to drop by and hand you a small Eid gift some time/date to your preference.
At the firehall three bells indicates all safe home. At Epiphany on all saints day we ring our bell as each name on our All Saints list is read. When everyone’s name has been read we ring the bell three times to indicate all safe home.
The Church of the Epiphany the Little Church that Cares has lowered the flag in our Cenotaph in honour of our Muslim brothers and sisters who were so senselessly attacked recently in our great city.