The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of 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
*Come on down to our Welcome lunch.
*Meat/Veggie Pie dinner. June 8. 5:30.
Tickets 10$ . Meat or Veggie pies. Buns. Fresh Salad. Ice Cream and Strawberry topping. Silent Auction-baking, business doantions sought. Invite friends and family. Jan has tickets. Call Judy, Jan, Ron or Barb.
*Meat and Veggie Pies. 5$ for a great meal.
*Our food cupboard. Butch 519-615-9106.
*Come for lunch. The sign up sheet is available.
*Penny Social $615.00. Quite Amazing for a Penny Social, thank you to everyone
*Jazz Vespers. St. James. May 26. Afternoon.
*Craft Club. Third Saturday at 10 a.m. All welcome.
*Jeremy Smith. Sun. July 28. Afternoon.
*Mint smoothies Sandra $3
*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.
*Rinsed empty drink containers Dan Davies
*If you wish, our regular weekly donations or special donations may be sent to our Envelope Secretary:
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.
Sermon
Acts 2:1-13
Once, a powerful tornado swept through a town,
flattening buildings and overturning cars.
Shoppers at the supermarket were in a state of panic.
Then a commanding voice come over the intercom,
the voice of the manager.
This is what he said:
“Don’t leave the store or you will die . . .
Your only chance of survival
is to do exactly what I tell you.”
He then directed the shoppers to enter
the meat locker.
They did just as he said,
and all the shoppers survived the tornado.
Why did the manger speak to the shoppers with such authority?
Because 18 years before,
He had survived a devastating tornado.
He had been through the danger before,
he knew how to bring others through safely.
That’s what one thinks of
When we read today’s lesson
about “a violent wind.”
It is astounding how powerful the wind can be at times,
===
Our lesson from the book of Acts for today begins
“When the day of Pentecost came,
they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind
came from heaven
filled the whole house where they were sitting.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
began to speak in other tongues
as the Spirit enabled them.”
This wind that came down on the Day of Pentecost
was the most significant wind that has ever blown.
Interestingly,
the word for wind in both the Greek and the Hebrew
is also the word for the “Spirit.”
===
Wind is necessary for life.
As Dr. Donald B. DeYoung notes in his book,
Weather and the Bible,
“Wind is moving air,
this fresh air is needed continually for life itself.
Even seeds often require wind for their dispersal
and growth.
Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God,
the source for all life . . .”
The word for wind and Spirit
is also the same word for breath.
===
Jesus promised his disciples
before he left them that the Holy Spirit
would come upon them.
In essence he was saying,
“I will give you the very breath of my life.”
On Pentecost,
God breathed new life into Christ’s disciples.
He promised
that the Holy Spirit would come upon us
give us new life.
====
On the Day of Pentecost
that passersby accused the disciples
of being drunk and disorderly.
===
People have had their lives changed by the Holy Spirit.
It is the Spirit that lifts us above the mundane in life.
Charles Swindoll tells about a bazaar
that was held in a village in northern India.
Everyone brought his wares to trade and sell.
One farmer brought in a whole covey of quail.
He had tied a string around one leg of each bird.
The other ends of all the strings were tied to a ring
which fit loosely over a central stick.
He had taught the quail to walk dolefully in a circle,
around and around,
like mules at a mill.
Nobody seemed interested in buying the birds
until a devout Brahman came along.
He believed in the Hindu idea of respect for all life,
so his heart of compassion
went out to those poor little creatures
walking in their monotonous circles.
“I want to buy them all,” he told the merchant,
who was elated.
After receiving the money,
the merchant was surprised to hear the buyer say
`Now, I want you to set them all free.”
“What’s that, sir?” asked the merchant.
“You heard me.
Cut the strings from their legs and turn them loose.
Set them all free.”
Our hearts do go out to Birds.
Witness the traffic jam on Talbot the other day,
Due to Canada Geese
Strolling leisurely back and forth between the lanes.
Everyone’s hearts went out to them,…
Likewise the Brahmin wanted the quail released.
With a shrug,
the farmer bent down and snipped the strings off the quail.
They were freed at last.
What happened?
The birds simply continued marching around and around in a circle.
Finally, the man had to shoo them off.
But even when they landed some distance away,
they resumed their predictable march.
Free, unfettered, released . . .
yet they kept going around in circles as if still tied.
===
Sometimes we are like those birds.
We have habits of mind
Small habits,
Ways of thinking.
The Spirit sets us free for adventure
Generosity
Risk
Love.
We don’t want to be marching around in circles
In our minds
like those birds.
===
We can’t see the Spirit,
but we should be able to see its effect in our life.
Like a minister tells a delightful story
of a very wealthy woman
who left the church
but chose to remain on the rolls
in order to receive the church newsletter.
She had a falling out with the minister
some years before
and vowed never to return.
She became hospitalized
and the minister became informed of this
by another member of the congregation.
Knowing that this woman would not be overjoyed to see him,
the minister chose to send the newly hired seminary student
on the church staff.
He told the seminarian none of this woman’s history.
The young man went.
He entered her very dark, private room
and as he approached the bed,
he accidentally dislodged the side railing
and it slammed down.
As he was explaining who he was,
he attempted to raise the side railing
to its proper position.
In so doing he knocked over the woman’s water pitcher
water spilled over the top of the stand
and onto the floor.
Totally humiliated
the young seminarian decided to say a prayer
and leave.
As he prayed,
his anxiety level allowed none of his words
to come out correctly.
He was emotionally a wreck as he said, “Amen.”
He left the room
believing he was not destined to become a minister.
He should quit ministry school.
When he got back to the church,
a phone call came for him.
It was the patient he had just visited.
She said, “Young man, you must come back.
I apologize for not speaking.
I was trying so hard not to burst out laughing
at what you were trying to do
with such sincerity
that I could not speak.
I have not laughed for years.
You gave me a precious gift.
You helped me realize that for the last several years
I have been in a prison of my own creation.”
This young seminarian went to minister to this woman.
His intentions were good,
but his actions were inept.
That’s all right,
because when we go out to serve Christ,
we do not go alone.
The Holy Spirit goes with us.
The Holy Spirit found a way to minister to this woman
through the ineptness of the young seminarian.
This is what we discover time and time again.
The Holy Spirit makes up for our lack.
When Christ left our world,
he promised that the Holy Spirit
would come upon all who believed in him.
We can let it blow into our hearts
and make us new people.
Generous people
Risk taking people
Open people
Loving people.
Hymn: Will Your Anchor Hold
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
[Refrain] We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
[Refrain]
Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?
[Refrain]
Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil.
[Refrain]
Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?
[Refrain]
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: Christine A.; Bob H.; Dori; Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; (Church)Suzanne (Ron and Jan); Belinda,; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori); Kenny; Jim T.; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Gord T.;Amy W. ;Yvonne;Maryanne;Gus; Jay P.;; Rick W.;.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Jeff B.; (Sandra); Mike J.; Scott H.; Lisa (Keeling), Wendy;Eric P,; Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam .; Janice & Darrin R; Roland; .(Suzie D.)
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.
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:
Creator Spirit and Giver of life,
make the dry, bleached bones of our lives
live and breathe and grow again
as you did of old.
Pour out your Spirit upon the whole creation.
Come in rushing wind and flashing fire
to turn the sin and sorrow within us
into faith, power, and delight. 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 dear Husband and Father, Gord Cronk and Parents, George and Dolores Walker given by daughters Connie, Wendy and Families.
*Welcome Sunday. May 19. Lunch
*Meat or Veggie pies Dinner June 8. 5:30. 10$ Tickets. Buns. Fresh Salad. Ice Cream and Strawberry topping. Silent Auction-baking, business doantions sought. Invite friends and family. Contact Judy, Ron, Jan or Barb
*Meat and Veggie Pies. 5$ for a great meal.
*Our food cupboard. Butch 519-615-9106.
*Come for lunch. The sign up sheet is available.
*Penny Social Thank you to everyone
*Jazz Vespers. St. James. May 26. Afternoon.
*Craft Club. Third Saturday at 10 a.m. All welcome.
*Jeremy Smith. Sun. July 28. Afternoon.
*Mint smoothies Sandra $3
*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.
*Rinsed empty drink containers Dan Davies
*Apportionment. 2024 $19,571.00
*Sept. 22. Bishop Todd visits. Change!
*There are three ways to support our church. Volunteering at events. Generosity. Prayer. Our church is a team
*If you wish, our regular weekly donations or special donations may be sent to our Envelope Secretary:
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 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said,
1:16 “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus —
1:17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
1:21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us–one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
1:23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen
1:25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Sermon
Acts 1:12-26
There is a story
= a man arrives in a city one cold morning.
As he gets off the train,
he sees that the station is like any other station
except for one thing everyone is barefoot.
No one wears shoes.
He notices a barefoot cab driver.
“Pardon me,” he asks the driver,
“I was just wondering why you don’t wear shoes.
Don’t you believe in shoes?”
“Sure we do,” says the driver.
“Why don’t you wear them?” asks the man.
“Ah, that’s the question,” the driver replies.
“Why don’t we wear shoes?
Why don’t we?”
At the hotel it is the same.
The clerk, bell boys, everybody is barefoot.
In the coffee shop
he notices a nice looking gentleman
at a table opposite him.
He says,
“I notice you aren’t wearing any shoes.
I wonder why?
Don’t you know about shoes?”
The man replies, “Of course I know about shoes.”
“Then why don’t you wear them?” asks the stranger.
“Ah, that’s the question,” says the man.
“Why don’t we? Why don’t we?”
After breakfast he walks out
on the street in the snow
but every person he sees is barefoot.
He asks another man about it,
and points out how shoes protect the feet from cold.
The man says, “We know about shoes.
See that building yonder?
That is a shoe manufacturing plant.
We are proud of that plant
and every week
we gather there to hear the man in charge
tell about shoes
and how wonderful they are.”
“Then why don’t you wear shoes?” asks the stranger.
“Ah, that’s the question,” says the man.
==
Likewise one might ask,
“Don’t we believe in prayer?
Don’t we know what it could mean to our lives? . . .
Of course we do;
we know about prayer.
Then, why don’t we pray daily?
Ah, that’s the question.
Why don’t we pray every day? . . .
Why don’t we?”
===
Beautiful things happen when people pray.
Because we have God’s power,
God’s presence and God’s purpose.
What more could you ask for?
==
For the early church
Power came from prayer.
===
After Christ’s Ascension,
the disciples returned to Jerusalem.
There they gathered in the upper room.
The writer of the book of Acts tells us
they were “continually devoting themselves to prayer,
There it is
” the secret of the early church is prayer.
They did not know it at the time,
but those early followers were preparing themselves
for the great outpouring of God’s Spirit
on the Day of Pentecost
They were doing it with prayer.
==
NOW BEFORE WE GO ANY FARTHER,
WE NEED TO Say THAT
THERE ARE SOME THINGS
THAT PRAYER IS NOT.
It is not like Janis Joplin’s song,
“Lord, please give me a Mercedes Benz;
My friends all drive Porsches,
I must make amends;
===
Also, Prayer is not
A SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK.
As someone wryly observed long ago,
there will always be prayer in schools
as long as there are exams.
How many of us in school have tried to use prayer
as a bail-out device
===
Prayer is not like some volunteers
for a visiting team
in a local church
who were being briefed
on techniques for making calls.
One new member was not sure about visiting.
The pastor hoped to encourage her
by stressing the power of prayer.
“You’ll find it helpful,
before you make the call,
to spend a few moments
talking to God about it,” he said.
When the volunteers met later to report,
this lady was bubbling with enthusiasm.
“Oh, thank you,” she said to the pastor,
“for what you said about prayer.
I tried it and it works.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” beamed the pastor.
“Tell us what happened.”
“Well, I prayed the people wouldn’t be home,”
she said,
“and they weren’t.”
Not prayer:
==
Prayer maybe Like:
Charles, a lawyer in Florida,
was locked inside the trunk of a car by kidnappers.
He eventually escaped after his captors
drove into a hospital complex
and slowed for a speed bump,
allowing him to dive out of the trunk
and alert the guards.
Sinclair had pulled over to the side of the road
to check on his car
when two men came up,
forced him into the trunk,
and drove away with his car.
He made his escape with a tire iron
with which he broke open the trunk latch.
He said,
“I knew my only chance
was to get the trunk open.
I was praying
[and] I was prying like mad.”
===
Someone said,
“Praying and prying ”
what a beautiful expression
of the proper approach to trouble.
How much better to pray and pry,
as if everything depended on God,
and prying as if everything depended on us.”
===
Praying will do one thing more for us:
it will give us a sense of peace.
The Peace which passes understanding.
So many times Christ promised
his disciples peace.
In John 14 we read:
“Peace I leave with you,
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.”
That’s what Christ promised us …
That does not mean that Christ
will lift us out of a troubled world.
It does mean that his Spirit
dwelling within us
gives us a sense of calm,
a sense of deep assurance that we are loved,
a sense of assurance that we belong to God.
Like:
A man who was over 100 years old was interviewed
and was asked about his earliest experiences.
He remembered as a child
being introduced to his great-great-grandmother.
“I’ll never forget that day,” he said.
“It was a hot, humid Sunday afternoon,
and it was a long trip.
I had never met her before,
and I wasn’t real excited
about going all that way
just to see some old woman.
To make matters worse,
when we finally got to her house
and went inside,
I saw that not only was she old but blind,
and not only blind
but actually kind of mean looking.
And so, at first, I was afraid of her.
“‘We brought Bernie along to see you,’ my father said.
She turned in my direction
with outstretched arms
and long, bony fingers, and said,
‘Bring him over here.’
They practically had to push me
across the room,”
Bernie told the interviewer with a chuckle,
“but when I got there
I saw that those same hands,
which I had been so frightened by,
were surprisingly gentle.
She carefully traced the outline of my face
and ran her fingers through my hair.
Then in a voice filled with love and acceptance,
I heard her whisper:
‘This boy is one of ours.
This boy is part of our family.
This one belongs to us.’”
===================
And that’s the message that
the Spirit whispers to us
when we pray.
You belong to God.
You can meet every challenge by God’s help.
Just Pray
Hymn: Breathe on Me Breath of God
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.
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: Linda (Deb Mc.); Christine A.; Bob H.; Dori; Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; (Church)Suzanne (Ron and Jan);Gloria A. (Carol); Belinda,; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori); Kenny; Jim T.; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Gord T.;Amy W. ;Yvonne;Maryanne;Gus; Jay P.;; Rick W.;.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Jeff B.; (Sandra); Mike J.; Scott H.; Lisa (Keeling), Wendy;Eric P,; Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam .; Janice & Darrin R; Roland; .(Suzie D.)
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.
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:
Holy God,
the earth is full of the glory of your love.
May we your children, born of the Spirit,
so bear witness to your Son Jesus Christ, crucified and risen,
that all the world may believe and have eternal life
through the One who saves,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. 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,
15:9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15:15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
15:17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Sermon
I would like to ask you a question is:
“What is the finest gift that you could give to someone?
Would it be money or possessions?”
One wise person answers
They believe the finest gift
that we can give to another person
is our friendship.
———–
Many leading authorities in Canadian life
tell us the biggest social problem today
is loneliness.
We live among many people,
but many live as strangers.
How often have we heard about people
being in trouble and needing help,
only to see another person pass by
on the other side of the street?
Many do not want to be involved
so they close the doors of their hearts to people.
We forget that friends are our richest possessions.
What would life be like without friends?
=
Our Gospel reading today speaks of friendship.
On the eve of his crucifixion,
Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room.
That night
Jesus said,
“You are my friends …
No longer do I call you servants,
but I have called you friends …”
==
So, Let us look this morning at friendship.
There are many definitions of the word “friend.”
It means one who is in a warm personal relationship
with another person.
It means a person
who is ready to assist you.
Many years ago an English periodical
had a contest.
They offered a prize to the person
submitting the best definition of the word “friend.”
Think of it, what would you say
Is a definition of friend.
Here are a few of the definitions
which were sent to the publication:
“One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is unbreakable.”
“One who understands our silence..”
And here is the definition that won first prize:
“A friend is the one who comes in
when the whole world has gone out.”
Many years ago, a father told his son
that the most valuable thing anyone can have
is to have a friend.
But then he added
that in order to have a friend,
you must be a friend.
Those are some definitions of friend…
what would you answer.
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Now,
Jesus idea of being friend
May have been inspired by the kings
Of his day.
In the day
The friends of the king were those
who had the closest
and the most intimate connection with him.
Those friends
had the right to come to him at any time.
That’s the privilege we have with God.”
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You and I have a friend.
A beautiful,
loving friend who has worked it out for us
to be God’s friends.
After we are told God is our friend,
Suddenly
We don’t have to see our God
as way off in the sky on a cloud
demanding that we do good work for him.
Instead, we are close, intimate friends
of his who can go right into his presence
without fear.
That is like us and our Lord.
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Also, we are on God’s team
making the world a place of love.
Now,
Who doesn’t remember choosing teams in school.
Whether you were first pick or not,
good news today.
The text for today
assures us who serve God,
God has chosen us.
WE are told
God chooses us for joy.
Jesus says
“I have said these things to you
so that my joy may be in you
To be dedicated toward a cause
to pour yourself into it
can indeed fill your life with joy of purpose.
WE have been chosen to be part of a team,
That gives us the joy of purpose.
The earliest Christians were joyous people
in spite of all the struggle
and trouble they knew...
They caught the infection
of that joy from our Lord.
With his faultless conscience,
his closeness with God,
his perfect trust in God,
his unselfish spending of himself for others,
Christ must have been joy filled
inspite of his troubles.
Christ blesses us with Joy.
God Chooses Us For Love
According to the reading
Not only are we chosen for joy,
but we are also chosen for love.
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.”
We are sent out into the world to love one another.
Celsus, critic of early Christians, said:
“These Christians love each other
even before they are acquainted.”
The church through out the world
Where ever we go there is family
provided by God.
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Likewise
When a Mason meets another Mason for the first time,
They know that the other person believes in God,
that he therefore believes that all men are brothers,
and that as a result he must be kind to other persons
and help them in every possible way.
For one who travels extensively,
friendship manifests itself time and again.
When you meet another Mason
you always feel a kinship with him.
You always find the door open
with a welcome sign.
This can be valuable if you are in a strange place.
You could say the same
of Church through out the world.
In the reading we are told:
Christ Chooses Us To Be His Friends.
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We have a friend who loves us,
encourages us, strengthens us,
and draws forth from us our best qualities.
When Jesus Christ calls us friends,
he wants us to respond
and be his friend.
Friendship is two-sided,.
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Part of friendship is allowing our friends to help us.
Nothing is more frustrating
than wanting to help a friend
when they refuses to accept our help.
David Mcloud, asked if the Masons are also about friendship
Shared this:
It could be about our church too.
Masonry is definitely about friendship and fellowship,
and at the same time it is an opportunity to serve our community.
Today I was at a volunteer luncheon with 33 members of the London Valley Consistory Club –
we loan mobility aids and medical equipment out,
free of charge, to anyone who requires it.
It is a lot of work,
and a very important service
as this equipment can be very expensive,
and often is needed by people who can’t always afford it.
Our guys do the work cheerfully,
and so many of the people who visit the Consistory Club
remark on how much fun the guys obviously have.
We are truly blessed to be able to help!
It is as our reading says:
Jesus gives chooses us for the Team.
We are given Joy Love
And friendship.
With these we change the world.
Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
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:
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
God invites us to bring our doubts and fears,
our joys and concerns, our petitions and praise,
and offer them for the earth and all its creatures.
Prayers: Linda (Deb Mc.); Christine A.; Bob H.; Dori; Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; (Church)Suzanne (Ron and Jan);Gloria A. (Carol); Belinda,; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori); Kenny; Jim T.; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Gord T.;Amy W. ;Yvonne;Maryanne;Gus; Jay P.;; Rick W.;.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Jeff B.; (Sandra); Mike J.; Scott H.; Lisa (Keeling), Wendy;Eric P,; Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam .; Janice & Darrin R; Roland; .(Suzie D.)
Receive these prayers, O God,
and transform us through them,
that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand
not only what you do on our behalf,
but what you call us to do
so that your realm will come to fruition in glory. Amen.
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:
Faithful God,
make our hearts bold with love for one another.
Pour out your Spirit upon all people,
that we may live your justice
and sing in praise
the new song of your marvelous victory. 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,
