BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

CREATION TIME 1

September 12, 2021

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: This is God’s Wondrous World - arranged by Phil Keveren Abe:piano

Welcome & Centering for Worship: Rev. Kim. Vidal

Good day everyone! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on this first Sunday of Creation Time in the Season of Pentecost. The liturgical colour of Creation Time is orange which is a warm colour associated with creativity, enthusiasm, fruitfulness, fall and harvest and the changing of seasons. Orange is the red of passion tempered by the yellow of wisdom. Wherever you are, whether you are joining us via online, or onsite, or even reading the printed text of the service in the comfort of your homes, we are glad that you have joined us today.

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

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

Friends, this day, we offer our gratitude for the gifts of the earth lavishly offered to us by a loving Creator. May we do so with praise and thanksgiving and a commitment to care for the earth and to serve each other. Let us now gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: Monica Peck, Dave & Samantha Jones

(Richard Bott, The Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2016 Year C. Used with Permission)

All creation is made of star stuff.
From the basic building blocks of the universe,
come fire, air, earth and water.
All creation sings praise to the Creator of all.
Warmed by this flame, we go where Christ’s light shines!

Call to Gather & Opening Prayer: (Based on Psalm 19: 1-6) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Gord Dunbar, The Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2021 Year B. Used with permission)

Listen!
Wow! The music of the spheres without words,
sings to our hearts of God’s glory.
Look!
Incredible! The myriad mysteries of deep space,
light years of complexity,
blaze with God’s majesty.
Notice!
Amazing! The intricate weaving of life’s rhythms,
the pulse of creation,
dances with joy in God’s love.
Come! We come to celebrate God’s goodness in our lives!

Let us pray:

Our hearts fill with awe, O God,
For your Spirit works within us all.
You gift us as Christ’s body to become one,
In wholeness, one with all of creation.
Empower us for that purpose this morning,
We pray, that we may heed, hope and heal in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Opening Hymn: Called by Earth and Sky – More Voices #135 BCUC choir

Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.

1 Precious these waters, endless seas,
deep ocean’s dream, waters of healing,
rivers of rain, the wash of love again.

Refrain: (French)
Du-ciel et de la terre,
Nous entendons l’appel’
Nous de-vons ché-rir l’univers,
é-crin de vie, pré-cieuse et belle;
du-ciel et de la terre.

Verse 2 (French)
Pré-cieux est l’air que l’on respire,
libre est le vent; Es-prit qui souffle,
viens nous in-struire, de grâ-ce
nous com-blant.

Refrain: (French)

3 Precious these mountains, ancient sands;
vast fragile land. Seeds of our wakening, rooted and strong, Creation’s faithful song.

Refrain:

4 - Precious the fire that lights our way,
bright dawning day. Fire of passion,
sorrows undone, our faith and justice one.

Refrain:

Storytime Rev. Lorrie

Read Aloud – “The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchins

Mom bakes a dozen cookies for Sam and Victoria to share – yummy ones that look and smell as good as Grandma’s! Just when they are about to eat them, the doorbell rings and two more children arrived. This happens over and over again until there is just enough for one cookie each – and the doorbell rings again…

Did you wonder what the children would do when the doorbell rang that last time? Mom thought they should just gobble up their cookies before she opened the door but those children decided to wait and see who was there. I was surprised! Were you? This was a hard decision to make, wasn’t it? It was pretty easy to share when there were enough cookies for everyone, but those kids were still willing to share the cookies, even if it meant they might not get one for themselves. What a nice surprise when it was Grandma at the door with more!

In our Bible reading today, Jesus tells his disciples that following him will sometimes be very hard to do but, if they are going to be true followers of his teaching, they will make the difficult choices – and they will feel better about it in the end. Of course, he was talking about choices a lot harder than sharing cookies but the idea is the same. Jesus says there is no point in just making yourself happy if it turns you into a selfish person who is not very nice. He says you will be rewarded for sticking to his teaching about showing love to everyone. It might not always mean that you get more cookies – but it will make you feel better about the person you are growing to be! I think these children were good followers of Jesus, don’t you?

Hymn: Will You Come and Follow Me? -Voices United #567 TeGrotenhuis family Jan 2020

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Tamara Glanville

Creator God, let your words speak in each heart. |
Let the truth set each one free.
Let the gospel story inspire us for justice.
Let the Spirit’s presence fill us with joy. Amen.

The Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV) Who Do You Say That I Am?

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

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

Sermon: “When Fine Print Matters” Rev. Kim

Have you ever found yourself excited about something - only to find out that you literally have sold your soul by not reading the fine print? Admit it – most of us do not read the fine print. Maybe, we should! Here are some ridiculous true-to-life stories about people who found themselves at a losing end because they didn’t bother to read the fine print.

In 2014, FSecure, a cyber security company based in London UK ran an experiment to see if people are reading the fine print by offering a free Wi-Fi access. Before they could get on the Internet, users had to check a box agreeing to "assign their first-born child to FSecure for the duration of eternity." Still, 6 people signed up, but the company providing the Wi-Fi said the clause likely wouldn't be enforceable in a court of law.

Few years later, Manchester-based Wi-Fi company, Purple, promoted a similar experiment by offering a free public Wi-Fi for two weeks. The company inserted a clause in its agreement "to illustrate the lack of consumer awareness of what they are signing for when they access free WiFi." About 22,000 people who signed up, inadvertently agreed to 1,000 hours of community service — including cleaning toilets, scraping chewing gum on the streets and "relieving sewer blockages."

How many of us have been tricked by fine prints that somehow quashed our expectations or have given us high hopes leading to other information that make us “not buy into it”? We are so engrossed in reading the big bold letters and we sometimes forget to ask the question, “what’s the catch?” The catch is a disclosure that is almost always penned in tiny mouse print that we easily ignore. That happened to Peter and the other disciples in this Gospel story.

Jesus wondered how he was being perceived by people. What was the big bold letters that advertise his presence to those, whom he healed, touched, spoken to. Was he being seen as one among them? a healer? a preacher? a revolutionary leader? or a nut case?? He asked the disciples, "When you're out there, when you're talking to people or drawing water at the well or helping those in need, what are the people saying about me?” The disciples began to answer in big, bold claims -- familiar names in large print that are popular among the people in those days: JOHN THE BAPTIST…ELIJAH…A PROPHET. The disciples were filled with such hope and expectation. Like them, it was so easy for us today to identify Jesus in large prints as: REFORMER, LEADER, THE WAY, THE HEALER, TRUTH-TELLER, LIBERATOR, ACTIVIST. We think Jesus might be flattered to hear those big bold titles he was associated with. But Jesus was looking for more. So Jesus challenges his disciples and asks them: “But, who do you say that I am?” Peter rose to the occasion – just like all those times when he just opens his mouth without even thinking and said: “You are the MESSIAH”.

Peter was one who understood church marketing. Fun and entertainment is always in style and sacrifice or sweating it out is always a put down. Talking about bearing burdens ad discomfort are in no way to promote the church. Church marketing is one strategy nowadays to lure people to come to church. One rich church mailed a glossy advertisement to each household in the neighbourhood with big bold large print poster telling the public that their church is a 3-C church: “casual, creative and contemporary.” On a fine print, they listed five reasons for people to “Come and check them out”: (1) jeans and t-shirts, no suits and ties; (2) no guilt. Leave your wallet at home; (3) positive sermon you will enjoy; (4) awesome programs for kids and teens; (5) pop, rock, country—our band rocks. Another church promises “we won’t make you listen to organ music; the service won’t take more than an hour; we won’t visit your home unannounced; we will let you remain anonymous; we serve espresso drinks, free cotton candy to children 12 and under!” Sales gimmicks might draw a big crowd, but so does Lady Gaga. But promoting God the way we promote business is not what Jesus had in mind.

The large print of Jesus as the Messiah was obvious to Peter. He believed that when he left his career as a fisherman, when he dropped his fishing nets, left his family and the security of home and had followed Jesus--Peter had found the Messiah - someone powerful who will put down the Roman oppressors. Someone like King David who trampled down the enemies of Israel. And as he followed Jesus with the other disciples, Peter began to see the signs of the in-breaking of God’s reign--the sick was healed, the lepers were cleansed, the blind regained vision, the crippled walked, a tax collector became a disciple, people were fed. So when asked who Jesus was, he exclaimed, "You are the Messiah!" Peter understood messiahship in the tradition of the return of a David-like king, of a mighty, conquering hero, not one who will be put to death.

Jesus doesn't deny the truth of what Peter says, but there is more to that large print. When Jesus points to Peter and the other disciples the fine print of suffering, rejection, and death, the disciples do not want to hear it. Peter rebukes Jesus. He taps Jesus on the shoulder and motions for a word in private: “Jesus, what are you talking about? Your popularity is skyrocketing. You don’t need to talk about suffering or dying.” Peter was ticked off – he could not sign off the fine print of following his hero, Jesus, the Messiah – all his dreams were shattered in one big explosion. Peter was so hopeful -- he was so excited. Jesus was the one -- he was the one who would restore Israel to its former glory. He was the one he had been waiting for since the time of King David. Peter was not expecting a Messiah that would be defeated. Peter was looking for a Saviour who was stronger than anyone -- who would take care of all the threats and who would overpower all opposition -- someone who would rescue him and the people from the mess they were in. Peter rebukes Jesus for talking nonsense... suffering and rejection and being killed. That was not part of Peter's agenda for the Messiah. And Jesus took his turn, rebukes Peter, and calls him Satan! As if saying, “Peter, stop being a deceiver. I’ve had enough of this in the wilderness! What you’re thinking is the complete opposite of what God calls me to do and to be.”

Jesus continued talking about the fine print - the hard stuff of being a disciple which we do not want to read, much more buy into it. "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me." What does it mean to deny oneself and to take up one’s cross? What does it mean to follow someone who has been crucified by the ruling power? Are we expected to die for what we believe? Do we have to give up our personal ambitions? forget about our own comforts? speak and listen to people we do not find interesting? care about people who wronged us? Who doesn’t already have enough suffering in their lives without looking for more? What will we have left if we give ourselves away?

But come to think of it. Why did the disciples continue following Jesus? Why didn’t Peter and the rest of them leave and go home after knowing what it takes to be a Jesus’ follower? Why are we still here following Jesus and his way of life? Because Peter and the disciples knew in their hearts that Jesus lived the way God wills every human being to live, which is a life of love, humility, justice and compassion. A life lived in putting others first. Because Jesus initiated a movement that believes in God’s power to change and transform lives. Because the God revealed in Jesus shows up even in broken places of our lives and in the world. Because in Jesus, we discover, not the God we may want, but the God we desperately need. This God will meet us in the places of our brokenness and wholeness and will embrace us with grace and love. Because life is never the same after Jesus showed us the way to God.

A few years ago, in one of our lectionary group discussions, Peggy Aitchison shared a story about a Norwegian man her family hosted one summer. On Sunday morning, Peggy invited him to go to church and he said, shall I bring a sacrifice? Peggy was surprised to hear this but then she came to realize that in Norway, sacrifice means the Sunday offering. This story made me think seriously about my faith. What does my offering - my sacrifice - say about my commitment in following Jesus? Our day-to-day choices are not likely to lead to martyrdom, but each day we have to decide how we will spend our time, our resources, our talents, our lives.

Denying ourselves and bearing our own crosses may mean so many things. It could mean walking the extra mile, standing with the people who are losing, doing good that will receive no applause, building homes and partnerships in far-flung Nicaragua or Zambia, treating marginalized and disabled people as children of God, shopping for someone else’s groceries, reading stories to someone else’s children, taking flowers to someone who’s not a friend, visiting someone else’s mother in the nursing home, talking about faith when we would rather be silent, doing good for people who will do not good to us in return, praying not for an easier life but for strength to give our lives away, marching with the blacks, the indigenous people, or the climate change activists in their pursuit of a just society . I could go on and on... And what do you get in return? Nothing fancy - just a dose of tremendous comfort and peace of mind knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life and in the world. Denying oneself reminds me of the song, Put a Little Love in Your Heart and when you do, the world will be a better place for you and me!

As we continue to journey as the body of Christ in this season of creation time, Jesus invites us to be his followers. It never means that we give up our dignity, but it does mean that we will take on the mantle of faithfulness and life-giving commitments. We will speak as Jesus speaks. We will act as Jesus has come to act. There will be times in our lives when we realize that in losing our agenda, our power, our resources, our relationships, we find our true identity, our call and our purpose. It's not that nothing is lost. It's that something more important is gained. Read the fine print, put it to heart and live in good faith. Thanks be to God. Amen.

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

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 your midst. Let us join our hearts in prayer.

O Great Love, 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. Take our hands, show us how to return with hope renewed, with energy to love others and work for change, with attention to the beauty that lives in all our lives.

Help us to see the blessings each day brings. Help us to see the thoughtful gestures of those around us. Help us to see the beauty of the earth and to commit ourselves to be good stewards of the whole of creation. Help us to see the richness of our Christian heritage taught and lived by Jesus. Help us to see the satisfaction in doing something well. Help us to see the workings of your hand in our lives. Give us the far-off vision of things yet unseen.
Like Peter and the other disciples, help us to have the courage to understand what it means to follow Jesus and to present our questions or even our doubts. Help us to be faithful to your way of life and know you richly as our God.

Giver of Life, we pray for your healing and comforting presence in the lives of those needing care, giving thanks for all those who opened their hearts to pray for them and are present with them. We pray for those in need of healing, relief from symptoms of diseases, and wholeness of mind and spirit. We pray for those in retirement homes and nursing facilities, for those recovering at home and for those hoping that each day new mercies will come. We pray for those who are alone, who are alienated from their families, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. We also remember those who are celebrating wonderful occasions and milestones in life. 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. We feel afraid and powerless. We pray for refugees and many displaced people in the world. We pray for all the leaders of the world that they may make wise choices for everyone and that they may lead us to honour one another and serve the common good.

When you call our names, Creator God, you call us into a journey of faith following the example of Jesus. May we treasure your words in our hearts in whatever we say and do, so that our lives may reflect your way of light and love to others. These we ask in the name of Jesus who taught his disciples 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. Kim

God invites us to take part in God’s caring for the earth and for one another. The gift of creation reminds us of God’s abundant generosity and invites us to live with gracious offering of our time, talents and treasures. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

God of earth and sky, in response to your abundant love that you offer us, we offer our gifts: time, talent and treasures for the life of this congregation and the lives of many in the world. Amen.

Sending Forth Rev. Lorrie

(Sheryl McLeod, Gathering Pentecost 1 2021, p53. Used with permission.)

God blesses us in so many ways.
As God’s beloved, we know God’s love,
we follow Christ’s way,
and we are sustained by the Holy Spirit’s persistence.
Now go into the world extravagantly
scattering God’s seeds of love. Amen.

Hymn: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator – Voices United #312 Keith, Sheryll, Angela

1 Praise with joy the world's creator,
God of justice, love and peace,
Source and end of human knowledge,
God of grace shall never cease.
Celebrate the Maker's glory,
Power to rescue and release.

2 Praise the Christ who feeds the hungry,
Frees the captive, finds the lost,
Heals the sick, upsets religion,
Fearless both of fate and cost.
Celebrate Christ's constant presence -
Friend and Stranger, Guest and Host.

3 Praise the Spirit sent among us
Liberating truth from pride,
Forging bonds where race or gender,
Age or nation dare divide.
Celebrate the Spirit's treasure -
Foolishness none dare deride.

4 Praise the Maker, Christ and Spirit,
One God in Community,
Calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity.

This the world shall see reflected
God is One and One in Three.

Departing Music: Great is the Lord – Michael W. Smith Abe:organ

Zoom Fellowship – 11 am

Sunday Worship Service - September 12, 2021