BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
7th SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 16, 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: May, Sweet May – Schumann Flute : Erin Berard (recorded Spring 2016 concert)
Welcome & Centering for Worship Rev. Lorrie Lowes
Good Morning and welcome to this service of Sunday Worship from Bells Corners United Church! We are so happy that you have joined us today. In this time of continuing shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, we really miss gathering together in person but, while the sanctuary is closed, we feel blessed that technology allows us to connect in some way. Thank you for all you are doing to stay in touch with your friends and family. It is so important as this time of isolation seems to go on and on.
Just a reminder that the church office is open from nine to noon each weekday morning if you have business to conduct. Just call in advance to let Ruth or Ellen know you are coming and they will be ready to meet you at the kitchen door of the church. We ask that you not use the front entrance at this time while the portico is under construction.
Our rain barrel sale was very successful and is now closed. We are pleased that so many folks in the church and the surrounding community have taken this opportunity to make an environmentally great choice in their gardening – and we are happy to be able to give back to the community by donating the proceeds to Famsac, our local food bank. We expect this donation to be over $700 when all is said and done. Watch for the final tally in next week’s announcements.
In spite of the restrictions, BCUC continues to be a vibrant and active congregation. There are many announcements about the life and work of the church on the announcement page of our website. Please take the time to read them.
I now call on Ellie to give a minute for Social Justice on behalf of the Service, Outreach, and Social Action Committee.
Minute for Social Justice Ellie Topp
Mission & Service is often described as the “lifeblood” of our church. That’s because it runs through the veins of everything we do together as a church. If you have ever sung out of a United Church hymnbook, your life has been touched through Mission & Service. If you have been cared for by a United Church minister including our own Rev Kim and Rev Lorrie, Mission & Service has had an impact on you. From Bells Corners, to Ontario, across Canada and around the world there are organizations doing life-changing work that is supported through Mission & Service.
If your church matters to you, then Mission & Service should matter too. Through Mission & Service, we help transform lives and inspire purpose. In other words, we connect action and faith.
For example, right now, our United Church is exploring what it means to be in transition when people wander in a metaphorical dessert. Through an initiative called Faith on the Move, our gifts to Mission & Service help the church to advocate for those who must leave their homes as refugees, migrant workers, those who become homeless, and other marginalized groups. It’s no coincidence that we are studying being “on the move.” Not only is our faith always in transition, but our United Church literally reaches out to people who are displaced for whatever reason.
While most people leave their home countries for work, millions of others are forced to leave because of conflict, persecution, and terrorism. The United Nations reports that for the first time in the history, the number of people forced to leave their home has topped 70 million. Think about that. It’s one thing to be “on the move” because we’ve made a choice. It’s another to be forced out.
Part of this Faith on the Move initiative is a webinar study series which is available on the United Church website. The link to this series is given in today’s announcements. The development of resources like these are partially subsidized through Mission & Service so that they can be offered at a reasonable cost and in many cases, no cost.
BCUC has a history of giving strong support to the M&S Fund. In 2020 we donated $42,750 which included $1,500 from the UCW, $39,000 from the BCUC budget and the rest through flow-through donations.
As Christians, we are called to help build a better world. To do that, our faith needs to connect with our action, and our support for Mission & Service is a significant way we do this.
…And now, friends and family in faith, let us centre ourselves for worship.
Lighting of Christ Candle Acolyte: Raven Miller
Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.” It was a promise to his followers that even death could not end the transformational work he had begun in the world. It was a promise that he would be with them as they continued this work.
Sung Response: Halle, Halle, Halle – Voices United #958 BCUC choir
Halle, halle, hallelujah! (3X)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Words trad, liturgical text and Music arr. © 1990 IONA Community, GIA Pub
Song # 02351 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Call to Gather Rev. Kim Vidal
I invite you to the worship service today with the following words:
When we arrive here in this space, we come as we are:
Questioning,
Wondering,
Hoping.
We come knowing that God accepts us just as we are:
Learning,
Praying,
Singing.
Let us quiet our minds and still our hearts so that in this place,
we might strengthen our lives and find our spirits inspired.
Let’s feel the spirit of God here amongst us today and always.[1]
Prayer of Approach
In this world, where the turn of the globe seems to bring new stories
of destruction and death, open our hearts to life, O Christ.
Open our senses to the beauty of birdsong,
to the hope of a smile, to the wonder of a gentle touch.
Open our hearts, that we might know your love
resurrected in our love, every moment, every day.
May it always be so.[2]
Amen.
Hymn: “Let Us Build a House” - More Voices #1 Abe & Susan TeGrotenhuis
1. Let us build a house where all can dwell and all can safely live
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
5. Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
Words and Music © 1994 Marty Haugen, GIA pub
Song #00004 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Storytime Erin Berard
Have you been on any field trips with your class recently? Certainly not the kind where you all get to board a bus, and visit an outdoor education centre or the Art gallery, eh? But how about virtual field trips? One of my kids got to go to the Johnson Space Centre in Texas with his class! There is NO way he would have been able to take a bus there if this were any other year. But with the pandemic, all these museums and education centres have had to make their programs online, so now anyone can go, not just those within driving distance!
Johnson Space centre visits are not just for Texans!
It's like what we're doing with our online services - the message and experience of the worship service can now be for more than just the people who can physically walk through the doors at BCUC. People from all over the world can check it out, and see what we're doing. We're sharing our knowledge, our learning, our experiences, our talents, our important projects, our community of love with more and more people!
Our worship service is not just for the members of BCUC!
In today's Bible passage, Peter and other Jewish followers of Jesus were asked to go teach a group of non-Jewish people about Jesus, and they felt pretty weird about it because it went against their customs to even associate with them. Peter shared about Jesus, and these 'outsiders' understood this gospel and were filled with God's Holy Spirit. It was a real eye-opener for the Jews! Peter figured out then that it wasn't up to him and the others to decide who is 'good enough' or 'right type' to be Jesus' followers.
Jesus' message of love was not just for the Jewish people!
So, in the same way, God's love isn't just for us inside the building at BCUC, or just inside our family homes as we watch on this screen.
God's love isn't just for people who call themselves Christians.
God's love is for everyone - all the people in our big human family.
So what are some ways we share that love? I'm sure you can think of lots.
We do it when we pick up trash and care for the planet that belongs to all living creatures.
We do it when (as Covid rules allow) we let everyone join our recess games, not just our friends.
We do it when we stand up for someone being bullied because of their accent or clothing.
We do it when we listen and learn about cultures and traditions that are different from our own.
I bet you can come up with more ideas, too.
Let's have a prayer:
Dear God, We are so grateful for your constant love.
Help us to share that love with EVERYONE we meet,
generously and without rules or boundaries. Amen
Hymn: There is Room for All – More Voices #62 BCUC choir
English:
There is room for all
in the shadow of God’s wing;
there is room for all, sheltered in God’s love.
And I rejoice and sing,
“My refuge and my rock, in whom I trust.”
There is room for all, there is room for all!
French:
Chacun a sa place
á l'abri sous l'aile de Dieu;
Chacun a sa place en l'amour de Dieu.
De joie, je chanterai:
"Mon refuge en lequel je me confie”.
Chacun a sa place, chacun a sa place.
Words and Music © 2004 Bruce Harding evensong.ca French © 2006 David Fines
Song # 127055 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Prayer for Illumination Reader: Denis Watson
Challenging God, you have guided your people throughout the ages to sing and pray and reflect. You invite us to listen to timeless stories. Help us to receive the ever-new message of radical love. May it find a place to rest deep in our souls, so that we might draw strength and courage. May it stir us to action. May it guide us, always, to live as followers of Jesus Christ. Amen[3]
The NT Reading: Acts 10: 44-48 (The Living Bible)
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those listening! 45 The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too! 46-47 But there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Peter asked, “Can anyone object to my baptizing them, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he did, baptizing them in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Afterwards Cornelius begged him to stay with them for several days.
May the love of Jesus Christ dwell where the Word is spoken. Thanks be to God!
Sermon: “Even Them?” Rev. Lorrie Lowes
Bells Corners is truly a welcoming church. You can feel it as soon as you walk through the doors. If that happens to be on a Sunday morning, you are certain to be met by David and he will make you feel like he’s been waiting there just for you. In fact, when I asked the Lectionary group this week what it means to be welcoming, the first answer was to be “like David – genuine and true”. I certainly agree, and I can tell you that there are many others in our congregation who make a visitor or newcomer feel that welcome. When I was applying for the CDM position here at BCUC, I tried to sneak in, incognito, on a Sunday morning – you know, sit near the back and slip out during the Departing Music… but I was befriended by the ladies who shared my pew. They complimented my singing and encouraged me to join the choir! It wasn’t pushy. I didn’t feel like I needed to run away – it was genuine and true. Neil and I have often said that there is something special about our BCUC community. Many churches welcome guests and are wonderful hosts, but BCUC opens their arms and draws you into the family. It feels different somehow…
In this passage from the book of Acts that we heard this morning, Peter has been invited by Cornelius to come and share his message. A little background might help us understand just what is taking place here. In the verses preceding today’s reading, both Peter and Cornelius have had visions. Cornelius is a Roman Centurion and very devout. In his vision, he is visited by an angel of God who tells him that his devotion is noticed by God and that he should send for Peter, who is staying in Joppa. Peter is traveling the countryside, sharing the gospel of Jesus. The work is tiring and he is very hungry. While food is being prepared, he goes up to the rooftop to pray. In his vision, a large sheet is lowered down from the heavens and it is filled with all kinds of four-footed creatures, and reptiles, and birds. A voice tells him to get up and kill something to eat. Peter responds that he can’t do that because these animals are unclean. The voice tells him that God made them, so he can’t call them unclean. He resists three times and then the thing is taken back up into the heavens. Just as Peter is puzzling about this vision, the men that Cornelius sent are at the gate, looking for him. The Spirit tells Peter to go meet them and to go with them without hesitation. He gives the men food and lodging for the night and they all head out to meet Cornelius in Caesaria. Cornelius is waiting for him and has gathered together his relatives and close friends to hear what Peter has to tell them.
It is a story of hospitality. Cornelius extends an invitation to Peter to come and share his story. Peter accepts the invitation, even though Cornelius is a Gentile and “unclean” according to Jewish law. Cornelius invites the people he cares about to share in the experience and Peter has brought an entourage of devout Jewish Jesus followers with him. Cornelius is certainly a welcoming host and Peter is a polite guest – but is anyone completely comfortable with the situation?
Upon arrival in Caesaria, when Peter sees all the people assembled to meet him, he tells them, “You know, it’s unlawful for me to associate with Gentiles but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call anyone profane or unclean, so here I am. Why did you ask me to come?” Polite, but not really warm, is it?
Cornelius answers Peter by telling him about his vision. “I sent for you because God told me to. So, what have you got to tell me?”
These two men are not together by choice. They are meeting because God told them to meet.
And so, Peter tells them about Jesus.
I wonder how Peter felt about sharing the gospel story. Was he worried that they wouldn’t understand? After all, these folks weren’t Jews. Did he think they might dismiss what he had to say? Would they believe him? Would they really get it? He was doing what God had told him to do – but did he really think it would make a difference? How did he expect to be received? With suspicion? As a friend?
And what about Cornelius? He certainly seemed excited by the prospect of meeting the man God recommended to him – so excited that he invited his family and close friends to be there too! So excited that he fell at Peter’s feet and worshipped him when he arrived. What was he expecting from this meeting? Was he surprised to find that Peter was, in his own words, “only a mortal”?
And what about the others who were there? Why did they come? Were they curious? Was it out of loyalty to Peter or to Cornelius? Was it to provide support or even protection for them? How did they feel about the strangers they were about to meet? Were they afraid of them? Did they look down on them? Did they anticipate new relationship, new friendships or resistance? What did they expect would happen as a result of this meeting?
There is a line in this morning’s reading that really stood out for me, and I think it gives us a hint that will answer some of those questions. In the version we heard Denis read, it says, “The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too!” The nrsv says they were “astounded!” The Message says “They couldn’t believe that the Holy Spirit was poured out on outsider non-Jews.”
After all they had heard from Jesus about loving your neighbour – even the ones who don’t look like you, or think like you, or speak like you – even those you consider enemies – after all of that, they were “amazed” and “astounded” that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too!
So, this makes me wonder if “welcome” is what Jesus was talking about when he said, “Love one another”… or was he talking about “inclusion”, and what is the difference between the two?
Peter was given a message in his vision that everything created by God is good, that there is no such thing as “unclean” when it comes to the food put in front of him. He makes the connection that God also created all the people and so they are not unclean either. This realization allows him to meet with the Gentiles in Caesaria. He and his entourage were willing and ready to share the gospel message with them – but they weren’t ready for God to treat them in the same way as God treated the Jews, the “chosen ones”. They were “amazed” and “astounded” that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to these outsiders. It was totally unexpected.
They were ready to welcome them into the wonderful gospel message, but they weren’t ready to include them as equals in this faith community.
What I hear is the difference between “You are welcome here” and “You belong here.” It’s the difference between being a welcome guest, even an honoured guest, and being part of the family. Both are good, but they aren’t quite the same. When we talked about this in our Lectionary study, Sue made the difference clear when she said, “You love your friends and are really happy when they visit – but you don’t give them chores to do, and you don’t want them to tell you how to decorate your house or raise your children.” There’s a line there that guests, even welcome ones, are expected not to cross. It’s subtle, but it’s there. The guests know it and so do their hosts. It doesn’t need to be spelled out. But if one side misinterprets where the line is, people get uncomfortable.
Peter and his followers were excited to share their message with the Gentiles. They were excited to tell them about how their relationship with Jesus had changed their lives. This group of Gentiles were excited to hear from Peter, they were obviously moved by what he had to say and ready to become a part of this movement. So, what was the problem?
When the Holy Spirit filled these outsiders, these folks who were ritually unclean, just as the Holy Spirit had filled them at Pentecost, they were “amazed” and “astounded”! They knew that God loved everyone, of course, but did God really love everyone enough to give them a Pentecost experience? Really? Even these Gentiles who weren’t circumcised and didn’t follow the laws? Even them??
It marks a turning point, I think. Peter finally understood. “Can anyone object to my baptizing them, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
I wonder if any person in that group of Jewish visitors had reservations? I wonder if any one of them held back their objection to save face with Peter and their friends. I wonder if there were a few who wanted to say, “Wait a minute, let’s think about this.”
The Gentiles were welcome, of course. The Jesus followers were very happy that they wanted to join the movement. They were welcome! But… were they included?
Inclusion is a topic that is central to the mission of the United Church of Canada. We value diversity. We open our doors to everyone. “All are welcome here!” is a signature claim on church doors and websites and letterhead. We even sing it in our hymns! And we mean it. But is that welcome enough to make the transformation in the world that Jesus hoped to see?
Welcome is wonderful and it is vital – but is it enough? What else needs to happen to move from welcome to inclusion? How do we move from “all are welcome” to “you belong here”? It’s a question we often ponder, not just at Bells Corners, but throughout the church.
We are a welcoming church, absolutely, but is it enough? When we “draw the circle wide” are we drawing others into our family or are we being good hosts? Sometimes the shift between the two is a smooth transition. Everyone is comfortable with it because we all blend together well. But what happens when we aren’t so much alike? When we come from vastly different backgrounds or education or social situations? What happens when our race or culture or sexual identity is not the same? Is it as easy then to cross that invisible line from hosting an honoured guest to making them part of the family? Or do we hesitate and ask, “Even them?”
Tomorrow is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Bi-phobia, so this is a timely example to explore. This date was chosen because May 17, 1990, was the day the World Health Organization made the decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. It’s a day that brings awareness to the discrimination and violence faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. The United Church of Canada has worked hard over the years, even prior to that milestone in 1990, to change that situation for the LGBTQ+ community. We ordain and commission gay and trans ministers, we celebrate same-sex marriages, we welcome these individuals and families into our congregations. We have come a long way and we can be proud of the work that has been done. However, if we are to move from welcome to inclusion, there is still more work to do.
When someone new is added to a family unit, everyone changes. It can be a new baby or a spouse; it might be a stepchild or an aging in-law. No matter who we welcome in, we still have the choice of making them roommates or family members. It takes effort on both sides and it changes the dynamic of the family and each of the individuals involved. A faith community is no different, really. We can welcome honoured guests or we can make the extra effort to grow the family. We need to be honest with ourselves about our intentions and we need to be open to the changes that will inevitably take place for everyone. It’s not a matter of opening or closing the door; it’s the difference between saying, “Come on in!” and saying, “Welcome home!”
One of the things I like best about today’s scripture reading comes right at the end of the passage. Right after the baptism, Cornelius begs Peter to stay with them for several days. I like it because, to me, it is a sign that the story doesn’t end with a baptismal celebration; it moves from a story of welcome to one on the path to inclusion. The work isn’t finished. There is more to learn on both sides. Peter will stay to teach them more, yes, but also to learn from them. If they are to become truly part of the family, they need to accept each other, not in spite of their differences, but because of them and because of the richness that diversity can bring.
I will end my reflection this morning the way I began… Bells Corners is truly a welcoming church. You can feel it as soon as you walk through the doors… Many churches welcome guests and are wonderful hosts, but BCUC opens their arms and draws you into the family. May we continue on this sacred journey together, my friends as we open our doors, our arms, our hearts and our minds. May we be able to answer the question, “Even them?” with a heartfelt, “Yes, especially them! They are part of the family!”
Amen.
Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kim Vidal
God of Light, God of Love,
you fashion each of us in your image,
reflecting the presence of your Spirit and fullness of your grace.
You call us into being as whole persons;
you call us into community to be one in you.
Yet too often we choose to see others as less than ourselves
because of the colour of their skin. Or because they are not like us.
Or because they call you with different names.
But you invite us into right relationship with you and with each other.
You invite us to love you whom we have not seen;
but how can we love you
when we cannot love those who are clear reflections of you?
Remind us once again that we are all kin, that we are one in you,
O God, who created us all.
We are all sisters and brothers, walking in the light of your love.
Help us to love our neighbours even more than we love ourselves.
Make us humble and encourage us to draw the circle wide
where everyone has a place on your table of grace.
Forgive us for attitudes of superiority and privilege which result in oppression;
forgive us for binding others within structures of racism, bigotry and injustice,
and so abandoning your beloved ones to wildernesses of exclusion.
Provide us with the courage to care, the vision to imagine a new relationship,
the wisdom to speak out, and the passion to stand up and be heard.
In the name of the justice-seeking God, may we continue to provide hope and peace in the world;
- for people battered by civil war,
- for those who work in keeping an open dialogue between opposing communities,
- for farmers who risk planting fields even when landmines might be present,
- for those who have been left homeless or who have fled as refugees because of violence or war,
- for people and countries ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic,
- for our faith community facing the challenges of illness, grief, isolation, and disconnect.
And finally, we pray for ourselves.
Sometimes we feel depressed, defeated and weary.
Some of us have tangled relationships we need to undo.
Some of us are struggling with health issue or how to cope with life.
Teach us to stay strong and to be courageous in these challenging times.
God of Light, God of Love,
teach us to embrace equality and justice for all people around the world.
Create in us the desire to bring change in our world.
Unveil our hearts so that your light may shine through us.
These we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our beloved leader and teacher,
who broke barriers of exclusion and who taught us to pray this ancient prayer..
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.
Invitation to Offer Rev. Lorrie Lowes
Since its beginning, the church was meant to be a place of chosen family - a community of outcasts and outlaws, dreamers, prophets, and humble disciples of Love. In the company of Divine Presence, we create belonging and nurture justice. With gratitude for the Sacred Labors of Love in this place, let us bring our offerings to God and one another.
If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mail slot by the kitchen door of the church. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.
Offertory Prayer
Hey, God, it’s just us – just this diverse crowd of people gathered. We come for your blessing on what we give, but also for your blessing for who we are becoming as we give. May “just us”, by your blessing, become the justice of discipleship. Amen.[i]
Sending Forth Rev. Lorrie Lowes
Beloveds, let us go with hearts full of courage,
that we might practice love that disrupts bigotry.
Let us go with minds open to experiencing God
in ways strange and unexpected, in ways ordinary and everyday.
And let us go with joy, for the Creator of all life goes with us. Amen.
Hymn: Who is My Mother? - More Voices #178 - Kim - guitar, Erin – flute, Abe
1 Who is my mother, who is my brother?
All those who gather round Jesus Christ:
Spirit blown people born from the Gospel
sit at the table, round Jesus Christ.
2 Differently abled, differently labelled,
widen the circle round Jesus Christ:
crutches and stigmas, culture’s enigmas,
all come together round Jesus Christ.
3 Love will relate us, colour or status
can’t segregate us round Jesus Christ:
family failings, human derailings
all are accepted round Jesus Christ.
4 Bound by one vision, met for one mission
we claim each other, round Jesus Christ:
here is my mother, here is my brother,
kindred in Spirit, through Jesus Christ.
Words © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray, Hope Pub; Music © 2002 Ron Klusmeier, musiklus
Song # 49045 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Departing Music: Basin Street Blues – Spencer Williams arr. Lacanski flute : Erin Berard
Zoom Fellowship – 11 am
[1] Doug Reid, Gathering L/E 2019, p42. Used with permission.
[2] Richard Bott, Gathering L/E 2019, p43. Used with permission.
[3] Laura Turnbull, Gathering Lent Easter 2021, p37. Used with permission.
[i] Gord Dunbar, Gathering Lent Easter 2021, p37. Used with permission.