Sunday Worship Service - June 7, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

A CELTIC TRINITY SUNDAY

95th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

WORSHIP SERVICE

June 7, 2020

[The video of this service can be found here]

Gathering: Be Thou My Vision - arr. Mark Hayes Abe - piano

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Kim Vidal

Good morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church in Ottawa, I welcome and greet you in the name of the Triune God: Creator, Christ and Companion on this Trinity Sunday. Today we are celebrating the 95th anniversary year of the United Church of Canada which was inaugurated on June 10, 1925. Whether you are joining us from Ottawa or other parts in Canada or perhaps in other countries like the United States or in the Philippines, thank you for being part of our virtual worship service today.

During this time when we are not able to worship in the church sanctuary, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings and events and other updates. And in this trying time of COVID-19 pandemic, I encourage you to show that you care by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

In light of the ongoing racial strife in the United States that sparked anger and awareness in many parts of the world, Canada included, I urge you to offer your solidarity with the black community in their continued fight against racial injustice and to offer prayers of healing and reconciliation. Let us be reminded of our call as followers of Jesus - to stand up against all forms of injustice and to welcome people of every colour, ethnicity and creed.

I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of the Triune God who calls us to gather in the name of justice and love. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Three Candles: (A Celtic Tradition) Acolytes: Davidson Family

One: I will light a light in the name of God,
who lit the world and breathed the breath of life into me. (light the first candle)

Two: I will light a light in the name of Jesus whose compassion
blessed the world and stretched out his hand to me. (light the second candle)

Three: I will light a light in the name of the Spirit
who encompasses the world and blesses my soul with yearning. (light the third candle)

All: Three lights for the trinity of love:
God above us, God beside us, God beneath us;
the beginning, the end, the everlasting one.

*Call to Gather: (Celtic Prayers) Lorrie Lowes

I arise today
through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
through the belief in the threeness,
through the confession of the oneness
of the Creator of Creation.

Three folds of a cloth, yet only one napkin is there;
Three joints in the finger, but still one finger fair;
Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear;
Frost, snowflakes and ice, all in water their origin share.
Three Persons in God: to One God alone we make our prayer.

*Opening Prayer: (reflecting the four core functions of the United Church of Canada: witness, faith formation, community and service by Rod Sykes):

For 95 years, the Triune God has called the people of the United Church of Canada toward greater faithfulness: to witness to the power of God’s love in transforming self and society.
Triune God of hope, strengthen our resolve.
For over nine decades God has shaped this church to be a home for the hungry heart where faith is formed.
Triune God ever questing, ever yearning, grant us wisdom.
Through fourscore years and fifteen, God has nurtured this body of Christ, caring for each other with open hearts and hands.
Triune God, bring to birth among us true companionship in Christ.
Throughout the generations, the good news of the Way of Jesus has moved our forebears to respond to human need and challenge social wrong.
Triune God, ignite within us renewed commitment to your Reign. Amen.

Opening Hymn: I, the Lord of Sea & Sky - Voices United #509

1 - I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I, who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord, if you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

2 - I, the Lord of snow and rain
I have borne my people's pain
I have wept for love of them
They turn away
I will break their hearts of stone
Give them hearts for love alone
Who will speak my word to them
Whom shall I send? Refrain

3 - I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
'Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send? Refrain

Words & Music © 1981 Daniel L. Schutte New Dawn Music Song#80670
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie

How do you introduce yourself?

I usually say, “Hi, I’m Lorrie!” … well most of the time…
I might say, I’m Will’s mom, or maybe I’m Bree’s grandma… or Neil’s wife… or one of the ministers at BCUC… or your new neighbour…
Hmmm… I guess it depends on who I’m introducing myself to!
Sometimes people will ask me for my full name – like on a registration form, or at the doctor’s office or the bank… Then I would say, “Lorraine Ann Lowes” …

In high school my friends had a nickname for me. They called me Lorrie-belle…
My kids call me Mom – well except for my oldest son. He likes to call me Ma when he’s being silly….
My brother calls me Lor
Neil calls me “Hon”
Some people call me Mrs. Lowes, others call me Aunt Lorrie…
When I was little my grandma called me Lorelei Kilgallon – no idea where that came from!

I can keep going! There are so many different names for me…
It seems kind of confusing, doesn’t it? But, know what? I always know that they are talking to me or about me, no matter which name they use. I recognize their voices or the situation or the story.
I think it’s kind of the same thing with God.

Today is called “Trinity Sunday”. It’s a day when we talk about God being three in one. It’s a concept that is important to Christians but confusing at the same time. How can there be just one God but we talk about that God as Father, Son (or Jesus), and Holy Spirit? It sounds like 3 different things altogether!

I think we use different names for God depending on the situation, or our feelings at that moment, or our relationship with God – just like people use different names for us depending on those things.
I find it interesting that, although we talk about the Trinity, we have so many more names for God than just three:
Creator… Redeemer… Breath of Life… Savior…Yahweh …Jehovah… Lord… Holy Mystery…Love…Christ…

Just a walk through our hymn book gives many examples. I’m sure you can think of more. But each time, no matter which of these words we use, we are still talking about the same God. Just like I am the same person, even though I am addressed in many different ways.
And that reminds me that no matter how many names I use for God, I am still talking about the same one…
And that one God recognizes all of those names and listens to what I have to say.
Sometimes I wonder what God’s answer would be if we asked what God’s full name is…

Children’s Hymn: Father, I Adore You (sung in a round)

Father, I adore you,
lay my life before you,
how I love you.

Jesus, I adore you,
lay my life before you,
how I love you.

Spirit, I adore you,
lay my life before you,
how I love you.

Three-in-One, I adore you,
lay my life before you,
how I love you

Words & Music © Terry Caelho © 1972 Maranatha! Music
CCLI LICENSE #1199365. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: (written by Beth W. Johnson) Reader: David Stafford

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, your Word is a light in the shadows, nourishment for our hunger, challenge for our complacency, and comfort for our sorrow. Enlighten, feed, challenge and cheer us today. Amen.

Epistle Readings

Ephesians 4: 4-6

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Creator of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

Final Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brothers and sisters farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Trinity Talk: One-in-Three - God as Holy Mystery” Rev. Kim Vidal

You all know me as Kim – a minister, a teacher, a mother. But I am also a daughter, a sister, a wife. I describe myself as an empowerer, a lover, a friend. Three distinct words for one “me”. Not three Kims. Only one Kim. Now if you were to describe God, what words would you use? I’m sure you will have more than one description for God. I ask this question in the context of today’s sermon on the doctrine of Trinity. Like many other Christians, I wonder why we even spend time focusing on this 4th century doctrine. I believe that taking time to intentionally and thoughtfully examine the doctrine of Trinity is absolutely crucial to our understanding of the nature and character of God.

The first woman to have been ordained as a rabbi in Reconstructionist Judaism is Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. She had written a wonderful children’s book called In God’s Name. This book affirms the need to call God by many names: Source of Life – Creator of Light – Maker of Peace – My Rock –Ancient One – Mother – Father – Friend. The progressive Christian and professor, the Rev. Carl Gregg wrote: “We call God by many names because we recognize the limits of human language and that our lived experience of God is so diverse that no ONE name for God can capture the fullness of God.” The composer Brian Wren wrote a beautiful hymn called “Bring Many Names.” The lyrics he wrote in naming God is diverse: “Strong mother God, working night and day…Warm father God, hugging every child…Old, aching God…wiser than despair…Young, growing God, eager, on the move, crying out for justice…” Sasso, Gregg and Wren urge us to bring many names for God. They are windows of our lived experience of who God is in our lives.

Within Christianity, the most common expression of naming God is profound in the doctrine of Trinity expressed as Three-in-One, One-in-Three. Sounds like the 3 Musketeer’s motto: “All for one and one for all!” Putting words to that distinction, the church fathers who proposed this doctrine in the early 4th century chose to designate the Trinitarian Formula as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no doubt, however, that this designation is both hierarchical and patriarchal. And the major problem flowing out of this is that the Christian Church itself, following the culture of its day, also became obsessed with hierarchy and patriarchy – top down and male dominated. This approach has had profound and oftentimes devastating political, religious and social consequences especially for women.

One of my Catholic colleagues from St. Paul University recalled the first time he became aware of just how difficult and obscure the doctrine of the Trinity can be. He said that as a teenager growing up in the Roman Catholic Church, he was asked to recite the Athanasian Creed. When he got to the part which reads, The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible, he muttered, too loudly to the horror of those around him, “Geez! The whole damn thing is incomprehensible!' I totally agree with him! His story does express a general feeling among many Christians, you and I included. ‘Trinity’ is incomprehensible indeed! Over the years, people came up with images and ideas to illustrate the Trinity. “Trinity is like an egg: shell, albumen and yoke, one thing.” How about this illustration from the Celtic tradition: “Trinity is like a three leaf clover: three leaves, one clover.” Or this: “Trinity is like water: three forms (ice, steam, liquid) as one substance.” But the funniest I’ve ever heard is this: “Trinity is like 3-in-1 shampoo: shampoo, conditioner, body wash - one substance.”

It is helpful to remember feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson’s comments that “The New Testament…contains no full-blown doctrine of the Trinity…nor does the word ‘Trinity’ even appear.” A bit of history here. It was not until almost 200 years after Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians that the Christian apologist Tertullian, writing in the early 3rd century, attempted to apply the Greek word “Trinity” to Christian theology. And it was yet another century before the doctrine of the Trinity was more fully debated and formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 and the Council of Constantinople in 381. In other words, it would take 350 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus before Christians, particularly the Church Fathers, were able to articulate a full-fledged doctrine of the Trinity. During those three centuries, there were also many other diverse ways that Christians understood their experiences with God besides the threefold pattern that eventually became the orthodox position. And here we are in the 21st century- still trying to decipher what could Trinity mean for us today.

A problem that may arise in our understanding of the Trinity is the fact that we see the Trinitarian God as a Person. We were taught in church particularly in Sunday School, that Trinity is God in Three Persons – this is what we profess in hymns like Holy, Holy, Holy or in the ancient creeds that some still recite. The late NT scholar Marcus Borg suggested that the Latin and Greek word “persona” translated as ‘person’ does not mean what ‘person’ most commonly means in English. Today, a ‘person’ means a separate being. But ‘persona’ in the ancient texts refers to the mask worn by actors in Greek and Roman theatres. Borg’s comments caught my imagination: “To speak of one God and three persons is to say that God is known to us wearing three different ‘masks’... in three different roles” (Borg 1997:98). Indeed, a Holy mystery. A multi-faceted sacredness - creating, indwelling, sustaining, resisting, recreating, challenging, guiding, liberating, completing. Borg suggests that when we step away from a literalist understanding, ‘Trinity’ shows that God is not primarily a lawgiver and judge but the compassionate one. And the religious life is not about requirements, but about relationship.” So where does that leave us in terms of understanding the doctrine of the Trinity in this time and place?

In her book, She Who Is, Elizabeth Johnson traces the origin of Trinitarian thinking to early Christians especially those who follow Paul and his teachings. Although Paul did not attempt to define the doctrine of Trinity, the closing verses in most of Paul’s authentic letters and those attributed to him accentuate how the early Christians “experienced God in a threefold way.” His letters particularly to the 2nd Corinthians is a good resource in understanding Trinity. Paul, Johnson writes, “experienced the saving God in a threefold way as God beyond them, God with them, and God within them, that is, as utterly transcendent, as present historically in the person of Jesus, and as present in the Spirit within their community. These were all encounters with only one God. Accordingly, the early Christians talk about God in this threefold pattern: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Early Christian letters and gospels are filled with this threefold cadence that appears in hymns, greetings, confessions of faith, liturgical formulas, doxologies, and short rules of faith…. In the process, the monotheistic view of God flexed to incorporate Jesus and the Spirit…. Their language expanded creatively to accommodate their threefold religious experience.

I like what Johnson proposes, that the early Christians believed in one monotheistic God, but they experienced this one God in at least three particular ways: “beyond them, with them, and within them.” I think this is one of the many ways we could address this doctrine of Trinity in this day and age. Like the early Christians, we may experience a transcendent God who is beyond us. This means that the fullness of God is beyond our language, beyond our knowledge, and beyond our experience. On June 10th, the United Church of Canada is turning 95 years old. In the United Church of Canada’s Song of Faith, we profess that God is Holy Mystery. But this does not mean that we should sit comfortably and say – I do not need to explain this because mystery is mystery. I think we are making a big mistake if we ignore to understand and unearth this Holy Mystery in our midst. The best way to do this is naming God that speaks to our own lived experience. When I was about 5 years old, I imagine the vast ocean as God – with all living creatures underneath, the endless horizon touching the sky and the beautiful waves that kiss the shore. Through the years, I’ve added more to the mysteriousness of God by embracing more liberal, unorthodox concepts. God is like a tree – with branches and leaves and flowers and fruits – yet it is one huge tree. God is a positive energy giving life to all creation. Do not be afraid to use metaphors when you talk about God. Such is the beauty of expanding our thoughts and understanding of challenging doctrines like the Trinity.

Time and time again, we experience God with us in the flesh, believed historically in the person of Jesus. This became known as the theology of Incarnation: that Jesus embodied the ways of God through his life. We also experience God as within us, “as present in the Spirit within our community.” So, although there was a transcendent aspect of God that would always be beyond our experience and even after Jesus was no longer physically with us, we still experience the presence of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So here’s my challenge for you as you reflect on Trinity. How do you respond to the traditional language of Father, Son, Holy Spirit? Are you comfortable with these words? What feelings, thoughts, or memories emerge in response to these metaphors? For me, I see the doctrine of Trinity as a metaphor for connectedness or relationship. It encompasses God as a creative energy, present in Jesus - a just companion in our journey and alive in a community through the Spirit of mutual trust and friendship. I also embrace Augustine’s one of many attempts at alternative Trinitarian language: “Lover, Beloved, Love.” God is the Lover, Jesus is the Beloved, and the Spirit is Love. When we acknowledge a loving God, following the teachings of Jesus the beloved, who promotes the Spirit of love, imagine how the world will be like. A world where hatred and violence will be no more, where we are able to embrace the other as our sister or brother no matter what colour of the skin, no matter which status in life, no matter what creed one professes. What about you? How would you name God? What is your personal understanding of Trinity?

Deeply seated in the Celtic tradition is the mystery of God as One in Three. It was believed that St. Patrick taught the early Irish people the meaning of Trinity through the image of a shamrock. A poem attributed to St. Patrick during his Irish ministry in the 5th century expresses the Celtic meaning of Trinity. I leave you this prayer as you continue to reflect on the meaning of Trinity: I bind unto myself today The strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same The Three in One and One in Three. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Let us join our hearts prayer

Creator, Christ, Comforter, today we celebrate the 95th anniversary of The United Church of Canada. We give thanks for the many ways of being a community of love, a community that embraces inclusion, compassion, justice, and truth. We celebrate how we continue to work towards living in right relationships and in healing the world. We pause to honour those who have gone before us and those who are still with us: ministers, lay leaders, educators, preachers, teachers, administrators, caregivers, dishwashers, builders, bakers, storytellers, peacemakers, musicians, and so many more—all part of the cloud of witnesses.

Lover, Beloved, Love, we are grateful for your constant caring among us in our faith community. We pray for our young ones and elders, our families, the singles, the couples, those of us who yearn for companionship. We pray for the wider church, the Regional Council where we belong, our Moderator and all the leaders of the United Church of Canada that they may guide us to life-giving ministries. I pray that all hearts and voices be heard as each congregation take a significant step in their desire to becoming one family of faith.

Compassionate God, we pray for people for whom the world is dark, for those who are dealing with pain and suffering, illness, loneliness, homelessness, poverty, disability, hunger, addictions, and broken relationships. May your light and love fill their lives so they may be both healed. We take a moment now, in silence, to offer the names of those who need your healing touch...

Justice-seeking God, there is an ongoing racial strife in the United States that sparked anger and protests in the US, here in Canada and many parts of the world. We pray that racial justice may be attained very soon, that it may lead us to dream with Martin Luther King. Jr where children are not judged by the colour of their skin. Empower us to welcome people of every colour, ethnicity and creed. Encourage us to be advocates of the sacredness of human life that welcomes all. We pray for those who are trying to survive devastating periods of terror, violence, war, unrest, hunger, displacement and the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Triune God, deliver us from fear, greed, and all evil things that keep us away from your love.

Be with us as we long for fresh hopes and dreams for a better world. And with grateful hearts, let us unite in this prayer that Jesus taught us in the language of your choice:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering: Rev. Kim Vidal

I now invite you to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

Gracious God, may love, hope and shalom be a reality through the sharing of our time, talents, treasures and commitment. Accept what we offer and who we are. Amen.

Sending Forth: (inspired by the words of UCC Song of Faith) Lorrie Lowes

May God, who we speak of as one and triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you as you go from here.
May you be strengthened by the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
Emboldened by God, Christ, and Spirit,
Held by Mother, Friend, and Comforter,
Inspired by the Source of Life, Living Word, and Bond of Love,
And, as you go, may you know that the One on whom our hearts rely,
blesses us and sends us forth to witness to Holy Mystery that is Wholly Love. Amen

Departing Music: My Soul Cries Out - More Voices #120

1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things, that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn!

2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might,
put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn. Refrain

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears, ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. Refrain

4. Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain

Music: traditional melody Ireland Words and arrangement: © Rory Cooney - GIA pub
Song #00762 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Choral Blessing: The Irish Blessing – Traditional words, music: Douglas Nolan

BCUC choir & Leslie Wade - violin

Bonus: We Rise Again – Dubinsky Abe - piano

Sunday Worship Service - May 31, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

PENTECOST SUNDAY
WORSHIP SERVICE

May 31, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering songs: More Voices #13 – O Let the Power Fall on Me

O let the power fall on me, my Lord, let the power fall on me.
O let the power from heaven fall on me, let the power fall on me.

For we want justice and truth and love, my Lord, we want justice and truth and love
For we want justice and truth and love, my Lord, we want justice and truth and love

Music: traditional Caribbean song Words verse 1 and Adaptation by Birchfield Aymer
arrangement by Patrick Prescod © the Caribbean conference of Churches
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

More Voices #6 – Holy Spirit, Come Into Our Lives

Holy Spirit, come into our lives. Holy Spirit, make us truly wise (continuously)

Words and Music © 1998 Ken Canedo OCP Publications Song # 83119
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Kim

Welcome! Bienvenue! Bienvinidos! Maligayang Pagdating!

On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday – the birthday of the Christian Church. Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad that you have joined us in our virtual worship service!

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Friends, as we worship together,
May we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, like the people gathered on that Day of Pentecost.
May the winds of change and the tongues of flame rush into our hearts and empower our souls.
Let us now centre ourselves in the presence of God as we gather in worship.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Peck-Jones Family

We light this candle as a symbol of the presence of Christ.
Christ was known to us through the stories we share.
Christ was experienced by us through the gathered community.
Christ is present to us through the Spirit that is in our midst.
Come, Holy Spirit! Be with us today. Fill our hearts with joy and confidence!

Call to Gather: Lorrie Lowes & Nicole Beaudry

Holy Spirit, Giver of life, in the beginning of time,
you moved over the face of the waters;
you breathe into every living being the breath of life.
Come, Creator Spirit, and renew the whole creation.

Esprit-Saint, voix des prophètes:
(Holy Spirit, voice of the prophets:)
tu enflâmes des hommes et des femmes d’une passion pour ta vérité,
(you enflame men and women with a passion for your truth,)
et à travers eux, tu appelles ton peuple à des voies de justice et de compassion.
(and through them, call your people to ways of justice and compassion.)
Viens, Esprit de justice, et brûle dans nos cœurs.
(Come, Spirit of Righteousness, and burn in our hearts.)

Holy Spirit, Advocate, Friend, Wind and Flame
You break down barriers of language, race, and culture,
and heal the divisions that separate us.
Come, Spirit of Power, make us bold witnesses of your redeeming love.

Viens, Esprit réconciliant
(Come, Reconciling Spirit,)
et unis-nous tous dans l'amour de Dieu.
(and unite us all in the love of God.)
Viens, Esprit Créateur,
(Come, Creator Spirit,)
et fais de nous de nouvelles créations en Jésus-Christ.
(and make us new creations in Jesus Christ.)

Paul Detterman, Reformed Worship Magazine. French text translated by Nicole Beaudry.

Opening Prayer: (by Rt. Rev. Richard Bott) Erin, Noah & Nicolas Berard

With the beat of a wild wing (clap hands together)
With the rush of a mighty wind (rub hands together building tension)
With the Pentecost flame (place hot palm against forehead)
Touch us, Holy Spirit! (Open and cross hands, linking thumbs, so hands become a bird)
Love us into being, Spirit of God! (Bird flies to the left)
Love us into wholeness, Spirit of Wisdom! (bird flies to the right)
Love us into newness, Spirit of Christ!
(Bird flies straight up and hands undo, arms opening in praise)
Alleluia! (hands up in the air)
May it ever be! (hands over your chest)
Amen. (hands folded over chest)

Opening Hymn: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (Souffle, vent doux du Saint-Esprit) VU#375

Refrain (English):
Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness,
calling and free,
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.

1-Tu touchas la terre Esprit créateur
Tu dressas les montagne,
en gloire et splendeur;
à travers les âges, tu crias à tous vents: “déployez vos ailes, sortez du néant.”

Refrain (French):
Souffle, vent doux du Saint-Esprit;
Tu grâce me conduit hors du desert.
Souffle, grand vent du Saint-Esprit,
secoue notre apathie, vent, vent sur la mer.

2-You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded
with idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets
to open their eyes.

Refrain

3-You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people
on the rush of the wind.

Refrain

4-You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow
all the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions,
our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions your people arise.

Refrain

Words & Music © 1978 James K. Manley Translation © 1995 Andrew Donaldson
Song #44816 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie:

Good Morning!

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It’s a pretty important day in the year of our church. It’s kind of the beginning of how church began. Today’s story explains how that happened. So, it happens in Jerusalem, a couple of months almost after Easter. The disciples and the followers of Jesus were in Jerusalem and they were in a room or a building together. They were probably wondering what they were supposed to do now that Jesus wasn’t with them anymore – but he had promised them that he would send the Holy Spirit to help them out, and that’s what happened that day! They describe it as if a big wind came into the building all of a sudden and it took their breath away… and then it seemed that there were little flames above everybody’s heads that they could see. I think that means that they got really excited or “fired up” about something, maybe about sharing the news about Jesus. And the other really exciting thing that happened was that they could be understood by everybody around! That was a big deal because outside of the building were people from all over the world at that time. People who spoke all kinds of different languages – and they could all understand what the followers of Jesus were saying when they came out of that building! That would be pretty neat to hear all of those languages at once and be able to hear your own language and be able to understand what was being said.

Do you speak more than one language? Most of you take French at school, I imagine, so that gives you English and French. Some of you may speak another language at home if that’s part of your family heritage. You may have learned another language from your grandmother or from your parents. You are really lucky if you can do that! I really love to learn languages and I try to learn a little bit of the language everywhere I go. But, you what? I think we already DO speak a lot of languages – all of us, even you! Language is a way we share our thoughts and our feelings. We usually think about that as words but there are other ways that we share our thoughts and our ideas and our feelings too…

Think about art. Art is a kind of language – a way to express how we’re feeling or to express ideas. You, for sure, draw pictures of things that you’d like to build or fantasy things that you’d like to see, or pictures that make you happy – or pictures to tell other people how you feel about them. That’s a way of expressing your ideas, thoughts and feelings, so that’s a kind of language.

Another one would be music. Musicians express their thoughts and feelings when they write or when they perform music. Often when we hear music it makes us feel in a certain way, which is exactly what the writer or the composer or the performer was trying to do for us. Even when we sing a song, that often expresses how we’re feeling as well. So music is another kind of language that we all have a bit of in us.

Sometimes we might express ourselves in negative ways. We might stomp our feet if we’re really angry, or scowl at someone or even shake a fist. That’s not exactly a great kind of language - but it is body language and people understand what you’re trying to say, even without words. But, I think I like the body language of a smile better. So, if you’re feeling really good about things, or you like someone and you give them a big smile, that tells them something too. Again, no words needed.

I bet you’ve told someone how much you care about them when you give them a big hug when you see them. There’s another way that you have language without using any words.People sometimes talk about flowers as being a kind of language. Have you ever picked a bouquet of dandelions for your Mom or Grandma? That’s a way of expressing your ideas or your feelings about things. That’s something that people do a lot, for special occasions or bringing flowers into the house is a way of expressing yourself. So, maybe there’s a language of flowers as well.

Even doing a good deed for someone is a kind of language because it conveys what you think about the world and what you think about the world around you. Right now, even wearing a mask is a good deed because you’re protecting the people around you and it tells them that you care about them. Staying home is another part of that these days. It’s kind of strange…but there are a lot of good deeds that we do – helping out around the house, helping at school, helping your neighbours…all of these things are ways that you tell people, without words, exactly how you feel and that , probably, you are a follower of Jesus because you’ve learned those lessons well.

So, all of those things are ways of expressing love – which is the language Jesus really wanted us to learn, isn’t it? So, see! You can speak lots of languages already! That’s a pretty amazing thing – and I think that’s the message we should be taking away from this story about Pentecost. We can share our understanding, we can share our love for each other, we can share what we learn from Jesus’ teachings – and all of those things can be done in languages that don’t need words. So, Pentecost, when that happened for the disciples and all the other followers of Jesus, was a very important day in our church history…

And so, today we celebrate that and we say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHURCH!

Children’s Hymn: Over My Head MV#88

Refrain (English)
Over my head,
I hear music in the air. (3x)
There must be a God somewhere.

Refrain (French)
Au-d’ssus de moi,
c’est d’la musique que j’entends. (3x)
Il y a un Dieu quelque part.

When the storms of life are ragin’
I hear music in the air. (3x)
There must be a God somewhere.

When the winds of strife are blowin’
I hear music in the air. (3x)
There must be a God somewhere.

When the Spirit lives within me,
I hear music in the air. (3x)
There must be a God somewhere.

Words and Music: African-American spiritual French translate © 2006 Denise Soulodie
arrangement © 2006 Stephen Lee – Professional Music Services Song# 30114796
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination: Reader: Alison Bridgewater

Holy God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let the Holy Spirit give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, and strength to follow on the path you set before us through Jesus Christ. Amen.

NT Reading: “The First Pentecost” Acts 2:1-21(NRSV)

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 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. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

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. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

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.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Winds of Change” Rev. Kim Vidal

There’s a huge celebration going on in the streets of Jerusalem. This is because of a religious festival known as Feast of Pentecost or Feast of Harvest that gathers thousands of Jewish people from all over the Empire. This festival is linked to the Jewish Festival of Shavuot which commemorates the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel that assembled at Mount Sinai. It also celebrates the first harvest giving thanks to God for the blessings of food and sustenance.

While people outside are busy doing their festival business, a group of about 120 people gathered inside a big room praying and praising God. Whether Luke is exaggerating or not, this gathering marked by the presence of the whooshing winds, tongues of fire, and speaking in different languages make me think that Pentecost was a huge event that will change the lives of the first followers of Jesus forever.

The story of Pentecost is about how the Christian church came alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a life-changing event. It was a gathering that inaugurates the first followers of Jesus to carry on his teachings to the world. From ordinary folks, they became transformed, empowered and equipped for ministry. On that day, they received the power of the Holy Spirit to take the gospel from the room where they gather to the streets there in Jerusalem... and eventually throughout the world. What happened that day was such a powerful experience that the people gathered there had to turn to extraordinary symbols and metaphors to describe what happened. Luke says it was like a mighty violent wind blowing on them and tongues of flaming fire sitting over their heads. A sense of community and understanding transcended the differences of language and ethnicity of the first believers. That rushing violent wind-- was the exciting sound of old barriers broken down and old ways being shattered. On the day of Pentecost, the followers of Jesus acquired a holy boldness that they’d never had before. If before Pentecost, they were living in moments of grief, uncertainty, fear and despair, now they were totally changed! Prodded and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the once disheartened followers moved on to proclaim the good news of God’s love through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Imagine how this group of believers who gathered in that first Pentecost will change. They’ll struggle with pressures, put-downs and persecutions from powers that be. They’ll attempt to spread the good news about Jesus and God’s love and sometimes they will fail at it. They’ll be fired up wanting to convert newcomers to the faith but will find some challenges along the way. They’ll try to be inclusive, but not always successful. They’ll argue and debate about the best way to go on and they will sometimes quit and give up. Sound like any church if you ask me!

Change among the first believers was not always easy. But they understood that change is part of a life of faith. Invited or not, welcomed or not, change always knocks on every door.

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher once said that the only constant in life is change. I totally agree with him. Nothing in life ever stays the same. People change. Perspectives change. Relationships change. The world changes on a daily basis. Today we are living in a time of huge change: technological, political, cultural, religious, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Empty streets, schools are closed, social distancing, virtual worship services, travel restrictions, no large gatherings and the list goes on. We have never seen change like this before! So, it’s no wonder if we feel anxious… disoriented… and afraid.

But I think we’re in a time when God is trying to do amazing new things, through us. It’s a time when we need to be honest and to open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit – to offer love and kindness, to lift each other up in prayer, to offer support where it is needed, to proclaim that there is hope amidst the uncertainties. The Spirit is and will always be on the move! Pentecost reminds us that the winds of change still blow into our lives to prod and urge us to move forward!

How will the Spirit be poured out on us individually and communally and change the way we relate to each other? Language matters. That is one of the messages of Pentecost. And sometimes we need to hear the story in different languages. Pentecost asks us, to open our ears - to listen to one another in diverse ways - to welcome the untamed wind who blows through closed doors and closed minds- to be opened to the flames of power to transform us, both as individuals and as a community. The diversity of our church life is amazing, each one brings their authentic faith, lived experience and gifts that brought us together to this church at some point in our lives. In our stories, I hear an urgent message to all of us –that even in this time of social distancing, even when we do not see each other face to face, there is still a hunger for deep joy, authentic longing, renewed hope and meaningful connections.

The Holy Spirit – that agent of change comes in like tongues of fire and moved the lips and hearts those who are gathered in Jerusalem on that Feast of Pentecost. And now, and always, there are and will be an endless array of voices, of deep wisdom and conviction. These voices are the winds of change. They speak. And we listen.

From the tongue of Leonard Cohen, legendary Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and author: “Ring the bells that still can ring / Forget your perfect offering / There is a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in.”

From the tongue of 12th century German mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, who chose life in a cell over the other options available to her in her culture and time, these words: “Fire of the Spirit, life of the lives of creatures, Spiral of sanctity, bond of all natures, Glow of charity, light of clarity, Taste of sweetness to the fallen, Be with us and hear us.”

From the tongue of Oscar Romero, Catholic Archbishop, martyr and champion of the poor: “We are prophets of a future not our own. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that”.

From the tongue of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, Nobel Prize winner and anti-Apartheid icon: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

From the tongue of Nellie McClung, Canadian feminist and social activist: "I saw what could be done with words, for I had a vision of a new world as I talked."

From the tongue of the poet William Blake, I close this reflection with these words: “Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire, God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire, God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire, God will not be loved.

Unless the mind catch fire, God will not be known.”

So let the fire and spirit of God fall afresh on us, opening our lips to preach and sing and our hearts to love. We ask God’s fire and spirit to ignite our hearts and inflame our souls that we may burn anew with God’s love. We ask the Pentecost God to give us the fire and spirit of lively living, believing and holy babbling; to take our words and speak through them; to take our minds and think through them; to take our hearts and set them on fire; to take our spirit and make us winds of change! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayer for Pentecost

God, the light of your Spirit has fallen upon us,
The seal of your ownership is on us,
You have placed the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Like tongues of fire it has renewed and restored.
In our rising and our sleeping,
In our working and our playing,
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Your Spirit’s brightness has dispelled the darkness,

In our loving and caring,
In our touching and our listening,
In our thoughts and in our actions,
God’s Spirit has brought life out of death.

(Pause to silently invite the Holy Spirit to touch those who need healing and God’s presence)

God, your spirit fell like tongues of fire.
It filled those that were empty,
It empowered those that were weary.

God, your spirit fell like tongues of fire.
It brought together those that were divided,
It reassured those who were afraid.

God, your spirit fell like tongues of fire.
By its power we can walk together as one,
By its power we can find strength to share.

God, your spirit fell like tongues of fire.
By its power we can find freedom in loving each other,
By its power we can find life in you. Amen.

Part of a longer litany used at the Mustard Seed House. Posted on Godspace.com

And with grateful hearts, let us unite in this prayer that Jesus taught us in the language of your choice:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering: Lorrie Lowes

I now invite you to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

Generous Spirit, bless these gifts of time, talents and treasures that we offer and guide us as we use them. May your power be added to all that we bring. Amen.

Sending Forth: (inspired by a blessing written by Robin Wardlaw) Rev. Kim Vidal

We have opened our hearts to God’s Spirit
on this day of Pentecost.
As you go from this time of worship,
let your breath give life to others
and to all of God’s creation.
Let God’s Spirit breathe into us with goodness,
and breathe out of us in love.
With your every breath and with the breath of all that lives,
give praise to God.
Gracias a Dios! Salamat sa Dios! Grâce à Dieu ! Thanks be to God!
Amen.

Departing Music: Come O Holy Spirit MV 23

1. Come, O Holy Spirit,
set the Church on fire;
strike it as the lightning
hits a posing spire.
Burn away the structures
and consume the sham
of our holy systems:
Come, in Jesus’ name!

Refrain (English)
Come, come, come, in Jesus name!
Take our hearts by storm.
All the world lies open
Pentecost is now!
I said a - Repeat refrain

Refrain (French)
Viens, viens, au nom de Jésus
Tempête en nos coeurs;
Partout c’est l’attente
La Pentecôte est là!
Et je dis: - repete

2. Blow away the cobwebs
of our stubborn past.
Come, send flying from us
myths unfit to last.
Wind of change, refresh us
and disturb our calm;
teach us what true love is,
take our hearts by storm. R

3. Free us from the babble
of our Babel mind;
spark in us a language
all can understand.
Lighten then our darkness,
Come and show us how
all the world lies open:
Pentecost is now! R

A-----men!

Words © 1972 Fred Kaan rev. 1998– Hope Publishing Co. Song # 18536
Music © 2000 Ron Klusmeier www.musiklus.com Song# 80560 French © 2006 David Fines
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sunday Worship Service - May 24, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

7th SUNDAY OF EASTER
WORSHIP SERVICE

May 24, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering: The music of Chipembi Mission of the United Church of Zambia

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Lorrie Lowes DM

Good morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ whose love and teachings bind us together on this seventh Sunday of Easter. Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, if you are with family or if you are alone, we are so glad you have joined us in our virtual worship service!

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Friends, let us gather together today where our journeys overlap.

Lighting of Christ Candle

Lorrie Lowes BCUC:

No matter when or where we gather,
If we gather in Christ’s name,
we are assured of His presence among us.
And so, as we begin out service of worship today,
We light a candle as a symbol of that Holy Presence with Bells Corners United Church…

Keith Jeacle, Emmanuel United Church:
… and we light a candle as a symbol of that Holy Presence with Emmanuel United Church…

Representative from Chipembi, Zambia:
… and we light a candle as a symbol of that Holy Presence with Chipembi.

May Christ bless us as we join our hearts in loving partnership.

Call to Gather: Lorrie Lowes

From the comfort of our homes,
Alone or in small family groupings
We gather our hearts in worship.
In this time of uncertainty, we seek connection to the Divine.
We seek the companionship and warmth of the community we so dearly miss.
Let this shared experience of worship remind us of the love that connects our faith family,
Whether we are in one building or spread around the globe.
In spirit, let us worship God together.

Prayer of Approach*: Lorrie Lowes

Let us pray…
God, you invite us into community with you – at your table and in your world.
The responsibility is awesome
To love one another as Christ loves us.
Thank you – for this community of love.
Thank you - for being more than we can imagine.
Thank you, God!
Amen.

*Written by Richard Bott, Gathering, Lent- Easter 2016, p30. Used with permission

Opening Hymns: You Are Holy (MV45)

1. You Are Holy, You show us the way (4x)
You show us, You show us, You show us the way (4x)
2. You Are Freedom, You show us the way (4x)
3. You Are Justice, You show us the way (4x)

Words & Music © Traditional song South Africa
English paraphrase and arrangement More Voices 2007
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Know That God is Good (MV104)

Know That God is Good (3x), God is good, God is good. (English)

Mu-ngu ni mwe-ma (3x), ni mwe-ma, ni mwe-ma. (Swahili)

C’est vrai Dieu est bon! (3x), Dieu est bon! Dieu est bon! (French)

Ka-ton-da mu-lun-gi, (3x), mu-lun-gi, mu-lun-gi. (Luganda)

Words & Music © Traditional song Congo Song #94990.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Erin Berard

Alright, take one of your hands and tuck it behind your back! Now that you have just one of your hands, think of some things that might be really tricky to do now. Like, can you tie your shoe with only one hand? Or how about operate a can opener? Or, how about putting your hair up in a pony tail? Sometimes having two hands is definitely better than one!

Think about some games and things we do for fun. Have you ever tried riding a seesaw by yourself? Or playing a game of Battleship? It's a lot more fun when you have 2 people!

Think, too, about group projects you've done at school before. Sure, it's sometimes tricky working with other people. Somebody might boss the group around, or some people might not do their fair share of the work, and you have to get consensus on all the different ideas you have. But working together lets us benefit from everyone's strengths. You get to share ideas and build off of one another. It should make work easier, and hopefully a lot more fun, too. We can all help each other succeed.

In today's service, we get to learn more from Lorrie about BCUC's partnership with the Chipembi community in Zambia.

Think more about partnerships as you check out this week's Sunday School materials, and also check out BCUC's Facebook page. There's a post there with a question for you. You can comment or add a photo of your ideas of how two is better than one.

Children’s Hymn: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me – Voices United #575

1. I’m gonna live so God can use me
Anywhere, Lord, any time!
I’m gonna live so God can use me
Anywhere, Lord, any time.

2. I’m gonna work so God can use me…

3. I’m gonna pray so God can use me…

4. I’m gonna sing so God can use me…

Words & Music © African American Spiritual Song #95386
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: Reader: Neil Lowes

O God, we pray that you will open our hearts and minds
to hear your message of love
in this reading today.
May it inspire us as we continue your work in the world. Amen.

Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (The Message)

The Value of a Friend

9-10 It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!

11 Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

12 By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Reflection: Lorrie and Neil Lowes

We have been waiting so long to tell you about this last visit to the Chipembi Mission in Zambia! This pandemic has really affected so many aspects of our lives and this is just one small example.

When we left for Zambia on March 12 of this year, news of the Covid-19 virus was still fairly new. We were concerned that the trip might be cancelled - either by flight cancellations or border restrictions, or maybe that the people receiving us might see us as a health threat – but we were assured that everything was under control and that the people of Chipembi were eagerly awaiting our arrival. So, off we went, armed with Lysol wipes, and hand sanitizers to keep us safe on the plane and in the airports.

This was not a first visit to Chipembi for me. I traveled there two years ago with a group of Young Adults, including Hazel and Doyle Smith from our own congregation. It was a profound experience for me. One of the big realizations I had at that time was that this kind of visit has a limited effect. The visitors often have their eyes opened to life in cultures very different from their own. The hosts put a great deal of work into making the experience meaningful for the guests and appreciate getting to know something about us and our culture too. The concern and the work that is done during the visit is appreciated. The “partnership” aspect, however, seems to be lost once the visitors have returned home. Hopefully, we visitors come home with a renewed outlook on the world - but often the connection between new friends gets lost as life goes back to normal in both corners of the world. So, I returned from that first trip, determined to change that for us here at BCUC and for our new friends in Chipembi.

Our reading today focusses on working together in a partnership. It makes me wonder – What is the difference between helping out a neighbour on a one-time basis and becoming partners? I think it all comes down to relationship. In order to be partners, all parties need to be in a relationship of mutual care and respect for each other. The help and support are mutual things – every member is concerned for and ready to help make the others the best they can possibly be – for the benefit of everyone involved. Think of this in terms of teamwork… Games are not won by one member of the team. It takes the skill and the resources and the effort of every player to reach a victory. Some may stand out from time to time as the “stars” of the team but they reach that status with the support of the rest of the team.

When we think of this in terms of outreach work in the church, this moves us from a traditional charity model – where there is one magnanimous giver and one or more humble receivers – to a model that benefits all parties. As Christians, we want to help others – and that’s a good thing. We aren’t always as willing, however, to express our own needs or accept help from someone else. I think the important aspect that’s often missing in that traditional charity model is respect – and that’s something that is foundational in a partnership – and foundational in the concept of loving one’s neighbour.

On the wall in my office, I have posted an African Proverb:

“I see you and you see me, and therefore we shall be concerned for each other.”

It’s an expression of the Africa concept of “ubuntu”, a philosophy that I believe expresses this concept well. Ubuntu is an African word which means "I am who I am because of who we all are". It highlights the fact that we are all interdependent. We can compare it to “The Golden Rule” in western culture but I think it takes it a step further. I think it gives a clearer picture of what it means to be in relationship as partners in creation.

Today’s reading from Ecclesiastes also gives us the image of a three-stranded rope – an image I love for our context. The partnership we are building includes three communities – Bells Corners United Church, Emmanuel United Church, and the community of the Chipembi Mission. Like the three-stranded rope, we are all strong and vibrant communities on our own but can be so much stronger when we work together.

I have so many things to tell you about our last visit with our friends in Zambia! Neil will share some of his reflections with you this morning but there will be many more stories to tell once we can be together again in community.

My Reflections of Chipembi and the way ahead – Neil Lowes

My first trip to Zambia and I had been warned that the country and the people would affect me. Too true…..I found the people open, warm, caring, and above all receptive to our combined mission (BCUC and Emanuel United) of renewing the Partnership Agreement with the Chipembi Congregation of the United Church of Zambia.

We stayed at the farm of Omega Bula (Makumba Farm) named after her father who was a United Church Minister. The farm is a 40 minute walk to the village. Early in the trip, Lorrie and I walked to the village to orient ourselves to our surroundings. We only saw 1 snake on the trip and the hike had made me a little warm despite the summer clothes and ventilated hat I was wearing. I decided that a beard trim and a hair trim would solve things. So picture this old white guy sitting on a wooden chair with the barber working his magic, while three local children stood on a chair outside the window watching the old white guy get his head shaved and his beard trimmed close to his face. I think a good project would be to get hydro in his barber hut so his clippers wouldn’t rely on charge state of the 12V car battery.

Working, viewing, and discussing the workings of the Chipembi Mission site over the time we were there enabled us to identify many potential “Projects” that would improve the life and well being of the citizens of Chipembi, and the members of the United Church of Zambia in Chipembi.

The community “Leaders” are an ad-hoc committee made up of the minister of the United Church, Head Teacher (Director) of the Chipembi Girls Secondary School, Head of the Basic School, Head of the Chipembi Agricultural College, Secretary of the United Church Congregation, Director of the Chipembi Medical Centre, and several forward thinking young people. We met with these folks several times over the course of the week, and came to an understanding that while we all agreed there were projects that we all would like to fund and see to completion, however,

it would be the responsibility of the Chipembi Leaders to prioritize projects based on agreement among the leaders as to what projects are on the project lists and the importance of each.

This is an important aspect of the partnership so that the “we” side of the partnership doesn’t deliver a project that would not meet the goals of the Chipembi leaders. For example, while in church on our first day there it was hot and I thought ceiling fans would be a great idea to keep up air circulation and cool things down a bit. Then I noticed several men in suit coats and sweaters, while the women were covering their legs with a chitenge (like a blanket). Clearly, I was using our Canadian values to solve a perceived need that was not shared by this congregation.

Some of the projects identified over the course of our meetings, in no particular order are:

• Addition to the Church Building:

The committee has had architectural drawings done of the building addition, but the project has not yet had a project estimate done. Scope of the project would provide the minister with a proper office facility rather than the cupboard he currently uses.

In addition to a proper minister’s office, the addition would provide a Vestry Room, lounge, and conference room with washroom facilities. The current church building is used as a conference room when required. For example, The Director of the Girls Secondary School uses the church when he needs to address his full student population of 600 girls.

The new conference room would also be used as a community centre, providing space for activities such as sewing lessons for the women. There have been a number of sewing machines donated but there is no place to use them.

• Expansion of the Chipembi Basic school building to include Secondary school to grade 12:

Currently, the primary school in Chipembi stops at Grade 8 and students going on to grade 12 attend a secondary school 13KM away. Both boys and girls go for the week, walking to get there while carrying their food for the week. Expanding the Chipembi school would improve safety, security and overall learning performance for the students in Chipembi.

• Establishment of a computer Lab in Basic school with basic LAN, MS Office and Internet access:

There exists an 8 computer “Lab” in the primary school but the computers are old and no longer supported by Microsoft. There is no connectivity between any of the computers, each is an island unto its own.

This project would be an ongoing exercise to equip the younger generation with computer skills aimed at preparing them for the world towards which Zambia is rapidly moving. There is an extensive cellular data network in and around Chipembi and pretty much everyone has a smartphone. Laptop Computer Expansion within the student population at the primary and secondary schools would facilitate their ability to prepare for country wide standardized testing which they must take using the scarce numbers of computers available

• Bursaries for deserving students at Primary and Secondary Levels

It costs $75 US to send a student to school for a year. Not all families are able to afford this so deserving students don’t get the education they should. If the school waives the tuition, the school suffers funding loss paying the teaching staff and for projects they would otherwise undertake. The community leaders are the committee that decide which students would receive the bursary.

• Equipment for Medical centre

We toured the medical Centre and witnessed a shortage of medical support items that would be beneficial. Proper hospital beds are needed, maternity chairs / beds, and wheelchairs to name a few.

For example, on our tour we saw a wheelchair with only 3 wheels. I priced a replacement while I was in Lusaka, the city, and a brand new wheelchair is $350 US. Certainly a worthwhile project.

Overall a life changing experience, and, working in partnership with Emmanuel United, I believe the opportunity exists to not only fundraise for projects, but I believe we can become true partners with Chipembi by having members of the BCUC family participate both here and on site in Zambia to bring the prioritized projects to completion.

Lorrie

One small image I will leave with you is the overwhelming emotion I felt during the church service we attended on our first Sunday there. The music and the joy were amazing! And for me, one of the most powerful moments was when we recited the Lord’s Prayer. The words may be ancient and sometimes feel foreign to our modern ears, but when people come together from far apart places on this earth and recite those words together in worship, the feeling of being united in a faith family stirs the heart.

For thine is the kin-dom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever….

Amen.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer

Our prayer this morning is a meditation from Africa by Michael Colpey and Guy Gibbon
(The People - Meditations from Africa - Michael Colpey and Guy Gibbon)

Let us pray:

May we heal the fissures and cracks in our collective soul

May we see ourselves from a different point of view

May we let go of outmoded beliefs

May we recognize the opportunities our stories offer for growth and acceptance

May we release the love

May love replace fear

May we each accept our personal responsibilities to make a difference

May we see that there is enough for everybody

May we eradicate poverty consciousness from our destiny path

May we be open to receive abundance from the law of sharing

May we dedicate ourselves to the Earth and her changes

May we make a leap of faith into a new way of relating to our planet and her people

May we stand in our truth and not be afraid to dream big

May we acknowledge that each person has something beautiful to offer

May we not be blind to these sacred gifts

May we not put limits on our creator

May we remember our true purpose

May each soul be like a bead strung on the necklace of cooperation and teamwork

May humility have its way

May we experience balance and beauty

May we commit ourselves to peace

May we celebrate our diversity in the oneness of love

May we be ourselves and flower freely

May we resonate and glow

May we take the next step

The Lord’s Prayer

And we respond in the familiar words that Jesus taught his followers:

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.

The Offering

I now invite you to a time to express our gratitude for God’s blessings by offering our gifts of time, talents and resources. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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 Music: Chipembi Mission of the United Church of Zambia

Offertory Prayer*

Gracious Creator, we’re never really sure where giving ends and receiving begins. Or is it where receiving ends and giving begins? All we know is that in the process of giving and receiving, we are warmed by your goodness. May this offering be only the beginning of your good work in us. Through Jesus we pray. Amen

*Written by Kate Gregory, Gathering, Pentecost 1 2020, p47. Used with permission.

Sending Forth*

And may God, who brought us into being to care for creation and one another,
bless us as we leave:
May we be blessed in the air we breathe,
the relationships we nurture,
and the acts through which love is shared,
That God’s blessing, light and love will be known by all.
Go in joy, blessed to be a blessing.
Amen.

*Written by Bob Root, Gathering, Pentecost 1 2020, p48. Used with permission.

Closing Hymn: Alleluia, Praise to God - More Voices #59

1. Alleluia, praise to God
Alleluia, praise to God
Praises, high praises, we bring you, O God.
Alleluia, praise to God.

2. Songs of joy sing out to God.
Songs of joy sing out to God.
Dancing and singing, we praise you, O God.
Songs of joy sing out to God.

3. Beat the drums, sing out to God.
Beat the drums, sing out to God.
Praises, high praises we bring you, O God
Beat the drums, sing out to God.

Traditional Yoruba song, Nigeria translation © Emmanuel Badejo
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Departing music by Chipembi Mission of the United Church of Zambia

Sunday School at-home activities - May 24, 2020

Opening

Can you walk across the floor using just your hands? Give it a try… Just your hands, don’t let your feet touch the ground!

Unless you are a gymnast or an acrobat, this is really hard to do! Try it again with a partner. Let your partner hold your feet off the ground (like a wheel barrow). It’s still a little tricky - but much easier with a partner to help.

Reading

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message (MSG)

9-10 It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
11 Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
12 By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

Theme Discussion (Younger children)

Our Bible reading today talks about the importance of working together. Watch and listen to this video about working together.

A kids song music video about solving problems and working together in unity, as a team. Download it here: https://www.icharacter.media/products-page/working...

Talk about examples from the reading and the video where people supported one another. Can you think of other some times when it helps to have a partner working with you? (tidying your room, getting your coat on, carrying something heavy, playing a game…)

It’s also wonderful to have someone else around when you’re not feeling your best, like if you fall down, or feeling disappointed plans got changed... Can you think of other times it’s good to have another person there by your side?

BCUC has been working with Emmanuel United Church, here in Ottawa to create a partnership with the Mission in Chipembi, Zambia. Lorrie and Neil went there as representatives from Bells Corners and they traveled with some people from Emmanuel. They didn’t know each other very well before they left on this trip, but now they have become a team – and there are people in Chipembi who are part of that team too.

Our reading also talks about a “three-stranded rope.” Have you ever braided three strands of wool or string together? If you braid it or twist it good and tight, it is really hard to break it! Just like the rope, it takes all three partners working together to make this relationship strong so it will last a long time.

Theme Discussion (Older children and Youth)

This week, Lorrie and Neil will be sharing reflections from their recent Partnership Visit to Chipembi, Zambia. This is the second time that Lorrie has been to Chipembi but this time, the purpose of the trip was a little different. BCUC has been working with Emmanuel UC, here in Ottawa to create a partnership agreement with the Mission in Chipembi. Lorrie and Neil went as representatives from Bells Corners and they traveled with some people from Emmanuel. They didn’t know each other very well before they left on this trip, but now they have become a team – and there are people in Chipembi who are part of that team too.

Our reading today talks about the importance of working together – that’s what a partnership is all about, really – working with a friend or friends who have the same goals and concerns as you do, and helping each other along the way.

What partnerships are there in your life right now? What types of things do you contribute to the relationship? In what ways do you depend on others? What challenges are there when working as a team? How do you overcome them?

Our reading also talks about a “three-stranded rope.” Have you ever braided three strands of wool or string together? If you braid it or twist it good and tight, it is really hard to break it! That is kind of like what we are doing in joining with Emmanuel United Church and Chipembi. We are forming a partnership that is strong. Just like the rope, it takes all three partners working together to make this relationship strong so it will last a long time.

Response Activity Ideas

Good Friend worksheet

Print out the following worksheet. On it, draw a picture of you and a friend or sibling helping each other. Write about how you share your strengths and talents as you work together.

Click to print PDF

Braiding craft

Visit this website and follow the instructions to make a beaded, braided bracelet. The basic instructions can be followed using whatever size string and beads you have at home.

Learn more about Zambia

Visit:

• www.zambiatourism.com/about-zambia/people/

• www.africa.com/real-life-lusaka-zambia/

• www.unicef.org/zambia/

• www.google.ca/amp/s/kaitlinbardswich.ca/2013/09/25/chipembi-a-school-without-books/amp/

or search other areas of interest.

Consider some similarities and differences between the Canadian and Zambian way of life.

What are their gifts? What are their needs? In what ways could their lives be better/more enjoyable/improved through the partnership?

What are our gifts? What are our needs? In what ways could our lives be better/more enjoyable/improved through the partnership?

Closing Prayer

Thank you, God, for partners.
Thank you for all the ways our friends and partners have helped us.
Help us be good partners to others.
Help us to learn more about people around the world
And how we can partner with them to build your kin-dom here on earth.
Amen

Sunday Worship Service - May 17, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

6th SUNDAY OF EASTER
WORSHIP SERVICE

May 17, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering: Humoresque - Dvorak, Leslie Wade-violin

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Kim

Good morning! On behalf of Bells Corners United Church, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ who calls us to be witnesses of God’s love on this sixth Sunday of Easter! Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad you have joined us in our virtual worship service!

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Friends, as we worship together,
may the love of God welcomes us,
the grace of Christ awaits us,
and the joy of the Spirit enfolds us.
Let us now centre ourselves in the presence of God as we gather in worship.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Fowler Family

Let the light of Christ draw us in: beautiful, life-giving, healing.
Come into the resurrection light. Come into the light of grace and peace.

*Call to Gather: Lorrie

What does this gathering need?
Space where faith can grow,
music that blossoms hope,
scripture that puts love into action,
prayers that seek healing,
gifts offering service of the heart.
Who shall come to this gathering?
All who are seeking to follow God in their lives
that they may be alive with opportunities for service.
In faith, we gather now as friends and kin,
seeking new life in Christ.

Prayer of Approach: Lorrie

Let us pray.
God of new life, we dance with the fires of faith,
sing with the winds of peace
and whisper with the language of love.
Transform our worship into moments of renewal:
to risk for the gospel,
to free us from our worries and fear;
to bring about change.
In the name of the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Opening Hymn: Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet – Voices United #245

(Words & Music: Natalie Sleeth)

Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
praise the Lord with the gentle sounding flute.

Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.

Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light.

Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord on the highest hill,
praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.

Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord with the pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.

Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.

Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord in the every moment, nothing let your praise destroy.

Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way!

Words & Music © 1976 Natalie Sleeth, Hinshaw Music Inc. Song# 24936
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie:

Hi Everyone!

In today’s scripture reading we hear that Peter and the other apostles have been preaching about Jesus on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem and the priests there are not happy about it. When they are told to stop, they say “That’s impossible! We have to tell everyone what we have witnessed.” They just can’t hide their excitement and their commitment to what they have seen and learned from Jesus. Have you ever heard the expression, “Once you see it you can’t un-see it”? That’s what is happening here. These men are so sure that what they heard and saw when they were with Jesus was good and true, that they can’t look at the world in any other way. So, they are “witnessing” that to everyone who will listen – and, since these messages are about God and the Way to make the world the kin-dom that God dreams of for us, the Temple seems the most logical place to begin that witnessing.

How does that apply to us today? Are we as excited and committed to Jesus and his message as those men were? I think here at BCUC, we all can agree that what Jesus taught about loving your neighbour and sharing and forgiveness are all things that we believe are good and true – that they are necessary ways to live if we want to help create God’s kin-dom here on earth. We aren’t always good at shouting out that news once we leave the sanctuary though. We are a little shy, I guess, when it comes to telling the world – or even our friends – what we believe. But I think there are other ways we can show those things.

I have a few special pieces of jewelry that I like to wear. There are some crosses…I like to collect new ones when I travel to other places in the world… and this one is the stylized fish symbol that the early Christians used to identify themselves to other Christians. Some people have those on their cars too. Sometimes they are just this symbol and sometimes they have the word “Jesus” in the middle. Most people who see me wearing these symbols know that they signify that I am a follower of Jesus – especially when they see the cross – and I don’t have to stand up on a soapbox and tell them.

I think when people see that I am wearing a symbol that says I am a Christian, they look for other signs too – in what I say and how I act. I am showing the world what it means to be a follower of Jesus. If I am wearing these things, they help remind me of that too and maybe that makes me more careful or intentional about what I say and what I do.

Some of us in the church go on to become ministers and preach from the pulpit. That’s maybe a little closer to what Peter and his friends were doing on the Temple steps. Many other people though show their commitment to Jesus and his teachings in other ways. Here at Bells Corners we have some who teach Sunday School, some who sing and play music for worship, some who cook and bake and host communal dinners like Jesus did with his friends. Some work on committees that help other people in the community and even in other places in the world. Still others say prayers for people who are sick or hurting or make phone calls and visits to shut-ins. I think all of these things are ways that we “witness” to the world that we are Christians.

Are we like the apostles on the steps of the Temple? If someone were to say to us, “Stop doing all those things for everybody else!” I hope we would all say, “That’s impossible! We have to show the world what we have learned by following Jesus.”

Children’s Hymn: Shout for God - Voices United #246

(Words: Walter Farquharson / Music: Ron Klusmeier)

1
Shout for God (Shout for God!)
Make a happy sound!
(Make a happy sound!)
Clap for God! (Clap for God!)
God is all around! (God is all around!)

2
Hush for God! (Hush for God!)
Let the quiet sing. (Let the quiet sing.)
Wait for God. (Wait for God.)
Deepest feelings bring.
(Deepest feelings bring.)

3
Sing for God! (Sing for God!)
Sing a pleasant song. (Sing a pleasant song.)
Work for God. (Work for God.)
Good replaces wrong.
(Good replaces wrong.)

4
Praise our God! (Praise our God!)
Care for all God’s friends!
(Care for all God’s friends!)
Love our God! (Love our God!)
God’s love never ends!
(God’s love never ends!)

Words © 1984 Walter Farquharson, Music © 1985 Ron Klusmeier, Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. Song#80462 All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: Reader: Rick Morrison

Make us witnesses, O God. Make us bold to tell the good news of the Risen Christ, inviting others to join with us as followers of Jesus’ way. Amen.

NT Reading: “Peter and the Apostles before the Council” Acts 5: 27-32 (NRSV)

Background:

This episode in Acts 5 denotes that some religious leaders arrested, detained, and interrogated the apostles for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. The religious authorities want them to keep quiet but Peter and the apostles persisted not to be silenced and proclaimed these powerful six words: “Obey God rather than human authority!”

27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Witness Dialogues” Rev. Kim Vidal

Following the event of that first Easter and in the aftermath of the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost, the formation of an early church begins to unfold. Peter took the reins and led the followers of The Way, which historically points to those who believe and follow in the teachings of Jesus. In this particular story in Acts, Peter and the former disciples, now called apostles, meaning “those sent in a mission”, were teaching and healing at the temple in Jerusalem with great success. They wasted no time in gathering people proclaiming the powers of God through the Risen Christ – teaching, healing, witnessing.

They are now famous - like tele-evangelists. The verses just before this morning’s reading indicates that “A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.” So when Peter and his cohorts walk down the street, people would bring out the sick in hopes of being healed. A crowd would follow and gather wherever they go and listen to Peter’s preaching. But to make matters more scandalous, Peter and company would use the steps of the Temple to do their ministry. They were healing in the name of Jesus Christ just outside the doors of the Great Temple!

This did not sit well with the Jewish Council or the Sanhedrin who works under the authority of the Roman Empire at that time. Fearing that this would cause trouble or even instigate a rebellion, they had Peter and the apostles arrested and thrown into prison. But the prison cells, according to the writer of Acts, could not hamper the power of God. The prison doors did not stay locked. According to the writer, an angel of the Lord – now I will not take this literally as a celestial being with fluttering wings - but someone who might be a follower of Jesus, opened the prison doors and told Peter and the apostles to go stand in the Temple and continue with what they were doing. So that’s what happened. They escaped but fearlessly went back to the Temple with their healing and teaching and witnessing. The Roman authorities and the Temple leaders were not happy with this persistent behaviour of Peter and his companions. In no time, the Temple police arrested Peter and his companions and brought them before the Jewish Council to be tried. And here is where this morning’s story begins.

The opening statement of the High Priest was enough to give us a hint of the Council’s aversion: “Did we not tell you to keep quiet?” “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, (referring to Jesus), yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” I think the high priest and the other members of the Sanhedrin were scared. They did not want another Jesus problem – they thought he was already crucified, dead and silenced – so why is his voice still as loud as a thunder causing uproar in Jerusalem? The movement the Council had hoped would go away re-emerged with a greater following. The Romans in power don’t like this at all - it might instigate another people’s rebellion. It would for sure disturb Pax Romana or the peace in the land controlled by Rome. I can imagine the interrogation went on further. “Why do you insist on teaching about Jesus? Don’t you know the danger you put yourselves in? Don’t you know the danger you bring to the people you ‘teach’ with your nonsense propaganda?”

Peter this time did not run to the nearest cave to hide nor did he say: “I’m sorry your honour, we shall cease and desist and will stop teaching and healing in the name of Jesus”. No - that’s not what he said. Peter’s reply is something worth reflecting on: “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” This is a difficult aphorism to understand. Who is this God that Peter and the apostles must obey? What and who is this human authority that they detest? I think what Peter is claiming here is pure allegiance to the one true God – the very same God that Jesus followed and preached about. Peter and the apostles declared to obey this loving non-violent God over that of an oppressive human authority – the ruling Roman power.

“We must obey God rather than any human authority.” Here is my personal take on this and you do not have to agree with me. Through this statement, Peter has testified that he and the other apostles were witnesses to the acts of love, justice and compassion. They are witnesses to a non-violent God proclaimed by Jesus. A witness, like Peter and the apostles in this sense, is not simply a passive observer of an event, but rather someone whose life proclaims and acts out the teachings of Jesus about the God of restorative rather than retributive justice - a God of love and compassion, justice and hope. A witness like Peter and the apostles claim that this God they must obey is the very same God whom Jesus followed even to his death - not the god of the empire – not the human authority that promotes violence and fear.

But there is a danger that I see in this text. I agree, that if taken literally, these texts may unearth some tones of religious fundamentalism or bigotry. It may sound as if Peter is asserting that the God whom he believes is the only one true God that needs to be proclaimed and worshipped. I do believe that the God of love and justice is not exclusive to Christianity. Certainly – many religions including Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Indigenous Spirituality – all have taught about this God – this Divine Creator, this Supreme Being as source of love and justice. Truth be told that we are living in a pluralistic, secular society where freedom of religion is respected.

A healthy pluralism is one which genuinely respects differences and values them as such. To discredit or claim one religious or non-religious tradition better over the other is the root of discrimination and resentment rather than promoting tolerance and peace. It is of crucial importance to participate in open dialogues where we listen to each other – to celebrate our common ground and to appreciate our differences as unique ways of professing our faith or way of life.

I don’t know about you but I chose to be a Christian not because Christianity promotes absolute truths about God – not because I am far better than our brothers and sister who profess different faiths, but because I acknowledge that the teachings of Jesus are inclusive and embracing. Jesus promotes non-violence and through his barrier-breaking approach to life, the dividing wall that separated many races, cultures and creeds has been taken down, proclaiming a new way of life. Why are dialogues and collaboration important? Because if we think we are better than others, if we proclaim that we are the only ones who hold the truth, we may resort to violence and enmity. We lose our humility and we lose sight of God’s grace.

Friends – we need to undergo a serious discernment. It’s time we listen to the voice of authority –whether human or divine –if and only if that voice warrants right relationships, reign of shalom, mutual love and restorative justice. It’s time we become witnesses to the universal definition of Love and Justice.

Witnesses transform the world and they are unstoppable even in this time of COVID-19 pandemic!

• A witness like Dr. Colin Brathwaite of a hospital in New York inspiring many with his moving rendition of Andra Day’s song "Rise Up" on the piano in honour of and as a tribute to his colleagues on the front lines.

• Witnesses like the “caremongering groups” in many cities in Canada offering help to seniors and those most at risk amid the outbreak. They pick up groceries and prescription drugs, help set up computers and making masks producing hand sanitizers. They deliver food to the shut-ins and offer words of encouragement and assurance via email or telephone.

• Witnesses like children and students in many places sending homemade cards and letters to older folks in isolation.

• A witness like David Donaldson who brings flowers of cheer to those celebrating their birthdays; or witnesses like those in our congregation who gather virtually every Wednesday at 8 pm to lift everyone in prayer; or witnesses like Pat Stoate and Roger Champagne who drove to my house, stood outside my front lawn with a large poster that says: “It’s so long without you. We miss you. Keep well. Stay safe. We love you!”

You can’t stop witnesses to stand up and testify about this God that Peter and the apostles obey and follow– this God that Jesus claims as “Abba -Father” – the One whose grace and love abounds!

Love and compassion. Oppressive human authority will get them completely wrong.

Peace and justice. Autocratic human authority will deny them.

But you can’t stop God and God’s love for the world. If you claim to be a witness of God, ask these 6-word questions yourselves: Am I walking the Peace way? Am I embracing justice and compassion? Am I offering love and kindness? Go then and be a living witness! May you proclaim peace, compassion, justice, love and kindness in word and in action. May you step into the world with a word of truth to proclaim and may you proclaim it with humility. May you walk as advocates of faith determined to testify to God’s grace- here and now. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer

God of new life and resurrection, we look up to you today for strength, comfort and hope. Like Peter and the apostles who became bold witnesses, speak to us through our lives as witnesses to Christ's way. Help us to proclaim your ever-unfolding story through our words and actions, in our prayers and in our day by day choices, for we are your people, your stewards in making a difference in the word.

Compassionate God, look into our hearts and minds and guide us in dealing with our personal fears and challenges. Help those in this church who labour with church duties, guide them in resolving difficult problems, clarify their vision to help focus the congregation in gaining insight into your message. Give us the strength to integrate that message into the actions and attitudes of our daily life.

God of healing, gently touch the lives of those needing comfort and wholeness in distressed lives and souls. With love and earnest concern, we pray for those in retirement homes and long term care facilities especially those who are affected by COVID-19 and those unnamed among us in need of your healing touch. We continue to pray for the families of those who have died from the virus, may healing love be with them in this time of sorrow. For those who are sick and those recovering from illness, may they find comfort from those who tend to them.

For the doctors, nurses, researchers, first-line responders and all health workers who seek to heal the sick and who put themselves at risk, may they know that many are praying for them and rallying behind them. For the leaders in all sectors of the society, may they lead with wisdom and foresight to act with love and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. We pray for those carrying heavy burdens. May we comfort those who have suffered deep losses in their lives and those who are troubled and distressed. We pray for peace in our neighbourhood. We remember the grieving families of the six members of the Canadian Armed Forces who died in a helicopter crash. We pray that they may find comfort knowing that we are thinking of them in their deep loss.

Journey with us with a heart willing to change and a heart ready to accept your call as your witness to love, justice and compassion. And with grateful hearts, let us unite in this prayer that Jesus taught us in the language of your choice:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering

I now invite you to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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 abundance, bless the gifts we present to you.
May all that we offer this day enable us to serve you faithfully. Amen.

Sending Forth

Go out into the world as witnesses
of a holy life that knows no barriers;
mindful of how demanding this call can be;
yet alive to its vision of goodness and beauty.
May the wisdom of God,
the compassion of Christ
and the presence of the Spirit
bear us up and fill us with renewed strength
for the journey. Amen.

Departing Music: Spirit, Open My Heart – More Voices #79

Refrain:
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

1 God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender. R

2 Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory. R

3 May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another. R

Words © 1996 Ruth Duck, arr. © 1997 Arthur Clyde The Pilgrim Press. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. Song# 118139 & 94352 All rights reserved.

Blackbird - David Barclay & Will Wightman

Sunday Worship Service - May 10, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

5th SUNDAY OF EASTER WORSHIP SERVICE

NURTURING SUNDAY & CELEBRATING MOTHERS

May 10, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering Music: Pachelbel’s Canon – Noah Berard

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Kim

Good morning! The spirit of God calls us from many places; some of us come from busy homes; some of us live alone. Still we are a part of God’s family. Today I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ as we celebrate and honour mothers. Everyone has mothers in various definitions. We have biological mothers, adopted mothers, surrogate mothers, mothers who have pets instead of children, single mothers and many others. An anonymous writer once said that a mother is “your first home, your first love, your first friend, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space...not even death!” So let us celebrate mothers as we worship together.

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Let us now centre ourselves in the Spirit of Life as we gather in worship.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Susan, Katrina & Heidi TeGrotenhuis

On this Mothering Sunday, we light this Christ candle to remind us that: “The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and God.” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Call to Gather: Lorrie Lowes

Sisters, brothers, children, welcome to this place!
Mothers, fathers, sing praises to God.
Grandmas, grandpas, share the story.
Aunts, uncles, dance with joy.
Family by love, Christ’s own body.
Family by Spirit, God calls us as one.
As one family, we gather to worship our God.

Opening Prayer: The Heart of God (by Christine Sine)

God with a mother’s heart, you gather us as your children.
You comfort and hold us in your warm embrace.
When we hurt, your arms enfold us.
When we are afraid, your wings protect us.
When we are hungry, you feed us with the bread of life.

God with a mother’s heart, your love surrounds and supports us.
In good times and in tough, in the midst of joy and pain, always and everywhere.
You will never leave nor abandon us.

God eternal and loving one,
God with a mother’s heart,
We thank you this day.
for being part of your family. Amen.

Opening Hymn: Would You Bless our Homes and Families - Voices United #556

1 Would you bless our homes and families,
Source of life who calls us here,
in our world of stress and tension,
teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles,
love’s expressed in many ways.

2 When our way is un-demanding,
let us use the time that’s ours.
To delight in simple pleasures,
sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking
and a heavy path we plod.
Teach us trust in one another
and in you, our gracious God.

3 From the homes in which we’re nurtured,
with the love that shapes us there,
teach us God, to claim as family
everyone whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer,
may we in your love remain,
may the love we share in families
be alive to praise your name.

4 Let us reach beyond the boundaries
of our daily thought and care
till the family you have chosen,
spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles
love’s expressed in many ways.

Words © 1977 Walter Farquharson, Music © 1977 Ron Klusmeier, Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. Song#80568 All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart

Sit back and listen to a beloved story written by Robert Munsch called “Love You Forever”. The story opens with a young mom singing to her newborn son and follows that little boy as he goes through the stages of childhood and becomes a man.

With permission from Firefly Press, our own Will Wightman will read (and sing) the words as we enjoy the original illustrations by Sheila McGraw.

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”

Children’s Hymn: Jump for Joy! (I Can Feel You Near Me God) More Voices #48

1. I can feel you near me God I can feel you near
Yes I know you’re with me God I feel you here
I can feel you near me God I can feel you near
Yes I know you’re with me God Heaven is here.

Refrain:
And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you I will jump for joy
I’m singing Alleluia Jump for joy for you.

2. I can feel you loving me yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me always everywhere
I can feel you loving me yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me I know you’re there.

Words & Music © 2000 Pat Mayberry, arrangement © 2006 Margaret Stubbington,
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214 Song# 123573 All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: Reader: Barbara Bole

Mothering God, continue to surprise us and breathe your spirit freshly upon us as your family, that renewed in faith, we may know your wisdom through this story in the Bible. Amen.

OT Reading: “Hannah Pours Out Her Heart to God & Hannah’s Prayer”

1 Samuel 1:4-20; 2:1-10 (NRSV)

4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; 5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

9 After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11 She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

Hannah’s Prayer

2 Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.
2 “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might does one prevail.
10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Celebrate with Hannah!” Rev. Kim Vidal

Today is Mother’s Day! It seems like such a small token to honour those who have nurtured us throughout our lives. There are lots of wonderful mothers: mothers in traditional families, mothers in special circumstances, single mothers, step mothers, pet mothers, religious mothers, mothers who open their homes and hearts to anyone needing a friend. Not every woman is a mother by standard definition - that a mother is a woman who gave birth to a child. But you can call someone your mother if she brings you up as if you were her child. Can someone be a mother without bearing a child? Absolutely! You might consider yourself a surrogate mother, a caregiver, an aunt, a sister or a single woman – you are a mother in your own rights and everyone here has a mother. Mothers deserve our honour today.

And here is a story of a mother. We meet her for the first time in the book of Samuel. She is a woman of prayer and of great faith. Her name is Hannah which means “grace”. Her husband’s name is Elkanah meaning the zeal of God. He is wealthy, well-known in the community, a man who knows his roots. There are some aspects of Hannah’s story that we don’t find easy to relate with. She was in a polygamous marriage and she was barren – for a certain period of time. In those days, polygamy was very much part of the culture. Elkanah had a second wife named Peninnah meaning “fertile” who bore him sons and daughters. Elkanah loved Hannah and he really didn't need children from her - anyway--he had plenty from Penninah. So he couldn't see what the big deal was . . . why it seemed that Hannah was so unhappy, all alone and sad . . . after all, she was his favourite! But the fact of the matter was: while Penninah's tent was filled with little voices, Hannah's tent was silent. While children ran around the camp and climbed onto Elkanah's lap to amuse him, Hannah knew in her heart she had not contributed to the legacy Elkanah was building. Hannah’s life seemed glaringly empty.

And to add to Hannah’s heartbreak, Peninnah would look at Hannah with pity, or sarcasm or even remorse. She would brag about her dozen children and used that privilege to taunt Hannah with words like: “Oh you poor woman – it must have been difficult when God closed your womb!” In that period, women lose their status in the society if they were barren – if they were childless. Remember the story of Sarah or Elizabeth in the Bible. There are many people today who know all about that sort of grief, and even if we aren’t familiar with it, we’ve all had times when we longed for things and our longing was not fulfilled. Hannah seems to understand that if it was indeed God who closed her womb, then only God can open it and allow her to bear children. And she persistently went to God in prayer.

In those days it was customary for people to go on pilgrimage to Shiloh, a significant place in Israel. Shiloh was the sanctuary above all others where the Israelites felt they could meet with God. So on one of those occasions, after they had enjoyed their meal, Hannah pulled herself together, she rose, slipped away from the family group and entered the sanctuary. That part of the story caught my attention. I could not resist saying: “That’s it, Hannah- go for it!” For when we are bullied or rejected or misunderstood, there's no need to spend time simply crying about it, or being depressed about it. Hannah rose and I think that's what we should do as well.

There was an old priest named Eli, who was “the man-in-charge” of that worship centre. He was sitting on a seat beside the door, and he saw Hannah going into the sanctuary. He saw this woman –who was deeply distressed and wept bitterly as she prayed to God. In her prayer, she made a vow to God- if God would give her a son, she would offer him to God as a Nazirite – one who abstains from drinking wine and one who will never cut his hair. I agree that asking for a male baby is somewhat unfair when baby girls are also as valuable as baby boys. But the story was written in a time when patriarchy was the predominant social system and sons in that system were favoured over daughters. Sadly, a lot of cultures today still embrace this system which I think needs to be addressed. Let’s go back to Hannah’s story.

Eli, the priest was watching Hannah with uneasiness. Hannah was doing something unusual; she was praying silently. Most people in those days prayed out loud. In Hannah’s case, though, her lips were moving but she was not sounding out the words. Eli totally misinterpreted the situation; he thought that Hannah was drunk, and so he got upset with her. “Woman, you are drunk! How long will you plan to keep this up? Be sober!” But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been in pain, unhappy and desperately praying to God to give me a son”.

Eli knows his position too well - he knows his responsibilities as a priest and keeping the order would be one of them. You can't just come into the holy place - walking right past the boss of the sanctuary, and be odd, or drunk, or out of order. Sometimes, we, too, would act that way – we have to maintain our decorum! But there is something deeper going on here. Some people find it uneasy going "straight to God" with their prayers, without asking the priest or the minister to represent them. Again, that may ring a bell for us today- if we think we can't speak directly to God, think twice! Prayer is a person’s lifeline to God and we can approach God directly with our deepest concerns. God is always there listening to our prayers if we but open ourselves to God.

Hannah is a model of direct, authentic prayer, “the prayer of the heart”. She shows up, without bringing an offering, without asking directions from the priest, and simply prays, soaring past all the liturgical conventions of her age, boldly presenting her petition before her God without benefit of clergy. She uses her own words, her own voice, without representation. Hannah, this broken-hearted, misunderstood and taunted woman leads us to further reflect on our own prayer life. I am reminded of what Mahatma Gandhi said about praying: “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weaknesses. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart”. What about looking at our lives as prayers in action? Hannah’s life is a prayer of the heart. Hannah’s prayer was answered. She gave birth to a son named Samuel who grew up under the mentorship of the priest Eli and later on became a judge and a prophet. It was Samuel who anointed David as king of Israel.

Hannah walked in as a woman of faith, pressed down but trusting and ready to pour out her heart and expose her need, and she walked out a woman of faith, radiant with confident joy that what she needed would be coming her way. Hannah finds her voice - she does experience a kind of transformation. The song attributed to her celebrates God – the holy one – her rock and refuge. Hannah sings a song that inspires the song of Mary, the Magnificat, which we still love reciting today especially in Advent, perhaps without noticing the kind of radical transformation it expresses, of the mighty brought down and the lowly lifted up. Surely, the lives of Hannah and Mary and many like them on the margins long ago and today as well, have been transformed by God’s enduring love.

In reflecting Hannah’s story, what prayers of the heart do you have in this very moment? Are you weighed down by emptiness because of grief or illness or barrenness of your spirit? Take heart – for God is with us – all we have to do is open ourselves to God with our own truths in prayer. Sometimes our prayers are not answered but there must be reasons behind each unanswered prayer – at times, the answer is “wait and see.. be patient”. And no matter what answers we receive, let us always count our blessings and be grateful for every circumstances life may offer. Because when God sometimes closes a door, God will surely open a window for us. When Hannah poured out her grief and emptiness in the presence of God, she was finally able to see that her life was, indeed, filled with good things. Filled, piled high, overflowing, lavishly supplied . . . with everything she needed.

Today, as we celebrate and honour all kinds of mothers, nurturers and life-givers, as we honour families in all of its configurations, their presence in our lives, let us rejoice for the many Hannahs in the world. Let us remember those who chose to live - out of love, devotion, faith and prayer. Hannah stands for those mothers whose heart aches with longing, grief, and even bitterness but also those who live with courage, persistence and hope. Wherever life takes us this day and in the days to come, let us approach God with the prayers of our hearts. Follow the simple and powerful example of Hannah and view your life, not through the circumstances that makes life seem empty, but rather through the lens of God's goodness filling your life with blessings and grace. For this reality . . . or for this hope that we cling to, even in the most desperate times, I can only think to say this morning: let us celebrate life! Let us celebrate mothers and life-givers! Let us celebrate with Hannah! Thanks be to God. Amen.

A Litany for Mother’s Day

Mothers come in many different forms,
and today we celebrate them all!
Thank God for mothers!

Everyone here is either a son or a daughter.
Thank God for my mother!

For those women who have passed and
whom we miss dearly here on earth.
Thank God for the mothers of the past.

For every woman who is working day and
night to raise her children right now.
Thank God for the mothers of today.

For all the women who are expecting,
but aren't quite mothers yet!
Thank God for the soon-to-be-mothers.

For the women who took in others' children
through adoption and foster care.
Thank God for the mothers with hearts so big.

For those women who have lost a child to death and must carry on.
Thank God for the mothers who are so strong.

For all the women who have desperately wanted to have children of their own,
but chose instead to mother everyone else.
Thank God for the mothers in spirit.

We also pray for those who lost their mothers in this time of pandemic.
And those who are in the wilderness of illness, loneliness and grief.
We thank you, God, for the women and life-givers
who have helped us, loved us, supported us and influenced our lives in so many ways.
We pray that we will honour them in everything we do.

All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray.
Please join me as we recite together the inclusive version of the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer (Inclusive Version)

Blessed One, our Father and our Mother
Holy is your name.
May your love be enacted in the world.
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For all that we do in your love,
and all that your love brings to birth,
and the fullness of love that will be
are yours, now and forever. Amen.

The Offering

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

Giver of life, may these offerings of time, talents and treasures be a “breaking open of your abundant love as we serve others and the world. Amen.

Sending Forth: A Mothering Blessing

May God who brought us to birth by the Holy Spirit,
strengthen us for the Christian life.
May God who provides for all our needs
sustain us day by day.
May God whose steadfast love is constant as a mother's care,
send us out to live and work for others.
And the blessing of God: Creator, Christ and Comforter
be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

Departing Music: Are You a Shepherd? More Voices #126

Are you a shepherd, good shepherd who leads us
safely through danger, while calming our fears?
Are you a father who shelters and feeds us,
shares in our laughter and wipes away tears?

Refrain
Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,
but you are greater than all that we know.
Holy and living, loving and giving,
God, you are with us wherever we go.

Are you a mother, good mother who bears us,
comforts, protects us and helps us to rest?
Are you a teacher who daily prepares us,
challenging students to offer their best?

Great, gentle shepherd, forever beside us,
lead all you children in paths that are right.
Great, loving parent, wise teacher, you guide us.
We want to love you and bring you delight.

Words & Music © 2002 Selah Publishing Co Inc. www.selahpub.com
Words: Ruth Duck Music: William P. Rowan Song# 31202 & 47832
Reprinted with permission ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sunday Worship Service - May 3, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

4th SUNDAY OF EASTER / BCUC 169th ANNIVERSARY

May 3, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering slides of BCUC history

Music: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (Better is One Day) - More Voices #29
Performed by BCUC band at Homecoming service in October 2016

Words and music (c) Matt Redman 1995 Thank you Music - CCLI lic # 1199365
Abe - piano, Kim & Will - guitars, Erin - flute, Leslie - violin, Dan - Cello, Sue & Wendy - drums

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Kim

Good morning! The psalmist declares: “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.” I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ as we worship together on this 4thSunday of Easter. Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad you have joined us in our virtual worship service! Today we are celebrating 169 years of ministry at Bells Corners United Church. We give thanks for the many ways God has blessed and continues to bless this congregation through the years.

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Celebrating Lorrie’s Graduation

And here’s some good news. On April 25th, just a week ago, Lorrie has finally completed the Diploma in Diaconal Ministry at Centre for Christian Studies. We offer our joyful congratulations to her in this well-deserved achievement. We are incredibly blessed to have Lorrie continue to share her gifts with us at BCUC. Congratulations Lorrie on your graduation.

Let us now centre ourselves in the presence of God’s spirit as we worship together.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Wightman Family

We light this Christ candle to honour and to celebrate who we are as people of faith. We do so by giving thanks of the varieties of gifts that we share and of the love that bind us together.

Call to Gather: Lorrie Lowes

From before the beginning, and beyond the end,
you are our God, the God who claims us as yours.
We come, as faithful people have come,
for many generations.
We may break our promises and abandon our covenants,
but you meet all our endings with a new beginning.
Stir in us a joyful celebration for what you have done
and continue to do among us;
From before the beginning, and beyond the end,
you are our God. We delight in you.

Prayer of Approach

Let us pray.

Companion God, through the years you have loved us dearly and have nurtured us since the beginning. The abundance that surrounds us is astounding, and all we can do is marvel and give thanks. With joy-filled hearts let us proclaim the Good News that you are among us. Dance with us as we embrace one another in love and in thanksgiving. Walk with us as we celebrate your promises of grace and hope. Pray with us as we journey together as followers of Jesus. Amen.

Opening Hymn: We Are One - Voices United #402

1 We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here, in the praise on our lips there's a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found; and we come needful of God's grace as we meet, together in this place.

2 We are one as we share, as we share brokenness and fear, in the touch of a hand there's a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed; and we share warmth in God's embrace as we pray together in this place.

3 We are one as we feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign; in the bread and the wine there's a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feed, we are fed; and we feel God's refreshing grace as we meet at table in this place.

4 We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite; in the word we receive there's a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved; and we seek justice in God's ways as we move together from this place

Words © 1988 Doreen Lankshear-Smith, Music © 1987 Jeeva Sam,
Arranged © 1995 David Kai Song#59e0e28addd02
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie

Happy Birthday!!

I know it’s probably not really your birthday today – but it is OUR birthday! Today Bells Corners United Church is 169 years old! That’s really old! It’s 100 years older than me! Pretty amazing, eh?

When we think about it, that means we can look back in history to 1851 and see that our church family was already here in Bells Corners. We were here even before Canada was born!

That kind of blows my mind!

When we think about our church being here, are we talking about the building where we worship together? No… our beautiful building with its huge roof that stands on the corner of Moodie Drive and Richmond Road wasn’t here when our first members were gathering on Sunday mornings. It was in a small building beside the cemetery down the road near the Anglican Church. It wasn’t even a United Church. Back then even the United Church of Canada hadn’t been born!

So, if we are not talking about our church building, then what is it we are celebrating? Last year when we celebrated our church anniversary, I explained it like this – “Church” is not a noun or a name for a thing, “Church” is a verb. It’s an action word, something we do. And it’s something we’ve been doing in this community for 169 years.

A friend of mine told me that someone asked her, “Where do you church?” That’s what gave me that way of understanding the word “church” – it’s not where you go, it’s what you do.

These days we can’t go to our church building – but that doesn’t mean we can’t still “church”. Think of all the ways we are living our faith while we are all stuck at home. It’s a little harder, but it is happening! Rev. Kim and Abe and I are creating church on the internet… Erin and I are planning Sunday School and Youth activities that you can do at home… meetings are happening on Zoom… people are phoning to check on friends and family…

When we are together at BCUC, we talk a lot about how we need to be followers of Jesus every day, not just on Sunday. These days I think that’s just as important – maybe even more important.

I’m disappointed that we aren’t all together at our church this morning. I know there would have been cake today! But, even without the cake, this is a day to celebrate. We can celebrate the fact that our faith family has been in Bells Corners being church and doing church for 169 years! If we keep the love in our hearts and keep spreading it out in the world, I bet our BCUC family will still be here in another 100 years or more!

Happy Birthday, Bells Corners United Church!

Children’s Hymn: Dance With the Spirit - More Voices #156

Dance/Move/Sing with the Spirit early in the mornin’,
Dance/Move/Sing with the Spirit throughout the long day.
Work and hope for the new life a-bornin’,
listen to the Spirit to show you the way.

Words and Music © 1995 Jim Strathdee Desert Flower Music www.strathdeemusic.com
Song#60013 Reprinted with permission ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: Rev. Kim

Let grace, let love, let hope flow through your Word to us, O God.
Let your Word transform us today and always. Amen.

NT Reading: “Life Among the Believers” Acts 2: 42-47 (NRSV)

Reader: Jan Pound

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Keeping the Faith Alive” Rev. Kim Vidal

A church anniversary celebration without retelling its history is like planting a tree without its roots. “Memories are important to all of us.” These are the words of Bob Ferguson and David Beard in the Book of Memories they put together in January of 2000. And they continue: “When we forget or lose our memories, we lose a great part of our being. It is the same for a church. Our history is an integral part of who we are, where we have been and what we have contributed in the past.” These words affirm the fact that “the church is not a building nor a steeple but a people.” The church is about what we do and who we are as God’s people – past, present and future. We are not defined by the building where we gather or worship together. Certainly, these words ring a bell especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic when we are not able to gather for worship in our church building. Worship services are being offered online and this for sure has been a “new normal” to many of us. But we are still the church, no matter where we are, whatever distance or how isolated we are from each other, no matter how computerized our meetings and gatherings these days, we are still the church.

One of the vital, more important aspects of being church is the retelling of our stories – the sharing of our lived experience of how God had shaped and is still shaping our lives. I call these stories of faith. Through these stories, we are able to enter into the heart of God. We are able to share our lives to one another, a story of revelation or a story of welcome. One of the pillars of the church who passed away last year was Bob Southern. Bob submitted 8 stories in the Book of Memories, all of which speak of revelation and welcome. They remind us of our life as people of faith. Let me share one of the stories Bob wrote which he titled “The Creaky Pews”.

In the late 1950’s and early 60’s, the little church on Robertson Rd., now a spa, was very full on Sunday morning as the new residents from Lynwood began filling the pews. It was a mistake to be late for church. Not only was space difficult to find but you were thoroughly announced as a late arrival, since the pew seats and backs were not really fastened together except at the end. As a late arrival tried to slip into a seat and sit down quietly, the seat let out a giant squawk as the wooden seat moved and rubbed against the pew back. One such greeting was enough to “get me to the church on time.”

From its humble beginnings in 1851, when the first regular ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Bells Corners came in place; when the congregation called the Drummond Presbyterian Church was part of the Goulbourn-Nepean Circuit; when the first church building was dedicated in 1898; when Drummond Presbyterian Church joined the church union in 1925, changed its name to bells Corners United Church and became part of a three-point charge congregation with Britannia and Fallowfield; when in December 1962, the building where we currently worship on Old Richmond Rd. was dedicated; today marks the 169th anniversary of Bells Corners United Church. Friends, we have come a long way!

The reading in Acts gives us a glimpse of life as people in the faith. It describes the beginning stages of the early Christian community in the first century. The activities of the faith community described in this text are not extraordinary or controversial. No talks about what colour of the floor must be installed. No squabbles about financial deficits. No disagreements regarding which minister to hire. These 5 verses define the life of an ideal church since time immemorial. The members of the early Christian church are doing theology and having faith-talk, they are living together, having meals together, praying together-- they look after one another, support each other and attend to each other’s needs. This is a kind of community that most churches today would embrace without any doubt. And while this part of the story is not as noisy as the gathering from the first Pentecost, it has its own unique utopian character. The early Christians literally shared their wealth and resources in a common pot so that no one will be hungry or homeless or in need. And they do it all in awe and with gladness and with joy--and the community just keeps growing every single day. This story of the beginning of the church is inspiring. This is the Easter Church that the Jesus’ movement has envisioned.

And while many agree that the early church has not stayed the same, the church described in this Acts passage reminds me in some ways of our life at BCUC! Today, we celebrate and honour the women and men, ministers, youth, young adults and children whose faith has encouraged them to persist in making BCUC an active presence in the community. This church stands as a witness to the faith of those who built it and those who come to find spiritual nourishment in this sacred space and for those who worked over the years to keep BCUC open and alive and active. This church is a haven of friendship– where people pray and where kindred souls meet. We live our faith by the many outreach programs that we support far and wide. We offer a safe space for learning, nurturing and growing- where friends and strangers, young and old alike, no matter what race, creed, colour, sexual orientation or social status are welcome. We gather for potlucks and fellowships and we celebrate the many joys and achievements of each one. We are indeed the body of Christ!

Friends, we have come a long way in keeping our mission statement alive and in progress. We have anchored our faith building in these 4 evocative words: rejoice, renew, respond, reach out. But these words will remain futile if we don’t do our part. We know that the world out there needs healing and hope. From the four corners of the church building, we move out to a world where God’s message of love and hope will be fully tested. Our mission statement acclaims both passion and compassion; theology and praxis; silence and evocations. Indeed, we have drawn our strengths not only from noble ideas but also from the strength of ordinary people like you and I called to make a difference in the world. We proclaim that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and we follow his way of life.

How do we keep our faith alive? As a faithful congregation, we have a responsibility to care for our children and young people, to nurture them and prepare them for life. We have a responsibility to our seniors and elderly, to help meet their needs in a changing world. We have a responsibility to the community around us, to proclaim the good news of love by word and by our actions. Let the stories of faith, commitment, and service strengthen us, prepare us, and propel us into the countless years of ministry in this place. Do your part even in small ways. That is how our church vision is accomplished.

May we continue to think freely and talk openly about who we are, whose we are and how we are called to be. May we continue building a community that has love as its highest aim above personal gratification and self-congratulation. May we follow in the steps of those who have given us a great beginning; the founders and foreparents, the movers and shakers of this congregation, who believed there was an exciting ministry to be had in this time and in this place. Let us be blessed by the words of Ahsha Williams, when at a young age of 7 years old, wrote this blessing in the Book of Memories: “I bless this church and this church blesses me. I care for this church and this church cares for me. I love this church.” Thanks be to God for Bells Corners United Church! Amen.

Prayer of the People & The Lord’s Prayer

Let us gather our hearts in prayer. Holy God, on this Anniversary Sunday, we reflect on your past help, your indwelling Spirit in the present and the courage to seek hope for the future. Through the years O God, you have blessed and continue to bless your people in this congregation – a community of faithful believers, a heritage of mission and service, a haven of creativity, vibrant worship services with amazing music and loving fellowship. Continue to bless us with your presence, as you come to us in Word and sacraments, and make of us a community of love and care, a light that cannot be hidden, that others may know of your great love.

Holy God, we remember all those who help this church grow in wisdom and in faith. And so we pray for our leaders, the board and committee members, our music director and the choirs, Sunday School teachers, and many others who provide leadership and support to this faith community. We give thanks for all of the members and adherents, young and old alike, who fulfill each day the vision of being an active Christian presence in the community. May we be a church where the good news of Jesus Christ for all people is made real amongst us. May we be a church which manifests unity through diversity. May we be a church where the gift of friendship flourishes and nourishes us as we make friends in many different ways. Today we are grateful for the graduation of Lorrie. We ask for your blessings upon her as she continues to serve BCUC as a diaconal minister committed to her call.

God of Healing, we pray for people for whom the world is dark especially in this time of pandemic. We pray for those dealing with pain and suffering, loneliness, homelessness, poverty, disability, hunger, addictions, and broken relationships. We ask your guidance and blessings for those who make our lives easier as we live through the challenges brought about by COVID-19. We ask for your blessing upon the community where we live and the world.

God who journeys with us, hold our lives together in the thread of your rainbow grace. We rejoice with hope and great joy, remembering Jesus Christ, the mover and shaker of our faith as we abide in his love now and in the years to come. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ who taught his disciples this prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

Loving God, on this our Anniversary Sunday, may these gifts of time, talent and treasures be bright threads shining in the tapestry you weave for your people. Bless these gifts as we use them to bless others. Amen.

Sending Forth

Go forth into the world,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Be strong and of good courage,
for the God of yesterday, today
and tomorrow walks with you.
Be filled with the peace of Christ
now and always. Amen!

Departing Music: Let Us Build A House (All Are Welcome) - More Voices #1

1 Let us build a house where love 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 Publications, Inc.
Song#00004 Reprinted with permission ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Sunday Worship Service - April 26, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER / CELEBRATING EARTH DAY
WORSHIP SERVICE

April 26, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Gathering: Grieg Water Birds – Morgenstimmung – Grieg – performed by Abe including nature sounds and photos by Abe

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Kim

Good morning! This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ as we worship together on this 3rd Sunday of Easter. Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad you have joined us in our virtual worship service!

Today we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day which began in April 22, 1970.

We join with all people around the world to honour Mother Earth, to recognize how deeply we are interrelated with all of creation and to do our part in being good stewards in caring for the earth.

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

I now invite you to centre yourself in the presence of God’s spirit as we worship together.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Berard Family

We light this Christ candle to celebrate who we are as resurrected people and to remind us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it…”

(Psalm 24:1a)

Call to Gather: Erin Berard

Come, friends of the Risen Christ, let us give thanks for creation.
We gather to praise God for the miracle of the earth.
Come, believers of Jesus, Wisdom of God, who delights in creation’s goodness,
and open your hearts to wonder.
We gather to praise God for the miracle of our lives.
Come, co-creators with God, who is in all and through all, who is above all
and below all and open your hearts to mystery.
Let us gather and give thanks to God, the Heart of all creation.

Prayer of Approach

Let us pray.
Holy God, You are like a mother, teaching and
challenging us to be the best we can be.
You are like a father, delighting in us and offering us all that you have.
Help us to open our minds that we may hear what Jesus is telling us;
open our hearts to hear what the Spirit is saying.
Help us discover the new possibilities that you lay before us.
Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus on earth,
that we may do your work, as Christ’s Body, here on earth.
Help us to be like Christ, that we may experience holiness
in your creation and in each other. Amen.

Opening Hymn: Called by Earth and Sky MV 135 (English & French)

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)
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.

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

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.

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

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

Words & Music: 2005 Pat Mayberry, Arranged: 2005 Marg Stubington Song#119776
Words and Music © 2005 Pat Mayberry www.patmayberry.com
Translation: 2006 David Fines arrangement © 2005 Margaret Stubington
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Erin

We celebrated Earth Day this Wednesday, so I thought it would be fun to take our Time for the Young at Heart outside into the garden.

One of my favourite jobs to do in the Spring is to rake off all the old leaves that have been acting like a blanket for the gardens. I love to rake and find those little shoots of daffodils and tulips just poking up out of the cold ground. It's so exciting!

In our Bible passage today, we're going to hear about God breathing life into the creatures as the world is created. Every Spring we have this new life being created; new daffodils, new buds and leaves on the trees, and baby birds in nests. And now this Spring we humans are learning to do new things. Some of you are learning how to use Google Classroom to submit your assignments to your teachers, grown-ups are working from home, and we're learning how to get by without going to the stores as often as we used to. And this is having amazing results for our Earth, isn't it? Some places are seeing less air pollution, some waterways are becoming clearer and cleaner.

God is breathing life into our Earth and into us. Let's help take care of this beautiful creation!

Children’s Hymn: Like A Rock MV 92

Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet.
Like the starry night sky, God is over our head.
Like the sun on the horizon, God is ever before.
Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.

Words: 1998 Keri Wehlander, Adapted to Music: 1999 Linnea Good Song #97534
Words and Music © Borealis Music www.LinneaGood.com
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination: Kim

Holy God, with your life-giving Word, transform our hearts and minds as we follow the Risen Christ, making the earth a place of your reign of love and peace. Amen.

OT Reading: “Another Account of Creation” Genesis 2: 4- 9, 15-22 (NRSV)

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; 6 but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19 So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man[c] there was not found a helper as his partner. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “The Breath of Life” Rev. Kim Vidal

Once upon a time, there was only the sky, the sea, and a black bird. The bird grew tired and could not find a place to rest. In his frustration, the bird agitated the sea until its waters touched the sky. The sky was so upset that it showered the sea with big rocks and boulders in order to calm it down. The bird picked one of the islands to be its home. One day, the bird was struck by a bamboo tree, believed to be the child of the land and sea breezes. Upset, the bird pecked at the nodes of the bamboo until it split into two. Half of the bamboo came the first man named Malakas, meaning strong and from the other half the first woman called Maganda, meaning beautiful. Then the earthquake gathered all the birds and fish to see what should be done with these two beautiful creatures, and it was decided that they should marry. They did and had a great number of children.

The story I just shared is a pre-colonial creation myth in the Philippines which is part of my cultural upbringing. I’m sure that every culture and every place, every group of people have its own creation story. Some of the ancient writings particularly those in Ancient Near East – Mesopotamia, Babylon, Sumer, Egypt – have creation stories that were very much part of the people’s way of understanding how the world and human beings came about. Some biblical scholars believed that these ancient myths have shaped and influenced the creation stories that we read in the book of Genesis. And because these myths are stories of sacred importance to a particular culture and group of people, we need to read the creation stories in Genesis metaphorically not literally It is important to note here that there are two versions of the creation story in Genesis.

Genesis 1, written by priestly tradition, presents God creating the world out of chaos in a cosmic, poetic form. From day one to day six, in a very orderly manner, with an affirmation that “it was good!”, there came light and darkness, sky, land and seas, all kinds of vegetation, the sun, moon and the stars, all sorts of living things and then finally, human beings. In this particular version, human beings were created in the image of God, the Creator, and were given “dominion” over the other living things. From an ecological perspective, the word dominion has become problematic. Over the centuries, this word has been interpreted by many as “power over all creation” which sounds like- we, humans can subdue the earth without restraint, that we can do whatever we want without regard for the earth’s health. But dominion is not the same as domination. The word “dominion” means to exercise responsible caring for the earth and the whole creation which I think is what God intended from the very beginning.

The creation narrative in Genesis 2, written by the Yahwist tradition, portrays a different tale. God, according to the Yahwist mindset is anthropomorphic – very much like a human being. God is imaged here as talking, walking, thinking, feeling - like one of us. In this version, the first thing God created was Adam – a male being, named as such because he came from “adamah” which is Hebrew word for “dust” or “dirt”. Adam was of the earth. In this story, Adam received life through the very breath of God - the breath of life. God breathed ruach – a Hebrew word meaning wind or spirit into the nostrils of Adam and made him alive. Then God planted a garden in Eden filled with all kinds of vegetation. And God’s ruach breathed into all these plants and trees and give them life. This garden is –like heaven –we call it paradise. And God put Adam in the garden with a responsibility - to be its tiller, caretaker and steward. Adam was to care for and safeguard the garden – not to plunder, rape and abuse its resources.

With vegetation surrounding him, God senses that Adam was still lonely - so God formed animals from the dust of the earth to be Adam’s helpers and companions. God breathed ruach, the breath of life upon these animals and gave them life. God entrusted Adam to name every animal, every bird and cattle – every insect - which for me indicates that humans are gifted not only with intellect but also with creativity and imagination. In the Hebrew tradition, naming implies taking responsibility. When God asked Adam to name the animals, God is entrusting Adam to care for them. But despite the fact that animals and plants are there to give Adam company, God in this story knew that none of the animals were found to be suitable companion for Adam. He needs someone who can understand his nature – his emotions, his physical needs, his intellectual capacity.

So the woman was created. And we know how she was created in this story. God formed woman right out of Adam’s rib. Later on, she will be called Eve taken from the Hebrew word chavah meaning life. The name Eve means “mother of the living”. To the ancient Hebrew mindset, both Adam and Eve were actually parts of one another. Eve would be an integral part of Adam’s life and his very foundation. Without her, he will not be complete. Interpreted this way, this whole thing about the equality between women and men should not be an issue today. Ancient Hebrews who wrote this creation story have in their minds that all human beings are created equal. It is sad to note that this original intention has not been put to practice by many people over the course of time until today. Domestic abuse and violence are still present in all sectors of our society. Women continue to find their voices in a patriarchal-driven world. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live together recognizing this truth of being part of one another? Not just between women and men but also people of varied colours, or creed, or ethnicity, or sexual orientation or social status. Unless we realize that all of us are recipients of the breath of life from one source of life we call God, we can never heal the earth. We need to acknowledge that we are all part of the whole- that one will not be complete without the other. We call this interdependence. As we care for creation, we care for humankind. If we desecrate the earth, we destroy our present world and the future of the generations to come. Sadly, we are still far from reaching this perfect dream for humanity and for all creation. To dream of a healed earth, is that even possible?

An English philosopher and statesman Thomas More said – it is possible. All we have to do is to re-create the earth where we live. Thomas More wrote a book in 1516 called “Utopia” – also known as a “perfect society” based on the story of a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean, possessing a seemingly perfect social-political-legal system. In this book, More acclaims that on Utopia Island, there is no private property , with goods being stored in warehouses and people requesting what they need. It is very similar to living in commune. Everyone is fed, everyone has a place to rest, everyone has access to education and health care. In Greek, “utopia” has double meanings – one that denotes “a good place” and the other, “a place that could never be.”

Perhaps, for us too, we often dream of such place or hope that utopia could happen. Sadly, today we are less connected to the earth. We have lost touch with the rhythms of the earth. Thousands of species are going extinct as they are being hunted or their habitats are being destroyed. The earth’s water, air, forests and soils are suffering from pollution and wild fires. We are facing global warming and climate change and we bear a significant moral responsibility to heal the earth’s wounds. When we look at what’s happening in the human world, where there is famine and disasters, where there is poverty, unjust wars, injustices, alienation, or moral decline, and add to the list – the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we tend to lean more on the other meaning of utopia which is – “a place that could never be.” It will remain as a dream and will never happen in reality.

But there is hope. If we look closely at the intent of the writers of Genesis, their words continue to challenge and to disturb us- that no matter how ugly or sad or imperfect the earth seemed to be, this earth is our home. This is where we encounter life. This is where we experience love. This is where we acknowledge God’s presence through human beings and all of creation journeying together here and now. Do your part. Plant a tree. Tend a garden. Be informed about climate change. Recycle. Reuse. Reduce. Be an advocate for human and animal rights. There is a lot yet to be done. And it’s never too late to do your part. There is hope.

The Creation story in Genesis 2 is profoundly ecological in the sense of declaring God’s commitment to human beings, and human beings’ commitment to all creation in healing the earth and making it a better place. We need to profess with our words and with our actions that we are indeed stewards and co-creators with God. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us remind ourselves of the breath of life that causes us to live with dignity, imagination and creativity. Let this breath of life nudge us to care for the earth responsibly and for all that lives in it, humans included. I leave you with the words of Fyodor Dostoevsky when he writes: “Love all God’s creation, the whole of it and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things.” Love the earth. May this be so. Amen.

Sources: The BCUC Lectionary Group, Thomas More’s Utopia, Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dosteoevsky, Encyclopedia Mythica (pantheon.org).

Prayer of the People & The Lord’s Prayer

Creator God, we give you thanks for the care that we can give and receive as your creatures.
We thank you for the land upon which we dwell, land that nourishes body, mind and soul.
O God, as the land cares for us, may we care for the land.
We thank you for fresh water to drink and water that flows in rivers and lakes.
O God, as the water cares for us, may we care for the water.
We thank you for the air which gives life to all.
O God, as the air cares for us, may we care for the earth.
We thank you for seeds and crops, plants and trees, for birds and animals.
O God, as earth’s vegetation and creatures care for us, may we care for them in return.
Loving God, we acknowledge the fragility of all life and pray for ourselves as your people.
Free us from harmful attitudes towards the land, crops, animals and human beings.
Free us from despair in times of calamities, famine, drought or flood.
Free us from wastefulness and greed in times of plenty.
May our lives reflect awareness of our bonds with the earth and with all of creation.

We pause at this time to remember the people in Portapique and its neighbouring communities in Nova Scotia, especially the grieving families and loved ones of the victims who died in the recent mass killing. We ask your blessings and love to heal their broken hearts and spirits as they mourn their loss.

We also remember those whose loved ones who died due to COVID-19 especially those in retirement and nursing homes. We pray particularly for Connie Davidson and family in the passing of her parents due to this virus. Give them the comfort they need in this time of sorrow.

We pray for our loved ones and friends, those who have been diagnosed, those undergoing treatments and those who are recovering from this virus and other ailments. May they find healing, comfort and full recovery knowing that we are praying for them in this time of need.

We continue to pray for the frontliners, the healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, personal support worker, the grocers, the postal workers, the essential services employees and our leaders. Keep them safe and give them good health, wisdom and courage as they serve others in this time of pandemic.

This is our prayer in Jesus’ name who taught us this prayer we now recite in the language of our choice:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering

This is now the time to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot 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

From our joyful hearts that give, take our offering and turn it into acts of love.
Let us give thanks to God who moves us to share, bringing hope to a world in need of healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sending Forth

May the blessing of God, who causes the land to put forth plants and trees;
of Jesus Christ who calls all creation to new life;
and of the Holy Spirit whose breath energizes all of the earth
be with you all, now and always. Amen!

Departing Music: Now the Green Blade Rises VU 186 - soloist Vernon Sulway

1 Now the green blade rises,
from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again,
that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.

2 In the grave they laid him,
love by hatred slain,
Thinking that he would never awake again,
Laid in the earth
like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.

3 Forth He came at Easter,
like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Raised from the dead,
my living Lord is seen:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.

4 When our hearts are wintry,
grieving, or in pain,
Your touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts
that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat arising green.

Words: 1928 John MC Crum, harmony: 1928 Martin Fallas Shaw Song#59341
Music: traditional French carol Words and harmony © Oxford University Press
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sunday Worship Service - April 19, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER
WORSHIP SERVICE

April 19, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Verse to Ponder: ‘He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.’ (John 21: 6)

Gathering: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth – Handel - Messiah

Words of Welcome & Announcements – Kim

Good morning! I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on behalf of Bells Corners United Church on this second Sunday of Easter!! Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad you have joined us in our virtual worship[ service!

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And in this time of pandemic, I encourage you to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Thanks again for being part of this Easter celebration!

Welcome to our worship service.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Lorrie

We light this Christ candle to remind us that God’s love is with us. May this flame bring warmth into our hearts, hope for others and peace for the world.

*Call to Gather[1]: Lorrie

We come to this place bringing many things:
burdens and joys, weariness as well as celebration.
We come to this place seeking many things:
comfort and strength, answers as well as questions.
We come to this place hoping many things:
peace for the world, hope for the future, life for all creation.
Gather all of our gifts, our prayers and our hopes,
and let them be our worship this day.

[1] Kate Crawford, Gathering, Lent/Easter 2015.

Prayer of Approach[2]: Lorrie

Let us pray.

You come amongst us in surprising ways,
feeding us with joy and gladness.
Come today, we pray:
to feast our minds with wonder,
to feast our eyes with renewed sight,
to feast our hands with your embrace,
to feast our hearts with renewal,
to feast our tongues with praise. Amen.

[2] Gord Dunbar, Gathering, Lent/Easter 2015.

Opening Hymn: In the Bulb There is A Flower VU 703

1 In the bulb there is a flower;
In the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise:
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There's a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

2 There's a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There's a dawn in every darkness
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

3 In our end is our beginning;
In our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
In our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
At the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

Words & Music: © Natalie Sleeth 1986 Hope Publishing Co. song #52456
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie:

Good morning everybody!

This is the first Sunday after Easter. Last week we heard about the empty tomb and how the women were told that Jesus was not dead but was alive in the world. Well, this week, our scripture is a story about the disciples experiencing that!

After Jesus died, I think the disciples really weren’t sure what they were supposed to do. Do you remember that some of them were fishermen when they first met Jesus? Well, in this story, those men have gone back to fishing.

Have you ever gone fishing? It’s something my family really enjoys. We like being out on the water in a boat – especially on a nice summer day. we take our fishing rods and lures or bait, sometimes we take some snacks… We’re happy out there – even if we don’t catch any fish. If we meet other boats, we might wave or call out to each other, “Any luck?”

The kind of fishing the disciples were doing was very different from the kind of fishing my family does though. It wasn’t a leisure activity; it was their work. They needed to catch a lot of fish to sell to make their living this way. So, they didn’t use fishing rods, they used big nets that they threw over the side of the boat in hopes that they could trap a school of fish as they swam by.

In today’s story, those men had been out on the water for hours and they hadn’t caught any fish. They saw someone on the shore waving to them. “Any luck?” the man shouted. “Not a single fish!” was their answer.

“Throw your net over the other side of the boat!” the man on the shore called to them.

Now, these men had been out on the water for hours and hadn’t seen any fish at all. They may have thought this guy was a bit crazy to suggest such a thing. If that was me in the boat, I probably would have just said, “Sure, thanks!” and then just ignored his advice. I would have thought he was joking with me… but the disciples didn’t react that way. They did pull up their empty net – a big, heavy, wet net - and toss it over the other side of the boat…

And, guess what? There were so many fish caught in the net that they couldn’t even pull it in! They had to drag it to shore!

Some of them realized that this stranger on the beach must be Jesus! Peter was so excited that he jumped in the water and started swimming to shore. When they got to the beach, there was a nice fire going with breakfast cooking. Can you imagine it?

But imagine if they hadn’t listened to him and didn’t bother throwing the net over the other side of the boat… They would have gone home with no fish to sell – and they would have missed this picnic on the beach with Jesus!

Sometimes we’re asked to do things that aren’t normal for us – like right now during this pandemic. You have to go to school in a way that isn’t what you are used to. Your teacher isn’t there with you nor any of your friends. It’s hard when you don’t understand what to do and you can’t ask the teacher to explain it a different way. But, you are doing it – even though it’s uncomfortable sometimes – and we’re all really proud of you for that! Hopefully you are learning some new things about yourself too – that you can figure things out if you try… that you can work independently… that your teacher is pretty great at finding new and interesting ways for you to learn… I hope there are lots of other good surprises coming out of this time too. I think sometimes we have to look carefully for those good things, but I know they are there.

Maybe we are being asked to fish on the other side of our boat these days. It’s hard work and it might even make us grumble sometimes – but I think it will all be worth it in the end when this virus goes away. Maybe then we can even have a picnic on the beach!

Children’s Hymn: Hey Now! Singing Hallelujah! MV 121 vs. 1, 3, 5

Refrain

Hey now! Singing hallelujah!
Hey now! The morning has come!
Hey now! Singing hallelujah!
The tomb was empty at the rising sun.

1. Jesus loved people and he made them friends, Hey now, the tomb was empty.
He called to the children and the women and men. Hey now, the tomb was empty.

3. Jesus loved people and they said he was a king. Hey now, the tomb was empty.
He turned all the tables on everything.
Hey now, the tomb was empty.

5. Jesus loves people and he lives again!
Hey now, the tomb was empty.
Calls us disciples and he calls us his friends.
Hey now, the tomb was empty.

Words & Music: © Linnea Good 1998 Borealis Music LinneaGood.com song #97084
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination:

Holy God, fill us with openness, faith and hope. Fill our hearts with love, laughter and peace. Fill our hearts with your Word and your wisdom. Amen.

Gospel Reading: “Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples” John 21: 1-19 (NRSV)

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

May we find ourselves renewed in this story of hope. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Back to Square One!” Rev. Kim Vidal

Things have calmed down quite a bit from those holy moments of Easter Sunday. Things have settled way down from the exalted cries of “Alleluia, we are made alive in Christ” to the more practical “let’s get back to life as usual”. Back to square one. Back to normal like a pair of old slippers waiting to be used under the bed. But in this life we call normal, there are still moments of sadness and grief. Just in the last few days, Canada’s official death toll from COVID-19 passed 1,000, of which the centre of attention is on the long-term care facilities and nursing homes that are being ravaged by the virus. While government officials claim the epidemic is slowing down, there are still outbreaks in many parts of the country particularly here in Ottawa. How do we deal with this alarming news after we have just celebrated a joyful Easter? How do we proclaim life when our community continues to be in the midst of Good Friday? The experience of emotional overload comes in many forms and these are at times overwhelming. Theology professor Craig Dykstra gave a very good description of what it feels like to be overwhelmed with grief. He said: "Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the sheer hugeness or complexity of something. We can't get our arms around it. We can't get it figured out. We are unable to organize it or to bring it under control. We are overwhelmed in a way that makes us feel small, weak and inadequate".

That’s what happened to Peter and the six disciples. With Jesus, their leader dead, without their friend and rabbi on their side, life gets difficult and uncertain. They were overwhelmed with grief and fear. They felt lost, confused, and scared of what might happen to them. The changes of life are not what they expected and they went back to the way it was before – back to square one - to something safe, something familiar. They reverted to old patterns of behaviour and thinking. It seems easier for them to go backwards than moving forward.

Peter and the other six disciples have returned to the sea. They have come home to the Sea of Tiberias, the place where it all began. It was the place where Simon Peter and his brother Andrew were called by Jesus. It was there where brothers John and James left their father and their big boat and followed Jesus - the beginning of discipleship. Back to square one. Back to the sea of Tiberias.

Now that Jesus is gone, apparently, they went right back to doing what is comfortable, normal, and usual. They got back in the boat and did what they do best. To fish. Peter, leading the way, decides to go fishing at night. Perhaps it takes him back to life before Jesus. The others are quick to join him. They fished all night, but nothing comes close to the surface or into the net. The fishermen come up empty on all counts—no fish, no food, no future. Back to square one!

My hunch, however, is that Peter is not really trying to catch fish as much as he is fishing for answers. Peter may have left Jerusalem but he cannot get away from those years of discipleship, those years of following Jesus, the last supper, the arrest, the denials. He cannot leave behind the cross, the empty tomb, the house with locked doors, the echoes of “Peace be with you.” So Peter fishes. Peter fishes for answers. What have I done? What will I do now? Where will I go? What will happen to me? Where is Jesus now? Peter is searching for meaning, a way forward, a place in life. Peter, bereft with grief, went fishing in the dark night. Some of us have spent time fishing in the dark; asking the same questions as Peter did, looking for our place in life, seeking peace, and some sense of understanding and meaning. We have all been there, fishing for answers in the dark.

According to John’s story, just after the daybreak when the fog is dense along the lakeshore and the water shines bright and blue, someone stood on the beach. Nobody knew at first that it was the Risen Christ. “Children, you did not catch any fish, did you?” This is more a statement of fact than a question. Jesus is not asking for a fishing report. He is commenting on the reality and emptiness of Peter’s and the other disciples’ lives. They were living the pain - fishing on the Good Friday side of the boat and the net is empty. There are no fish, no answers, no way forward. Nothing to feed or nourish life. Jesus tells the disciples to drop their nets to the right side of the boat. Instantly those tired old nets are filled with fish jumping out of the water to get into them. A hundred fifty-three of them! Feast! Fullness! Abundance! New life! The movement of the net from the left side of the boat to the right is symbolic of the disciples’ moments of Easter: from weeping to moments of joy; from fear to hope; from emptiness to wholeness; from feelings of guilt to being forgiven. “It is the Lord,” cries John, the beloved disciple, always first to recognize his best buddy, Jesus. Peter flops out of the boat, put on some clothes over his nakedness – puts on a new perspective, a new mindset over his old self, ready to be challenged and to be inspired again by his leader, Jesus.

The smell of fish being broiled and the wondrous sight of bread caught the disciples’ attention. If you have been up fishing all night, you are grateful for fire and food and the hands that prepared and cooked it. A warm welcome for the hungry souls. “Come and have breakfast,” was the invitation. The Christ of the table not the Christ of the tomb was the host. We get the message, whenever Jesus is involved, chances are - you are going to be fed. In that morning of resurrected hope, there is plenty for everyone - there is more than enough to go around. With the presence of Jesus, there is always food for the journey. A meal of bread and fish is provided by the Christ of the table, telling us that Good Friday of scarcity and death is over. New life has come!

After a hearty breakfast, Jesus pulled Simon Peter on the side and the question and answer come. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Three times Jesus asked the same question. Frustrated, but earnest, bewildered, but trusting, Peter’s story is unfolding from beginning to end. How confusing life was for him as he tried to follow, tried to do the right thing. Peter denied Jesus three times and three times Jesus redeems him. Peter answers yes, all three times. The meaning of the relationship between Jesus and Peter shifted from philios or brotherly love to agape – unconditional, truth-seeking love. A love that blesses Peter to shift his vocation from fishing to shepherding. Peter left his old self and became a new being. Everything that Peter and the disciples need to make this shift has been provided: new perspectives, new mind set, a new heart; a warm hearty breakfast for the journey; a new life. From Good Friday people they became Easter people. Thomas Troeger writes: “The epilogue awakens memories of the darkness—the darkness of our hunger, the darkness of our failure to recognize Christ, the darkness of our denial—but at the same time it reminds us that none of this darkness has overcome the light. For the risen Christ still calls, still feeds, still empowers, even doubters and deniers for the ministry.” And Jesus closes with a resounding “Follow me.” A preacher once said: "Follow me, is more about the future than the past. With Jesus, it's not where you've been that matters, but where you will go, not whether you have made mistakes, but whether you are ready to try again, not about whether you have been wounded in the past, but about how you will help create a future."

Easter was never meant to go back to square one but to move on with intentions to make things new. Still, there is no special immunity, no vaccine to protect us from the COVID-19. Jim Wallis, Sojourners writer commented that “this pandemic has become very revealing of the inequities in our society, the gaping holes in our safety net, and the disparities in our health care and other systems, and the reality of our relationships across racial and economic lines.” We ask over and over again when we will go back to normal. But we won’t and we really can’t. This historical crisis will change us forever. How we act now, and with whom, and for whom, will shape and even determine what that new normal will look like or will be when this current pandemic begins to pass. But in this COVID-19 moment, we are still Easter people. We continue to love our neighbours by social distancing – by not putting their health and safety at risk. We continue to show kindness, to act with integrity, to pray for others, to offer support in many ways.

The disciples followed Jesus. Peter was transformed. A movement began and continues to proclaim that all things can be made new. It will not be the same. But it is a new beginning. “Follow me,” Jesus says, “and live as Easter people.” "Follow me." Whatever doubts or questions come to mind, whatever troubles our conscience, whatever pain, worry and fear that bind us up, whatever walls we have put up or doors we have locked securely to isolate us from others, whatever pandemic halts us in our normal, comfortable living, whatever hunger and need we feel deep in our souls, Jesus says, “follow me”. May your life be a witness to your answer to Jesus’ call. Amen.

Sources:
BCUC Lectionary Group, Karyn Wiseman, Craig Dykstra, Thomas Troeger, Jim Wallis.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer:

I invite you to listen and reflect on a prayer entitled Lockdown written by Capuchin Franciscan brother Richard Hendrick in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

Let us now recite the prayer that Jesus taught his followers:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Offering:

This is now the time to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer or canadahelps.org. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer:

Here is the work of our hands.
Here is the love of our hearts.
Here is our prayer to make a better world.
Bless our offering so that it may be used to further your reign on earth. Amen.

Sending Forth:

Go out into the world as bearers of a holy life that knows no barriers;
mindful of how demanding this call can be;
yet alive to its vision of goodness and beauty.
May the wisdom of God,
the compassion of Christ
and the friendship of the Spirit
bear us up and fill us with renewed strength for the journey. Amen.

Departing Music: Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore VU 563

1 Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore;
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain:

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me, and while smiling have spoken my name; now the boat’s left on the shoreline behind me, by your side,
I will seek other seas.

2 You---know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
you will find there my nets and labour.

Refrain

3 You---need my hands full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving.

Refrain

4 You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me.

Refrain

Words & Music : 1979 Cesáreo Gabaráin, harmony: 1987 Skinner Chávez-Melo
translate: 1987 Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, Raquel Gutierrez Achón

Words and music © Oregon Catholic Press, United Methodist Publishing House
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Easter Sunday Service - April 12, 2020

Bells Corners United Church

EASTER SUNDAY
WORSHIP SERVICE & AGAPE MEAL

April 12, 2020

[The video recording of this service can be found here]

Verse to Ponder: “But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” (Mark 16:6)

Gathering: Risen Today – string trio: Leslie Wade, Daniel Parker, Sarah Parker

Words of Welcome & Announcements

Good morning! I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on behalf of Bells Corners United Church as we celebrate Easter!! I hope that today is a day filled with joy, celebration, and excitement as we celebrate together as the risen body of Jesus Christ.

Wherever you are, whatever time of the day, whoever you’re with or just by yourself, I am so glad you have joined us!

In place of a communion, I invite you to join in an agape meal with your family and friends or by yourself. So bring out some bread or crackers and whatever beverage that you have – juice, water, wine or milk and join in the agape meal at a later part of the service.

In this time of church closure, please know that BCUC offers worship service in a number of ways. Please check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with our weekly announcements and updates. You can also follow us on Facebook if you wish.

Beyond worship service, there are other weekly activities and meetings offered online. And everyone is encouraged to make a difference by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Thanks again for being part of this Easter celebration!

Welcome to our worship service.

Lighting of Christ Candle: Lorrie

(light a candle if you wish or turn on a battery-operated flashlight or a lamp)

We are here on this Easter morning, surrounded by the promises of faith. We light this Christ candle knowing that it is Christ who draws us together as one body. We are risen in Christ! Hallelujah!

Call to Gather[1]: (inspired by Colossians 1: 19-22) Lorrie

In the face of a culture of death
a world of killing fields
a world of the walking dead
Jesus Christ is at the head of the resurrection parade
transforming our tears of betrayal into tears of joy
giving us dancing shoes for the resurrection party
This is the dance of the new creation
this is the dance of life out of death
and in this dance all that was broken
all that was estranged
all that was alienated
all that was dislocated and disconnected
-is reconciled
-comes home
-is healed
-and is made whole
We are risen with Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

[1] excerpted from targum 2: subversive poetry in a postmodern world col 1:15-20, published in Colossians Remixed: Subverting The Empire by Sylvia C. Keesmaat and Brian J. Walsh.

Prayer of Approach: “God Within Us” written by David Stafford

God moves within us –
Feel the stirring and whirring inside.
God moves within us,
In God’s love we abide.

God moves within me -
I feel God every day.
Guiding, teaching, moulding,
Leading me on the way.

God stirs within me.
God’s peace is in my heart,
God’s courage, strength, conviction,
Help me to do my part.
And while God is within me,
I share God’s love with you.
Because God is in all of us,
Yes – even you! Amen.

Opening Hymn: This is the Day MV 122 Eng/Fr/Eng

This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu, singing hallelu, singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu, singing hallelu, singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!

Voici le jour que Dieu a fait; nous le vivrons dans la joie.
Voici le jour que Dieu a fait; nous le vivrons dans la joie.
Chantant Al-le-lu! (3x); nous le vivrons dans la joie.
Chantant Al-le-lu! (3x); nous le vivrons dans la joie.

This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that God has made; we will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu, singing hallelu, singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu, singing hallelu, singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!

Words and music © 2003 Bruce Harding evensong.ca song# 117875
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Dance Movement: “Alleluia Meditation” with Wendy Morrell

Bells Corners United Church - Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Storytime for the Young at Heart with Lorrie

HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!
HALLELUJAH!

It feels good to be able to say that again after this long time of Lent – and maybe it’s even better today when we have something to celebrate amidst all this change around Covid-19.

I hope you and your family are finding fun ways to celebrate Easter this year – and I hope the Easter Bunny was able to get to your house last night!

I’ve been thinking this week that Easter just isn’t the same when we’re practising social distancing. It would be so much better if we could get dressed up and go to church to sing all the hallelujahs with the choir and the congregation. It would be better if we could have a big family gathering for dinner tonight…

But then, I thought about what it must have been like on that first Easter morning. There sure wasn’t any celebrating happening when the women were walking to Jesus’ tomb with their spices. They were mourning his death. They were going to pay respect to his body. Imagine how sad they were feeling…

And then, when they got to where Jesus had been buried, they found that the stone had been rolled away and his body was gone! I don’t think their first reaction would have been one of joy, do you? I imagine they thought someone had stolen his body – and that would make them really upset…

When they looked inside the tomb, what did they see? Someone all dressed in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been! I bet they were scared!

But, it wasn’t a robber, it was an angel, and the angel said, “Don’t be afraid”

Wow! That reminds me of the time that an angel appeared to Mary and to Joseph way back during Advent… Remember what the angel said to them? “Don’t be afraid”

And then, when Jesus was born and the angels came to the shepherds in the field, the first thing they said was…. Right! They said “Don’t be afraid!”

It seems to me that whenever an angel shows up that’s the first thing we hear – and then there is good news. For Mary and Joseph, it was that they were going to be the parents of a very special baby… for the shepherds, it was the birth of a saviour.

For the women that day it was that death didn’t win! Jesus was still alive in the world! Now that’s a reason to celebrate for sure! It’s such good news that we are still celebrating it today – 2000 years later!

On that first Easter morning, Jesus’ friends and followers weren’t getting together to celebrate. They were hiding because they were worried about what might happen to them if the Roman soldiers knew they were Jesus’ friends. Even when the women came to tell them that Jesus was alive, they had to stay hidden away.

That’s a little bit like what’s happening in our world right now, isn’t it? We are all staying home because of the bad news of the Corona Virus. The news is getting better though – Don’t be afraid! - and not as many people are getting sick… but we still need to stay at home and practise social distancing because that’s what is going to make this threat go away for good. So, we can celebrate – and we should celebrate today! – but we will do it safely at home.

Maybe our celebrations this Easter are more like the celebrations of that first Easter so long ago… But, lucky for us we have modern technology to help us stay in touch with those we love. I hope you will spend lots of time today talking to your friends and family – by phone, or facetime, or however you are making this happen these days…

So, even though things are different and sometimes a bit uncomfortable these days, there is still lots to celebrate! Family, technology, better news about the virus …

And, through us, Jesus is still alive in the world!

HALLELUJAH!!
HALLELUJAH!!
HALLELUJAH!!

Children’s Hymn: Joy (Amy Grant)

1. I've got the joy (joy), joy (joy), joy (joy)!
I've got the joy (joy), joy (joy), joy (joy)!
I've got the joy (joy), joy (joy), joy....! Hallelujah!
Down in my heart (clap, clap)
Down in my heart (clap, clap)
Down in my heart to stay,
Down in my heart to stay.

2. I've got the love...

3. I've got the light...

arrangement Amy Grant
CCLI Song# 1263591 CCLI lic# 11199365

Prayer for Illumination

Let us gather our hearts in this prayer for illumination

God of joy and delight, open our hearts to receive your Word anew and give us hope as Easter people. Amen.

Gospel Reading: The Resurrection of Jesus Mark 16: 1-8 with the Shorter Ending of Mark (NRSV)

16 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The Shorter Ending of Mark:

And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterward Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.

May we find ourselves renewed in this story of hope. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “He Has Been Raised! He Is Not Here!” by Rev. Kim Vidal

Dawn is breaking in Jerusalem. The sun is about to spill its golden rays over the horizon. Maybe there was fog in the air that day - that hung over the city and countryside like a shroud. There wasn’t much conversation on the way to the tomb. Hearts were too heavy. Jesus had been crucified and now buried in a tomb somewhere. Three women went to visit the tomb that early morning. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Salome. They brought with them spices to anoint Jesus’ dead body as was the custom in those days to control the smell of decomposition and help minimize unpleasant odors. They went to deliver the fragrance of life to the place of death. This for me is an astounding act of love. When they set out that morning, the women I’m sure did not know what to expect besides the eerie tomb and the foul smell of death. And their first worry came out in the open: “Who will roll away the stone for us so we can enter the tomb?”. They know particularly well that stones sealing tombs in those days were very heavy that needs few people altogether to move them. But the women still show up for each other, in an act of love that goes beyond fear and hopelessness, a love that denies the end of a relationship. Jesus was a big part of their transformation. And so they went and add a new episode of their sad story even when that episode is filled with uncertainty.

But as the women approach the tomb, they could not hide the surprise in their faces. “Look! Look at the stone! It’s been moved…” They run up to get a closer look: “Who could have done this?” The women silently exchanged glances, and then, one at a time, they crouched down and entered the tomb. But as they scan the cold darkness they realize their worst fears- Jesus is gone… the tomb is empty - a metaphor telling us that death had been defeated and the spirit of Jesus Christ is on the loose! Jesus and what he stood for is free of the grave and roaming at large in the world. Jesus cannot be held down, defined or controlled. Jesus’ spirit is on the loose!

In the cold, dark, empty tomb, the women saw a young man dressed in white robe, interpreted to be an angel, who greeted them with some news. “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.” An alarming news descended upon their hearts. Jesus’ body is gone. Someone must has stolen, not just his body, but the last moment they would share with their friend and rabbi. They have taken him away. There was nothing to do but hold each other, and weep. They have taken Jesus away!

The preacher Anna Carter Florence interprets this text today to note that Jesus was literally taken away from people in so many ways. She says: “I’ve heard it from the seminary students who said: Oh, they’ve deconstructed my Bible; they’ve taken away my Jesus, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him. I’ve heard it in youth groups, too, when the teenagers start losing what little idealism they had, and coming to terms with the world we’ve left them: Oh, they’ve ruined my planet with violence and hypocrisy; they’ve taken away my Jesus, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him. And I hear it in the church, whenever a group of people gets scared that things are going to change if we do this or that, and what if we don’t like it? … Oh, they’ve desecrated my church with heresies; they’ve taken away my Jesus, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him. I think the church is weeping not for the crucified Jesus but for a stolen body, and a desecrated tomb. Do you hear that weeping and wailing? It breaks your heart, even as it makes you crazy.”

Could it be true what the angel had said? He has been raised! He is not here! Who raised him up? Where is he now? Could Jesus have really come back from the dead? Could he really be alive again? We certainly can give several propositions here. NT scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, co-authors of the book, The Last Week contend that “Jesus who was crucified by the political authorities has been raised by God. This means that God has said “yes” to Jesus and “no” to the powers who killed him. God has vindicated Jesus…Easter is God’s “yes” to Jesus against the powers who killed him. Another possible interpretation that Jesus has been raised is grounded in the experience of Jesus’ followers. It was this body of the believers who raised him up. They declared that Jesus lives forever in their hearts and in their minds. They make Jesus, to this present day, a living reality in their daily lives.

Another explanation connected somehow to the body of the believers proclaiming that Jesus lives forever is found in the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. Writing in 40 common era, ahead of the gospel writers, Paul is the first writer who attempted to define what resurrection is. Another NT scholar, Bernard Brandon Scott in his book The Trouble with Resurrection asserts that Paul doesn't describe or debate the "how" of resurrection. Paul doesn't even know the story of the empty tomb nor the details around it. This is not important to Paul: not the empty tomb, or the nitty-gritty facts of the Easter stories in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

According to Scott, Paul understands the word resurrection in simple Greek word, “anastasis” which means “standing up” and “egeiro” meaning “to get up”. These are common everyday words, like getting up in bed or standing up from a chair, that do not carry any theological meanings at all. Paul believed and taught his congregation that Jesus was raised not with a physical body but with a spiritual body. The faith community, both past and present, is Christ’s spiritual body. The faith community is resurrected with Christ. And through this resurrected body of the believers, Paul says God has made a statement about where the Risen Christ lives: it lives in this body of believers through love -- and love is victorious over all, even over death itself. This is Paul's answer to the Messengers at the tomb who asked "Why seek the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5). Paul says, “You don't! You seek and find the Risen Christ in your own living, for this is where life is found.” Can we really trust in Paul’s teaching? Or, like those who have heard the news on the first Easter simply think that it's an idle tale? We can only answer this question for ourselves. I do know this, however, that Jesus is found when we, the body of Christ, continues to make Jesus Christ alive in the world through our acts of love, justice and peace.

In that bewilderment and moment of agonizing fear, the women ran out of the tomb, carrying the spices that were meant to anoint a dead body. Too often, we, like the women, choose to run away from the empty tomb bewildered by the absence of the body and paralyzed by our own emptiness. We still live, as if - it is always a Good Friday world; a world where violence, suffering, greed, and death reign with stubborn propensity. Our world is still stuck in the despair of Good Friday. Even this morning, I know that some of you are still grieving for lost loved ones or anxious because of illness or broken relationships; the world is still mourning the death of thousands of people due to COVID-19; fear looms large as we hear news of the pandemic in many parts of the world; people are still put down or killed because of their racial ethnicity or religious beliefs; poverty and famine continue to affect third world countries. For many of us, it seems that everyday is endlessly Good Friday, with no hope in sight. But take heart. In every sadness, there is joy. In every Good Friday, there is Easter Sunday.

At the Tuesday’s lectionary group, a consensus was put in place. The mission of the three women who brought the spices to anoint Jesus’ dead body was totally changed and redirected to something more remarkable. The women whose original intent was to spice up the dead body of Jesus, were commissioned instead by the angel, a messenger of God, to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee. And there they will see him. The women the first human messengers of Easter. Yes, Mark indicates that the women left in trembling in fear and didn’t say a word at first. And yet, after fear and anxiety had left their hearts, I’m sure they went and told the disciples about their experience. They went out to spice up the world with good news!

Have you been there? traveling toward the tomb- like the women ready to anoint a dead body… and the spices you carry with you are scented with your own expectation- and then redirected to share the good news of the empty tomb? Or are you like the disciples and Peter? Sitting in a dark room… defeated… sad… alone… grieving for something you lost… and not seeing God’s presence in the midst of your sorrow? Or are you like Paul who taught the people in Corinth what to make of this doctrine of resurrection? Scratching your heads as to how you make sense of this archaic belief about a bodily resurrection?

My friends, we know these people, don’t we? In fact, they are so much a part of our Christian upbringing. We know them so well that we can tell their story by heart- because each of their stories is also our story! This is the Galilee where Jesus had gone to meet us. And hearing it gives all of our life stories… hope.

So we stand here this morning, a human community in the midst of a broken world with a renewed sense of hope. On this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the power of life over death, the strength of love over hatred, but also immense beauty in our brokenness and pain. We experience the life-giving Christ in the breaking of the bread and sharing of the cup. We declare with the women, the disciples and Paul these powerful Easter words: “We are made alive in Christ!” and “Christ is made alive through us!” “Alleluia! Amen!”

Prayers of the People

Let us gather our hearts in prayer.

Easter God, we look around expecting death, but instead we see new life. Like a seed planted in the cold dark earth that sprouted with leaves, flowers and fruits, your gift of hope is within us and in your whole creation! The sick and despairing discover healing; the vulnerable discover boldness; the troubled and distressed discover peace; the depressed and downhearted discover joy; the church discovers a new vision of community and service. Each of us discovers that we can truly be followers of Jesus.

In the common sharing of our faith as Easter people, the Risen Christ who lives in our hearts leads us into new life where forgiveness and love abounds. You make us witnesses to the peace that is your work in the world. You send us into broken hearts and relationships as agents of reconciliation. You move us to live in the power of your healing love as we remember those among us who are troubled in body, mind or spirit. Help us to be your voice, your enfolding arms, your listening ear to those who are discouraged, dissatisfied, disheartened. Grant forgiveness, peace and joy to all who call upon you. And in this spirit, we lift up our brothers and sisters in our prayer and those among us who need your healing love. In silence, listen to the longings and celebrations of our hearts.

Risen Christ, we remember the many parts of the world where you walk on wounded feet and reach out with scarred hands. We pray for your body in the world, wounded and scarred, not only by violence or hatred, but also by our own actions that have wounded others. And as we break bread and share the cup of grace, may we all proclaim that we are made alive in Christ and that Christ is made alive through us! May it be so. Amen.

The Agape Meal

“Agape” is the New Testament Greek word for “self-giving love”. The kind of love that comes from God and models God’s loving choice for our well-being and all of Creation. In the Christian tradition, agape is also the name for informal meals and times of togetherness and mutual sharing which remind us of all those meals Jesus shared with his friends and the unity that his Spirit continues to give us even today.

Proclamation (inspired by 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We enter the story when a meal has been shared,
when prayers of thanksgiving have been spoken, when fellowship shared.
This is the place and this is the time. Here and now,
God waits to break into our experience.
On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he took a loaf of bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
“This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance
of me.”
In the same way, he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant. Do this, as
often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you
proclaim Jesus who gives us Easter hope.

Let us pray.

Loving friend and companion, we welcome your presence with us. May these gifts of bread and cup, nourish our bodies, hearts and minds. And may our spirits be refreshed as we live in the light of your presence, with us now, and at all times and places. Amen.

Prayer of Consecration & the Lord’s Prayer

Send now your Holy Spirit upon this bread and this cup, O God that they might be our remembrance and our proclamation of the presence of Jesus Christ with us, through us and in us. Let us now recite the prayer that Jesus taught his followers:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in 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.

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

Let us now share and partake the bread and the cup reminding us of God’s unconditional love.
This is the bread – food for the journey. Take, eat and be nourished by God’s love.
This is the cup – drink for the journey. Take, drink and be sustained by God’s grace.

Prayer after the Meal

For the bread we have eaten, for the wine we have tasted, for the life we have received, we thank you, loving God. Empower us to live as Jesus has lived, to bring new life to others and to give light to the world. Amen.

The Offering

This is now the time to offer our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church. You can also send in your support through e-transfer or canadahelps.org. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

Rejoicing! Celebrating! Giving thanks! Gracious God, hope and new life are your amazing gifts to us. As we offer our gifts back to you, remind us that we are Easter people and you call us to sow seeds of love and justice in the world. Amen.

Sending Forth

Go forth this day filled with faith, hope and love.
May the blessing of God, sustainer and creator,
of Christ who is known in the breaking of the bread,
and of the Spirit who gives us new life,
be with us all this Easter Sunday
and in the days to come. Amen.

Closign Hymn: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks VU 179

Refrain: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, give thanks to the risen Christ;
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, give praise to God’s name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
First born of all creation. Refrain.

Spread the good news o’er all the earth.
Jesus has died and is risen. Refrain.

We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live forever. Refrain.

Come, let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Saviour. Refrain.

Words and music © 1973 The Word of God Music Arr © 1987 Songs for Gospel People
song# 74756 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Departing Music: Thine is the Glory – String trio: Leslie Wade, Daniel Parker, Sarah Parker

Good Friday Service - April 10, 2020

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
Good Friday Service

April 10, 2020

Moment of Silent Reflection: Bach Cello Suite V – Sarabande – soloist: Daniel Parker

Words of Welcome

Dear friends and companions in the faith, good morning.
We gather again on this day, at the foot of the cross, which calls us on, not in shame, not in fear, not in violence, but more deeply into the costly journey of truth-telling and risk-taking.
We gather here
In Sabbath preparation
and to grieve
with his disciples and friends
We are all grieving something
Or have been
Or will be
Loss of family member…
Spouse…child…parent…pet
Friend…broken trust…betrayal
Mobility…stability…
Or…even … God
There is wounding, there is weeping, there is pain. But in Jesus as the promised one,
life is found. God is there.
Today I invite you to listen with your heart. Through these words and music, may we find our hearts warmed by a love that is stronger than our fear,
and stronger even than the finality of death.
Welcome to Good Friday.

Invitation to Gather and Opening Prayer

I now invite you to gather in worship:

This is a day of grief, a lonely day, forlorn.
This is a moment of mourning, a hurting, tear-stained moment.
A time to remember that Jesus died – crucified, abandoned, mocked and rejected.
May the painful death, the sadness and the intense horror of this day touch our hard-heartedness
and disturb our indifferent shallowness.
May it remind us of the brokenness around us and within and convict us in faith and action.

Let us pray. Into the shadows of chaos, the light of the world stops. From the silence of death, the word of God breaks free. For the emptiness of our souls, the Bread of Life is broken. O God, I stand in the sunshine of this spring day, smelling the earth and the growing grass. I feel as green as life, but a shadow falls across my path: a cross stretching over centuries, making holy all sorrows, sanctifying all tears, ennobling every scar, transforming every wound, healing the broken heart of the world. In the shadow of the cross, draw me into life. Help me to grow as green as grass. Amen.

Ministry of Music

Gospel Reading: “Pilate Questions Jesus” John 18: 33-38

A reading from the Gospel according to John chapter 18 verses 33-38 and I’m reading from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.

May these words renew us and give us assurance of hope in this time and in this place. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Quid Est Veritas - What is Truth?” Rev. Kim Vidal

Quid est veritas? “What is truth?” It is a question that we ask almost all the time. Here we are on Good Friday and this Gospel reading in John throws us right into the middle of a trial that we are not prepared for in any way. Jesus has been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, condemned by Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, was denied by Peter, and was brought before Pontius Pilate to be put to death. Quid est veritas? “What is truth?” This is the question that Pilate asked Jesus. It is a good question. The truth is, Jesus was both political and religious threat to Rome. The truth is, the religious leaders lied to execute Jesus. The truth is, Pilate didn't find Jesus guilty of any crime, yet he sentenced him to die anyway because the truth didn't matter to him.

The Good Friday truth is that Jesus was put to death by crucifixion. For what reason? What was his crime? Jesus was killed not because the whole crucifixion stuff was God’s plan. Not because Jesus was pre-destined to die on the cross. Not because we are all guilt-ridden people and we need a scapegoat to absolve our sins. Jesus died because he had angered the religious authorities for chasing the money changers out of the temple. Because Jesus had disobeyed the purity laws by healing people on the Sabbath. Because he broke barriers and taboos of his time by mingling with the ritually unclean and ate with sinners and prostitutes. Because he upheld women and children as important members of the society. Because he challenged those in power who took advantage of widows, the poor, and the outcasts. Because he mobilized a movement that threatens those in power. This is the Good Friday truth and we better believe it.

Jesus came to testify to the 'truth' - a kin-dom of truth', which is the exact opposite of what the Roman Empire is all about. The empire is about oppression, marginalization, hunger, poverty, violence and depraved morality. That is not what the kin-dom of Truth is all about. That is not the kin-dom Jesus lived and preached. Jesus knew from his heart that Truth resides in God’s reign. He lived and preached the truth of love, peace, hope and justice that transforms the world.

Quid est veritas? What is truth? Truth is not just an idea or a mystery that needs to be solved. Truth is not simply a collection of facts proven to be true, like the fact that the earth is round or that the sun shines even on cloudy days. Truth is not just based on fact-finding or scientific proof of things. Truth starts from a small seed of faith. Truth is why Jesus did what he had done. Jesus wants to open the people’s mind, their heart and their eyes to the social, political and religious realities of their time. Truth cannot be left alone to rot and spoil – someone has to stand, protest and speak against evil realities. It was time for Jesus to speak the truth. Jesus wants the people to experience the true meaning of shalom – food on the table, roof over their heads, to walk on the streets without being threatened, to live an abundant life. He wants people from all walks of life – sinners or saints alike to be included in the kin-dom of God. Yet, truth demands a choice – a choice to follow God or to follow Caesar.

Did Pilate acknowledge what Jesus was trying to convey? Is Pilate aware of what Jesus was trying to say when Jesus said “my Kin-dom is not from this world”? Jesus here is telling the truth – his world is not the Roman empire – his world is about love and justice and peace and all what God stands for. I think Pilate knew that Jesus was an innocent man, yet he could not bring himself to act with honour, or with courage and integrity. And the truth is, we too can be just like Pilate. We can be aware of God's truth, but sometimes we choose instead to live by the easy lies and deceptions of this world. A quote from the Desiderata reminds us this: “The world is full of trickery but this let not blind you to what virtue there is.” I love what theologian Nancy Rockwell has to say about truth: Truth, like God, escapes definition, as, like God, truth also escapes our control. Job learns that truth is beyond human understanding. Jacob learns truth is a blessing that hurts. Mary learns truth emerges from the grave when her broken heart weeps. The disciples in Emmaus learn the power of truth when they have walked to the end of their despair.

There are times when we are blinded by a culture of indifference, greed and pride, and consequently we neglect that which would nourish our souls. Sometimes we compromise truth and integrity for high-paying jobs or settle for lies or whatever will work for us… what we think gets us ahead, what will pay the bills, what will delight the eye, whatever feels like success and allows us to achieve what we want. But truth is not always the road to comfort, success or popularity. Truth doesn't always win the promotion or advancement or get all the things and pleasure that this world values most. And sometimes, truth gets you beaten, mocked, laughed at, or worse, be hanged on a cross. Good Friday is about truth-telling.

On this day, Jesus has been betrayed and abandoned by his friends. He is mocked, and stripped and tortured and crucified. The Good Friday truth is that life hurts. All of us have experienced that truth at some point in our lives. We, like Jesus, know how it feels to have someone we love disappoint us, perhaps even betray and abandon us. There may even be times when life hurts so much that we, like Jesus, have thought that God has abandoned us, and cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Life sometimes hurts. We know what it means to be hurt and to suffer. We know the pain when our bodies betray us; when our bodies no longer work like they used to – the loss of our body's ability to walk or to remember; the cancer, the failing of eyes and ears. We, like Jesus, experience the truth of death. The agony and emptiness when someone we love dies, or when we face our very own death.

Jesus said to Pilate: "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate did not listen. John's gospel tells us that after Pilate asked the question, he left Jesus, walked away, and confronted the temple leaders. Pilate knows that Jesus was a victim of life’s unfairness and was sentenced to be crucified. But those of us who listen to Jesus know something more. Jesus stood for God’s truth. That even in death, Jesus will never again be a victim of injustice. Jesus died fighting for truth and he did not die in vain. Those of us who listen to Jesus have heard the good news of Easter and can hold it close to our hearts on every Good Friday of our lives. We cling to it when life hurts and when we face death. Good Friday is truth-telling. And then there’s the truth about Easter. Good Friday doesn’t end in death. It is the beginning of a new chapter in the life of those who follow Jesus’ way.

And finally, Jesus invites us to listen to his truth. Where love is, God is there even in the darkest moment of life. That is the truth. Let us this day live by that Truth. Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Dismissal

And now receive God’s blessings:
As we go into the growing shadows of this Good Friday into the silent unknowing of Holy Saturday, may we carry in our hearts, the crucified Christ.
May our hearts open like a waiting tomb, a tender womb,
and in the sheltered silence, may we cradle all that is wounded, all that is broken.
We go embracing all that is touched by pain and fear until we feel the pulse of new life begin to stir. For God is not done with us yet.
Go in peace and in love. Amen.

Departing Music

Maundy Thursday Service - April 9, 2020

Preparation

Dear Friends,

As part of our Holy Week observances, I have created a Maundy Thursday service that you can use to celebrate at home. In order to participate fully, you will need to gather a few things to prepare for this service. First of all, this is a celebration of the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples. The reason for this particular meal was Passover, an important event in the Jewish faith story, and one that is still celebrated by Jewish people today. As with the important events in our Christian calendar like Christmas and Easter, Passover is a time to celebrate together with a special meal. So, I encourage you to treat it that way… cook (or order in) something special; get out of your Covid-19 pyjamas and dress up; set the table with your best china and linens! Like us, Jesus and his disciples were experiencing a very stressful time – but they paused to celebrate God’s love, and so should we.

As Christians, we celebrate this night as the inspiration for our sacrament of Communion. It was the time when Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends and gave them his final instructions. It was his commissioning to his disciples – and to all of us who follow him.

Here are a few things that you will need during the service:

• Dinner!

• A basin, soap, a jug of warm water, and a towel

• Wine, juice, or some other beverage that can be shared, and bread for passing around. Make it something delicious and beautiful if possible! This is an Agape Meal - a celebration of love.

I hope you will pause in this week to share in this special celebration.

Blessings,

Lorrie

A Family Maundy Thursday “at-home” Service

[If you prefer to print the service, please find it here in PDF format.]

Good evening everyone and welcome to our Maundy Thursday “at home” service. I’m disappointed that we can’t all be together tonight but I hope that you and your family will find this meaningful. Earlier this week we posted a list of a few things you’ll need at hand as the service progresses (listed above). If you haven’t had a chance to do this, I hope you will pause and gather them now so that you can participate fully.

On the evening before Good Friday, we celebrate with a meal to remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.

At BCUC, we usually gather together at the church for worship and prayer. There is always food involved! Sometimes it’s a pot luck dinner, other times just snacks. But, when I think about the story of that last supper Jesus had with his friends, I realize that we have an opportunity this year to celebrate much like that “family” celebrated so long ago.

If you find yourself alone tonight, please reach out to a friend or loved one with whom you can share this special time. Perhaps you can set up a video chat (thank goodness for technology today!) or even just a voice call. If that doesn’t seem possible, I hope you will play the audio file of this service and read along with us as you eat your meal. Know that you are a special part of our BCUC family and loved beyond measure.

The reason for the celebration that Jesus and his disciples shared was Passover. It was – and still is – a significant part of the Jewish faith story. And because it is a story from the Old Testament, it is part of our Christian heritage too.

Exodus 12:1-13

12 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This is the story of the Israelites escaping from Egypt and beginning their journey to the Promised Land. Each year, thereafter, the Jewish people have observed this night when God struck down the Egyptian people but “passed over” the faithful, allowing them to escape from slavery.

This is the special festival that Jesus and his disciples were celebrating that night. It was a “family” dinner, with special food. They would have dressed in their best clothes and set the table with their nicest dishes. For Christians, this day also carries a very special significance as the event that inspired our sacrament of Communion. It deserves a special celebration for us today!

This year, in these strange days of Covid19, I hope you will take the opportunity to celebrate with your family, just as Jesus did so long ago. After these weeks of being isolated at home, this is a chance to get dressed up, to share a special dinner, to share the story of that special night, and to remember that Christians all over the world are doing the same.

So, cook (or order in) something special, set the table with your best china and linens, dress in your finest, and celebrate this important night with Christians all over the world. I hope the service below will help you.

Materials needed:

Basin, soap, a jug of warm water, towel Wine, juice, or some other beverage that can be shared, and bread for passing around (make it something delicious and beautiful if possible! This is a celebration of love.)

Opening: John 13:1-7 Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

In Jesus’ time, people wore sandals, if anything on their feet. There were no paved roads, so after being outside for the day, it was important to wash your feet when you came into the house. Who knows what you might be bringing in on those feet! As you can imagine, this was not a particularly pleasant job and so it was given to a servant to do. By washing the feet of his friends, Jesus showed them that he loved them so much, he would do whatever it takes to keep them clean and healthy. Even though they saw him as their leader, he was willing to be a servant to them.

In today’s context of the Covid19 pandemic, we might see a connection between the foot washing of Jesus’ time and the hand washing that is so important now. Before you begin your meal, please take the time to perform a ritual washing of each other’s hands. The father or head of the family washes the hands of the person next to him/her, and then that person washes the hands of the next and so on… the last person washes the hands of the first. The easiest way to do this is to pour a little water from the jug on the person’s hands (over the basin), they use the soap to lather and rub, then pour more water to rinse their hands and give them the towel. When they are finished, they will take the jug and do the same for the next person…

As you wash each other’s hands, sing the first 2 verses of VU595 “We Are Pilgrims”:

We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road
We are here to help each other walk the mile and share the load.

Sister (Brother), let me be your servant, let me be a Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

After people’s hands are washed, invite them to the table.

Grace: VU552

For food in a world where many walk in hunger; For faith in a world where many walk in fear; For friends in a world where many walk alone; We give you thanks, O Lord.

Amen

Enjoy the meal together!

Take time to discuss the struggles and fears of this time of social isolation.

Take time to name the blessings that have come from this unexpected pause in our usual busy lives.

At a time that seems appropriate in the meal (at the end or perhaps before serving dessert…), share the following reading:

Luke 22:7-20 The Last Supper

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Share the bread and the wine. This is not Communion, but an Agape Meal or “Love Feast”. We share the bread and wine as a remembrance of the last meal that Jesus and his closest friends shared together and of all the meals that Jesus shared with others. It is a symbol of the bond that we share as a family, and with our fellow Christians – a bond of love, and of caring for one another. Pass the plate or basket of bread around the table – take a big piece! Pass a jug or bottle of the beverage around as well – no little sips, this is a feast!

Closing Prayer:

Holy One,

We have shared this meal, this Agape Feast, in celebration of Christ’s commandment to Love one another as he loves us.
Grant us the wisdom and the strength to fulfil this mission in our homes, our community, and the world.
In this strange time of pandemic,
We pray for those we know and love…
We pray for the members of our faith family at BCUC…
We pray for those who are alone, who are grieving…
For those who are ill and those who care for them…
We pray for all those who are working to keep us fed and safe…
We pray for this world as it struggles to heal…
Let the love we share at this table be part of that healing.
All these things we ask in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Closing Hymn: MV 214

May God’s Sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you.
May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,
And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.