Fulfillment & Righteousness:

Our service today spoke of fulfillment and righteousness. Karen told the story of Jesus' Baptism by John the Baptist. This was déjà vu for me, as my Sunday school class discussed this passage the previous week. The question most of the kids asked was WHY? Why did Jesus need to be baptised. Why was John the Baptist performing this most holy sacrament – shouldn’t it have been the other way around?

Karen underlined two key words in the passage: Fulfillment and Righteousness. The act of fulfilling righteousness is a way of jumping in. These words appear for the first time in Mathew – when Angel Gabriel appears to Joseph. Joseph is informed that Mary will be expecting a baby and is urged to go through with his plans of marrying her in order to “fulfill what the Lord had said”. Here, Joseph is called upon to be righteous, and to take up his role as Jesus earthly father. He is called upon to “jump in”.

Jesus through his act of Baptism is “Jumping in” with God's people, wading in the waters where other sinners have trod. Fulfilling righteousness is the act of standing together, sharing, commiserating and turning from self to other. It is attempting to be inclusive in a society that always finds ways to divide.

So as we move forward in this new year – let us endeavour to jump in and strive to share with one another in order to lighten the load.

Koko A.

Sunday, December 8

Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, falls on January 6 and marks the end of the festive season. In many households, the Christmas tree is taken down and decorations are stored away for another year. It is a time of change.
When Jesus came everything changed.

We often think that life is a story about us as individuals. Living with others we learn it really is not all about us. Jesus showed us what it meant to give of yourself for others. Christmas is our invitation to be part of a relationship with God.

Jeanie H.
 

New Year's Resolutions

Every year a new year greets us with promise. Each year brings new chance, new possibilities, and new options.

New Year’s resolutions to change ourselves to greet the new year with a better us. What did those first believers look for?

Our service today spoke to the promise of a new hope. A new beginning, but one built on the past. One built on the belief that our past can offer a new hope for better tomorrow.

The Wise men brought gifts to the new baby as we bring our own gifts to the new year. They believed that the promise of all that was to come was worth the risk and effort of their journey. They felt the strength of the prophecy that new life and new beginnings were promised.

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

They believed that they were coming to honour that promise and to set the path to the future. They protected that future by heeding the dream to return home by a different road. Each year is a new journey. We make ready to journey into the new year with faith and a belief in the promise of our Lord but no fear.

Standing at the portal
Of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us,
Hushing every fear;
Spoken thru the silence
By our Savior’s voice,
Tender, strong and faithful,
Making us rejoice.

 Let us remember those who are facing new beginnings ,let our faith and support be the strength of their portal

May our belief provide the guide for our new year, let the promise be our resolution.

God's blessing for 2017.

Noral R.

Christmas Morning

And the angels said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

Earlier this week, I joined others at the Blue Christmas service. It is a time of gathering during the longest night of the year and to reflect and feel God’s love embracing us. It is the light from the few flickering candles on that very dark night that filled me with hope, peace, love and joy for what was to come. 

By the time Christmas morn arrived, the Christ candle was lit and the sun was shining on a brilliant winter morning – the beauty of the candle and the splendour of the morning enveloped me with God’s love and great joy, which he gave us in the birth of his Son.

During the time with the children and mediation this morning, Karen told us the story about Nicholas and Hannah, and the gifts that they bought for Jesus. Along their journey they gave the gifts to those that really needed them, and then felt empty-handed when they wanted to give them to Jesus. We were reminded that when we give to others, we are giving to Jesus Christ.

As Christmas season draws to an end, may we remember what God has given to us and what we can do all year long to share God’s love, like Nicholas and Hannah.

Colleen G.

Lighting the Candle of Love

This morning during worship, Karen talked to us about Mary and Mary's prayer of praise, the magnificat. While talking about church over lunch, my parents and I marvelled at how that would have felt for Mary to be greeted with such unreserved, enthusiastic affirmation from her cousin Elizabeth. Even when you know what you feel is right (and Mary seemed quite certain in understanding the importance of the baby she was carrying!) to have that confirmation come would be a relief! To be with someone who whole-heartedly believed her unconventional story - little wonder Mary responded with such outpouring of emotion!

But what I really appreciated about the sermon was the reminder that the magnificat pushes us out into the world, shows us that something new is starting - but not yet here. In the magnificat, we wait with vulnerable people in solidarity, and we see God's work in the world around us. A beautiful, warm reminder of love in these dark cold days.

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

 

Maureen R.

Gift Giving

This morning, our sermon titled 'Gift Giving', was from Rev. Dr. Sandy Scott. He spoke from the heart, and in a way that opened up his own personal experiences to share with all of us. (Recommend giving it a listen). What resonated with me was the importance of acceptance and what being a part of a family gives us. How it gives us a history, a place and a home, things that we expect to have simply by being born. For many, being born is just not that simple, like the complication of Mary's pregnancy and what it meant for Joseph. The loyalty that was needed in order to believe Mary and step forward and offer family to Jesus was incredible.  Giving the gift of family.

I think we all know someone who was adopted, or maybe a few someones, and it's a different experience for everyone.  For my part, and really it's the only part I can speak to, being biologically related to a person does not automatically transcribe into a familial obligation or bond. It's by loving someone, by caring for them, and if they're children; it means by raising them that you build a family. If my daughters had been birthed by someone else and then given to me, I would love them just as much as I do now.

Sarah L.