Sermon for September 12, 2021, by Bishop Susan Johnson

September 12, 2021 Pentecost 16 Mark 8:27-38 National Bishop Susan Johnson

Grace to you and peace in the name of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. And greetings to you from your siblings in Christ from coast to coast to coast that make up
this family of God that we call the ELCIC.

I have often struggled with this text, and let me share a little bit with you why. It’s really
verses 34 and 35:

8:34 – He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.


8:35 – For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

“Take up your cross.” It certainly doesn’t seem like a pleasure cruise, does it? Maybe I’m a little chicken sometimes, but I don’t really think that’s what bothers me about this text. I think what bothers me is the way sometimes that it’s been misused.

One way that it’s been misused is some people think that this call to take up your cross is a call to martyrdom. A call to die as part of your faith. And I believe very strongly that is not the case.

We do lift up and honour those who have been martyred for their faith because of the example of their discipleships and their commitment to live a life following Jesus. But we never celebrate their deaths. We mourn their deaths because of the oppressive systems that they lived that caused their persecution and death.

We also recommit ourselves to work to end oppression and injustice in our world in response to the example of the martyrs.
This gospel also gets misused by those who would preach a gospel of prosperity, because they define taking up your cross in a very specific way, namely to live a very pure and moral life, that in return you’ll be rewarded with riches here on earth as well as in heaven. If you colour within all the lines, where you will be rewarded with wealth, and health, a good job, a great family, promotions and who knows what else. And that’s not right. That’s not what the gospel promises us. In fact, I think it’s heretical.

Another way it gets twisted is by trying to use what sounds like a hard road to water down what the expectations of Christianity are, to some kind of “Christianity lite.” And that is certainly not what God is calling us to.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a martyr in the faith, has written about this in his book “The Cost of Discipleship,” and I just want to read one very brief passage:

“If our Christianity has ceased to be serious about discipleship, if we have watered down the gospel into emotional uplift, which makes no costly demands, and which fails to distinguish between natural and Christian existence, then we cannot help regarding the cross as an ordinary everyday calamity, as one of the trials and tribulations of life. We have then forgotten that the cross means rejection and shame as well as suffering.”

And indeed, that is very much what Jesus experienced.

I think the call to take up our cross and follow Jesus is a call to discipleship – and I think it means living life through the filter of loving God and loving one’s neighbour.

I think this is what we are called to do in all aspects of our life. In our work, in our volunteer time, in our church community and our wider community, in how we care for the Earth and how we spend our money, and how we choose to use our time and the choices we make about purchasing or not purchasing…all of these things, everything that we do in our life, needs to come through the lens of that filter.

Jesus gave us many examples of people who lived costly lives of discipleship.

For example, the story of the widow who went into the temple and gave her all, her one mite – a very small coin, but all she had – for praise and honour and love of God.

Or the story of the woman who lost one coin, searched and searched, and upon finding it was so happy that she threw a party for all her neighbours to celebrate with her. In trying to save that one coin, she spent a whole bunch of money on throwing a party. It’s a sign of our call to seek for those that are lost, in terms of their physical and emotional and spiritual needs, but also to be lavish in our hospitality.

Or the wonderful story about the father who receives the return of his son who has gone rogue, or prodigal, and welcomes him with wide open loving arms, and forgiveness and hospitality and generosity. Who places a robe upon him, a ring on his finger, and throws him a party and promises him more because he is so happy his son is alive and back with him. The son wasn’t entitled to that, he’d already received half of his father’s estate – what was owed to him – but this is the sign of God’s working and God’s ways – the cost of discipleship.

Or the story of the Samaritan man who found the Jewish man beaten up on the side of the road, attended to his needs and took him farther to a place where he would be taken care of, and paid for that care.

It’s going that extra mile, in all that we do in life. I’m not saying the life of discipleship is easy – it’s challenging, and it’s a muscle that we need to exercise and grow into.

That’s why we’re doing this four-year emphasis on Living our Faith. We’ve spent three years really focusing on strengthening our relationship with God, because that is what is going to help us get to year four.

In year one we looked at prayer, and year two we looked at reading scripture, and right now we’re starting a year of focusing on our devotional life and our worship life, but in year four, a year from now, we’ll be looking at how we live out love in action, in all aspects of our lives.

Taking up your cross is not always easy. It sometimes means being willing to take a stand that is not popular and receiving criticism for it. It’s being willing to stand up for a classmate who’s being bullied in school, or to speak for the co-worker who’s being harassed or subjected to micro-aggressions because of gender, or gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, or race, or differing abilities. It’s being willing to make costly decisions to give something to that person who’s going by your car yet one more time with a hat out, to volunteering at a food bank, or saying maybe we don’t need a new car this year and let’s use the money that we would have spent in terms of helping with this or that.

 Or it means carefully thinking about your values and what’s important in your life as you prepare to vote in this upcoming federal election.

It’s about how we live all aspects of our life together, and there are consequences to those actions.

I read a tweet by someone named Carlos A. Rodríguez. I’ve never seen one of his tweets before but this really struck me. He said:

There are no conditions on “Love Thy Neighbour.”

There are no addendums to “Welcome The Stranger.”
There are zero amendments to “The Golden Rule.”

And if we’re wrong, let’s err on the side of inclusion and love.

Always, love.

The reality is that we are marked out for this life of discipleship, this life of taking up our cross to follow Jesus in our baptisms, right at the start of our life of faith. We are splashed with water three times in the name of the trinity. We are then signed with the mark of the cross of Christ on our foreheads, and then anointed and sealed with the holy spirit. But that marking with the cross means something. It’s right here on our foreheads. It’s where we lead from, where we walk out from, and we don’t always remember it; we don’t see it when we look in the mirror, but maybe we should. It’s what we are called to do, what we are called to be – disciples.  

The good news is, first of all, we are not alone in this. We know and we are promised that God is with us always, in our joys and in our sorrows, at times when carrying that cross gets very difficult.

We know that we have been called into a community, the faith community that surrounds us, to help us discern where and how Christ is calling us, both individually and then together, but also to help us when things get difficult, to bear the burdens and to continue to follow Jesus.  

So that means the world to me. And I hope it means the world to you too.

At the beginning of this lesson when Peter becomes the hero and says ‘you are the Messiah’, and in other places along with that Jesus said ‘yes, you’re faithful and on you I will build my church’, the reality is that just a few minutes later, here’s Peter rebuking Jesus for prophesying about his death and suffering and resurrection. And Peter, we know, goes on when Jesus was arrested to deny him three times. But Peter still is the foundation on which Christ builds his church. Christ knows that even though we are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus, we will inevitably stumble. And the thing is, we are in a covenant relationship with God which will not change when we stumble, or when we falter, or when we get scared or when it’s too hard, or anything.

God loves us unconditionally and promises us life abundant, now and into the future. And again, that promise that we will never be alone, that God’s presence is always with us, surrounding us and supporting us.

So let’s take courage from these things and let’s strike out again in terms of taking up our cross and following Jesus.

You know, this really isn’t such a scary passage after all.

God bless you in your journey of discipleship. Amen.

One of the most astounding visits I had with a hospital patient occurred during my pastoral training. The patient wanted to see the pastor, but I had been told that they were not a church supporter, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Their condition was fragile, leaving the patient very week, and it took several tries before they were able to talk with me. I guess you could say that I had some anxiety and nervousness build up as I anticipated our conversation. When I came up to their bedside, the intensity in their eyes focused on me, and they said words which I have never forgotten.

They said “I have to tell you that God is way bigger than the church allows God to be!”

God is much bigger.

I think that might be the pitfall we have with the scripture passage this morning: the account of Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman leaves us confused, and I think that is because we put God in the small box of being like us and not knowing what to do.  Often this text is interpreted as giving us permission to tell God what to do. – I’m sure you’ve heard people say that prayers will be answered if you pray hard enough, and the explanation of not getting the specific outcome you asked for means that you, poor loser, didn’t pray hard enough!

Isn’t that a bit absurd!

God is not in that small box. God is much bigger than we can possibly imagine.

How could we possibly know better than God? Do we think God really needs our input? It’s laughable really, but entire religions are founded on the principal that if you make yourself good and worthy, you will be rewarded because you’ve shown God that you deserve it! God is certainly not in that small box

My dear friends – you are already worthy, because God has created you and cherishes you – just as you are. Prayer is a conversation with God, and way to awaken us to God’s constant presence.

So where does that leave us with this text of Jesus arguing with the woman who is begging for healing?

First of all we need to believe that every moment of our life is an encounter that brings us closer to God. This is true for you and me, and also for the disciples with Jesus that day. This is not our doing – it is God’s doing.

As the disciples and Jesus entered into ‘Gentile territory’ that day, Jesus and the disciples encountered a non-Jewish woman who, strangely, believed in Jesus. We can appreciate her desperation because her dear child, the light and joy of her life was in terrible torment. I expect that the pain of the mother was probably as great as the pain the child endured. She was desperate.

Now, Jesus had just taught the disciples that anything evil is not outside, but comes from within ourselves. Would the disciples remember that lesson and bring forth love toward this woman of this foreign land? I believe Jesus knew that he would heal the daughter, maybe she had already been healed…  and he rebuffed the woman – testing not her faith, but testing the disciples. In any case, this was the time for the disciples to speak  up and defended her as a child of God,

But they didn’t.

And that is the downfall of humanity through the generations. We fail to speak up; we build barriers, divide land into mini kingdoms of human construction, we separate into classes and divide into race and religion. We lift up unworthy people and put vulnerable people down, doing it in the name of privilege. We have all kinds of systems to judge who is in and who is out. The disciples crossed a man-made border, making them think their differences with the desperate woman were greater than their similarities.

Where do we set boundaries for who is in and who is out?

Where do we miss seeing that God is great; and not small like human understanding?

Many years ago, I attended a synodical gathering in Winnipeg. The opening worship service was in a grand old church in the heart of the city.

We walked from the hotel to the church, and along the way we passed the many polar bear statues of Winnipeg, and of course we passed street people including a particularly large group sitting on the sidewalk in front of the church, dirty, sniffling, or sleeping.

Being city smart, my friends and I did not make eye contact with these rough looking people and we managed to pass by without incident. “whew”

So you can imagine our surprise ….. and humiliation … as these very same people were the ones who brought the offering plates up to the altar in our service. There were not very many dry eyes in the sanctuary at that moment, I have to say. Many of us had decided that the people on the street were outsiders. How wrong we were.

In deciding who is in and who is out, we also decide whose voice is worth listening to, and whose voice is not important.

In a predominantly patriarchal world, many voices go unheard. That is sad because those voices are included in the voices that teach according to the love of God. They are part of the voice that helps us see that God is alive in our heart in a large way and not enclosed in a box too small – a box that we can understand.

The voices that teach and the moments which are encounters with God come from surprising places –

I mentioned last week about the summer project the confirmation class has been working on. I will talk about that a bit more because it has been such a blessing to hear the voice of youth in our presence. They each chose a short novel to read over the summer and have recently submitted their reports.

The young people shared these insights and I invite you to listen to their voices: – “We have differences and similarities but by listening to each other we can get along;”

“I admire the strength of the person telling this difficult truth” – “if you are nervous, keep at it anyway and you will gain confidence;”

 “I appreciate the heritage of my family and am sorry others had their heritage taken away from them;”

“We need to listen to each other, be accepting and respect each other and the earth;”

And perhaps my favorite: “if you are shy, find a trusted friend; and if you are nasty shape up and be a better person”

We are blessed by these teaching voices of youth. I you seek a fresh perspective, listen to the children. We are blessed by the words of scripture and the teaching voice of Jesus as he crosses boundaries and opens doors for us to respond in loving ways.

We are blessed by every encounter –including patients in hospital, street people with whom we need to make eye contact so we can learn, and we are blessed in this sacred Sunday gathering as we learn together.

This opens our eyes to experience the prophecy of Isaiah –the joy and leaping and singing and breaking forth of all good things in the wilderness. Praises be sung that God is way bigger than we imagine!

join in worship at 10:00am for livestream participation during September. You will need a green LBW hymnal, and a blue WOV, or a cranberry ELW.

prepare bread and wine to share in Holy Communion

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81657822464?pwd=WlZua2VISlVmbjNJSlF6UTFwSEJLdz09

Most of you know that Paul and I live across the street from Dairy Queen, and it provides lots of entertainment for viewing. I’ve noticed that the manager arrives quite early, and makes it part of her routine to clean the patio tables, and then she walk around the building and through the drive-through and parking areas with a broom and a long handled dust pan. She carefully sweeps cob webs from windows and awnings, and then proceeds to sweep up discarded cigarettes and litter. And I wondered if the cleaning she was doing was a written rule for managers, or if she was doing it because it is the right thing to do. It was interesting to think about, and I suspect she was doing it because she cared. Her attention and care makes me think that she doesn’t need a written rule.

Following the rules is important, but doing so with our heart is a measure of our honest commitment.

The elders in the religious community took Jesus to task for the actions of his followers, suggesting that he might not have taught them properly.

The practice of ritual washing before eating was meant for leaders in the temple, but over time, in their zealousness, many Jews took up the practice, and to be honest, washing one’s hands before eating is always a good practice.

By calling Jesus out on the keeping of rituals by his disciples, they were actually showing how much better they were.

But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and since they raised the subject, Jesus pointed out the failings of the religious leaders in their responsibility. They did what looked good, and neglected what really mattered, such as loving God and others, such as caring for the poor and protecting the vulnerable.

Rules are interesting that way – they can be followed, and still not accomplish what was intended.

I recall quite a few years ago, reading an account – and I’m not sure where I read it, but it was a story of a meditation leader who had a new puppy, and he brought it with him. Of course the pup made a lot of fuss that first time, so the leader tied the dog outside the meditation area. This went on for over a decade and people got used to having the dog tied up outside the meditation area.

Eventually, as happens with faithful companions, the dog died. The people were quite distraught and upset – and their main question was “how will we be able to meditate if the dog isn’t outside”. J

This was a ritual that people misunderstood as being a rule. You can’t worship unless the dog is outside.

Rules are the laws that keep society running smoothly – good rules anyway accomplish this. This week, coincidently, one of the young people in confirmation class handed in an assignment they had been working on over the summer. They chose to write a sermon and the topic was “Rules: How they have helped and hindered society over the ages”. Of course, there was a section on the rules governing covid safety –

The young person from the confirmation class concluded that some rules, such as residential school enforcement, were severely damaging to people, and sometimes the rules, such as covid rules, help society, even if they create some difficulty in the day to day living.

The disciples understood that they did not need to dip their hands in water to earn God’s love. God himself is the water that cleanses us. Jesus addressed the crowd, explaining that the source of defilement is not around us, but comes from within. The reasons we become unfit for God’s presence come from within our very selves.

This is the good news/bad news part of our lesson today. The source of evil begins within our own self. Sometimes the rules are used for shaming, or as barriers, keeping out non conformists, and sometimes they are used to elevate a personal appearance of goodness.

Jesus knew what was in the heart of his critics, and brought it to their attention. Where do we see Jesus nudging us to recognize the rules that get in the way of sharing the Gospel story?

What rules?

The good news is that we are filled with goodness too! Goodness which bursts forth when we listen to and recognize the word of God implanted in us. The greatest rule we need to keep in mind is to love each other and to love God.

The human condition is to engage in a constant wrestle between the good and evil within us each and every day. Thoughtful acknowledgement of this helps us recognize our weakness.

We are promised God’s love as a small child in the water of baptism. Each week as we gather together for worship we re-live that washing and are reminded through word and prayer that God continually makes us clean. As we gather together we hear again the words of promise, words of hope and words of love; the words that shape our response to the rules surrounding us.

Today we hear from James: “let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (Pause) Hold these words this week. Taste them and live them.

James goes on “If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” \O/

“Rid yourselves of all sordidness and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.”

 These words assure us that we are loved unconditionally, and assure us that when we seek forgiveness it is granted. These words lead us to share the grace of God, whether the rules allow it or not. May it be so. Amen

Hi. I’m wondering how you are this morning. We’ve been living in strange times for quite a while now. Had hoped it would be over soon. I am longing for the days when we can gather again for fellowship and community, so- Perhaps like me you are fed up with pandemic living. I know that some of us ventured out this summer on low risk visits, but things still are not as open as we’d like. It’s frustrating, and now, this morning of all mornings, we are presented with the question: “Decide then. Who will you serve?” I don’t know about you, but for myself, some days I can’t get it together enough to even think about serving myself – never mind anyone else. Some days I’m good, cresting the wave of optimism, but on the down days, I find it very easy to identify with the people Israel as they try to settle into a new life. Living in times of upheaval and anxiety consumes so much energy, there often is nothing left. Many of us have felt exhausted during this pandemic, and that is pretty normal, I’m told– it takes a lot to hold everything together, so be gentle with yourself, and be gentle with each other.

Perhaps there is hope in the lines of the psalm we shared this morning:

The Lord is near to the broken hearted,

and saves the crushed in spirit.

We turn to the first reading – Joshua is the first book of the history of the people Israel in their new land. It begins with Joshua following the Lord’s command and leading the people into the new land. Enemies are done away with, and finally at the end of this book, which is the part we just heard, Joshua gathers the people again and encourages them to put away false idols. He urges them to dedicate themselves to the God who freed them and provides for them according to God’s covenant.

There is lots of proof that God is with them, that God smiles upon these people and cares for them. It would seem kind of silly but they needed Joshua to remind them to be faithful in return, and not be distracted by other things. What reminders do we need to hear?

How can we recognize the idols in our life which distract us from trusting God?

We turn to the second reading: The letter to the Ephesians is believed to have been a general letter, sent first to the Ephesians, and then passed on to other churches – including our church today.

The writer of the letter clearly outlines how to defend ourselves from falling into the way of following other idols. We are to put – on  – truth, and Put on righteousness. Be willing to proclaim the gospel, wear our faith and salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Some people like this type of instruction, because it tells us what to do. I don’t know about you, but I really do not have a clue how to put on righteousness or faith!

I know that the history of Christian people putting on their version of righteousness resulted in some terrible actions and has excluded many people from their circle…. so I’m sceptical about deciding what salvation is, and how to go about being what might look righteous.

Terms like ‘helmet and sword and shield’ are also confusing and this passage about military armour is usually misunderstood. It has been seen as permission to be aggressive and violent.

But the armour is a metaphor or symbol for the things God provides to protect us from that aggressive and violent evil. God provides our faith, and our righteousness. because

 The Lord is near to the broken hearted,

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Looking at this a bit deeper, Biblical scholar Matt Skinner points out that the writer quite cleverly takes a well-known symbol – the dress of a Roman soldier – the same attire as worn by those who crucified Jesus. Then the writer flips the use of that clothing, making it the symbolic dress of those who love Jesus, and strive to serve God. Instead of being used in war, the armour protects the goodness inherent in followers of Jesus through the love of God.

So, it seems that this passage helps us figure out what we are supposed to do. But, no. that is not the complete story.

We return to the first reading from Joshua:  Biblical scholars suggest that we look at the next two verses of Joshua – The people have just declared in _{(V 16-18)} that YES! Of course they will serve the Lord, and then Joshua says in verse 19 – the verse after our text ended this morning – and I will read it – verse 19 “But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God”

This scripture passage acknowledges that we are incapable of sin free living. It is impossible for us not to sin. We probably know that, even as we try our best. Even as we are lifted up by the Holy Spirit, we recognize that on our own we easily succumb to the fiery darts of the devil.

Our only hope is in “the Lord (who) is near to the broken hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.”

So now we get to the heart of the teaching for today: the text from John 6:

Jesus offers himself to us as the source for a full life now and forever. Today we are invited to think about the responses from the crowd as Jesus offers the way, the truth and the life. This crowd which began as 5000 men, plus women and children. These are the people who were fed on the bank of the sea of Galilea. This crown has grown smaller as people leave in disbelief; as people are disheartened and complaining; and as people outright reject Jesus. The crowd is now only the twelve, and one of them is acknowledged by jesus as a betrayer. They leave because they have a tough time trying to get their heads around the fullness of life that Jesus is offering.

And that is where we are today. We also sway between doubt and belief; between complaint and praise; between neglect and devotion ….because we can’t do it on our own. We need Jesus, the bread of life, the nourishment for our heart and soul. We need Jesus to fill us just as bread and buns and biscuits fill us.

We need to spend time developing a deep relationship with this Son of Man, consuming his teachings, reading and worshiping together, praying together and praying silently alone  – when we rise, when we rest, when we are joy filed and when we are exhausted from pandemic living. We need to rest in a deep relationship with the Lord who does the work for us, filling us with love and hope.

The Lord is near to the broken hearted,

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Trust this and pray for a loving relationship with Christ. Ask for strength and pleasure in serving this Lord, the bread of life, and may it be so!

Amen

Lemonade: Theme song for week one

Find the Link for music at the end of the lyrics

On a summer day We’re just wishin’ the clouds away Sippin’ lemonade There’s a bumblebee Who’s a little in love with me Can’t you see? He’s bumble-umblin’ A-rumble-tumblin’ Buzzin’ along Not doing anything wrong He’s just singin’ his song Why don’t we sing along? He’s black and yellow A handsome fellow Spending his time With the flowers so fine He’s a bee in his prime Here with me sippin’ my Lemon and lime

We have got it made Swingin’ here in the summer shade Sippin’ lemonade A bubble I just blew Is a little in love with you And I am, too It’s bubble-ubblin’ And we’re just cuddlin’ Here on the swing We can do anything While we swingily swing We can singily sing The bubble’s popplin’ But we’re not stopplin’ We’re on a roll We don’t have any goal We’re just sittin’ here so We can sit here some more And more and more On a summer day We’re just wishin’ the clouds away Sippin’ lemonade

What Jonah Learned Inside the Whale:Theme song for Week Two

Jonah was a man He used to run away again and again He sailed across the sea and yet He ended up just getting wet And now he knows that If there’s one thing you can’t do It’s run away from love Cause love’s in every way And if there’s one thing you can do It’s live like love is here to stay Every day That’s what Jonah learned inside the whale

He learned that whales have no teeth But they do have great big tongues And God is underneath Everything and everyone That’s what Jonah learned inside the whale And that’s not just one heck of a fish tale It’s testimony that love will never fail even down inside a whale.

Noah’s Lullaby: Theme Song for Week Three

The coyotes lay down in their lairs And the mice cuddle up with the koala bears And the crickets are singing their evening prayers So peacefully, sweet friends of mine

The giraffes are now closing their eyes As an elephant snores and a butterfly sighs And the nightowls are hooting their “who” lullabies So peacefully, sweet friends of mine

CHORUS: Last night I dreamed of rainbows Red, yellow, green, and blueAnd high up above in the sky was a dove Coming near with a new leaf of love Coming near with a new leaf of love

Yes, the zebras are getting their “Z’s” And the house cats are dreaming of the chickadees And the monkeys curl up with their chins on their knees So peacefully, sweet friends of mine

As the rain and wind blow overhead I know most of you’d rather be on land instead But just think of this rig as a big waterbed And sleep peacefully, sweet friends of mine

CHORUS x2

I know God will make everything right It’s been forty long days, and thirty-nine nights Who knows what will come with the new morning light So sleep peacefully, sweet friends of min Yes sleep peacefully sweet frineds of mine.

Room to fall: Theme song for week four

I was livin’ alone, mindin’ my own Wherever I went there was my home Every day I was out in the fray I’m the shepherd who keeps the wolves away Away, away, away, away, keeps the wolves away

I was out on the range the day everything changed The Philistines came out on the plain They had one big son-of-a-gun Goliath made everybody run And run, and run, and run, and run, everybody run

“Let’s get this done, go one-on-one Goliath against your favorite son” None came fore, so I said sure God knows I seen wolves like him before Before, before, before, before, wolves like him before

Crowd gathered without a sound I picked up a good stone off the ground Just a boy with a slingshot toy But Israel soon shouted for joy For joy, for joy, for joy, for joy, soon shouted for joy

Now listen here, my friends so dear Let me make my point perfectly clear We may be small and our troubles tall But that’s just more room for them to fall To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall, room for them Room for them to fall They’re gonna fall and fall and fall and fall and fall Goliath’s gonna fall And fall though we may be small

All Sad Songs: Theme song for week Five

Its been all sad songs since you’ve left, I’ve cried and i’ve kept my sorrow so deep inside and ive swept up all of my pride. Sad songs since you’ve died.

It’s been all sad songs since you went away, I’ve been lost, and sleepin’ right through the day. This has cost me all that i had, Now the songs are all sad.

But then Mary came to our house of shame To proclaim that you were alive again and the grave was as empty and dark as my broken heart

Something deep inside of me so wanted to believe that the grave is as empty and dark as my broken heart.

I know all sad songs have another verse. It’s the one the heavenly choirs rehearse for that day when the broken will mend and the sad songs will end.

Not that we’ll forget those songs yet In a different key – we’ll sing differently In the music God has arranged All the sad songs will change

God will wipe away all our tears And banish the fears we’ve collected for all these years On that day when the broken will mend And the sad songs will end

Music: Theme song for week six

Chorus: We are going to a place where music fall and fills up everything And though it might be a long time I know it’s gonna be alright ’cause we’ve already started to sing.

Come and go with me we can walk togerthr we;ll climb any mountain brave any weather that place we’re going is a beautiful song and while we’re on our way we can sing along. Chorus:

And when we get there and join that choir everybody’s gonna be there Whole world on fire. Every light will shine on that endless day and we can sing through the night while we’re on our way.

Chorus x 3

• 

Sunday worship at 10:00am has a NEW SIGN IN LINK.
Please share the meeting code and password with those who are NOT ON LINE. Thanks.
Pastor Pam

Topic: south grey bruce parish sunday worship gathering
Time: Jun 6, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Sun, until Aug 29, 2021, 13 occurrence(s)
Jun 6, 2021 10:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81807547677?pwd=a3owR0tlTFhia0V4TnBaMHlqd2VEZz09

Meeting ID: 818 0754 7677
Passcode: 623330

Dial by your location
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada

Meeting ID: 818 0754 7677
Passcode: 623330

During the Covid Lockdown South Grey Bruce Lutheran Parish will worship together through Zoom on line or through phone in. The link is the same every Sunday – Here are the details:

Topic: Sunday Worship
Time: May 23, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (US and Canada)
        Every week on Sun, until May 30, 2021, 7 occurrence(s)
    
        May 23, 2021 10:00 AM
        May 30, 2021 10:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83386597588?pwd=R2xjS0drTlBwTW9mU3oyazVkQ0JhZz09

Meeting ID: 833 8659 7588
Passcode: 513040

Dial by your location
 
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada

Meeting ID: 833 8659 7588
Passcode: 513040

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Let us Pray:

Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and he world was changed forever.cTeach us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and our faith as true. Amen.

First reading: Acts 4:32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. ³³ With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. ³⁵ They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Word of God; Word of Life. R/ Thanks be to God.

Psalm 133: The Blessedness of Unity; A Song of Ascents.

1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

Second Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Word of God; Word of Life. R/ Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel according to John. R/ Glory to you O Lord

John 20:19-31

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

https://app.box.com/embed/s/f7lmydpjgwi5marp26uwz5plxussgrmx?sortColumn=date&view=list

click on this link For the sermon from Bishop Michael Pryse.

https://elcic.box.com/s/f7lmydpjgwi5marp26uwz5plxussgrmx

Let us Pray:

Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

The congregation is invited to offer silent prayers in each area. If words are difficult, you are invited to sit and breathe, knowing that God does not need words to know our deepest desires.

Let us pray for the unity of the Whole church on earth: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Let us pray for the care of this earth and all creation: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Let us pray for nations and those in authority: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Let us pray for the power of a generous spirit within our heart: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Let us pray for our community to live together in love: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Let us pray for the gift of eternal life: Lord in your mercy R/ hear our prayer

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the hope of New life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

We have been blessed with many gifts.

Take this time to offer gratitude through our gifts and tithes.

And now receive this blessing:

The God of life, Father + Son and Holy Spirit

Bless you now and forever. Amen.

GO IN PEACE, SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

THANKS BE TO GOD!

Hymns and liturgy used with permission through OneLicense #A736624. All Rights reserved. Special thanks to Tim McNabb of Halifax Lutheran Church of the Resurrection for his musical contribution of Psalm 133.

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Easter worship will be limited in person gathering. .. maximum 40 people, Zoom participation is also an option. Join thru the link below for real time worship, and communion. In The privacy of your home, you can sing as loud as your neighbours can stand! Easter blessings to you.

Easter morning 10:00am join through this link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85884583061?pwd=citnVlFzNXZuV2FnZjgxYnNMS0ZFUT09J

Meeting ID: 858 8458 3061

Passcode: 379345

Phone access also works

 +1 647 374 4685 Canada

        +1 647 558 0588 Canada

What an amazing time we live in with so many wondrous ways to gather together in praising God! 

Pastor Pam