Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Last night we celebrated Christian unity by coming together for an ecumenical service. All churches in our town took part, and it was a very nice service. I had the honour of preaching, and here is my sermon.
Unity At The Well
Have you ever looked at a something and say, “Oh no, not this again.” It could be a household chore, the laundry pile, your dinner, a project at work, many, many things.
I may have felt a similar twinge when I saw the text for tonight’s service. It’s at least the 4th time I’ve encountered it in the past year, and the second time I’ve preached on it. Unfortunately I didn’t save my notes from the last time, and I guess I have to start from scratch tonight.
Which is ok, because we are talking about the Samaritan woman in a different context tonight. Tonight we are talking about Christian unity. And, for me, it’s always special when our churches here in Sydney Mines come together. We’ve come together for celebrations, prayer, concerns, concerts, remembrances, and Holy Week (watch for the upcoming schedule of our annual lunches beginning March 30th).
In talking clergy in other areas of the country, I see how we are quite blessed here to have churches so eager to work together, because it doesn’t always happen. read more…
Christmas Day Devotion
He is here!
Merry Christmas!
Advent Devotionals – Day 24
Treasured
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
He is here.
In the quiet of the night, God has come to us.
Born to a virgin. In a stable. Far from home. Announced to the shepherds.
God has come.
God has come to a broken family, a family living in shame for Mary was pregnant before marriage.
God has come to outsiders, dirty shepherds in the fields. A lowly profession without respect from others.
God has come to a dirty stable. Not a pristine hospital or a palace. Not surrounded by caregivers, family and friends, but surrounded by animals and clutter.
God has shown who he has come for in the birth of Jesus. God has come to save the broken. To heal the wounded. To walk with those who struggle.
God has come for you.
Lord God, thank you for coming.
Thank you for walking with me in this life, and leading me into the next.
I pray I will always seek you in my life, for I know you will always be with me. Amen.
Advent Devotionals – Day 23
Sing and Rejoice!
Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-17
We’re nearly there. It’s the-day-before-the-day-before. Soon stores will be quiet. Soon streets will be dark except the glow of the Christmas lights lining them. Soon the world will seem at peace, silent, still.
I walk to the church on Christmas Eve because I’m usually the first one there. My family will make their way down closer to the start of the service. I love this walk because of what I describe above. The streets are so quiet. The lights are so beautiful. I pass by homes and see families gathered together.
This is a joyous time of year for most of us. A time when we are celebrating what we have, what’s most important. Family. Friends.
A gift.
A gift from God Himself. A gift which has taken away our guilt and replaced it with unmeasurable love.
Jesus Christ has come for you, so that you may know this same love. So you too can sing and rejoice in God who loves you.
Lord God, I will sing and rejoice for what You have done.
I welcome this gift in my life, and will share it with others as You have shared it with me. Amen.
Advent Devotionals – Day 22
Fruit
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
With probably much dismay to my grandparents, I am not a very good gardner. I know very little about plants and what is good for what. It’s got a little to do with the fact I’ve not had much of a yard to grow anything in during my adult life. It’s not easy to have gardens in apartments.
I understand the theory. Good soil. Water. Sunlight. All those are important. I know some plants can be broken apart in some way to share with neighbours or friends. I know some plants need to be pruned in order to grow more fully. Just which ones? Which branches? What time of year?
I do know a tree which has brought much fruit from just one branch.
God chose a holy people thousands of years ago, preparing them, water them, giving them light and good soil. Pruning them into shape.
From those people came Jesus to shape the world in which we live. He came not just for the chosen people, he came for the whole world. He came to show us the fruits of God’s labour and to offer us freely the same promises made so long ago. Hope, peace, joy and love.
Lord God, Your work is still in progress, as is my heart. Help me to grow into
Your likeness as one who loves deeply and shares this love with the whole world. Amen.