sermon excerpts: "In Simeon's Sandals" (Luke 2: 21-40)

A couple questions: longevity at what cost? Consider the balance between quality of life versus quantity – not just for us as individual human, biological beings, but as communities and organizations, as a congregation. How we live is more important than how long we live. Just putting that out there.

More than that, the story of Simeon raises a question about living life as a recipient, waiting for something to happen, for someone to arrive. What did he do in the meanwhile? How much did he miss in the present day, in the here and now while he was busy watching and waiting for what was to come? Did he skip out on dinner parties, trips to the countryside, excursions to other cities because he was waiting for something else to come along? What might we be missing out on while we wait for rescue, for someone else to come along and fix things?

It is important to remember that when that magical moment came, Simeon was more than an observer, more than a consumer or recipient, he became a participant. He was active and involved. He took the child in his hands and made great pronouncements, sharing the bigger story, building the tradition, putting a grander sense of importance on an ordinary dedication.

Even though his life was defined by what would happen to him, by the people that he would see, he took destiny into his own hands (literally) and made the most of his moment. How easy would it been for him to stand on the sidelines, watch contentedly and go home knowing his life was fulfilled? Filled with the purpose and energy of the Holy Spirit, he stepped up, spoke up and no one was the same ever again. Just putting that out there too. Merry Christmas.

Moderator's message re: Copenhagen Conference

This link to the United Church's webpage on the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change has more details and information.

for Dec. 27 - Luke 2: 21-40

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

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What feelings, questions, thoughts and prompts to personal action arise from this scripture?
What about hymn suggestions or ideas for Children's Time? Share them as Comments below or in an email, and help shape Sunday's worship service.

sermon excerpts: "In Mary's Sandals" - (Luke 1: 39-55)

In the leadup to this account of Mary’s visit and her song of praise, the angel Gabriel visits, drops the bombshell that she will give birth to the Saviour. In one verse she says yes, the next she’s heading for the hills to see her relative Elizabeth. Why the rush? We can only imagine the reasons … was Mary sent away because of her condition, to be kept out of sight? Did she go to escape the community rumours, the murmuring and tsk-tsking?

Elizabeth, and her unborn son, responds to the news of her kinswoman Mary with elation and understanding. Here they are both unexpectedly pregnant and suffering from the public scrutiny and accusations of lying and infidelity. Maybe Mary went somewhere where she knew she’d be understood, where she wouldn’t be judged, where her joy would be shared.

That is what church should be – a place where we are accepted, our stories are shared and our good times are celebrated. The atmosphere of respect and a sense of empathy, connection, to the situations of others, is the prevailing ethic.

Even in utero, Jesus was able to bring people together in common cause, to focus attention on the needs of the world. The celebratory song of Mary tells of great and wonderful things to come. This song of hope and certainty arises in a time when giving birth was fraught with danger and uncertainty for both mother and child. They have comfort and knowledge that God is with them, that they have a ministry, a mission, a purpose.

If only we could be so certain in church. We know that God is with us, of course. We know that we are here for a reason. We can imagine the void that our absence would leave in the community. Yet we know that even as we try to nurture and sustain a vision and living ministry, there is no guarantee of our ensured existence.

Still, our song might be one of certainty and hope, born out of a sense of justice, action and activity. By this time next year, our churches will have made some difficult choices. By then, things will be well on their way to being fixed or folded.

But in the big picture, from our piece of the ancient story, we think back to humble beginnings: a mother too young to give birth, another one too old, and a backwoods town that never amounted to much in the way of industry, commerce, arts or innovation. From these roots came great and marvelous things. Same for us.

Moderator's Christmas message 2009

Great minds think alike? I had shared her example of community readiness for the Messiah from Michael Chabon's Yiddish Policeman's Union at a church board meeting a few months ago.

Trinity Visioning Survey Results

The Visioning Committee of Trinity United reported back to interested and available members of the congregation last night the results of a circulated survey.

Copies of the presentation as well as a one page summary are on hand for those who may want that information. The full scope of "raw data" is also available.

The variety and vigour of the comments and suggestions did not reveal anything new: grave concern about the declining finances and attendance at church and reluctance to worship elsewhere on Sunday mornings (for Rural Regional services, etc.)

The next stage is for further discussion and exploration with Appin United and some possible options for action to be outlined at the February Annual Meetings.

for Dec. 20 - Luke 1: 39-45

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

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What feelings, questions, thoughts and prompts to personal action arise from this scripture?
What about hymn suggestions or ideas for Children's Time? Share them as Comments below or in an email, and help shape Sunday's worship service.

Trinity's White Gift and Potluck

Last minute reminder for Trinity United that worship is at St. John's Anglican across the street at 11:10 a.m. Join us as the Sunday School leads us in a Western-themed Christmas message (that's Western as in cowboys, not as in the university in London).

Last minute development: a potluck lunch is being convened for anyone wishing/able to stay after the service. After all, church gatherings are more fun when food is involved, aren't they?