Thanks for your Care and Support

Many of you have learned through the congregational network that Shelley's grandmother passed away last night after suffering a stroke yesterday morning. Janet Baker was 93 and had a good, fruitful life. More information about her arrangements are at: http://www.haskettfh.com/janet-thomson-baker/

Thank you for your expressions of sympathy and support, your prayers and condolences. It is very appreciated. In a way, it's been good that I'm currently on Study Leave; it's allowed for me to hold down the fort at home while Shelley tends to things in Exeter. I'll still be able to attend my conference in Princeton, although my heart won't be totally into it...

We'll see you all when I'm back in to church life in May.
With thanks and gratitude,
Kenji

for April 11 - John 21: 1-19

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 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. 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.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 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. 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. 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.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 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. 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. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

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.” 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.” 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. 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.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

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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: "Thomas in Hiding" - John 20: 19-31

... enough about Thomas; I want to spend a bit of time with the other disciples. They were hiding out in a locked room, fearful of what the future held, Jesus murdered, his body missing, the religious authorities clamping down on the remnant of his movement, the Roman authorities aggressively keeping the peace. So the disciples found a home that was safe and stayed there.

This past week, the world was glued to the news of the mining explosion in West Virginia where 25 people were killed. We hoped and prayed that beyond any reasonable expectation, the missing 4 miners somehow got to a safe room where there were supplies of air, water and food. We hoped and prayed that these men made it one of these safe rooms and were waiting for their rescue. Tragically these rooms were found unused.

We all need places of safety and sanctuary, somewhere to regroup, catch our breath, collect our thoughts, and plan the next course of action. For many of us, the church represents such a haven. At its best, the church can be a place of safety and security, of assurance and acceptance, open to inspiration and comfort.

But the fact of the matter is we all need to leave at some point. Even if it is a safe room in a West Virginian mine, the reality is that we can’t stay in one forever. Eventually, we need to go out. Or wait for someone to come rescue us.

As a church, sometimes we act like we’re stuck here in this room, waiting for rescue. We look for some saviour to come, some new families that can fill some committee positions, some wealthy benefactor to pay our bills. It is safe here and it is comfortable. But that is not what our calling as followers of Christ is.

The focus of the resurrection was not supposed to be on Jesus magically popping in and out of locked rooms, bragging about his scars. It was not even supposed to be on the personal assurance of eternal life and the death of death. The resurrection shows the unstoppable nature of God’s love for us and sounds the call to share a message of hope.

With the gift of the Holy Spirit, the call is to forgive. It’s a tall order – to forgive those who punish and abuse, to clear away past wrongs, especially in that time of turmoil and persecution for the early church.

It’s amazing to think the power of forgiveness rests entirely with you – those sins you forgive will be forgiven, those you do not will be retained. It is what Jesus told his disciples. It is what he demonstrated.

...

How different the scripture would be if Jesus returned bearing a grudge! But no, he brings peace and forgiveness. Life is not about revenge or repaying harm done or offering equally ill treatment. A life of faith is about offering a new beginning, a release from worry and guilt, a life without fear.

Sure it was still wise to for the disciples to be cautious of their enemies and to protect themselves. But that would be a regression to an old way of distrust and fear. Even then Jesus knew that a church hunkered down and locked into its rooms is not a church at all.

Resurrection! ?

You might have thought that I had given up the church blog for Lent and forgot to come back. We'll try to get back into our routine...