Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. Not in the way we want or had hoped (at least not in my city). But as I said to my congregation today – there is still so very much for which to give thanks, even in 2020. So. Let’s worship!
Let’s begin with Eric’s prelude, “We gather together” KREMSER, arranged by John Carter:
Our Scripture passage is Hannah’s prayer of praise, from 1 Samuel 2:1-11:
The sermon video:
Our hymn of Response is To God be the Glory, from Royal Albert Hall:
And the postlude this week is “Will Your Anchor Hold?”:
Until tomorrow, dear friends, keep on giving thanks to God!
It’s a Thanksgiving more challenging than any I’ve ever experienced in my life, this year. With the recent restrictions in Toronto, I won’t be able to join my family in Belleville to celebrate. And I admit I’m sad about that. It makes this Thanksgiving feel odd and uncomfortable. However I am grateful for technology that will allow me to be there virtually. I am grateful for good, nourishing food. I’m grateful for the presence of my dog, who has just been incredibly cuddly lately. I am grateful for a community of faith who joins me in worship (in-person or online) and in prayer. You see, even in tough times, there is much for which to be thankful. So despite the complicated emotions of this Thanksgiving celebration, here are some resources to help you give thanks with a grateful heart.
Let’s start with my friend Shelagh, singing #803 in the Book of Praise, Come ye thankful people, come:
When the days feel scary – and let’s admit that they feel scary on a week when my city has set case number records more than once, and new health measures have been announced – I seek comfort.
The two things that I find very comforting are:
Having friends pray for me. Just knowing that others are lifting me up in prayer is huge. So would partner with me on something? If you hit like on this blog post or leave a comment, I will know you are praying for me and I will be saying a prayer specifically for you, too.
Music. Especially music that speaks of God’s promises, reminds me that He is with me, or touches upon moments in my walk of faith where God’s presence was especially powerful. So I want to share one of those with you, now.
This is “Street Called Mercy” from the Hillsong UNITED album, “Of Dirt and Grace – Live from the Land.” The album is full of songs recorded live at significant places in the life of Jesus in Israel.
Just seeing the steps and stones of the Via Dolorosa, and the shores of the Dead Sea brings me comfort. It reminds me that once, the living God of the Universe took on flesh and blood, and walked in this world. And I’ve been blessed to go walk in some of the same places He did, with brothers and sisters in Christ. (It also makes me smile that the song begins with the words “Tired of endless walking, not knowing which way to go, I collapsed on a street called mercy, I was found in You.” Anyone who has done that walk knows how endless it feels, how easy it is to get lost, and how exhausting an undertaking it is. There’s a metaphor there for us as we continue to weather this pandemic.)
Until tomorrow, dear friends, may God’s comfort surround you, uphold you and give you strength.
In the midst of all the difficulty, exhaustion, disappointment and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have also been incredibly brilliant moments of human kindness and achievement. I’m still moved to tears when I think of the Italians singing from their balconies in the hardest days of their lockdown back in the Spring.
It’s been pretty amazing to see how some of the creatives have pivoted and reimagined how to bring people together around art in a time when we are not able to gather.
This is a beautiful example of that.
My friend, Shelagh Tyreman, participated in a virtual choir production for Choral Canada’s National Youth Choir of Canada alumni this summer. The song, “All of Us,” from the work Considering Matthew Shepard (Composer: Craig Hella Johnson; Text: Michael Dennis Browne and Craig Hella Johnson), speaks to the fact that it is only in love that humanity has any hope. And that it takes all of us, living in love to make life what it ought to be.
Matthew Shepard was a young, gay American whose violent murder in 1998 prompted hate crime legislation in the States. His life, and tragic death, continue to inspire works of drama, documentaries, and songs and other pieces of art.
I am especially moved by these lyrics:
Most noble Light, Creation’s face, How should we live but joined in you, Remain within your saving grace Through all we say and do And know we are the Love that moves The sun and all the stars? O Love that dwells, O Love that burns In every human heart.
“All of Us,” from the work Considering Matthew Shepard(Composer: Craig Hella Johnson; Text: Michael Dennis Browne and Craig Hella Johnson)
Friends, there is no nobler impulse than love. There is no greater purpose to life than to live it in love – love of others, love of the created world, love of the One who created it all, love of the One who laid down his life for ours.
And while I absolutely want to honour the original inspiration for this song – the right of all people to live free of hate crimes regardless of sexual orientation – I also think it is incredibly poignant for this moment in the pandemic. As case numbers rise, it will take all of us. All of us choosing not what we might want, but what is the best, kindest, most loving action to keep others safe and healthy.
But here’s the thing – we all have the power to make a difference. We all have the power to change the course of the Fall and Winter. I encourage you to use the power you have to make a difference. It will take all of us.
I remember having a conversation with a colleague of mine many years ago, about the fact that God loves each of us as if we are an only child. Each person who has ever lived, each one alive right now, and all those who are yet to live. It was a mind blowing thought. And when I came across this today, it reminded me of that:
It’s a high bar that Jesus sets. There are some people we just don’t like. But everyone of them is someone for whom Jesus was willing to lay down his life. Every one of them is precious to God.
And so are you.
Until tomorrow, dear friends, trust that God loves you (and everyone you meet) THAT much.
In light of that one, this one seems apropos (sub in “despair,” “conspiracy theories,” “misinformation,” “racist attitudes,” or anything you like for “panic.):
For my fellow sci-fi nerds:
Calvin ALWAYS cracks me up:
I feel like this is legitimately what Jesus would say:
Just a little dog/coffee humour for this Monday (I’ll take one of each, please!):
Continuing with the cute animal theme, here’s a random Heeland Coo to brighten your day (oh, goodness, that face just makes me LAUGH!):
I may or may not have been sent this by a friend who once lived with me and said this was 100% accurate about me:
This bit of Autumn wisdom:
And finally, this blessing for your day:
Until tomorrow, dear friends, keep on laughing and thinking and drawing closer to God!
Welcome to World Communion Sunday! Let’s begin with Eric’s prelude, “Saviour, like a shepherd lead us“ Bradbury, arranged by John Carter:
Today we are considering 1 Kings 17:8-16:
The sermon is “New beginnings start one relationship at a time,”:
Instead of a hymn of response, we had a hymn of preparation for the Lord’s Supper – I hope you will listen and be blessed:
If you are at home and would like to participate in communion, please go get bread and juice (or whatever you have on hand that can stand in for bread and juice! Jesus will understand if you use water or crackers or cereal or whatever!), and participate during this video:
And finally, we end with Eric’s postlude:
Until tomorrow, dear friends, remember Jesus, and keep working on those difficult relationships!
Time to gather some resources to get us in the frame of mind for worship tomorrow morning. This is World Communion Sunday and we will be celebrating communion at Graceview (in a very 2020 way – with pre-packaged elements which can be picked up by each attendee on the way into worship, and therefore partaking of the elements will be done with physical distancing in place). So this evening’s resources will be focussed on the Lord’s Supper.
Please be assured that the Communion portion of tomorrow’s service will be recorded and available here in the afternoon, once I’ve had time to edit and upload it.
Let’s begin with this prayer for World Communion Sunday:
This contemporary communion hymn is one of my favourites, and I love this simple presentation of it:
These quotes that speak to the purpose of the meal we share, and what it means:
And this lovely rendition of hymn #775 in the Presbyterian Book of Praise, Sent forth by Your Blessing, (one of my favourite tunes, Ash Grove) sung by my friend Shelagh:
If you are able to come to in-person worship, dear friends, I look forward to celebrating with you. If you are not able to be there in person, I trust that you will celebrate online in your own home.
Whether we celebrate in person or online, we are one in the Lord, who binds us together with chords that cannot be broken!
Rebekah's World 