Category Archives: Worship events

August 17, 2008 · 11:48 pm

Confessions of a closet speaker

I spoke today in church as Randall is away on vacation. My text was Romans 11:1, 2a and 29 to 32. I guess I would have to say that I also incorporated some of the verses in-between as well. My topic was on how we are grafted into the old story – the old covenant that God established with his chosen people; how important it is for us to know this history that we now have our roots in as well, how those ties with this old story of faith enrich us and nourish us as branches grafted in by our faith in Jesus. Well, there was lots more said and the details I may post over under my words section.

I have a confession to make – I like speaking. I like preparing and the way it takes me deeper into my study of the Bible. I like the way God shows up and guides me along as I delve into the scriptures.

Romans is a book pretty heavy with theology. If nothing else it stimulated my awareness that it is a subject I would like to know more about. I wonder if this interest in theology arises out of my own awareness that God is way beyond my understanding. So then, why bother trying to understand God? I am not sure why but it feels a bit as if he/she is beckoning; inviting me, if you will to discover more.

This is a bit of the sense of the “weirdness” that I alluded to in an earlier post. I find myself in a period of unsettledness, as if I am waiting for the next step to become clearer.

I am trying to take things one day at a time, being attentive to what God is moving me towards. I could jump in and start into a next project but I am still not sure if a new project is what I need – or what God wants for me. How do I respond to this itch in me, this drive to move towards something more? It is pretty much retirement time and why develop these desires now of all times in my life? And there are also all the other parts of my life that lay claim to some of my time. So, I am trying to be reasonable and patiently await a bit more clarity as to what the future might hold.

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Filed under Dealing with stuff, Reflections, Worship events

August 17, 2008 · 2:15 pm

Psalm 67

May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us.

May your ways be known throughout the earth,
      your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise you, O God.
      Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Let the whole world sing for joy,
      because you govern the nations with justice
      and guide the people of the whole world.

May the nations praise you, O God.
      Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Then the earth will yield its harvests,
      and God, our God, will richly bless us.
Yes, God will bless us,
      and people all over the world will fear him.

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Filed under Quotes, Reading, Worship events

June 16, 2008 · 11:24 pm

Kimia’s dedication

IMGP3582 edited Some events are very special. Yesterday Kimia Lanoie was dedicated to God. A big day for my littlest granddaughter. Kind of special for a Father’s Day since my son is the proud dad.

At times like this my thoughts return to the past; to Eric’s dedication and our idealism at that time as we set out to raise our first child to know God. My memories run over all the years in between then and now. Memories are both funny and serious but all those times remembered are savored and pondered over one more time.

And here we are – a new generation well on its way. Our children beginning to collect their own memories of their children’s lives.

As for Grandma – well I will remember this day. It goes in my collection bag of good times and special memories. I will remember this day as she grows and as those occasions come when she will need to be reminded that she is loved and cared for by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and by her Heavenly Father.

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June 3, 2008 · 2:02 pm

Going through my mind

As I pedaled to work this morning:

The steadfast love of the Lord never faileth

His mercies never come to an end

They are new every morning

New every morning

Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord

Great is Thy faithfulness

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Filed under Day to Day, Music, Worship events

April 26, 2008 · 2:31 am

Who would have thought

… that putting together a worship service was such a chunk of work!

I think we are ready.  Tomorrow the B team (B is for best) gets together to practice.  Sort of a trial run for me since I haven’t led worship for ages.  Getting things together for a service in my past meant choosing a few songs that the sole pianist would then play.  For a worship team things are a bit different.  We need music with chords as well as notes.  It needs to be in acceptable keys – so that the musicians do not have to struggle with 4 flats or something and so that our creaky voices do not have to reach unattainable heights.  Then to get all the words and stuff to the helpers who put it on the computer and round up a sound guy for Sunday.

And it all needs to come together in a way that will bring praise and honor to God – who is after all, the one we are preparing this for and to whom we want the attention to be given.  So I do not want to mess up.  I want it to focus attention on the one we are worshipping. 

It has given me a new appreciation for the wonderful people who do this week after week and seem to pull everything together effortlessly.  I know that it is a good piece of work.  I think that my usual role of playing is a whole lot more simple. 

Can hardly wait for next Sunday when I am back to my simpler task.

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August 26, 2007 · 2:32 pm

Yeah, Now its nap time!

Well, that’s done. For now anyway.  
 
I just finished my second go at preaching as part of my opportunity/contribution to the roster that filled in for Randall as he went off to become rejuvenated on his sabbatical
Today was a curious mix of texts – Hebrews 12: 22 to 29, Luke 13:11 to 17, Psalm 103: 1-5 and a short part of the lectionary reading from Isaiah 58.  Amazingly they all sort of came together – being refined by God’s consuming fire till we reflect the mission of Jesus to the world.
 
I probably shouldn’t say this out loud but I have enjoyed preparing these two sermons; have even enjoyed the speaking.  And it seems as if each time God has shown up and used my words to encourage and speak to the people brave enough to show up even when Randall is not there to draw in the huge crowds we usually have with his fantastic and inspired preaching.   🙂
 
Really, I am thankful for this kind of opportunity. I am enriched in the preparation as well.  This sort of thing gives me an occasion to explore the scripture and listen to what God is saying to me as much as to anyone else.
 
But it is work – a different sort of work than I usually get to do but it brings it’s own sort of tiredness and with it relief when done.  So, in the tradition of all good preachers, I’m ready for a Sunday afternoon nap.

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August 3, 2007 · 3:41 pm

Wishing it could be

Jordon talks about third spaces in his neighborhood – the lack of them – and wonders what it would look like, what it would be like if churches opened up and became these spaces.  He links to this space.

I wonder if we could ever do that. 

Maybe when I retire I’ll open up a good coffee place at church.  We have the WiFi.  We have a cool and shaded patio/basketball court. 

Install a fireplace for winter.  Comfy couches. 

I’ve always imagined a coffee shop called "Cafe Bololo" which translated is Black Coffee.

I wonder????     I wish it could be.  I’d be over there right now sipping a cup and having good conversation.  Or maybe writing this from that spot.

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April 6, 2007 · 3:47 pm

Good Friday

The service at St George’s was very small. About one third Covenanters. 

I overheard a couple of women in the row ahead of me whisper their disapproval of the way the day is treated by the commercial establishments in town.  They do not even bother to wait till noon to open on this,one of the most holy of Christian holy days. 

But there we were – just a few of us to be sure – and the Spirit of God was among us. 

I like that service – reading the passion account together. Participating in an ancient liturgy. Kind of gives a sense of continuity to the faith.
 
The sermon was good, reflective. Brought us to consider forgiveness and what a strong theme this is in the Christian faith.  And of course we have the possibility of forgiveness only because of what Christ did for us on this day –  Good Friday.  He gave us his own self; God gave us a way out of our sin once and for all time.  
 
I liked that we were given time to simply reflect on the cross.
 
Of course the singing could have been stronger. The key the songs were written in sure could have been lower.  But I think God was honoured by it. He didn’t make us all perfect singers and we just sang as our voices permitted.
 

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April 5, 2007 · 11:27 pm

A Visit

So there we are tonight, gathered around the table, reading the story of the days events; Jesus washing his friends feet, showing them one more time what it means to be a servant, and then leaving them with a meal to remember him by. And there sharing the table with us is a strange couple. Well, strange to us anyway. We all know each other so well and are so comfortable with each other and good friends. But none of us really know this couple.
 
They were hoping the church might have a loaf of bread and maybe some eggs they could get from our small food box that we keep on hand. 
 
All we had to offer them was a bit of bread and wine/juice.
 
As we went to prayer I found I could not give voice to my prayers.   My prayers, prayed out of my comfortable circumstances seemed petty. I know they are not but tonight as this couple raised their voices with prayers for their families, my heart cried out to God for love. Because it seems to me that it is easy to love people in the abstract and it is easy to love institutions and groups that provide for needy people, but when they show up in your midst it raises things to a whole new level. 
 
And I honestly don’t know if I love any where near the level required of me as a follower of the one who gave everything. So that is what I was praying for.
 
I didn’t know Jesus would visit us tonight in this form.

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February 25, 2007 · 11:09 pm

Women's Retreat 2007

Got back from the women’s retreat.  We drove out in a bit of a storm but I think we got to our destination well before the worst of it.  The lodge has a huge gas fireplace and we sat in front of it while outside we could see snow swirling around in the lights.  It felt cozy.

 

It was good to be there.  The weekend was relaxed and the theme was incredibly well thought out – what wasn’t thought out ahead and happened anyway – well God seems to have a way of making things come together sometimes. 

We learned about bridges – all kinds; over water, between people and between God and us.  Lauralea  and the committee she was on worked hard in the preparation and I for one don’t mind taking off my hat (if I wore one) to her creativity and hard work that helped pull off a fantastic weekend.  There was rest for our souls and food for our minds. 

 

Food for our bodies was also good – soft tacos, yum.  Ham and baked potatoes.  It was all good.

 

Melody McNeilly from the Salvation Army shared with us too.  She challenged us to get out there and start building bridges as well as some projects they are looking to start to do that – things we may be able to get involved in too.

 

I needed this weekend.  Last week was hard emotionally and I needed women that I trust and love for some extra support.  I’m glad God has given me friends like them. 

 

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