ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words to one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
The key to abundance is meeting limited circumstances with unlimited thoughts.
~Marianne Williamson
BEFORE WE WORSHIP, WE REFLECT…
In recent years many books have been printed that focus on baking vast assortments of breads—from rye to pumpernickel, French to Italian. Today, however, we encounter a bread that points to both a deeper longing, physically and spiritually, and an even more fulfilling outcome than the tastiest assortment of baked bread. This abundance of bread satisfies hunger, transforms lives, and ushers in a new vision of the holy in community. Recognizing the power of action, John calls to mind the ways prophets fed and nourished the people, and then he multiplies this in the person and action of Jesus. Jesus uses earthly gifts to provide for the gathered community—the gospel’s vision of Jesus’ life and God’s abundance in creation.
Second Kings and John allow congregations to wonder with the faithful servants and disciples how God will provide. We are invited into a conversation that might start by reflecting on a sentence written by the late United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold: “Each morning we must hold out the chalice of our being to receive, to carry, and give back.”
The scriptures today open a door for us to think about how individuals and communities are nourished and sustained by God, and also imagine how we become vessels of the holy who are now opened to the call of service. How might ordinary gifts (and ordinary people) become the ways God’s love and mercy are multiplied in sustenance for neighbor, community, and world? Through our questions, our acts of giving, and our proclamation of the works of God in Christ Jesus, we are invited to experience what it means to be rooted in God’s sustaining love and to proclaim this God who invites us into the unimaginable vision of abundance.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise the Lord our Provider.
Praise the Lord who hears the roar of hungry stomachs.
Praise the Lord who expects his disciples to help others.
Who are the disciples of the Lord?
We who follow the Risen Savior.
Who are the disciples of God?
We who declare we are Christian.
Who are the disciples of Jesus Christ?
We who are commanded to share with those who cannot repay us.
Who are the disciples of the Lord?
We who sometimes balk when needy hands overwhelm us.
Who are the disciples of God?
We who are imperfect, but learning to trust God.
Who are the disciples of God?
We are the disciples of God! We are the disciples of the Lord.
CHILDREN’S SONG The Fruit Of The Spirit’s Not A Coconut
CENTERING PRAYER
Gracious God, you have placed within the hearts of all your children a longing for your word and a hunger for your truth. Grant that we may know your Son to be the true bread of heaven and share this bread with all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S CHAT
When I was in university, I didn’t have a lot of money. I wanted to have my friends over for supper, but I couldn’t afford to order pizza to feed everyone. Then I had an idea – I would have each person bring one item and we would make our own pizza! I made the dough and bought the pepperoni. Then I asked each friend to bring one ingredient for the topping. That was the best pizza ever! Not because of how good it tasted, but because everyone contributed to provide the meal, and I got to eat with all my dear friends while sitting on pillows on the floor – I had no furniture.
The love of Jesus, when shared, holds everyone. It changes people. On our own, we may feel we can’t do much to help others, improve our corner of the world, make a difference. Yet when we join together, the abundance of Jesus’ love coming from everyone can do incredible things!
Let us pray: Dear Jesus, you give so much love! Your love grows even more inside us when we share it with others. Help us to be generous with our love. Give us the courage to work with others to help make life better for those in need. In your name we pray. Amen.
MISSION AND SERVICE
JAZZ AND TECHNOLOGY MEET UP TO SPARK INNOVATION
The meditative walk in the neighbourhood around MacKay United Church located in the nation’s capital kicks off with a quote from 13th-century Persian poet Rumi: “There are many roads leading to God. I’ve chosen that of music and dance.”
There is no live guide speaking the words or playing the music streaming through earphones. Instead, the church’s minister Peter Woods, also a jazz musician, uses SonicMaps, a geolocated listening platform to facilitate the walk. Participants tune in by clicking a link or scanning a QR code. Turning a corner from one zone in the neighbourhood to the next, the music and message change.
“As the pandemic unfolded, we quickly realized that concerts and other typical ways of sharing music and spirituality through jazz wasn’t going to happen. We transitioned our weekly Kindness of Jazz music and meditation evenings online and embraced other technologies to minister to people safely,” says Woods.
In a traumatized community of artists, these initiatives sparked new relationships. Guest co-hosts and musicians offered leadership from as far away as Ireland, South Korea, and San Salvador.
“I love how vital the connections have become amongst artists, across tech platforms and with spiritually resonant friends. Music, in this context, is the soundtrack to sacred moments and revelations. I feel great joy to witness this work unfolding. Improvised music is so often in service of the sacred, but now more than ever,” says Woods.
Sonic walks and online music collaborations are the tip of the creative iceberg. The last few years have been full. EvenSong, the band Woods plays with, released its album Songs from the Bridge in 2019. The church hosted a bustling night market serving up local food and showcasing the work of artisans beneath a moody cover of white lights and floating jazz. Most recently, Woods released a meditative video called Arise, My Love featuring original music coupled with photographs taken by the United Church’s General Secretary Michael Blair.
Many of Woods’ most innovative projects have been supported through the United Church Foundation and Mission & Service Embracing the Spirit grants administered by EDGE Network.
“We know that the Spirit speaks through music, and we are exploring new ways to listen,” says Woods. “In the chaos of this time, there have been many blessings and much creativity. That positive energy is the way forward. We are learning and sharing what we learn with the rest of the church.”
By supporting learning, creativity, and innovation, your gifts help the whole church discern a path for the future. Thank you.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Eternal God, in the reading of the scripture, may your Word be heard; in the meditations of our hearts, may your Word be known; and in the faithfulness of our lives, may your Word be shown. Amen.
Readings and Psalm
First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Today’s reading is part of a larger section of 2 Kings that describes the miracles of Elisha, the successor to Elijah. Here the prophet gives food to a hungry crowd. Though there is not enough food to go around, Elisha trusts God, who provides enough and even more to satisfy the need.
42A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.”
43But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’ ”
44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
Psalm 145:10-18
You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps. 145:16)
10All your works shall praise you, O Lord, and your faithful ones shall bless you.
11They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your power,
12that all people may know of your power and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.
You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works. R
14The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down.
15The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season.
16You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17You are righteous in all your ways and loving in all your works.
18You are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you faithfully. R
- Second Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
We have been rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, which surpasses all human knowledge. Because Christ dwells in our hearts, our lives are continuously strengthened and empowered by the ongoing presence of the Spirit.
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,
17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,
21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel: John 6:1-21
In John’s gospel, the miracles of Jesus are called “signs,” because they reveal the true character of God. As such, they remain within the mystery of God and cannot be brought under human control.
1Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.
2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.
3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”
6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
7Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,
9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.
11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.”
13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.
19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified.
20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
SERMON
Pentecost 9
John 6:1-21
Deacon Gretchen Peterson
Assistant to the National Bishop
A reading from the Gospel of John:
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on the Water
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
~ ~ ~
Good morning, afternoon or evening. Thank you for welcoming me into your time of worship today. My name is Deacon Gretchen Peterson and I’m speaking to you from my home in Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis.
Our Gospel story today is one we are all probably quite familiar with. Whether we heard it first in Sunday School class or during another Sunday worship time, this story is quite a well-known story of Jesus’ ministry.
It comes pretty early on in the Gospel of John, so I was curious what had happened in the 5 previous chapters. John begins with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus – the Word of God, come in flesh form, to Earth. To be God here on Earth. To remind us of God’s ever presence on Earth.
There is no nativity in John, no birth story. We are taken right out onto the road, to walk with Jesus in his ministry amongst the people.
It’s a fast-paced Gospel. We are splashed in the river Jordan as John baptises Jesus. We journey along as Jesus calls his first disciples and then performs his first miracle at the Wedding in Cana. We witness Jesus’ temper as he cleanses the Temple, to rid the House of God of the money changers. We sit at the table and at the well, as Jesus visits with those who are considered not appropriate for him to associate with – Nicodemus and the Samarian woman. Jesus performs two more miracles – healing a royal official’s son and healing a lame man near Bethsaida, this latter one he does on the Sabbath. And we hear Jesus speak about the Son of God, come from God. We hear about the power and the life that this Son of God has. We hear about the promise of life, for all creation.
A quick introduction, a few miracles tossed in, two visits with questionable people, the foretelling of who Jesus truly is and the stage is set for chapter 6.
I’m trying to imagine what Jesus felt like at this moment. He’s shown his disciples, the broader community, and the Pharisees some glimpses of who he truly is. And what he’s all about. And why he’s here. There’s been some rockin’ of the Empire’s boat. And it sounds like he needs a bit of a break, hence why Jesus tried to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
But word has gotten out about Jesus. And a large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Word has gotten out.
One of the things I love about Jesus is that he pays attention.
We know he pays attention to his disciples, because he cares for them and is constantly trying to bring them up to speed on what the goal is for the ministry.
We know he pays attention to the Pharisees, because he’s gotta watch his back and press against the rules and the authority while still trying to stay alive for as long as possible.
But most importantly, we know Jesus pays attention to the littlest, the poorest, the outcast because that is the true essence of who Jesus is.
Often, the message of this Gospel story is to revel in the miracle of taking 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and making that feed 5000 + people. With leftovers. Sure, that’s pretty cool.
But perhaps there is another miracle. The miracle of paying attention to those around him and responding to their need.
Perhaps the miracle isn’t that Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and turned that into enough food to feed the thousands.
Perhaps the miracle is that Jesus listened to the needs of the gathered. Their need to have food in order to participate in the Passover. Their need to be fed – not only with words – but also with sustenance.
Paying attention to this detail gives me more hope and more energy to continue participating in the ministry that God has called all of us to. We are all called to pay attention to those around us – the littlest, the poorest, the outcast. And to respond with abundance and overflowing love.
What does that look like for you in your life? Who are you called to pay attention to right now? What do you have that can be turned into an abundance of love and grace?
As I write this sermon, it is the beginning of July. The past few weeks have been tough. We are a country not only wrestling with COVID-19. But we are a country that is finally listening to what our Indigenous siblings have been saying for years and years. I have no idea what things will be like at the end of the month when you are listening to this sermon. But I know that the discovery of unmarked graves and children’s’ bodies in the grounds of Residential schools will not be something we are no longer speaking about. And I know that we will not be done the ongoing work of reconciliation, as that takes time and effort and we are called to be engaged in that journey for a long while yet.
Forest fires are raging across British Columbia and we’ve just had a week of record-breaking high temperatures in the western provinces. It feels uncomfortable and not just because we are so hot. Also because it makes us worry about climate change and how we can make a difference in reversing the effects.
It is a hard time to speak into, especially with a message of abundance. When all around we see abundance – but an abundance of frightening, disturbing, worrisome news. It is hard not to feel overwhelmed by the news every day, which doesn’t seem to provide much hope some days.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard many Indigenous folks offer this up, in the midst of the recent discoveries. First there is Truth, then there is Reconciliation. We cannot move forward, in any area of our lives, without Truth first.
How can this Gospel today point each of us to a Truth in our lives? What can we take the time to truly pay attention to? What can we be motivated to engage in to spread the love of Jesus and the grace of God to those around us?
It might be the time to lean into something uncomfortable. It might be the time to learn something new. It might be the time to look around at the people gathered near us and listen to what they are saying, so we can work together to feed thousands.
And perhaps out of that paying attention and attending to the needs of those around us, we might be like Jesus today. We may not be able to take 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and create a feast for thousands out of it. But we can each pay attention. We can look around us and truly see who is gathered, who needs us, who needs God’s love.
When we do this, who knows what may happen? Our baskets might overflow! Jesus paid attention to the people. He paid attention to their needs. And attended to them in an overflowing way. Because that’s the kind of God we worship and serve. May we be such followers of Christ, that the abundance overflows to all around us. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY WOV 780 What A Fellowship, What A Joy Divine
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Rooted in Christ and sustained by the Spirit, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.
We pray for the church. Bless the ministries of our neighboring congregations. Empower churches throughout the world and encourage missionaries who accompany global neighbors. Kindle in us a spirit of collaboration, that all people may know your loving works.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for creation. Send rain to lands experiencing drought and come to the aid of those enduring sweltering heat. Nurture wheat and barley crops grown for the nourishment of your people and conserve aquatic habitats and fish populations.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for those who govern. Cast out arrogance, selfishness, and corruption and instruct those who lead to practice compassion and humility. Inspire them with a vision of the common good and a commitment to ensure that all who hunger are fed.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for those bowed down by heavy burdens: those who are unemployed or underemployed, those unable to find affordable housing, and those without health insurance. Console those who grieve and hear the cries of those who call to you for healing. We pray for our Indigenous and Muslim sisters and brothers. God, there is so much hatred and fear creating so much violence. May we cease our ignorance and take the time to get to know one another, learn from one another, respect one another. We pray for our family members, friends and community members; Lil Schieman, Mike Froese, Brooke Alexiuk, Dwayne, Tracy Skoglund, Matthew Grossman, Lorraine & Walter Pokrant. You know the cries of their hearts. We trust you will answer.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for this assembly. Deepen our resolve to use what we have to serve those in need. When we worry that we do not have enough resources for ministry, assure us of your abundance.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We give thanks for those who have died. As you sustained them through all their days, so dwell in our hearts, that we may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We lift these and all our prayers to you, O God, confident in the promise of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING SONG WOV 766 We Come To The Hungry Feast
BENEDICTION
May the God who dances in creation, who embraces us with human love, who shakes our lives like thunder, + bless us and drive us out with power, to fill the world with divine justice. Amen
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