As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them and they follow me. 

John 10.27

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today 

Almighty God,
your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.   Amen. 

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Mark 6.30-44, 53-56

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words that I share with you today be words that are given to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving of God’s blessing in our lives.

"Rest"

The past few weeks I have shared fairly consistently about the ideal of rest—the value of rest—the value to take time for ourselves so that we can do the work that is required. Today Jesus addresses “REST” with the disciples.

The disciples have returned from their mission trips, and they have shared with Jesus all that they’ve been doing and their ministry to date. And now they appeared to be tired, both physically and as we might say mentally. And after this long journey of sharing the Good News, Jesus observes this stress in their lives and the work of this ministry.

At the same time, Jesus sees among the people a need for food and a hunger for teaching and listening, a need our deacon witnesses every day in her work at the Cowichan Valley Basket Society—or for other people they will refer to it simply as the “Food Bank.”

We all know food donations go down in the summer. This is also true of many organizations who rely on donations to provide not only for the physical needs but other needs of life: the need for volunteers as people are on vacation and working with reduced resources.

We will hear more about this need in a few moments as Reverend Trish will share with us about a special project here in the Valley.

But before we get there let us consider for a few moments some of the themes in the readings for today:

What it means to be safe?

In Samuel we have the privilege of listening in a conversation between God and David. David wants to make sure God has a safe and sacred place to reside, and he says to God, “I will build you a temple in which you can reside forever. But God on the other hand tells David not to worry about building him a temple.

Our experience in history tells us that we continue to this day wanting to build a secure place kind of like to keep God locked up in. But at the same time, we are told that the temple of God resides within us, and from that temple we have ministry to share.

Colleague from my life in the 70’s challenged a parish who were concerned about putting stained glass windows in their new church. He said to them his problem with putting stained glass windows in the church and how when you cover those clear glass windows up, you cover your view of the outside world. And so, he challenged them that for every window that they also put an equal amount of money into a mission fund. The phenomenal mission that that parish continued to do was a story to be heard and shared!

God wants all people to see—experience life—to be in a safe and settled place in unity with each other. In other words, God wants us to care for everyone. God wants us to care about the people and to care for the unity of the people—to care in a way that we read about in our Collect for today where we prayed to God asking God to give us something very special—

your Son, (we say in the Collect) has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth—

in other words, challenging us in our ministries. God wants all people to be safe in Christ.

And as we read about in Ephesians today, Paul reminds us only in Christ are we able to break down walls which separate us. Walls which are both physical and spiritual.

There is a great story of how on the US – Mexican border between San Diego and Tijuana that for more than 10 years Christians have gathered on each side of that wall that was put up to keep them separated and how week by week they gather on each side and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

It is said that following the sharing of that Sacrament—and I’ve never been there—I’ve never seen what the wall looks like, but I understand that there’s little hole in the wall. And what I understand is that afterwards, when they come to share the Peace of Christ at the end of the service, they touch fingers between that wall and celebrate their ministry—celebrate their being one with Christ.

Despite the great differences of lawmakers, the Church cannot be separated. The Church is one and unites.

The one thing which unites us is food. With that in mind, Reverend Trish is going to share (in the Parish today) about her work with the Cowichan Basket Society.

Let Us Pray

We are one in the communion of saints and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us join our voices in prayer.

For the church of Jesus Christ in this and every land:
Through the One who is the cornerstone of a firm foundation, join us together and build us up as a temple of mercy and peace. 
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the creation:
Cause new trees to be planted. Restrain the melting of polar ice caps. Save land from destruction. Like a shepherd tends their sheep, raise up from among us caretakers of all you have made. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the leaders of nations and heads of tribes:
Where peace seems far off, bring it near. Where justice seems fleeting, bring it to light. Where discord seems relentless, bring harmony.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer. 

For the health and well-being of family, friends, and neighbours: Heal those who are sick.
Give courage to all who struggle with addiction. Touch with your tender care all who reach out to you in pain.

We especially lift up to you: Gail; Sue; John; Lillian; Sheila; Blake; Christian; and those on our hearts, naming them aloud, or in the silence of our hearts. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For this assembly and for the faith communities in the Cowichan Valley.
Break down dividing walls and inspire collaboration among people of every age. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer. 

In thanksgiving for those who have died.
Make us certain that in Christ we are no longer strangers and aliens but citizens with the saints in the household of God. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer. 

Holy God,
into your embrace, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  Amen.

May we each week as we leave our parish and community worship find ourselves strengthened in these Holy Mysteries and may our lives be a continual part of the Peace of Him who has called us from the Baptismal Font out into the world in service.