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:

 God has called us
through the gospel,
so that we may 
obtain the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

See: 2 Thessalonians 2.14

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,
you have created the heavens and the earth,
and ourselves in your image.
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Creation

God of unchangeable power,
when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to see all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Mark 7. 24-37

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.

"Lost In Space"

If you are tuned into the space program, you will be aware that two astronauts are stuck living at the International Space Station until sometime in February. Much longer than the few-day stopover that they hoped to make to transport supplies to the Station.           

One writer, (not sure if it was an attempt at humor, or a real possibility) suggested that “it may not always be so, soon we could have an elevator.”           

Really? It appears that there is a scientist/engineer in Japan who has been “floating“(no pun intended) the idea for several years.           

One should never doubt. Who would have ever thought in the early days of “Star Trek” or its predecessor “Lost in Space”, would be reality today that we would be transporting people into space, and people would be living in that space?           

Many of us are old enough to remember to this day the iconic picture of Neil Armstrong planting an American flag on the surface of the moon in 1969. 

The historical report reads:

“On July 20, 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin (1930-) became the first humans ever to land on the moon. About six-and-a-half hours later, Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. As he took his first step, Armstrong famously said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for humankind." The Apollo 11 mission occurred eight years after President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) announced a national goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960’s.”            

Imagine! Imagine, in just eight years they succeeded in the challenge issued by President Kennedy.           

How often have you heard, “it’s just science fiction!” Watching science fiction or fantasy movies, and returning home, and writing them off as “just a movie.”           

We live in a time when some scoff at the idea of the Church, and how we speak of “life after death”, or eternal life.

At the same time in the Church, we talk about being “mission-focused.”           

When we think about the strange and dangerous environment we live in, it is not unreal to think, “we are lost in space” or “lost in time.” Some may even suggest, “we are in a time-warp.” Another term I discovered for ‘time-warp’ is “twisted time.” 

With all the technology we enjoy, we still live, in some ways, a very protected life. Many of us have little knowledge of what is happening in real life within the environment that we live. It’s not unreal to think that “we are lost in space,” or “lost in time.” 

(With technology we enjoy, and we still live though, in this protected life we live in.) 

At the same time, we live in a world of nature or Creation. We live in a world of big government, big business, workplaces that are beyond our imagination, or even for those in our retirement years, we do not know what is “next.”           

Not to sound negative, the world is at times scary: it is like being lost in space. We are constantly being reminded of a hostile world, of challenges which are “out of control.”           

Well, Jesus lived in a similar world—a world filled with challenges; a world constantly challenging the message of the gospel. There are many parts of society where it is a scary place to be a Christian.           

Over the centuries, churches and people of faith have lived with persecution, push-back, danger, torture, rejection, banning, even death.           

Hang in there, friends, there is hope. This is the message Jesus desires for the disciples, to “hang in there.” This does not mean ignoring the dangers, while at the same time to live with hope.           

As well, Jesus guards against resorting to our protective shell of our sanctuaries. It is so easy to just be in our comfortable pew rather than being in the world, proclaiming the gospel—the gospel proclaiming a message of hope to humanity.           

We are privileged to live in a country where we can spread a message for “changing hearts.” 

Theologian, Lori Wagner writes:

“But it’s also a rewarding business. For when you are willing to take great risks, you also will reap great rewards. Not only is this the “story” of the Bible, but it’s the mantra of those today who understand the human psyche: psychologists, coaches, entrepreneurs, life-long learners. Those who would tell us that risks may feel uncomfortable, but they also create opportunities, enable growth, spur creativity, and increase our chances for success in whatever ventures we undertake. Most of life’s meaningful moments come from taking a risk, whether it’s a new job, a new relationship, a divorce, or a promotion. Every inventor, every patent holder, every scientist, every business owner understands the meaning of risk.”           

In fact, every clergy person understands the meaning of risk. 

Although we may not believe it or think it, the world still asks the question that Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do people say I am?”           

Following a series of possible answers, Peter says, “You are the Messiah.”           

To which my mind goes something like this: (it’s not in the scriptures, Jesus says “and don’t you forget it!”           

The business of looking after the soul, our spiritual wellness, is and can be risky.           

With a focus on our environment, we are aware of the risks when looking after “the soul of Nature.”           

At the same time, it is rewarding.           

It is not good enough to say, “We tried to save that tree”, or “We tried to improve the water flow in the river. It didn’t work, so we gave up.”           

Often our response is the same when it comes to the mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. That old term, “Nothing ventured insures nothing gained.” 

We need to be always prepared for the unexpected.           

We continue to live in the world—a world, which is always on the move, or “on our way.” Jesus was always “on the way.”           

Except, we live in a society which is only prepared to move on with assurances, “it will work.”           

Think back to the first landing on the moon. Do we believe Armstrong and Aldrin had certainty of their safe return to earth? Why, they didn’t even carry forward their mission, yet they went.           

When it comes to celebrating the Season of Creation, we, too, need reminding that we have a mission to “keep moving on.” There will be more feasting, more healing, and more reasons for hope.           

I believe what Jesus wants us to know is, even after death on the cross, there will be life. In fact, even more abundantly than before the cross.           

Jesus reminds us: “All we have is to pick up our cross, and to move on.”

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Drawn together in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray with confidence for the Church, God’s good creation, and all who are in need.

We pray for the Church throughout the world.
Form us into communities of forgiveness and grace. Help us to notice where you are calling us into new relationships, and give us courage to embrace the uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great.

We pray for the earth and all its inhabitants.
Protect lands at risk of wildfire and heal dying forests. Where fire brings destruction, raise up new growth. Guide us in tending precarious ecosystems. 
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great.       

We pray for whose who govern nations, tribes, and cities.
Open them to the cries of people in need. Direct them in shaping policies that prioritize the health and well-being of all who struggle with hunger and housing insecurity.
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great.

We pray for all who are ill, all who are lonely, or anxious, and all who grieve.
Draw them close to you and soothe them with the promise of your enduring love.
We continue to pray for:
Gail; Sue; Sheila; John; Clarice; and those on our hearts.
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great.    

We pray for teachers, professors, librarians, school administrators, staff, and all who support the education of young people. Sustain them as they shape learning communities, rooted in equity and authenticity. We pray for children of all ages in their learning. 
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great. 

We remember our beloved departed, who with the great cloud of witnesses bear witness to your saving grace. 
Accompany us in our pilgrimage of faith, that we too place our hope and trust in you. 
Hear us, O God,
for your mercy is great. 

We trust these and all our prayers to you, holy God, in the name of your beloved child,
Jesus Christ, our 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: 

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

You may have noticed today a different stole. It’s actually my Cursillo stole. But as we celebrate this “Season of Creation”, you’ll notice that the background is of washed water from the riverbanks, and on it are different Christian symbols—particularly, the one you see is the Dove. But also, the theme for this Cursillo at which I was presented this stole was that “there is life here amongst the stones. There is life in the world. There is life for us not only to discover through the Gospel, but life to share with others who are “in the world.”

We trust that you will have a blessèd week and look forward to our continuing sharing together in this that Jesus Christ has adorned us with. And may God bless you and your families. Amen.

Amen.