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:

 The Son of man came also
not to be served but to serve, 
and to give his life
as a ransom for many.

Mark 10.45

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 and everliving God,
Increase in us your gift of faith,
that forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to what is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Creation

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Mark 10. 35-45

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.

"Serving"

To borrow from Lori Wagner, recognized international evangelist says, “The questions when you receive an invitation to go on an exciting and adventurous safari must always be asked, ‘Do you know what you are signing up for?’”

Are you prepared to take the risk? It goes along with, “Do you know what you really are asking for?”

Possibly one of the most demanding questions in the New Testament comes in this Gospel today.

Jesus says to James and John, after they have asked for special privileges, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

Each time that I read these words, my focus returns to a time when I was about 16 years old and was in the amphitheater in Spearfish, South Dakota, to watch “The Passion Play”. It’s always been interesting for me to think back to that time.

The moment was as the scene closes, centered on the stage is a table with a Chalice in the middle. Everyone else has deserted the scene.

And as the curtain begins to close, the floodlight is centered on the Chalice. And, out of the darkness of the night this voice appears: “But can you drink from the cup that I drink?”

I was 16 years old at that time, and to this day, I continue to focus on that question.

Moving on about 20 years, and the first question from Bishop Short, when presenting my self with the possibility of studying for Holy Orders, and he said, “Brian, are you prepared to do this 24/7—365 days of the year, for the rest of your life?”

Now, moving along many years, I must say I do not regret my answer that day. Yes! To this day, people make commitments believing they are for life. 90% of the time, they are for life. This past Monday, I presided at a wedding in which the bride and groom made such a promise, such a commitment.

People participate in organizations which have stood the test of time.

In the Church, we have a variety of organizations for which people have accepted this vocation, of which is contained in the symbolism in the cup of Christ.

We have many fraternal and charitable organizations who give far beyond what they have initially believed their ability to be of a benefit to the world.

Has it always been a smooth ride? No. Except, what we now know is the rewards are often greater that we could have imagined. Not in the sense of gold medals, or fancy stars pinned to our uniforms, any other adornment.

I listened this week to the story of a basketball player accepting the challenge at the age of 19 years old being drafted by the Toronto Raptors;  leaving his home in the U.S.A.; getting off an airplane in Toronto, not knowing anyone, and he summed up his experience in some ways similar to Jesus speaking to the disciples. While the challenge was great, the reward was even greater.

Back to the Gospel.

I often wish I knew the “rest of the story,” to use a phrase be a popular broadcaster, Paul Harvey.

Traditional discipleship often centers around Bible study groups, community mission, attending worship, working together. At the same time, there is so much more to do, except there is more to the story.

I believe, this Cup is much larger than we can imagine—much larger than one I can simply hold in my hand.

We are fortunate to live in the part of the world where there is freedom of expression in Canada; freedom to share our religious beliefs; freedom to share our Christian faith.

At the same time, there are parts of the world where Christians are being persecuted, and even put to death, because of their belief.

So much so, that some parts of the Church only exist underground for fear of persecution. At the same time, the Church continues to grow.

The Church is growing larger and larger each day because Christians around the world continue to take all that was contained in that question to James and John, when asked if they could drink from the same cup as Jesus, and be baptized.

These are the people who are prepared to take the risk of sharing their faith—a faith which could even be a risk to their lives.

Here, in the Western world, there are times when I believe we can be seen as “too comfortable in our pew.” (As Pierre Burton suggested many years ago.)

We are living in a time when a call to discipleship may not appear as threatening. But at the same time, we need to recognize the need for the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ still reigns.

It is significant, then. Today’s readings have shared themes of sacrifice and suffering along with Jesus’ kingship. The challenge we find ourselves in living today amidst a continuing call for us to consider what does the world need now?

Songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David have a suggestion for us.

Those of us who are “baby boomers” and have lived through the Vietnam War will remember these words well:

“What the world needs now, is love sweet love.
It’s the only thing there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now is love sweet love.
No. Not just for some, but for everyone.”

The writer goes on and says,

“Lord, we don’t need another mountain;
there are mountains and hillsides enough to climb.
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
enough to last till the end of time.
We don’t need another meadow:
there are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow.
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine.
O listen, Lord, if you want to know.
What the world needs now is love sweet love.

And it has that wonderful ending, repeated 3 times

“What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.”

The song was originally a response to the controversy around the Vietnam War. If I may take some license with originality of the need for the lyrics in the 60’s—to this day, we have many controversies needing a response centered around love.

So, a few questions:

What does it look like then to follow Jesus’ commandments of love of God and neighbour?

Thinking back to the questions we may have had as adolescents, what do those questions look like in our season of life today?

Is not life filled with those individual seasons, as well as the corporate seasons, of life? 

There are moments of fulfillment. There are moments of difficulty.

But in all those moments, there is Christ.

And so, may we continue to use the Jesus-model as our masterplan for servanthood.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Challenged by God’s Word in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and the whole creation. 

Holy One,
we give thanks for all servant leaders of the church.  Bless Anna our Bishop, Brian our Priest, Trish our Deacon, with Humble wisdom and ground them in your love. 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Creative One,
we give thanks for the delicate balance of the natural world. Kindle in us a spirit of caring strength in the preservation of habitats, food availability, and centers of refuge, that all wildlife may thrive. 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.  

Empowering One,
fill the leaders of government with a spirit of service that prioritizes those on the margins due to job loss, underemployment, unsafe working conditions, and immigration status. May economic equity be achieved for all people. 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Restoring One,
send your angels to watch over, rescue, and protect those who are injured or ill. Nurse those who suffer hardship, disease, or difficulty with your comfort and peace.
We continue to pray for Gail; Sue; Sheila; John; and those on our hearts. 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Abiding One,
you call pastors to shepherd the congregation toward faithful living as servants and followers of Jesus. Inspire all ordained ministers and seminarians to ministry that challenges, 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Saving One,
we give thanks for the disciples James and John and all saints who have faithfully served you. We rejoice in a promised place at the feast of victory that we receive by your grace alone. 
God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in the saving grace you freely give, both now and forever.  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.  Amen.

Heavenly Father:
As we are nourished in your sacrament, may we who have taken these holy things, keep the faith in our hearts and lives as we go forth into the world.  Amen.