Prayer of Invocation

O God from whom every gift derives, we gather to worship you this day. You are an awesome God, greater than our comprehension or our imagination. You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe you. And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of your vast Love.
        We have come to you in thanksgiving and praise, to know that you are God and to place our lives anew into your perspective. Enlarge our vision this hour with your Word. Instill in us, again, your hope in place of our despair, your peace where our hatred threatens, your joy amidst our depression, your love overwhelming our apathy.
        May your Holy Spirit surround and indwell this congregation now, and forevermore. In Jesus we pray. Amen.  Followed by the Lord’s Prayer in Unison...

Offertory Prayer

O God who multiplied the bread beside the sea, transform these gifts into a multitude of ministries. Through them, change us. For only through your own generosity can we be free to give, and to live like cups which overflow with your abundance. In Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

Pastoral Prayer

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus. Your Word tells us that if we ask anything in his name, we know that you hear us, and if we know that you hear us, we have the petitions we desired of you. What a comforting word that is.

We want to thank you today for your everlasting love that goes beyond all of our human comprehension or understanding. You love us all right where we are today and you love us for who we are. Our circumstances change so drastically as time passes and life is real. Problems and difficulties are not imaginary, they're real and we don't understand them and why things are happening. We're sometimes tempted to wonder if you know and we wonder where you are. Circumstances seem to defy all human logic, they just don't seem to make sense to us. How comforting it is to know that we don't have to pretend to be something we're not or prete nd to be stronger than we are. You know us anyway, so we don't have to pretend with you. You know all about our humanness and our weaknesses and, wonder of wonders, in spite of all of that, and maybe even because of it, you love us anyway. We're your creation, you made us, and you know all about us, so you know about our needs and how to help us. You can do something about it all. So, here we are, Lord, confessing our needs. You already know all about them, but we need to tell you. That's what you want us to do. Please, Lord, meet each person in just the very way we each need you right now. May your love for us and our faith in you hold us steady and steadfast. You said that we could be more than conquerors through him that loved us. Thank you for hearing us.

(And now, Rockburn Church, before we continue and conclude our corporate prayer, I invite you, there in the solitude of your own heart and mind to talk to the Lord by yourself. We have all kinds of needs, for healing, forgiveness, encouragement, comfort, guidance. It's highly personal. Whatever it is, just tell him, he's right here, right now and he wants to answer your prayer.)

Thank you, Lord, for hearing us. There's nothing too hard for you. You're still on the throne. You're still in control. Thank you, Lord, for hearing us. You're answering our prayers right now. 

Christ, the head of the Church


Introduction : Colossians

This Epistle is packed with Doctrine;  if I can use an analogy of a coin, it is the side that Represents the Head, and the Epistle of Ephesiens would be the other side of that coin. 

My Bible puts it thusly " If Ephesien can be labeled as the Epistle portraying the "Church of Christ" than Colossians must surely be the "Christ of the Church". Ephesien focuses on the Body, Collosian focuses on the Head. I believe when we can truly see Christ as the scriptures, in this letter protray him, our faith will grow. We will be strong in trials. Godly wisdomwill govern our thinking. Our lives will be continually transformed in that the more we can see Christ for Who and What he is, the more we will be "Christ like".


Ask yourself today :

• Do I want to have more Faith?
• Do I want to love others more?
• Do I want not to be affraid of life?
• Do Iwant to be pleasing to the One that matters the most?

If you do want that , then let Paul's prayer for the Colossians Church, be the prayer for this Church fo us who are here today.

Father in heaven open your word to our hearts today, help us by your Holy Spirit to see your son Jesus as you do, give us a desire to know him, and to know and do your will, Amen


THE PRE-EMINENT, TRANSFORMING CHRIST

Lets start at vs 3 of Ch 1 of Colossians. For context vs 3-8, notice Paul is thankfull form them, Paul commends them for their Faith, and Love (vs 4) for all Saints, paul gives his stamp of approval to their pastor Epaphras. (vs 7)
Love in the Spirit
A) it's not a letter of correction...there is no pressing issue.
B) Paul is encouraging them, reminding them (vs 9-12)

Here is the message perfectly outlined

• message for the Church at Collosse, for the neighbouring Laodicean Church as well.
  
• It has been the message throughout the ages to all Churches everywhere and it is the message for Rockburn today; Apostle creed.

Here then are the main Points for us:


A. Be filled with the knowledge of his Will (vs 9) in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

B. (vs 10) Walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing to Him.

C. (vs 10) Be fruitful in good Works, increasing in the knowledge of God.

D. (vs 11) Be strenghtened with purpose for " all Patience and Longsuffering with joy"


E. (vs 12) Giving Thanks to the Father.


Notice Paul's prayer never mentions "Material" Why? 
Does he understand : 

• "Health"
• "Happiness"

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Also notice
"Knowledge of his will" does not mean 

• "Where to live"
• "Who to marry"
• "What kind of Job" etc

So now Why and more importantly How can we or anyone be expected to follow this or to live up to this. Good question, Fair question.

It involves commitment, devotion, radical love etc

May I suggest we consider "Christ First"
Who He is What He has done! His Preeminescence


Here now is Paul's "Doctrinal Statement" 
giving rise to the "Apostles creed"

• (vs 12) thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.                                   Ephesian 1.11 (11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,)
• (vs 13) delivered us from the power of darkness and placed us into the kingdom of the Son                                                                  1 Peter 1:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV)10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the gracethat would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 
• (vs 14) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 
• (vs 15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  
• (vs 16) He is Creator God, through Him and for Him.                     John 1:3 New King James Version (NKJV) 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.                                                                                                    Before all things, In him all things consist.                                                                                                                                 Hebrews 1:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV) 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself[a] purged our[b] sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
• (vs 18) He is the head of the body, the church,  firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.                   Ephesians 1:22 New King James Version (NKJV) 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,                                                                      Revelation 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV) 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed[a] us from our sins in His own blood,
• (vs 19) All the fullness should dwel, pleased the Father 
• (vs 20) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, "Past, Present, Future, ....... once for all  made peace through the blood of the CROSS. 

He goes on to say (vs 21-22) We were "Aliens and enemies in your mind? (by wicked works?)...                                                                              2 Corinthians 5:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.


BUT YET : The Gospel 
He has reconciled us in the body of his Flesh. To present us Holy, Blameless, Above Reproach in his Sight. Halleluia. Praise Him. Praise Him


Therefore...since this is Who Christ is and What He has done


Analogy : The Horse and the cart

What manner of people ought we to be?

Conclusion. Be filled with his Word. Get to know Him more and more.

Grow continually in Love by Grace, Be Ready be Strong. Acquire Patience. Endure with Joy Long Suffering. Be thankfull. All this is only Possible if we Grow our Faith In Christ Actions.

Faith in Christ = The Horse = The Cart.


Colossians 1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]

Their Faith in Christ
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

Preeminence of Christ
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyedus into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

PRELUDE:                                   Chenaniah

 
PROCESSIONAL              # 496 in the blue hymn book

 
Call to Worship:

Leader: Praise be to God who is unchanging!

People: Thanks be to God who is continually creating newness and

               hope.

Leader: Each day we are greeted by new opportunities and challenges.

People: Each day we are given courage and strength to accomplish

               God’s tasks.

Leader: Let all God’s people shout praises to the heavens!

People: Great is our God and greatly to be praised! AMEN.

 

WORDS OF WELCOME

HYMN:     # 803         “Come Ye Thankful People Come”

INVOCATION & the Lord’s Prayer

HYMN:       # 461    “Be Thou My Vision”     

ANNOUCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING

        The Offering Received:        

        The Offertory Hymn:     #79      (blue hymnal)

        The Offertory Prayer

 

PASTORAL PRAYER                      

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS:   OT Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25

                                            Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-19

  

HYMN:            # 431  -      “Jesus Where Thy People Meet”

 

SERMON:        "Stand firm!" 



As we embark on our Gospel lesson today, we find that Jesus has made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple and entered into several debates with the religious leadership that he repeatedly won. He praised the poor widow and her offering and passed judgment on the religious leaders. Now Jesus leaves the temple, never to return. The events in today's reading take place on Mount of Olives, and is a part of a longer Biblical passage known as the Olivet Prophecy.

It is known as the "Little Apocalypse" because it includes Jesus' descriptions of the end times, the use of apocalyptic language, and Jesus' warning to his followers that they will suffer tribulation and persecution before the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus, along with his small band of disciples, has left the temple and it's in the process of walking away from the magnificent building complex that the remarks in today's reading are made. Jesus said:

"These things which you see--the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."

They admired the temple for is architectural grandeur, and its expensive decorations. The temple was impressive not only for its beauty but for it size. The foundation stones were almost the size of box cars

The temple was both great and glorious, especially to the disciples of Jesus. The disciples were not from Jerusalem, but were from Galilee. We would say that they were "plain, country folk." They would have seldom been to Jerusalem and thus would have seen the grandeur of the temple as tourists.

The temple was indeed impressive, covering about one-sixth of the ·Iand area of the ancient city of Jerusalem. The building complex was nearly five hundred yards long and four hundred yards wide.

Jesus' remarks are especially devastating, since the temple was the heart and soul of Israel's worship.

The Disciples voice their concerns, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign wilt there be when these things are about to take place?"

The disciple's question had two parts. They wanted to know (1) When will all this take place? (referring to the destruction of the temple) and (2) Will there be any sign ahead of time?

The disciples like many of us today, were concerned about the wrong things. They wanted to know information that would be of no real value to them, other than to satisfy their own curiosity. Jesus was more interested in affecting their conduct rather than satisfying their curiosity. Jesus, however, knew that if the disciples looked for signs they would be susceptible to deception. He virtually avoided their question and instead of telling them what they wanted to know he told them what he felt they needed to know, in order to witness the times ahead.


Now, there are a lot of very faithful people who, when speaking on these passages on the "End Tmes" and "Second Coming", engage in flights of fantasy. There are many stories of a fire-strewn, earth shattering apocalypse, where whole countries and peoples are swallowed into the gaping earth. Predictions about the end times, just like horoscopes, are exceedingly popular.


But it's interesting that, in many instances throughout his life, Jesus refused to be drawn into speculation about these end times.

We see, for example in Acts 1 :6, how the disciples questioned him about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel: They gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

And instead of giving them a reply, he told them that "it is not for you to know the times or the dates that the Father has set by his own authority"...   but instead told them to get ready to preach the Gospel to all nations... To be his witness!

If Jesus told his disciples not to waste time speculating about when the end of the world was due, then perhaps we an should strive to avoid this same spurious speculation.

It's more profitable to see what lessons are hidden in this passage with regard to ministering the teachings of Christ, and so let's let this morning's discussion lead us there.

There is a key theme in this passage that which will help us to bear witness to Jesus. And, perhaps we should start by defining what a witness is; what, exactly, being a witness is all about. A witness is a person who can testify to what he or she has experienced or knows of first hand.

We've all seen the many courtroom dramas on the television or in the movies, where the dapper young attorney engages in flowery, verbose and quick witted examinations of the trembling housewife. And we know that, in that Court of Law, the witness is not like the defence lawyer. He or she doesn't have to explain why something happened.

Nor is he or she like the prosecution lawyer either: They don't have to try and convince people to make a decision.

No, when we speak about witnessing Christ, we speak of spreading the word of God, the teachings of Christ and our faith.

In this morning's Gospel reading, Jesus shares a very important key to witnessing: Deciding not to worry, and to stand firm.

The key to being a successful witness to Christ is that we can decide not to worry about what we are going to say - or what people will think about us. The Early Church had a real danger of persecution. Jesus himself was crucified as a result of such persecution.

In this country, we are lucky to have moderate freedom from persecution, though there are exceptions, of course. There are many people in places and societies across the world that face persecution as an everyday part of life.

Malala Yousafzai is a young female Pakistani student and education activist from the town of Mingora in Pakistan. She is known for her activism for rights to education and for women, especially in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban had banned girls from attending school. In early 2009, at the age of 11-12, Malala wrote a blog, under a pseudonym, for the BBC that detailed her life under Taliban rule, their attempts to take .control of the valley, and her views on promoting education for girls.

On 9 October 2012, Malala was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by TaJiban gunmen while returning home on a school bus. She was transported to hospital and, through the valiant efforts by Pakistani and English surgeons, survived.

There are examples of this sort of persecution and violence across the world, but persecution does not have to be this extreme to exist:
But do you ever worry what you will say if someone asks you: "Why you go to church?" Are you scared of being put on the spot, or ridiculed for your faith? Are you afraid of making a fool of yourself? Do you worry about people judging your actions or beliefs?

There's an old expression that says: "Why pray when you can worry?" 

Worry stifles prayer, because worry is unbelief. Worry, sometimes, is the opposite of faith.

Now, let's face it: We live in worrisome times; we all have days when we worry.

But, we can also decide to stand firm against that worry.

We can decide not to let it paralyse us.

We can pray; we can try to let our faith take away our fear.

We can decide to trust Jesus, and his teachings, to look after us. In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus concluded by saying: "By standing firm, you will gain life".

It is easy to be a Christian on Sunday at Church, but a real test of your faith comes when you have to stand up for your faith in a hostile environment.

Malala Yousafzai gave a speech at the United Nations, following her recovery, where she said: 

"The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my Hfe except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born ... I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I'm here to speak up for the right of education for every child. t want education for the sons and daughters of the Tatiban and all terrorists and extremists."

Standing firm for one's faith is not reserved for people in other places and cultures: Right here at home, in the news these very days, we see that our ability to demonstrate our faith is the subject of legislative debate: There's a new skirmish in the age old battle between church and state, and it's only by uniting together, all people of all faiths, that we can protect our right to display the symbols of our beliefs.

These symbols of faith are not just symbols, but in fact an expression of who people fundamentally are. Asking people to hide these parts of themselves is, in effect, saying that they are not valued, or accepted.

Stand firm, and we will endure.

In continuing with the Olivet Discourse, Jesus prophesizes the fall of Jerusalem and gives us an idea of some of the challenges and trials that will befall the faithful: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven"

Just last week, in the west Pacific Ocean, the Phifippines suffered a direct hit by one of the largest typhoons in recent history. Looking at the aerial photos of the country, we see a picture of complete and utter devastation. Tens of thousands homeless, threatened by disease, pestilence, hunger .... There's the additional chaos and mayhem being caused by looters, rapists, and murderers further aggravating the misery and suffering of those still waiting for rescue and medical attention.

Jesus foretold in his prophecy: "Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."

So with all that bad news to contend with, how on earth do we - and especially the folks more immediately impacted by this disaster, muster up the courage to face another day? Why not just respond to all the bad news as Job's wife did by saying, "Just curse God, and die!" What's the point in going on?
There's at least one major reason for keeping on: Jesus Christ, in whom we have placed our faith and trust - He, who experienced rejection, suffering, loneliness, brutal torture, dehydration, thirst. ... and death, for us, rose triumphantly on the third day and has promised eternity in a new world freed from all these trials and tribulations. And He has given us the Holy Spirit as our Divine Comforter and Encourager who enables us to be joyous ..... in spite of the heartaches and tragedies we have to go through.

As Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians, "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are stiB in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hoped in Christ, we are to be pitied more than an men."

Yes, the present is sometimes tough. Yes, sometimes we struggle. Yes, we suffer pain. And yes, tomorrow may bring even more and greater hardships with which we must cope. But He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to never allow more to come on us than we can handle by His grace. And, in light of a" that He has promised, and with that perspective filling our minds and hearts, we do not give up, we do not call it quits.

Together as His Church we get alongside those who are hurting the most in whatever way we can: To lift weary hands, to feed the hungry, to provide a drink of water to the thirsty I to provide shelter for the homeless, healing for the wounded, a caring presence for the dying and comfort and support for the bereaved.

And we do this because the One we follow said clearly and unequivocally, that "By standing firm, you will gain life".

And there is nothing new in predictions of great catastrophe. From way before the time of Jesus right up to the present day predictions of the end of the world have come and gone. But, sometimes, what is more important to US today is not the end of the whole world as we know it, but endings in OUR OWN lives, times when our own small world collapses and seems to end, times when our todays are shaken to their foundations and almost fall apart.


It may well be that YOUR world has collapsed; it is you who is suffering and sees no hope for the future.

You may have lost a loved one - husband, wife, brother, sister, parent, child, friend. The well-loved voice is silent, the house empty, an aching heart and a hollowness within I your world seems to have ended.

You might be involved in the breakdown of a relationship, facing a divorce, going through a messy break up. What seemed like a great future suddenly disappeared as your world seems to fall apart.

Hardly a week goes by without news of job losses; it may be you that has been made redundant or unemployed, as some companies with long traditions and strong local roots move their jobs elsewhere chasing after cheap labour, leaving behind broken lives and people with no employ and little hope for the future. Your world seemingly collapsed.

You may have received bad news of an illness and be struggling to come to terms with it and to cope with what is happening and may happen in the future. The end it seems of your world.

Whenever these kind of things happen our small world trembles. Those people we have relied on; those things we have trusted; those events we have put faith in, have gone. These can be times of great testing - testing of our faith, testing of our belief in God, wondering whether there is a God. Times like this can shake our faith to its core.

In the reading from Luke's gospel when Jesus was talking about the shaking and collapse that will take place at the end of the world he gave his listeners some hope. It wasn't all doom and gloom. At the end of the passage Jesus told people to stand firm and not to give in. He said that not a hair on your head will perish. By standing firm you will receive life.

Stand firm, hold on. God would not desert them. And the same is true for us. In the midst of the turmoil of our Jives, when our world seems to have fallen to ruin, God who HAS been with us, is STILL there. God who has been faithful in the PAST, remains faithful TODAY. God who has lavished his love on us hasn't deserted us now in the time of need.


The times when we feel our faith tested, the times when we feel we are crawling along the valley floor, crushed by life, are the very times when God is closest to us, even though we often don't realise it. When our world seems to be collapsing around us God stands firmly in the midst of the rubble.


In Jesus, God came into the world. He came to share in all the joys and sorrows of life. He came to know what life is like and to show us what God was like. And because he came, 

because he lived,

because he died and rose again,

He stands firmly and squarely with us in this life and reaches out to us, to you and to me, when our world seems to be collapsing and falling apart. His love comes close where stands an open door, his peace comes to those caught in a storm; his joy comes where faith encounters fear; his grace comes to those whose grace is spent.


Stand firm, don't lose hope. God is with us all. Stand firm, and you will win life.

       Stewart sings:     “Peace Like a River”   (key of G)
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul

I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul

I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul

I've got peace like a river
I've got love like an ocean
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul
I've got peace like a river
I've got love like an ocean
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul 

HYMN:      # 374      “O For A Thousand  Tongues to Sing” 

BENEDICTION & 3 Fold Sung Amen 

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

November 10 2013   

PRELUDE:      Chenaniah 

PROCESSIONAL:      Presentation of Colours

                               O Canada/The Queen

                               Depositing Colours

                               “In Flanders Fields”  - Norval Blair

                                Minute of Silence 

CALL & RESPONSE:

  ONE: He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you,

  ALL:   but to do justice, and to have kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

WELCOME: 
 
HYMN:       #801    “From Ocean Unto Ocean”  

PRAYER: Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace: for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God; may God give peace.

    For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss; may God give peace.

    For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their return; may God give peace.

    For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatred of humanity; may God give peace.

    For peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free; may God give peace.

    For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military or religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace; may God give peace.

    O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment od this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.

    As we honour the past, may we put our faith in Your future; for You are the source of life and hope, now and forever.

    Let us pray the words our Lord taught us: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

     Offertory Hymn:   # 79  (blue hymn book)

     Offertory Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we give thanks for all that You have done for us and continue to do for us through the gift of Your Spirit. You welcome us as part of Your family, and as members of Your household. Awaken us to the claims of Your will, O God, and stir us with a passion for Your kingdom, that we may respond at this time not only with our gifts but also with our lives. Amen.
 

HYMN:      #647      “Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us”

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    I Chronicles 12:23-38, Revelation 11:15-18

 

ANTHEM:          “We’ve A Story To Tell The Nations”      (#765)

 

PRAYER:  O God, our ruler and guide, in whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation, we give You thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land and for those who laid down their lives to defend them. We pray that we and all the people of Canada, gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice, may have the grace to live in a spirit of justice, of generosity, and of peace.

    We bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy. Make us a people zealous for peace, and hasten that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither learn war any more.

    This we pray in the name of the One who gave His life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

 

HYMN:      #438      “When Morning Gilds The Skies”

 

RESPONSIVE READING:

    ONE: Today we bow our heads.

    ALL:  It’s not an easy day, for today we remember.

    ONE:  We focus our memory on those who served our great nation. Today we set aside our differences and remember those who gave their lives for freedom.

    ALL:  And they will rise up as if they had eagles wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.

    ONE:  We remember the brothers and sisters who fought on our behalf.

    ALL:  While their brothers and sisters prayed for their safe return.

    ONE:  We remember the sons and daughters who carried the flag of democracy,

    ALL:  While their parents placed flags on their lapels and front porches.

    ONE:  We remember the moms and dads who stood watch at the front door of war,

    ALL:  While their children stood watch at home.

    ONE:  We remember that they paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

    ALL:  Today we remember with compassion and love and we turn our memory to the lives of those who served on our behalf.

    ONE:  We honour those who have fallen in service,

     ALL:  And we hold tight to Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 

HYMN:      #794      “Abide With Me”     (Laying of poppies) 

MEDITATION

HYMN:      #315      “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 

BENEDICTION:    O God, eternal and forever blessed, order what is disordered in our lives; bring our minds to Your truth; our conscience to Your law; and our hearts to Your love. When you leave here, leave with justice, leave with mercy and with God’s humble care.

SCRIPTURE READING: 

I would like to read a couple of passages from the scriptures

today: The first from  1 Chronicles 12: 23-38

The second reading is the Book of Revelation in the 11th

Chapter and concerns the coming of the Kingdom of God  ....

REVELATION 11:15-18

 

This Meditation was written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 

son of a comrade of arms who served in World War 1.

It really touched me when I read it and I thought I’d share it with you today…

 

 

So imagine me as Richard Fairchild speaking ….

Here today to remember and honour those who fought in the great wars, to remember what it was like, who was with us, and who did not come back.

We have some things to Remember too Today --- that is what the day is about.    

My Father was in the Navy during the last war - he served on

the HMCS Athabaskan. He was the youngest man aboard one Christmas so he was made Captain of the day, later - the ship was sunk in a major action off France and my Dad ended up in a POW camp for airmen.

I am 38 years old now, and that is almost all I know about my Father's service during the War, Some things are hard to talk about it - even when you remember them.  I think most of you may well be the same.

When planning this service down at the Legion in Aylmer the men I was with did talk a bit about their experiences during the war... what they talked about was the cow that had been stolen from an officer and eaten by the enlisted men, they talked about the food that they had to eat and how it was different from what the Americans had, they talked about the practical joke that had been pulled on a man.

Aside from these things - little was said about the war.    

What they really remembered best - they did not speak of.

My father remembered and talked about being captain for a day, and he remembered and talked about writing letters on the toilet paper that came in the Red Cross packages, but he has only ever talked once or twice about how the forward gun on his ship was blown away - a gun he had manned until a few short days before when his buddy on the stern gun asked to change stations with him...

He has only ever talked once that I can recall about how his ship sank and how a third of the men perished in the water which could not put out the fire of their burns.

It is hard to really talk about the details of what happened, the real costs:     how your comrades died, how your parents, your brothers or sisters, your   friends paid the costs of war, and how your own minds and hearts were      affected and never again quite the same.

Our most important memories for the most part are silent ones, ones that we do not talk about because of the pain in them... and because they are almost impossible to share with anyone who has not been there with you.

But the memories are there,  and you do remember, mostly in silence,           and sometimes aloud - when the mood is right....

It is not necessary that you share the memories you have aloud with us, but it is important that we who were not there understand just what was done for us.

It is important too that you who were there, those of you who fought, and those of you who served here while friends died across the seas feel that all that happened was worth while, that it made a difference, and that those who sacrificed so much, are honoured and rewarded.

It is ever the way that in times of peace soldiers and sailors and airmen are not well appreciated, but this day we who have no comprehension of just what it was like all those years ago, do know what happened, we realize that a great tyranny was ended, that as the book of revelation puts it, the time for destroying those who destroy the earth had come.

We know that there was cost, and we do honour today those who served, 
and those who died, for us and for the country we live in.          

The scriptures call us all to look at the examples of the faithful, to honour them by remembering them and what they did, and to be more like them - to keep faith with them to hold high the torch they carried.

The scriptures we heard today call us all to remember that the good will be rewarded, that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be repaid.

We are here to remember,  and it is hard to talk about what we remember     but remember we do, both those of you who were there, and those of us who were not.

Let us pray that our dead will continue to be honoured and that we, and all people, may be able to hold high the torch that they can no longer carry.

LET US PRAY

     - We remember Lord, we remember: we remember ships tossed in the air by explosions, we remember men, our friends, falling beside us.... we remember telegrams coming to the doors of our neighbours, husbands taken from our arms never to return; sons whom we feared for every day.  We remember a lot, we remember....
     - Loving Father - help us in our memories - ease us in he pain of them, without causing us to forget.

     - Lord God - we remember the costs, remind us too of the victory - of what was won by our comrades and by fellow countrymen;

     - And finally Lord God - be with all those who are facing war this day - our men and woman at sea and on land and in the air in the mid-east; and be with the rulers of  this world and all the world's citizens, that we may
learn and live the way of peace with justice, we ask it in Jesus' name - AMEN