Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-08-11, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011. By Rev. Tom Murray Knox United Church, Belgrave Three weeks ago, our faith community examined in its message a joyful song in Psalm 126. C.S. Lewis wrote: “We are half- hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies… because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the seaside. We are far too easily pleased.” We let ourselves be satisfied with all kinds of things that give us no real, lasting joy. Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message, wrote “The enormous entertainment industry in our land is a sign of the depletion of joy in our culture. Society is a bored, gluttonous king employing a court jester to divert it after an overindulgent meal. But that kind of joy never penetrates our lives.” So much of the joy we seek in our world is temporary escape from boredom or suffering. Look again, at the psalm; it is a psalm of joy, but when you consider their circumstances; How can it be so? The people of Israel were surrounded by hard times. Behind them and before them times of sorrow and trial. And yet, we have the words in verse three “We are one happy people!” (Psalm 126:3) Yet, as C.S. Lewis said in the biography, Surprised by Joy, “Joy is never in our power. Only God gives us joy!” It could be said that we have all been in a race for more! In the 80s and 90s, many talked about the 24/7 church; running complex ranges of programs seven days a week, 24 hours a day. On the other hand, the church of today, seeks to be a missional church concerned with the needs of others in our community and world. Such churches are not wasting time and resources on complex structures and programs. Less is more! For the focus is given over to balancing relationships, discipleship, and mission. “Simple is in, complexity is out! Ironically, people are hungry for simple, because the world has become much more complex. They long for it, seek it, pay for it, and even dream of it! In their book, Simple Church, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger remind the church of this elementary biblical truth: “Simple churches are growing and vibrant. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel.” The truth is, the complex model of these past few decades has not helped us! Things like mobility, technology, time conflicts, and changes in family life have not helped. The way that people build relationships and understanding of community has dramatically changed. Human life in these days is lived in a complex array of networks. In particular, 18 to 35 year olds, are seeking more intimate and relational connections. Connections that allow for local, environmental, and global contributions to be made that affect social justice, poverty, and make a real difference in the world! The church used to be the so- called third place of identity and involvement beyond the places we lived and worked in. One of my previous experiences as a pastor included a non-denominational church. One of the first things we identified as important was the development of a house church movement within its culture! A simple strategy that enabled us to balance the primary elements of relationship, discipleship, and mission! The result of this development was a very successful intimate and relational network! The goal was very simple: demonstrate, the life of the body as in human cells, thus highlighting the effort of ordinary folk who are committed to changing the world together. President Barack Obama, the leader of our neighbours to the south, the U.S., was attempting to meet the needs of the global village with the current “debt ceiling” negotiations! The problem: the current Constitution of the U.S. The Constitution that started with only seven articles and 21 sections on four handwritten pages, including signatures! But to that, in 235 years, Congress had added 27 amendments! The distended problem: it takes nearly 800,000 pages in the U.S. Code, not including the Federal Regulations, to explain how it all works. Any doubt why the U.S. isn’t working today? But, let’s not think for a moment that they are the only ones to take something simple and make it complex. Remember Jesus’ disagreements with the lawyers and Pharisees of his day. Here was one who claimed to be God, and who did God-like things. The situation was out of control... he must be stopped and the only way was to discredit him. And what better way to do that than ask him such a question, that any answer given would spell his defeat. Reported to be in The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is a dramatic painting of Goethe's Faust, by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch. Modelled on Goethe's Faust, the picture depicts: Faust seated at a table engaged in a competitive game of chess. At first glance, it looks like Faust is losing. His opponent in the chess game is the devil. The devil sits there grinning smugly. His look expressing the gloating of victory he appears to have in his grasp. As one illustration site describes, you can almost hear the devil shouting: “Checkmate! Game’s over! I win!” However, it has been declared by one who knows the game of chess that the match is not over at all. As a matter of fact, it appears that Faust has another move that will give him the victory! The painting is literally a parable for people of faith, because here we see the good news of God's presence in the world! At first glance, it looks like evil has won; like the defeat of righteousness, that goodness is dead, and buried forever. It looks like all whom God has sent have been silenced and conquered! And so it may seem, but then, life and its symbols of hope reveal God's move, the greatest checkmate move of all time. God triumphs through goodness and light and comes into our lives with power and victory. So, our conclusion: Albert Einstein was right: “Out of complexity, find simplicity!” And all, will be right! AMEN. getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship August Visitation Month Evangelical Missionary Church Worship resumes September 4 at Blyth Public School Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, August 14 Brussels Legion at 10:30 a.m. and at various locations at 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age (mornings only) Childcare provided for infants and toddlers Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Chris McMichael 519.482.1644 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Guest Speaker: Rev. Mark Royall From the Minister’s StudyOut of complexity, simplicity can be found Community involvement with 4-H Wawanosh 4H is back at it again, this time with the Community Involvement project. This project encourages the members to become more involved in their communities and teaches them the various skills involved with organizing community events. At the first meeting, the members learned to “do by doing” and hosted children’s games at Port Albert’s “Revin’ in 11” celebration on July 30. The members and a few friends who were also volunteering partnered up and set up classic picnic games such as the egg and spoon race, sack races, the balloon toss, a three-legged race, stilts and more. About 75 children enjoyed the games and the freezie they got when they were done. On Aug. 3, the members had their second meeting at the Jeffersons. The members began the meeting by discussing volunteers they know and what it means to be a member of a team. The members then elected their executive, which included Maisy Jefferson as president, Kate Higgins as vice-president, Sophie Jefferson as press reporter, Kristina Drennan as attendance recorder and Jolande Oudshoorn as cover designer. Next, the members discussed the benefits of being a volunteer. Suggestions that arose were making connections and friendships, learning and practising new skills and the good feeling one can get from making a difference. The members also learned the rules of brainstorming and put them into practice by thinking of projects they could do in their community. Beach cleanups and working with existing organizations were suggested. They also discussed how it is important to have a vision when volunteering so that progress can be made. The members are very excited about this project. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 15. BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, August 14 Ethel United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship Please join us for worship Summer Intern Pastor Kevin Boss Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland For the month of August we will be worshipping with Brussels United Church while Rev. Garland is on holidays. Service time 11:00 am THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. Church Office: 519-357-4883 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Sunday, August 14 Rev. Perry Chuipka www.nabcom.ca/church Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 August 14 ~ Summer Psalm Series: What the Hay? August 21 ~ Summer Psalm Series: So Much Left To Say