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