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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-08-23, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018. PAGE 13. By Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector Trinity and St. John’s Anglican Churches “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”. (John 6: 35) The sixth chapter of the gospel of John begins with the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and in the rest of the chapter is full of references to Jesus as the bread of life, the bread come down from heaven. These are known as the “bread discourses”. By saying he is the “bread of life”, Jesus is trying to tell his listeners that he can do more than fill their bodies with fish and bread, he can fulfill their spiritual hunger. He is the bread that came down from heaven. “Whoa there, hold on one cotton- pickin’-minute,”– say the Jewish leaders, that’s what is meant when John refers to the Jews: the Jewish leadership of the synagogue, the members of the religious establishment. They complain bitterly, they call Jesus out on this “I am the bread of heaven” line: “Who does this guy think he is? We know who you are, where you came from, we know your dad, Joseph the carpenter and we know your mom, so, how can you be from heaven?” And, you know, I can see where they’re coming from with this. It would be like one of your neighbour’s kids – one that you’ve known from childhood – telling you he was God’s son. It would, at the very least, give you pause! A little bit like when one of the kids you knew growing up who was a real hellion as a teenager becomes a priest or a minister – it takes a bit of getting used to, and then there will always be some people will never accept that one as a clergy person. They are stuck in a way of thinking and can’t or won’t, consider that there is a new way of regarding this person or the situation. That’s what was happening with these Jewish leaders, their minds were closed; there was no way they could see or would even consider Jesus as anything but the son of a carpenter. So Jesus tells them that no one can come to him unless drawn by God, the very one who sent Jesus. Now, this can be a tricky statement to understand, it is not meant as a statement of exclusion – that God only calls certain people to believe in Jesus, and those who are called are the special ones, and the rest, well, you’re off to hell in a hand basket. This is not what this statement means. We know that because throughout the gospel we read about how inclusionary Jesus is. He healed women, children and Gentiles and those who thought to be out of their minds. He ministered to those who were down and out, the outcasts of society, those whom others believed unworthy. We need to consider statements like this in the larger context of the full gospel, the fullness of Christ’s ministry, not just as an isolated statement which can be then simply interpreted to make a single point. No one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father, which tells us that we don’t come to faith all on our own, we are drawn into it by God. It is not by our own efforts, not by our own works – like behaving properly and being righteous that we earn our way into Jesus’ good books. Faith doesn’t come to us that way, that’s not how we come to believe in Jesus. These are expressions of living out our faith. Faith is a free gift, a grace given us by God. We all have a piece of God within us; that spark of God within our souls that gives our bodies life. This is the part of us that yearns, that hungers and thirsts to reconnect, to be in a loving relationship with our Creator, our Father/Mother God. I think of it kind of like a homing beacon, you know, like in those older science fiction movies, where the spaceships are out there exploring the galaxies and they have a homing beacon that always brings them back to the mother ship. Our connection with God is kind of like that homing beacon, it is always on. God is always there, calling us, drawing to God in Christ. But in our busy lives, in our desires to do and go our own way, we can get pretty far away from the mother ship, which weakens the beacon’s call, as it were, especially if we’re not listening for it, so it’s easy to miss God’s calling us. Some, like those in our story for today refuse to listen to it, or try to shut down the beacon, or even take it off the control panel and put it in the closet, and then close the door. But the beacon’s always on, pulsing away, even when we choose not to see or hear it. Closing the door on God doesn’t mean God’s not still there! Jesus told all who would listen: “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day.” (vs 44) God calls us all, God wants nothing more for us than to be drawn into God’s loving, saving grace. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, failed to do or how unworthy you feel, the love of God in Christ Jesus is for all. So, take a moment, listen with new ears, see with new eyes and experience Jesus in the ordinary things of life. God’s homing beacon is always on, always present, always calling us into the gracious love of the Lord. Amen. Happiness is singing in the choir! It is said that singing is good for the body, mind and the soul, and singing in a community choir is all about individuals coming together for the sheer joy of making beautiful music. So treat yourself and join the Blyth Festival Singers as they begin another wonderful musical season! Whether you are a first-time participant or a seasoned singer, whether you can read music or not, there is a place for every voice in the Blyth Festival Singers. And of course, any folks with multiple musical talents can always be put to work! The Blyth Festival Singers is a welcoming, non-auditioned community choir which has been going strong since 1980. The choir’s first practice will take place on Sept. 5 with registration starting at 7 p.m. Practices are on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Blyth United Church. The first session will be topped off by a social to give everyone an opportunity to meet and mingle. Choir fees are $125 for the season, with a 10 per cent discount for a second family member. Student fees for those in high school are only $50. And first-time singers can attend three free trial practices before committing to the choir! The Blyth Festival Singers director Sharon Poelstra has planned an exciting lineup for the season OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Accessible Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches Blyth United Church Est. 1875 Closed for the month of August Drive Thru Lunch and Supper Thurs. August 23rd Call 519-523-9855 to order blythunited@tcc.on.ca isihT m sitpaBs yadnuS ma01 onchapel.comhur lepahCnoruHt a m nrubuAni Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, August 26 at 10:30 a.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. Summer evening service 6:00 pm at various homes For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Worship & Sunday School - 11 am Coffee & Snacks following the service Starting September 2nd, worship time will be at 9:30 am. Mark the change on your calendar! We invite you to join our church family in: Everyone Welcome! The Regional Ministry of Hope BLYTH BRUSSELS Trinity Anglican Church St. John’s Anglican Church 9:15 am 11:15 am MINISTRY OFFICE 519-357-4883 COME WORSHIP WITH US! Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The Regional Ministry of Hope You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BRUSSELS United Church Brussels United is closed during August We are invited to join Melville Presbyterian each Sunday at 11 am Meet us at our Hospitality Booth at “The Barn” every Friday from 2 to 6 pm From the Minister’s Study Jesus: as ordinary as bread? Just maybe Festival Singers start new season Continued on page 16