St. Andrew's Church

May 7, 2023, 125th Anniversary 

Lighting the Christ Candle

 

Welcome and Announcements 

Call to Worship: (the Rev. Doug Swanson)

God is our Rock and our Fortress.

In God, we find refuge and strength.

God’s house has many dwelling places.

We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Christ himself has gone to prepare a place for us.

For us, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

So let us worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

 

Hymn:  290 Immortal, Invisible, God only wise

 

Prayer of Approach and Confession (Lynn Francis) 

 O God, by whose Word the universe was created, we praise you this morning that your presence is always with us and that your tender compassion always fills our hearts.  We rejoice in the relationship we have with you. 

Today, as we celebrate our beginnings as a congregation, we thank you for all those who have lived and served in faith as members at St. Andrews.  May the faithfulness they have shown inspire our faithfulness into the future. 

May our faithful service guarantee the blessings we hope for; not only for ourselves, but also for the community in Salmon Arm and all whom you will bring to be among us. 

With so many witnesses in a great cloud of witnesses on every side of us, we call on you to bring your attention, love, and guidance into all the work and witness that we will bring into your world.  May we be your faithful people through another day, another month, another year and for decades yet to come. 

That nothing may hinder our faithfulness, we come before you in confession, saying: 

 

Unison Prayer of Confession:
O God of watchful care, you have offered us, and our ancestors before us, your life-giving presence, yet we have not always responded.  We have drawn back from your calling.  It feels as if it asks so much from us.  As a result, we have forgotten to rely on the help of our Spirit, we have grown discouraged or indifferent far too easily.  

And yet, we do want what you want.  We want to live as your children and your servants.  Forgive what lies behind and turn our hearts and hands to what lies ahead.  Free us from guilt and self-pity and open our hearts to love and to be loved. 

Refresh our hope and vision as your church and renew our commitment to the many ministries which we serve.  May we nurture one another as we share the mystery of life and the proclamation of the gospel of grace.  We trust in your mercy, now and forever.  Amen 

Assurance of Pardon

God reminds us that we are his chosen ones. Today he says to us: I love you. I am proud of you.  Stand firm in your renewed commitment.  Know that I have forgiven you and that I call you by name.  You are mine.  Dare to live fully the life to which I have called you.  
The Peace 

Hymn:  699 All the way my Saviour leads me

 

Scripture Lessons:

Psalm 122
Micah 4: 1-2, 4-5
Colossians 1: 15-20

Sermon:  The Rev. Doug Swanson 

125 years can seem like a long time, and none of us, of course, can remember back to 1898 when this congregation, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Salmon Arm, B.C., was established. None of us was even close to being born at that time.  There may, though, be some among us whose parents or even grandparents, shared with them memories and history of earlier times, people, and events in this church fellowship.  I don’t remember very well my dad’s parents, who were born in the 1870’s, but I do remember my mom’s parents, who were born in the 1880’s and so could conceivably have given me some information about people and events in their lives in 1898, if I had asked.  John Love has compiled and edited a history of this church fellowship, documenting relevant accounts of people, places and events - in fact John compiled and wrote this historical account to commemorate St. Andrew’s 1ooth anniversary in 1998.

 

But just as the story of Jesus doesn’t begin with his birth, neither does our story begin with the establishment of this congregation in 1898.  We are rooted and connected in the flow of God’s salvation from the time of Adam and Eve, and their disobedience in the Garden of Eden.  What I’m saying is, we aren’t here by chance.  God’s plan, which was operational from the very beginning, became more defined with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah and Rachel.  God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and so he became.  And most importantly, he became father, or should I say great-grandfather, of the nation of Israel - his grandson Jacob (Israel) being the father of the 12 sons whose offspring constituted that nation.

 

You all know the story - the descent into Egypt, Joseph’s provision for his siblings and their families, the oppression under an Egyptian pharaoh, and God’s deliverance by the hand of Moses.  Finally, after40 years of wandering, Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan.  I’m giving you the Coles Notes version, for those of you who remember Coles Notes.

 

This is a very abbreviated account.  You all know where to find the full story.  Anyway, Israel became a strong nation under the kingship of David, but following the reign of his son Solomon, tribal and political hostilities resulted in the division of the kingdom into Israel in the north, and Judah in the south.  Neither kingdom remained faithful to God.  The northern peoples were taken into captivity by Assyria, and the southern people, by Babylon.  The scriptures make clear that both Assyria and Babylon were used by God to punish his wayward people.

 

Finally, under the auspices of King Cyrus of Persia, some Israelites resettled in the vicinity of Jerusalem and what was once the bounds of Judah.  The city was rebuilt and a new temple was built.  Israel was now a small, struggling people that finally came under Roman rule after the invasion and occupation of Pompey in 66 B.C.E.  And so it was when Jesus was born into the world.  And so salvation, which has always been the theme of God’s work in the world, is fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ - that is his main business.  Eugene Peterson says: “Jesus is the coming together in final form of themes and energies and movements that had been set in motion before the foundation of the world.”

 

And in and through Jesus all of this history of God’s saving work becomes our history.  Peterson goes on to say: “Every day we wake up in the middle of something that is already going  on - that has been going on for a long time.”  That something that is going on, I might add, will continue to go on until the Son of God returns in power and glory to complete his work, and, to redeem his people and usher in the new creation.  Matthew begins Jesus human ancestry with Abraham.  Luke is more universal in his scope - he traces the lineage backwards , finally arriving at “son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.”  So we see that the story of salvation has its origin not with Adam and Eve but in the secret counsels of God’s eternal being.  And we are neither accidental nor incidental to the story.  We are in it - it’s our story! It’s our story and our history as individuals and as a church.  We fit in - we’re insiders in this grand and glorious undertaking of God.

 

People ignorant of the story of Jesus, or misinformed about it, regularly dismiss him as unimportant. Most people who have heard of or read for themselves the biblical accounts of Jesus life and teaching, his crucifixion and resurrection, realize that at the very least, they are dealing with a very remarkable man.  But it’s easy even for us, his people, to lose sight of, or to question who he is.  We live in an increasingly complex world that that tends to set our agendas and priorities.  Wars, rumours of wars, floods, fires, droughts, famines, all these things and more grab and hold our attention.  And yes, they should have our attention, but they should not turn us away from our conviction that God is at work in the midst of it all, and that Jesus is central in the ongoing work of salvation.

 

I know that in the midst of our confusion, frustration, and sometimes fear, it’s easy to question our faith, our trust in God as revealed in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  Where is God?  Why does God allow the world to continue on as it does?  Maybe we should be looking elsewhere for help.  Maybe science can address our concerns and solve our problems.  And what about other religions?  Maybe following Jesus isn’t the way, or at least not the only way.  What about the Buddha or Confucius or Muhammed - there are literally thousands of religions that can get our attention, especially when we’re troubled or confused.  Then there are the philosophers - Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,  Locke, Descartes, Kant, to name but a few.  Surely some of them must have arrived at some truth that can make sense of this world that we live in and offer us hope.  Or we turn to the gurus who promise miraculous change in our lives if only we follow their instructions, at a cost, of course.  In the midst of all that is going on in the world, and all that it has to offer, it’s easy for Christians to move Jesus to the periphery of our lives; yes, he’s important, but not central; his prestige is considerable, but not preeminent.

 

So it was in the church at Colosse in Paul’s time.  Some of the Christians were giving equal billing with Jesus to a hierarchy of angelic beings and powers.  Paul indeed acknowledges this realm of beings, but says that these and all things, were created by and for Christ. Paul writes to those Christians in an attempt to restore Jesus the Messiah to the centre of their lives, to the centre of their life as a church.  He writes with unswerving confidence in the conviction that Jesus Christ occupies the centre of creation and salvation without peers.  I’m going to read that Colossians passage that you heard earlier, this time in the idiomatic expression of Eugene Peterson:

 

“We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen.  We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.  For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank of angels - everything - got started in him and finds its purpose in him.  He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.  And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does the body.

He was supreme in the beginning and - leading the resurrection parade - he is supreme in the end.  From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone.  So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything  of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.  Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe - people and things, animals and atoms - get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross.”

 

This, friends, is the one who was here in the beginning, the one who was here in 1898, the one who is here in this very instant, the one who promised that he will be with us always, to the end of the age and then forevermore.  What a past to celebrate, what a present to rejoice in, what a future to contemplate!  Hallelujah! Amen.

 

Hymn:  472 We are God’s people

 

Offering
Doxology (830 BP)

Offertory Prayer 

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession: (Don Cann)

Dear Lord, 

thank you for drawing us into community and that the fellowship of this congregation has been a place called home for so many. 

 

You have proven your faithfulness as you have inspired us with through the lives of those who came before us, those who have opened up the way and given away your love to all those who needed it.  We have learned from their example.  

 

May you fill us with a vision to continue here as a constant presence for those who travel through life, a community of welcome for all who come to worship here among us.  

 

As we celebrate what was, teach us to discern your voice as we contemplate what will be. Guide us with your Spirit and that we may show the way to a life of hope and belonging. 

 

From those who built this congregation on the faith you established within them, help us to be inspired to those who chose to meet you here in both in worship and in service. May we, like them, recognize this as a place where your miraculous grace flows.   

May we be moved by that grace into all the places that make up our community, sharing what you have given abundantly with all those whom we meet.  

With abundant grace we now pray for all those whom we know and love and those whom you know and love. 

 

JOYS 

We give you thanks for many great things you have done among us: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCERNS  

We bring before you all those who need encouragement and healing 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR HURTING WORLD 

We pray for the people of Ukraine, asking that you protect them during the ongoing invasion of their country.  Bring them to a lasting peace.  We pray for Russia, and especially President Putin, that he may know a change of heart, and abandon the invasion and work to rebuild peace and justice in the region. 

We pray for those who are trapped in Sudan. Help all who need to return to their home countries find a safe way to leave.  We are grateful for the temporary cease fire, may it grow into lasting peace, as you bring about a government that will rule for the peace, justice, and equity of all people in their land.   

Other items from the news you may wish to add: 

 

 

 

THE Leadership in our town, province, and country 

We pray for our country, Prime Minister Trudeau, and our MP Mel Arnold.  Bless each with an understanding of the purpose they have in governing our country.  Guide the Parliament that it may work together for the ongoing benefit to all Canadians. 

We pray for our Province, Premier Eby and our MLA Greg Kyllo. May your Spirit shine a light on the issues that need to be resolved, that all may be able to live freely, find work, and establish a home.  Bless all those who serve in the Legislature, that they may find fulfilment in the work they do together bringing hope and opportunity to all people.   

WE pray for our Mayor Alan Harrison and the City Council. May they inspire one another to build upon the foundation of friendliness and openness that is known in Salmon Arm.  May they seek the good of all as they support both the businesses and the people.   

We pray for all first responders that they may work with safety as they respond to the needs of the people in this town. May all for whom they respond be touched by your grace. 

We pray for all the congregations in Salmon Arm. May they continue to grow in grace and in joy as they feed the faith of their people and become a place of hope and healing to all those who need it. 

We pray for our congregation we thank you that this is a people that seek to make your world better. Bless us all and call us to reach out again and again to those who need your love.  May our leaders be inspired to lead with boldness and bring us into new ventures.   

May the mission projects we undertake be blessed by you. Today we ask your blessing on the Hope Garden and on the Pregnancy Care Centre whom we have taken a special offering for.  May what we do make a difference for all.   

O God, you have called us from our past, through the voices of our ancestors, in the songs they have sung and the prayers they have spoken and have shaped peace among us.   

 

And may we join our voice with their voice, in the one great song of love that will be lived and celebrated as we enter the future you have prepared.  

And now, with one voice we pray together as Jesus taught us saying,  

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 our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever.   Amen. 

Hymn:  490 God of grace and God of glory

 

Charge and Benediction 

Sung Blessing
252 He is Lord

 

He is Lord, he is Lord,
he is risen from the dead and he is Lord. 
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Public Domain 

Leading Worship today: 

The Rev. Doug Swanson, former minister
The Rev. Ena van Zoeren, current minister
Lynn Francis, Session Elder
Don Cann, Board Member
Jill Kennedy, pianist