Sunday, August 28, 2022
Lighting the Christ Candle

Welcome and Announcements:

• St. Andrew's welcomes you to this online service prepared by Rev. Ena van Zoeren. We pray it may be a blessing to you and prepare you for the days ahead.

Called to Worship:
We are welcomed to a time of wonder
and music that calls us home
We are called to hear God’s words that inspire and challenge us
and we are reminded that we are offered holy hospitality -
Hospitality that teaches us how to open our lives to others
leading us to fully live with open minds, open hearts, open
doors.
Hymn: 445 Open our eyes Lord

Prayer of Adoration
Loving Father, We gather to celebrate your presence with us;
to offer You our praise and our prayers, our love and our
obedience.
Through the gift of Your own Spirit, You abide with us
and in us.
We rejoice in Your love for us,
and in the life we have been given
through the Your calling in Jesus Christ.
Open our eyes to recognize Your presence here among us;
open our hearts to the love that You have for us;
open our minds to the truth You would reveal to us.
Through the ages, O God, you have called to us to follow. You led
us to freedom, to hope and peace. Enter our hearts again today
and lead us to your healing love that we might serve you joyfully.
Hear us now as we pray together, confessing that we have not
always served you joyfully….
Unison Prayer of Confession:
Holy God, you invite us to participate in a hospitality
which is something else; generous, gracious, always loving!
Yet we confess that hospitality does not always come
easily. There are so many other things to do, important
things. We have responsibilities that get in the way of our
best intentions. Give us eyes to see the possibilities you bring
us to and a heart big enough to make room for someone
else. Make us not only receivers but generous and
unpretentious givers.
To the glory of your name, through Christ Jesus.
Amen!

Assurance of Pardon
In this place we find God's word, God's way, God's love, God's
forgiveness.
What more do we need to sustain us as we continue as pilgrims
along the Way?
in every moment, in every life;
in every journey, in every heart,
we receive all that we need
God’s hope, God's mercy, God's joy.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.

The Peace
May be the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Hymn: 490 God of Grace and God of Glory

Scripture Lessons:
Psalm 112 (responsive)

 
Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16 

Concluding Exhortations

1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

6 So we say with confidence,

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Sermon: Called to live fruitfully

More and more in Scripture we are reminded that we are called to
live so that we are a reflection of who we were created to be. But
what does that mean?
We often see it explained in the call to live so that the fruit of the
Spirit is abundantly in display in our lives. We can study the lists
of what the Spirit’s fruit is and how it can be seen in our living. So
having studied that, then we can apply ourselves to making that
fruit flourish, right?
It just isn’t that simple. We don’t look at the list and say, if I do
this and not that, then I will have it down. This is not something
that we are in control of. In fact it involves letting go of control.
This past week I read a blog in the Christian Wake up Call which
explains the fruit of the Spirit, what it is and how it is seen in our
living. But after going through the list, they end with a discussion
of the fruit of self control.
It is not what we think it is!
They speak of self control as the process of sanctification whereby
we submit to the work of the Holy Spirit who is putting sin to
death in us.
Not by our effort, but by submitting to the grace displayed on the
cross and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is when we do this that the fruit is able to be evident in our
lives.
The fruit of the Spirit is a singular fruit but that fruit is made up of
various components.
LOVE: This is simply described as loving others with the same
love that God has given us. Simple to describe, tougher to do.
Yet we know when we receive it from others, don’t we. That grace
and kindness and generosity that leaves us feeling loved and
cared for.
JOY: This component is often confused with happiness.
Happiness depends on our circumstances, whereas joy depends
on God’s grace. We can know joy even when our lives are
difficult, when there is conflict we don’t know how to resolve or an
illness that is life altering. Joy arises from the knowledge that we
don’t carry any of life’s burdens alone. God, in Christ, carries them
for us. When asked, “how can you have joy or happiness with all
that you are going through?” we know how to respond, don’t we.
I know joy because I do not walk this journey alone. God is with
me. There are countless people who are with me and supporting
me. The source of our joy is not in us, but in God.
PEACE: The same holds true for peace. We have peace because
we know that God carries our burdens. When we are distressed
he speaks peace into our soul. Our anxiety dissolves as we
breathe deeply after giving our trust to God, who is the source of
our peace.
PATIENCE: God is also the source of our deep patience, as we
give one another the patience that God has always displayed
toward us. That patience makes it possible for us to support
those whose walk is more difficult or whose faith falters.
KINDNESS: We display God’s kindness when we are always
seeking to bring good to others. Not just good things, but those
great intangibles of God who is the source of good, like joy and
peace.
It’s easy to see why it is all one fruit of the Spirit
isn’t it?
GOODNESS: this is described as moral goodness that is seen in a
softness in how we relate to others. We have all known people
who live with grace, no matter what. My friend Kathy was like
that. She was an excellent confessor, if you tried to explain and
understand something you regret having done to her, she put it
into a context in which there was no judgement, just love. Shirley
is also an example of that kind of goodness.
FAITHFULNESS: This is seen when we live so that people see truth
and trustworthiness in us. What we say and how we live are in
harmony. We don’t just speak of God’s love, we live God’s love.
And finally
GENTLENESS: living our lives so that they are a reflection of the
humility of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.
These are the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit seen in us as we
live in the continual sanctification of the Holy Spirit. That
sanctification is the process by which we become who we were
created to be.
Today we read from the letter to the Hebrews where the
congregation is called to live fruitfully.
This fruitfulness is not just displayed in individual lives but rather
is fully expressed in the corporate life that we have together. As a
congregation in Christ’s Church we are called to choose
commitment to and connection with one another as we live with
humility and hospitality to all.
The commentators at Ministry Matters point out that the
simplicity and the power evident in the letter to the Hebrews is
what we as a congregation are challenged to be. We are called to
live a life of service to others, as we also collectively live a life of
praise to God. I am reminded of the refrain of one of the
communion hymns: worship and work must be one.
Congregations that display the fruit of the Spirit are easy to
approach. We receive, love and accept people as God would
receive, love and accept them.
Congregations that display the Fruit of the Spirit are fulfilling their
calling to be like Christ, and live together so that we display
mutual love.
This is made possible because the Holy Spirit lives in each of us, as
well as in the congregation; thus, our actions become the fruit of
lips that confess Jesus.
The list of the fruit that is seen is slightly different than the list of
the fruit of the Spirit; but there are remarkable similarities.
Congregations are called to live with MUTUAL LOVE as we live
together in such a way that we preserve and strengthen the
community of faith. We are called to stir one another up in the
practice of good deeds, mutual love, and corporate worship.
Congregations are called to practice HOSPITALITY as we affirm
that our worship is not only for us; but for all who live outside of
our doors. Hospitality is seen as we expand our communication
of love and acceptance into the community in which we live. Our
actions as a welcoming and generous community are the signs of
our hospitality. The Hope Garden is an example. The way we
have supported the Community Christmas Dinner in the past is
another. It is always challenging to live love into the community
and I suspect even more so in a post-pandemic world where we
have lost those connections into the community we once had.
Yet, as we expand our hospitality the Spirit will prevail.
Especially as we practice SOLIDARITY with those who are in need
and especially the disadvantaged. The congregation in Nova
Scotia where I ministered saw a lot of people in transit. From
Newfoundland to Halifax; and also from the city back to a simpler
life in rural locations. One Easter a traveler came seeking help.
We were having Easter breakfast at the time. We invited him to
stay. He was uncomfortable and declined. Because the practice
of hospitality means we make people comfortable, we sent him
on his way with a dozen hard boiled eggs, some fruit and a dozen
cinnamon buns. Here at St. Andrew’s we have helped people get
home, fed those who slept behind the church and displayed
countless similar acts of mercy and grace.
Congregations are also called to live with CONTENTMENT. We
trust in God and his provision. We share what God has given us.
We are grateful for who we are and what we called to do and be.
We don’t try to be like that other congregation down the road.
Yet we are also always willing to hear the Spirit calling us to live in
new faithfulness every day, as we, as a congrergation, undergo the
process of sanctification.
Congregations are called to honor their leaders. We may not
always agree with or understand the decisions that have been
made, yet trusting in God and his provision means that we do also
trust that He will make his will clear as we faithfully move forward.
We are not always going to agree, but we are always called to
love each other.
And congregations are called to SACRIFICE, where by we
constantly offer praise to God, do good among ourselves and to
others and to share our possessions.
The commentators at Working Preacher point out that
congregational vitality is seen in how we live out the fruitfulness
to which they are called. But how do we discern that calling?
Some of which is written to the Hebrew congregation may seem
alien to us. We live in a society in which individuality is revered.
There have been believers that feel that how they live their faith
has nothing to do with the church. Yet it seems apparent that
what we are called to be as individuals, we are also called to be as
a congregation.
One of the discussions that I seem to keep having these days
centers around the Post-Pandemic Church. Clearly the Church
and congregations have changed because of lockdowns and
restrictions. It is no longer clear who we are, or how we are called
to mission in our communities.
People have stopped the practice of worship, choosing to worship
online, at the website or through the videos that are produced.
We wonder how will we continue to support those who do not
come back to the building?
The clergy I speak with are concerned about what that will mean
for the life and work of the congregation. They also worry about
the continuing restrictions that make ministry in the community
difficult, restrictions about public gatherings means we will have
to find ways to reach out individually to fewer people at a time.
Whereas we previously could go into hospitals to visit the sick
that stopped and throughout the pandemic, nursing staff called
clergy to connect them by phone with patients. Given how
overworked nurses were and are, that meant many who had need
were forgotten. Getting the chaplaincy program at the
hospital running again is not proving easy. And whereas we used
to go to nursing homes for worship there is confusion and
difficulty on how that will be possible when the worship spaces
are too small and unventilated. You may have noticed other
changes in the community that have affected the ways you reach
out.
Living the fruit of the Spirit and the hospitality of God into our
community will certainly be different and have challenges in the
future, yet that is still what we are called to as individuals and as a
congregation.
Among those with whom I have been speaking there is no clear
understanding or answer at what that would look like. And that is
as it should be. Surely each congregation needs to discern what
the Spirit is saying in the context of the communities in which we
live and worship and serve.
I believe that we will find the answers as we display our trust in
God’s provisions and order our worship and public life so that the
Spirit’s fruit is evident. Then we will be able to discern what we
are called to next as we live out our calling. Amen.

Hymn: 389 Breathe on me breath of God

Offering
Doxology
Offertory Prayer
Generous God, in grace you freely give,
and in love you joyfully command us to imitate you.
Let these gifts bear witness to the justice for which you long
and offer a faithful response to the loving care
that you have first given us in your law, your prophets, and your
Son. Amen.

Gathering Prayer Requests
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Gracious God,
You are a God of hospitality;
there is none like you that invites all to come to you.
You have invited all to your home, to your table, and to your arms.
Lord, would that all would hear and receive this good news.
Lord, help us to remember
that no one is better than anyone else in your Kingdom.
Help us to then treat each other the way you treat people.
Generous God,
Because you treat us with your tender love,
We take time to pray for our friends, family members
and others who need you more than ever.
healing, mercy and everyday grace
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Pour out your healing on all who need it. Keep safe those who
travel.
Be generous with your transforming love for those who need it in
their lives.
Gifting God,
You give us the gifts of the spirit to use to further your Kingdom
and to be the Body of Christ in the world. We pray for those in
need of your assistance at a time of disaster and tragedy
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we thank you for the restoration that has already taken place.
Empower us to continue to be your hands and feet
to continue the work that needs to be done there
and in so many other places.
There is none like you God in your love, your generosity,
your gifting and your hospitality.
And we thank you that you are in our lives,
working in us and through us
to let people know your kingdom is open to all.
In the name of your Son, who opened the doors for all
and broke down barriers that kept people from you,
In that generosity of love and hospitality we now pray as Jesus
taught us, saying:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. They
kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And
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
for ever. Amen

Hymn: 587 Called as partners in Christ’s Service

Charge and Benediction

It’s time to go.
Time to re-engage with the secular world.
Time to put the faith into action .
Time to practice uncalculating love.
Time to meet the Christ who waits for you.
Time to share his boundless hope.
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
With the blessing of God: Father, Son and Spirit in your mind and
heart, let
each morning be a joy to you,
each path be a joy to you,
each neighbour be a joy to you.
Now and always..
Amen!

Sung Blessing

Take O take me as I am; Summon out what I shall be;
Set your seal upon my heart and live in me. (2x)