Celebrating Canada Day
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
June 30th 2024 Celebrating Canada Day
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Holy Communion will be celebrated next week -- also regular monthly Potluck
Women meet at Jane’s restaurant Wed 3rd at 2PM
# 800 O CANADA
CALL TO WORSHIP
Out of the depths we cry to the Lord.
We will wait upon the Lord.
Hope in the Lord!
For with God there is steadfast love;
With God there is great power to redeem.
So we offer prayers and praise to God
in whom we trust.
HYMN 814 Morning has broken
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Great and gracious God, your glory speaks in the beauty of creation, your majesty stretches to the depths of space. You are the wellspring of hope and the fountain of healing mercy. We marvel at your love that overflows in our lives and into the world you have made. We worship you in gratitude, offering you our trust because you have come to us in Christ Jesus.
God of all generations, send us your Holy Spirit as we listen to the Scriptures, read and interpreted. Open our minds to your wisdom, open our eyes to see how to serve you, and open our hearts to share in your healing love. Receive our love and loyalty, offered to you each day as the Spirit prays within us. Hear us as we confess before you…
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Great and merciful God,
We confess we sometimes lose trust in you.
When we feel desperate, we wonder where you are.
In the face of tragedy or disaster,
we ask how you could let such things happen.
We forget to reach out to you.
Forgive us, O God, when we give up on your love.
Reassure us that your love in Christ Jesus
will never let us go.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Jesus said, Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gift to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit that moves with you into each new day.
THE PEACE
HYMN 78 This is the day
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 33
SERMON
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The Dominion of Canada wasn't born out of revolution, or a sweeping outburst of nationalism. Rather, it was created in a series of conferences and orderly negotiations, culminating in the terms of Confederation on 1 July 1867when the British Parliament passed the British North America Act. Previously, by 1616, although the entire region was known as New France, the area along the great river of Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence was called Canada. Soon explorers and fur traders opened up territory to the west and to the south, and Canada grew. A federation of colonies - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario, joined together. Thus The Dominion of Canada was officially born. Until 1982, July 1 was celebrated as “Dominion Day” to commemorate the day that Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Today it is officially known as Canada Day.
The Queen remained head of state, represented nationally in Canada by the Governor General and in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. “We are a nation under God”points to the fact that our founding fathers started this country based on their belief in a Supreme Being as the head of a nation.
Every generation and every nation has had righteous radicals for God. These were mighty men and women who laid down their lives to see righteousness established in their generation, and, in their nation. Canada is no different. Our history is full of heroes of the faith who forged rough terrain, persevered long voyages, endured brutal persecution and overcame intense spiritual warfare for the sake of the Kingdom of God in this land
In Psalm 33:12, it clearly states, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.”
In this Psalm we have reason to hope and trust in God despite the condition of our fallen world. We can look to our God in His majesty and might as He is the creator of heaven and earth . When this Psalm was written, there was one nation in the world whose God was the Lord. The citizens of Israel were God’s chosen people. They were a “theocracy,” because God was their ruler. But the temptation was always there for them to forget about God.
Focusing on Psalm 33:10-22. we are reminded of God’s inspired Word about the nation in which we live and in what ways it is “under God.” We will also be comforted by the fact that as God’s children through Christ, we can look to the One who rules the nations for all that we need for body and soul.
Although Psalm 33 applied to the Jews in a special way. its truths still apply to us. All that we enjoy in our country comes from God. Our safety and the many blessings that we enjoy as citizens of Canada come from God. Like the Israelites of old we are reminded to trust the One who rules the nations. His plans for the nation will prevail.
As we look at some of the happenings in our nation and around the world, we might get the impression that things are out of control. Nations rise and fall. Wars and rumors of wars fill the news. But with the eyes of faith we can remain in seeing the truth that God is in control.
We do not know who wrote Psalm 33 but it expresses the kind of hope and trust that David so often expressed. We see in it that our hope and trust in God will keep us alive in all kinds of calamity. We need not fear a powerful army or its great weapons of war for our God is all powerful.
With power like that we should also have a reverent fear of God. Sadly many nations who once recognized and served God are turning away from Him. We see this in our own country as well as others.
A nation without God is a nation of moral decay.
A nation without God is a nation of internal fighting.
A nation without God is a nation without any hope.
A nation with God is a nation kept safe.
A nation with God is a nation that walks in promise.
A nation with God is a nation who gives praise to our God.
Do you pray faithfully for a spiritual revival to sweep Canada?
Verses 13 and 14 of Psalm 33 remind us of the fact that God knows what is going on down here on planet Earth. “13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” I suppose it is easy for us to talk about how bad things are in the world and even in our own country. People commit heinous crimes, immorality is on the rise, and violence is increasing. Those things are true. But what does God see in our lives?
The English politician William Wilberforce, living during the extremely nationalistic late eighteenth century, defined patriotism as: "A quality that binds men and women to their homeland without confining philanthropy to a single nation." In other words, you are thankful for the place God has put you as a loyal citizen. At the same time, you care about other people also. He went on to say how you get that appropriate patriotism. “Christianity is the abundant source and the surest preservative."
1 Timothy 2:1-4 talks about our responsibility to pray for those in power and influence. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
The New Testament doesn’t speak specifically about active political participation, but it wasn’t an option for first-century believers. The Roman Empire was not a democracy, and most Christians were not even Roman citizens. However , withdrawing from the world wasn’t Jesus’ approach. Despite the fact that the earliest Christians were unrecognized and even persecuted by their governments, they were out to understand and transform their society for Christ!
We live in a representative democracy! That not only opens the door to a wider range of political possibilities – it also requires more commitment than Christians of New Testament times.
As Canadian citizens we have the right to be involved in the public and legislative arena. As obedient Christians, we have the responsibility to be involved.
Keep informed. Otherwise you can’t judge well about issues, vote well for candidates, or pray well for rulers. Political ignorance is never a Christian virtue. So we need to ask ourselves, “Am I making a responsible effort to become informed on the issues our country is facing? Because if we don’t, we won’t have influence. We should understand influence as a field of Christian service, alongside the fields of church life, worship, and witness.
I have to admit, to my shame, I am not very politically inclined.
There may be a time when loving your country means making a stink about something that is not right. Even Jesus obviously made his opinions very clear when he recognized something was wrong. There are things Christians ought to protest. But we start with prayer, not complaint. The secret effectiveness of prayer is enormous.
Our system of government assures every Christian a voice in the affairs of the nation. God wants us to do His will in government, just as in the church and in the home. Many of us have ceased to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” as Christ has commanded. Edmund Burke (1730–97) an Irish born philosopher, said something I’m sure many of you have heard before, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Yet in spite of it all, the one who rules the nations still provides all that we need and more. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 5:44. Talking about his Father he said, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”. His plans for the nations will prevail.
So are we a nation under God? From the Scriptures the answer is both “yes,” and “no.” Like all nations in the world we are under God’s power and control. God has established all authority on earth and so we are a nation under God. However, there is no nation on earth today that can be considered as God’s chosen people. The invisible Kingdom of those who receive salvation through faith in Jesus spans the globe. Because of those facts we have to say that Canada is not a special nation “under God” in some way that is different from all other nations in the world.
We need to remember that there aren’t any nations in the world today that have been chosen by God in the same way as the Jews were. Still blessings do come to the nations that follow God’s commands. We have certainly seen that in the history of our own country
So what are the Lord’s plans for our nation? It might be better to ask what his plans are for the people inside this nation and all the nations of the world. He wants all people to be brought to faith in his Son. 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that God, “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Romans 16:26 reminds us that God has given mankind his Word, “so that all nations might believe and obey him.” In other places the Bible tells us that God unfolds history with that goal in mind. God wants the individual people in all the nations of the world to live their lives according to his will. Those nations that fight against God’s Commandments will find themselves on the losing end of history.
God is looking for a generation who will rise up and reclaim the righteous foundations in our nation of Canada. “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.” (Psalm 72:8).
Our national anthem declares, “God keep our land, glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!” But sadly, not all have stood on guard for our nation, and wickedness abounds!
However I do believe it is a great comfort for us to hear that the God still rules the nations. Psalm 33 tells us, “10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Although unseen, the Lord unfolds history as “his story.”
Tomorrow as we celebrate the 1st of July, I hope we will all give thanks for the nation in which we live. God has indeed blessed us. So as fears arise about the economy, the climate or the weather, or about our industries and agriculture, may we always turn to the Lord. He is the one who gives us prosperity. We look to God for his blessing on our farms and factories. Listen again to Psalm 33. “18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”
So, let us enjoy Canada Day tomorrow, but as we do, let us remember who we are really dependent upon, and let us not forget to praise His holy name! AMEN
HYMN 648 I’m gonna live so God can use me
OFFERING
The stories of Scriptures remind us how much we need God’s healing love and mercy in times of loss and loneliness. Our gifts to God support ministries of care and compassion through our congregation and in the mission of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Consider your gift as an outreach to those in deepest need.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Compassionate God, we offer you our gifts with grateful hearts, glad to know you keep reaching out to this nation and the world you love. Bless what we bring, and use us and our gifts to touch the world with your healing grace through Christ, our Saviour and friend. AMEN
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord Jesus Christ, You are our source of peace and healing, and we are grateful. Tomorrow we will celebrate the 157th year of Canada’s confederation. We pray that this land will be a just, equitable and welcoming country and that all those who form and keep our laws will carry out their responsibilities with wisdom, courage and mercy.
Today we pray for each one who faces choices and decisions about their health – for those trying to follow good diets and exercise enough; for all waiting for appointments or wondering if they should make another; for any who find caring for their health frustrating ,for all our struggles and good intentions
and for all facing pain or anxiety day by day.
( ask for prayer requests here - Pause)
Lord Jesus Christ: You are our source of wisdom and generosity, and we are grateful. Today we pray for each one facing hard choices about finances – for those struggling with bills and budgets; for those torn between covering necessities and enjoying a treat; for those who want to be generous and yet feel overwhelmed by all the need.
(Pause)
We pray for the VST summer school program and that participants will be encouraged and equipped for faithful service to God through it.
We pray for partners in Palestine and Israel as they work to supply food and essential supplies to Palestinians. We know there are too many “hot spots” in the world to name, and for each of us it may be different concerns yet our trust is in your provision, and healing in all places .
Lord Jesus Christ, you are our source of love and forgiveness,.
Today we pray for each one facing choices about their relationships. We pray for people we ought to call but just haven’t; for those with whom we feel a grievance and have been avoiding; We pray for those we’d like to invite into closer relationship but haven’t yet; and for those we miss dearly and need to tell how much we cherish them.
(Pause)
Lord Jesus Christ: you are the source of rest and right relationship for God’s whole creation, We pray for the earth, its many creatures and habitats competing for survival, for its scarce resources and its abundant beauty.
(Pause)
Challenge us to live out our good intentions for the earth in our lifestyle choices, big and small, so that your kingdom may come on earth , through discipleship. For it is as your disciples we pray together:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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. Forgive us 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
BENEDICTION
Go in faith, ready to serve God, trusting that God counts your life as precious. And may God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you, and may God grant you grace and peace now and evermore.
CLOSING SONG 500 Open my eyes
Open my eyes that I my see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me ,
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free
Silently now I wait for thy
Ready my God, thy will to see
open my eyes illumine me
Spirit divine .