ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
SEPTEMBER 3 2023

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Potluck Lunch today

CALL TO WORSHIP
Give thanks to God and tell of God’s gifts.
We will sing praises for all that God has done.
Let your hearts be joyful!
We will seek God’s presence continually.
Call to mind God’s wonderful works.
We will always remember the blessings of God and glorify God
forever!

HYMN 592 – I, the Lord of sea and sky

OPENING PRAYER
Holy, Mysterious, Eternal and Ever-loving God, In you we live and
move and have our being.
You are the beginning and end of all things. In your depth, we find
mystery. In your breadth, we know your tender embrace. We can only
wonder at your love for us, so small a part of your whole creation are
we. Yet in Jesus Christ we meet your generous grace. In the Holy Spirit,
you move with us to inspire our action and fill us with hope. Our
thoughts cannot exhaust your wisdom, nor can our hearts fathom your
mercy. And so we worship you in humble praise,
Holy God, ever Three and ever One, now and always. Hear us now, as
together , we come before you in confession ….

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Faithful and forgiving God,
we confess we do not live out your love and mercy.
We cling to old hurts and familiar habits.
We nurse anger and envy.
We are often so self-absorbed that we turn
our backs on those in need.
Forgive what we have been, amend who we are,
and guide us toward who we may become
according to your generous grace.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The Apostle Paul declared that from now on, we regard no one from a
human point of view.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Thanks be to God that we
can all make a new start through God’s embracing grace.
THE PEACE

HYMN 767 – Lord, speak to me

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 26:1-8 page 864
Romans 12:9-21; page 1764

SERMON …lifestyle and our covenant relationship…

Psalm 26 begins with themes of integrity, trust, and a request for
vindication. This psalm is attributed to David – king appointed by God
to the nation of Israel . Now most Bible scholars have serious doubts
about the authorship attributions in the psalms.  Even all the psalms that
are said to be “Of David” are not clearly written by David.  The “Of”
can mean “By” but could also mean “For” or even “In the Style Of.”  It
seems certain David did write psalms but whether he wrote all the ones
that in some way bear his name is less certain.

Psalm 26 is said to be “Of David” and if so, then this psalm makes
claims to widen the eyes.  David led a “blameless life” Really?  The
witness of Scripture says otherwise
We do not know what specific trouble that David was facing in Psalm
26, but it has all the hallmarks of a man pleading his case before God
based on his integrity. David’s faults are an open book throughout the
Bible: but his character reference is ‘the ‘man after God’s own heart’
(cf. Acts 13:22).In other words, the integrity which David owned as his
own did not originate with him, but had its origins in God Himself.
In fact as we read, we discover that David is confident that the Lord will
find in Him a servant who really and truly loves him. He even invites the
Lord to test him, to examine even his most private self, to discover what
he is made of. This might sound a bit arrogant, because it could sound
strange to hear a sinful man talking to the Lord this way. The important
fact is David loves the Lord, proclaims his ways, and walks the way he
talks and he remains true to the Lord.
The opening words of “Vindicate me, O Lord,” petition God to act on
behalf of the suppliant. Confident in personal integrity and unwavering
trust in God, David anticipates God will render a verdict of innocence
rather than guilt (verse 1). This suppliant’s appeal to integrity does not
presume a perfect life. Rather, “it means a life of committed relationship
of dependence on God alone and full participation in all the accepted
means of restoration God offers.”
Using human actions of looking, walking, sitting, and consorting the
Psalms author presents evidence of moral integrity. First, the writer sees
and feels the love of God continually, not occasionally (verse 3a). God’s
love is present no matter what happens, and His commitment becomes
the impetus for the author to craft a journey around faithfulness to God
(verse 3b).

The opening plea is substantiated by the David’s willingness for God to
search everywhere— inside and out (verse 2). He recognizes that some
people can appear righteous yet be involved in evil activity. Instead of
fearing contamination, David expresses confidence that God will find
integrity in both outward actions and inward disposition, hoping God
will grant his plea once God accepts the invitation for examination and
finds the individual above reproach.
He tries to keep in mind God’s unfailing love, he tries to rely on God’s
faithfulness, and he strives at all times to sing God’s praises.  He wants
the world to know of the goodness of the Lord.  Does he really never
mess up or sin?  Of course not.  But he confesses it, he relies on the
grace and the blessing of God to forgive him as often as necessary
because that is what God has promised to do for God’s people.
This week’s Old Testament, Gospel, and Epistle lectionary readings hold
the everyday world in tension with God’s world. Romans 12 contrasts
the lifestyle of the world with Christian principles. Matthew 16
foreshadows the suffering of Christ wrought by a corrupt government. In
each of these passages, however, we are reminded that vengeance
belongs to God (Romans 12:19) and the Son of Man will repay everyone
(Matthew 16:27).
Psalm 26 focuses attention away from the everyday world and our
covenant on relationship with God. Through this prayer, we are
confronted with the reality that we bear responsibility for our moral and
religious integrity, and we are challenged to extend God an invitation to
test that integrity. Although anyone can pray to God, this Psalm gently
cautions that trusting God is an easier exercise when one can claim
integrity. As other portions of Scripture testify, we have all erred and
fallen short of the glory of God and there is not one who is blameless ,
not one except for the one known as Jesus.
Washing hands with water was a rite of purification that symbolized
innocence (verse 6). It prepared the worshiper to enter the presence of

God and join the assembly in worship. In worship the suppliant did what
was right before God: sing a song of thanksgiving and tell of God’s
wondrous deeds (verse 7). Presumably, this included thanksgiving for
God’s involvement in the suppliant’s personal life as well as recounting
His deliverance of Israel.
Repeatedly throughout the Bible, cursory words help the utterer work
through and find healing even in the most difficult situations.
Suppression and denial of such feelings allows feelings of bitterness,
even actions that harm others, to take root. Acknowledging these types
of feelings in front of God allows God to step in and heal the
woundedness and release the giftedness that lies beneath the hurt. The
ability to acknowledge and repent of one’s feelings is part of the journey
of faith. No matter who prays this psalm, how they pray it, or where they
pray it, its words convey an immensely active desire to act with integrity
and enjoy a covenantal relationship with God.
We were created for relationship. The book of Genesis begins with God
creating the earth, its creatures, and humans—all having interdependent
relationships with one another. As we read further on into our Bible and
beyond, we witness all kinds of relationships between humans—loving,
violent, confusing, compassionate, and everything between—continuing
into our present-day faith communities. Human nature has not changed
much in two millennia,
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12 and verses 9-21,  he offers a
long list of virtues that characterize cross-bearing in the best sense of the
term. The list is punctuated with actions and attitudes that make life
meaningful: genuine love for others, tenacious goodness and
perseverance even as evil encroaches, patience in suffering, blessing
even those who persecute, cultivating empathy and rejecting
opportunities for retribution and so much more. Do not be overco our
covenant on relationship me by evil but overcome evil with goodness
The list bubbles over with divine energy

In our age full of distractions and easily kindled social media spats, we
are bombarded with versions of our “selves” and of our communities
that run the gamut across a spectrum from flattered fantasy to
sociopathic villain. It becomes easy for us to compartmentalize our
intentions from the outcome of our actions and to demonize those folks
who don’t “color within our lines.” When we assume the best for
ourselves and the worst for others, our “love” can tend towards a
pretentious showcase of a smoke screen for our own self-congratulating
indulgence.
It would be naively idealistic to presume that persecution, mistreatment,
and causes for vengeance occur only outside the boundaries of Christian
fellowship. In fact, as recent stories about abuse and misconduct from
prominent church leaders indicate, these appeals from the apostle are as
relevant for Christians experiencing trauma from fellow believers as for
those suffering attack from outsiders.
It seems only right to say to God, “I need help and I am leaning into
your promises that you will give me deliverance!”  That’s something the
Bible invites us to do in prayer. We need not pray Psalm 26 with our
fingers crossed behind our backs hoping God won’t notice the
disconnect between claims of blamelessness and our actual lives. It is
because of troubles that we need to maintain close ties to the Lord who
over and over again  proves He is loving and protecting of those who are
his. But within a wider context, we can claim the promises and adopt the
language of this particular prayer of David or of whoever wrote it
because at the end of the day, the poet’s life and our lives are not so very
different.
Psalm 26 reminds us that we can follow the ways of God and serve
humanity confidently, with moral and religious integrity. May this be our
prayer, and may we learn to pray it with the humility and conviction it
requires. AMEN

HYMN 722 – Lord, whose love through humble service

OFFERING
The Apostle Paul encourages us to let our love be genuine as we
contribute to those in need in the world around us. Know that God will
use our gifts for good things, both those we undertake in Jesus’ name
and in ways we cannot yet imagine.
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
O God, we offer these gifts to you in hope and thanksgiving. Use them
to transform the world you love with the mercy and compassion we
celebrate in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of wisdom, you teach us with love, you touch us with mercy, and
you challenge us with truth. Send your Holy Spirit to help us grasp your
love, mercy and truth in the Scriptures as we encounter your living Word
today
O God in whom we live and move and have our being, We come to you
in prayer as the summer season draws nearer to its close. We give you
thanks for the occasions we have enjoyed this summer. savouring the
beauty of your creation right outside our doors, catching up with family
and friends, and enjoying times for recreation & restoration.
We recognize how blessed we are to live in Canada with many
opportunities to find rest and relaxation in the summer. Thank you for
every good thing that has refreshed us.
We place before you the war torn areas in this world .especially
remembering Afghanistan where women are being ……………. Haiti

where terrorist brigands are destroying so much of the political and
personal life there
Yet we remember those for whom this summer has been difficult: Those
whose homes and communities have been ravaged by fire, storm or
flood this year; Those who go hungry or face violence in forgotten
corners of our own community and around the world; Those whose face
economic struggles at home or at work, those whose crops have
withered in heat or drought;
(Keep silence for 10 seconds)
May each one find courage to face tomorrow in your company
O God, Jesus walked with so many people in their pain and grief. We
remember those who have faced crises this summer - Through tragic
death or unexpected loss,
Through critical illness or injury,
Through pain or problems that seem to have no end….
(Keep silence for 10 seconds)
Surround them with your comfort and compassion.
O God, Jesus often faced many demands and pressure from his critics,
So we pray for all those who have not found rest this summer: For
leaders trying to figure out ways forward for their communities when
resources are tight; For those whose jobs and responsibilities present
new challenges; And for all who seek secure and affordable housing
when supply is low;
(Keep silence for 10 seconds)
May they know your strength and assurance day by day.
This the last of the summer long weekends we lift to you all who are
taking the opportunity to have ……… We pray for the reopening of
schools. In the fire zones there is some confusion for many as to
what may actually happen – attendance in an actual building or going
back on online internet learning . In many districts there is a shortage
of teachers which puts a strain on everybody.

We pray for the millions of children who, due to poverty, conflict and
other challenges, lack the opportunity to learn. We give thanks for
PWS&D-supported programs that work to provide many of them with
educational opportunities.
O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way.
Bring healing and peace to our lives and to this world you love. Open
our eyes and our hearts so that we may offer healing and peace to those
we encounter, in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to 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 706 Come let us sing of a wonderful love

BENEDICTION
Moses met God unexpectedly, as a bush burst into flame. Consider that
you may meet God in unexpected places, for God can make any place
holy ground. So may the God of mystery embrace you; the Christ of
mercy renew you;
and the Spirit of life move with you through each new day.

CLOSING SONG

Lead me Lord, lead me in your righteousness
Make your way plan before my face
For it is you and you God only
Who makes me dwell in safety.

Threefold Amen