ST ANDREW’S  CHURCH

JULY  3,  2022

 

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thank you Rev. Shirley Cochrane for leading our worship today. We hope and pray that you may be blessed by this online service and fitted for the week to come.
This month’s Loonie Offering will be going to The Cariboo House Churches. See the “Recent Posts” to the right of your screen to find out more.

O  CANADA

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
We will sing to the glory of God with resounding praise.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!”
God has turned our mourning into dancing and clothed us with joy.
Let all the earth worship God and sing praises to God’s holy name.

O Lord, our God, we will give thanks to you forever. 

Come, let us worship God.

 

HYMN  425  We praise you O God

 

We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name; glad praises we sing.2. We worship you; God ever faithful, we bless you;
through life’s storm and tempest our guide you have been.
When perils o’er take us, you will not forsake us,
and with your help, O Lord, life’s battles we win.3. With voices united our praises we offer,
and gladly our songs of true worship we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing;
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise.

 

OPENING PRAYER

God of majesty and mercy, in creation you gave us all that we need to live and all that we can cherish. You came to us in Jesus Christ to show us the face of your love. You walk into our lives to meet us in the midst of joy and pain. Through the Holy Spirit, you speak words of wisdom to help us find our way. God in our midst, speak to us today in this time of worship. Speak the words we need to hear so that we know you still walk with us in Jesus Christ. For we honour you, Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life, one God, now and forever. Lord we come before you in confession….

 

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving God,

you send us into the world as ambassadors of your love and peace,

yet too often we create discord and division.

We serve our own interests first, ignoring those in need.

We value our understanding of the world you love,

and fail to listen to the stories of others.

Forgive us for such self-centeredness.

Help us to be more faithful disciples of Jesus,

eager to serve, willing to listen, glad to be of service in his name.

In Jesus name  AMEN

 

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. Everything old has passed away and everything has become new! Thanks be to God that by God’s mercy, we can all make a new start!

 

THE PEACE

 

HYMN                625  Seek ye first

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

 

We do not live by bread alone, But by every word
That proceeds out from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm  30                     page 867

 

I will exalt you, Lord,     for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.

4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night  but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,   “I will never be shaken.”
7 Lord, when you favored me,   you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face,  I was dismayed.

8 To you, Lord, I called;  to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced,  if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?  Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;  Lord, be my help.”

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

 

2 Kings  5:1-14                     page  576

5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’! 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

SERMON

God of wisdom, as we listen to the scriptures read and interpreted, send us your Spirit so that we may hear your Word with new understanding. Move within us so that we respond in faithfulness for the sake of Christ, our Living Lord. Amen.

 

Naaman  has   pretty good opinion  of himself ..  He is the general of the Aramean army, a man of considerable esteem, a victorious and heroic soldier

Todays story takes place against the backdrop of intensifying aggression by the king of Aram, who has likely seen an opportunity when Israelite power and influence declines after the death of Ahab . Naaman, commands the forces that have brought violence, loss of life, homes, and livelihood, and untold suffering to the people of Israel. Naaman is  feared and hated by the Israelite populace.

The Old Testament account does not ignore the horrendous suffering that Naaman has inflicted. The enemy who perpetrates violence and brutality is no less a human being than those who are its victims. Enemies can be healed, and even victims can fall prey to a diseased soul. Or, as a modern prophet proclaimed1, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

One day  Naaman discovers  a spot on his body –  a note of fear  clutches his throat . At first he thinks it is dry skin – the result of too many battles under the hot Syrian sun. But it didn’t go away when rubbed with lotion. He consults  who  he needs to.  The diagnosis is confirmed.  He has contracted  the greatly feared  – leprosy! The most disfiguring, most debilitating of all skin diseases. He is doomed to slowly wither away – one piece of flesh at a time.. Its effect on one’s life is devastating. Leprosy cuts one off from their family, friends, occupation, city, and even worship.

It isn’t fair. He is one of Syria’s greatest generals. A brave and valiant warrior. Personal favorite of the king himself. How can such an asset to Aram be dealt such a blow. He soon sinks into a deep depression. The only comfort he finds is in leading raiding parties against the Syrians age-old enemy – Israel. On one such raid he returns with a young girl of Israel whom he gives to his wife as a servant. But here is one slave who has a lesson to teach to the master!

Her name is not given to us. But the strength of her faith is found in her words to her mistress. “There is in Samaria, a prophet of God who could heal my master…” In spite of her captivity, she has grown to love Naaman and his wife. That love has given her the boldness to speak of her God to one who has no love for the Lord. Perhaps, he is reduced to clutching at straws or the sincerity of the little girl’s faith strikes a chord  deep within – but Naaman leaps upon this hope. Dashing to his king, he craves  a favour to visit the land of Israel and seek a cure for his dread condition.

The Aramean king grants an unusual request to a valued general and sends him, with  letter in hand  to a rival monarch. It is with renewed hope and great expectations, that Naaman and his band set out for the capital city of Jerusalem. Bearing this letter from the king of Aram to the King of Israel – Naaman is sure he will find his expected cure. Ushered into the throne room – he presents the royal letter and steps back to wait the reply. His reception, however, is not quite what he expects. The king of Israel goes nuts. Kings see things differently than slaves and prophets. The Israelite king sees the letter as a pretext for goading him into a new round of hostilities.

“Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? What can I do about this man’s leprosy? Is your king picking a fight or what?” Naaman is taken aback. Surely if anyone in this backward country can arrange his healing it would be the king. The fuse has been lit.

Fortunately, Elisha, the man of God, hears about the palace incident and sends word to the king to send Naaman his way.

Soon they pull up to the door of Elisha’s modest home. “Somebody go knock “-, they sit and wait. And wait. And wait. The sun beats down, the dry wind blows, the hackles start to rise on Naaman’s neck. Finally the door opens and a little fellow peeks out the crack and says – ” The prophet sends his regards. Wash seven times in the Jordan and you will be clean.”

Naaman’s perspective shifts as dramatically as his health does. When the man of God sends a servant to tell him to wash in the Jordan, without showing him the courtesy of talking with him, he leaves in a huff, muttering about the superiority of his own land. He appears oblivious to the possibility that the Israelite prophet does not want to meet a man who has caused so much suffering – or that Elisha’s response gives him a dose of his own dehumanizing medicine.

Beware the man who finds his expectations unmet. It can get very dangerous…Yet into this danger-zone step some very brave men. Naaman’s servants cautiously approach the manic military man. “…if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, Wash and be cleansed!” Having had their say, they retreat to watch the outcome. And wonder of wonders, beyond their expectations -. The countenance softens. The great Naaman is humbled. “Let us go to the Jordan!”  We know how it turns out. Once, twice, three times – nothing. Four, five, six – the skin remains unchanged. But on the seventh dip…the miracle happens…on God’s terms

Naaman is indeed a new man when he exits the Jordan with the skin of a boy. He relates deep and genuine gratitude both to Elisha and to the God who has done what no earthly power has been able to do. The healed Naaman is deferential rather than prideful: “I now know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your slave” (verse 15).

The changes in Naaman’s speech reveal that his mind has been as diseased as his body. Now healthy again, the enemy general expresses gratitude and defers to the prophet. The connection between mind and body is replayed

God does not rejoice our misery. In fact, the Bible is all about God’s healing, renewal, and restoration. God is in the business of touching untouchable lives, then and now.

The real question raised by the story of Naaman is not what can we expect of God – but what does God expect of us?. Right off the bat, we can tell what God is not looking for. self-righteous pride or swaggering self-confidence. Naaman was free to strut his stuff upon the world stage – but rank and status mean nothing to God.

Naaman learned that all the gold and silver  in the world could not purchase one moment of health. We can’t buy God’s favor. He cannot be bribed. We are to give in gratitude – not because we expect God to pay back in kind. Miracles are meant for a purpose. Miracles are given when and how God decides. He is looking for worshippers – not a studio audience.

The answer is really quite simple. God wanted Naaman  to listen and obey. He wants no less or no more from us. He wants us to obey him. not only in the big things – but in the small things as well. Especially in the little things. It is the day to day obedience that wins the attention of God.

When we are distressed – we like Naaman – appear at the door of God’s house and demand an audience. We want God to drop everything , wave his magic wand and make everything all right. We have high expectations of our God. Who does God respond to ?  It is the one who determines to love God with all their heart, soul and strength and their neighbor as themselves. The one who does the simple things simply because that is what God expects his children to do.

It takes a person of uncommon faith to look beyond the ways of this world to view the heart of heaven. It takes someone like Naaman willing to strip himself bare before God and enter the chilly waters of the Jordan and come up the seventh time clean. When you come before God, humble yourself. Wade in the waters. And be clean. Amen

 

HYMN                359  The great physician now is near

 

The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus;
he speaks the drooping heart to cheer; oh hear the voice of Jesus.Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song ,sweetest name on mortal tongue,
sweetest carol ever sung,’ Jesus, blessed Jesus.’2. His name dispels my guilt and fear, no other name but Jesus;
oh how my soul delights to hear the precious name of Jesus!
(Refrain)

3. And when to that bright world above we rise to be with Jesus,
we’ll sing around the throne of love his name, the name of Jesus.
(Refrain)

 

OFFERING

 

 

The Apostle Paul urges us not to grow weary in doing what is right. Through our gifts to God, we participate in God’s goodness at work in the world. So take heart. Whatever you give, give with confidence that God will use our gifts for the good purposes of the Gospel.

 

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

Generous God, you have blessed our lives with gifts, both visible and invisible. We offer our gifts in gratitude, to build up your kingdom in the world. Bless all that we give to make a difference in the lives of others, for the sake of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

We praise you our Creator God, source of all life and each life, for shaping and sustaining  your wonderous creation  We  thank you today, grateful that your world is full of wonder and possibility, We thank you  that we have been given the gift of faith and you have called us to yourself

 

We give thanks  that on this week-end  we have celebrated  Canada Day  and all that this means to us. We recognise  there is a lot of  conflict and  emotions  amongst  so  many people over  an incredible amount of  issues ranging from relations ships  with  indigenous people and the treatment  they have received   over the  past centuries.  There are people  who take issue  with the government – federally , and provincially  and  have visably stated their  desires and opinions  in  ways  not necessarily productive . Yet we know  that this is a country with  so many good safe  aspects which garner respect  world wide . We pray that Canada will be a just, equitable and welcoming country; and we pray for the politicians and public servants who form and keep our laws.

 

We pray for the many different peoples of this world, divided as we are into many nations, clans, cultures, and spiritual traditions. Help us understand those differences more fully, and honour the good things that bind us together despite differences. Bless both our diversity and our unity as those who belong to you.

 

Loving God, source of truth and wisdom, in the world we are confronted by powers and authorities. Help us recognize their potential for both good and evil, and act wisely and faithfully,  to discern whom to trust and when to act. When we see injustice or recognize falsehood, give us the courage to speak up in Christ’s name

 

Compassionate God, the world is filled with violence and hatred, costing innocent lives. We sometimes feel powerless to do anything about it. Today our hearts ache for those who live amid brutal conflict, – for those have died through violence, and for those who suffer the many effects of trauma. We pray for those who have lost their homes through conflict and fled their countries just to survive. Open hearts and homes to welcome those who flee and protect those who stay amid conflict to offer care.  Open our eyes to our own weakness and bias, and speak to us through the example of Jesus, our Lord.

 

God who is the great physician  Canada has the second highest rate of opioid use per capita in the world, There have been increasing  record numbers of opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations over the last  few years  We pray for improved access and increased capacity for public health services, especially those that provide mental health and addiction support, and for policy makers to develop plans in consultation with people who have lived experience with substance use.

 

We pray for summer camps and their staff as they work to foster safe environments for all children.  We pray for summer ministry students. We pray  for those in ministry who are  taking  time to relax and renew over the summer

Within our community we lift to you businesses and the bosses and employees as we continue to recover  from all the effects of the past two years  of  closures and uncertainites  over covid .As events  like  Sports games  for  kids and adults, concerts  like Roots and Blues –  planning  for  coming events ramp up, we ask you will give guidance and wisdom that all may be done  with willing  service and  true humility.

 

Lord  you  have heard  our spoken  prayers and  desire  we  lift to you  our

Thanks

Sick

Traveling

Prayers of our  heart s

 

Wise and welcoming God, give us the grace to live out our faith among family and friends, with acquaintances and strangers. Help us to trust your guidance in all situations as we pray the words Jesus taught us:

 

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                797  Shall we gather at the river

 

1 Shall we gather at the river? Where bright angel feet have trod
With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne of God

Refrain:

Yes, we’ll gather at the river
The beautiful, the beautiful river
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God

 

 

On the bosom of the river where the Saviour King we own

We shall meet and sorrow never neath the glory of the throne

Refrain

 

3.E’re we reach the shining river lay we every burden down

Grace our spirit will deliver and provide a robe a and a crown.

Refrain

 

4Soon we’ll reach the shining river Soon our pilgrimage will cease
Soon our happy hearts will quiver With the melody of peace

Refrain

 

BENEDICTION

May God himself who makes all thing holy and whole, keep you, body and spirit -fit for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ  and may God’s grace, Jesus’ love and the presence of the Holy Spirit bless you  today and always

 

CLOSING SONG

Take O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be

set your seal upon my heart and live in me