The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter Gabriel Max, 1878
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Releasing the Demons ~ A contemporary tapestry by Андрей Мадекин (Andrei Madekin), of Moscow Russia
This morning we return to our journey through the Gospel according to Mark, and we begin with an oft-neglected passage. It is the scene in which a man possessed by evil spirits is freed by Jesus, with the spirits leaping from the man into a herd of pigs that then jump into the sea and to their death (Mark 5:1-20). It is ‘neglected’ perhaps because we do not feel as comfortable speaking about ‘evil spirits’ as did the first Christians, or indeed Christ. But perhaps this is all the more reason for us to ponder the scene. And besides, the scene concludes with a call that is extended to all of us – to return to our daily lives freed for life in praise of God and service of others.
When I looked for a piece of art with which to focus my meditations, I found this work by Andrei Madekin. Though most references to the artist were in Russian, I learned that Madekin comes from a family of textile artists, and after graduation from the Moscow Institute of Applied Technology he has created over 40 large tapestries (over three square meters each) since 1990, many on biblical themes and scenes. Quite wonderful!
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us on this Sunday. Certified child care is offered during the service and a programme for young children also. After the service this Sunday a monthly congregational lunch is offered, so please linger if you can and allow us to introduce ourselves more fully.
There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheelchair lift inside the doors to St. Andrew’s Hall from the church parking lot mid way along Clergy Street, and hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher.
Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.
Next Sunday we will continue our journey through Mark with two scenes focusing upon Jesus’ interaction with two women (5:21-43), and conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with our own prayers for the Church of Christ, Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic.
Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Luc Olivier Merson (1879)
I remember hearing a story about a philosophy professor who set an end-of-term examination with only one question, and in fact with only one word: students were given blank paper and two hours to answer the question ‘Why?’.
Part of what makes us human is the ability to ask ‘why?’ and to struggle with possible answers. This week our humanity has been stretched as we have asked why … in the wake of an international assassination, why is violence claimed to be more effective than diplomacy? in the midst of burning wildfires and melting icecaps, why must creation suffer so terribly? as we grieve for the many who died in the plane crash, why do the innocents suffer?
It is human to ask ‘why?’. For me, an even greater question is ‘how?’ How is God involved in the violence and the suffering of this world? How am I to live as a Christian in which the evil prosper and the good suffer?
It is in light of the ‘how?’ question that I have been exploring our gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 2: 13-23), of Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus in flight to Egypt.
I only recently came across this painting by Merson, and I have been very moved by it as this week has unfolded. Joseph is lying exhausted on the hard ground. The donkey desperately searches for a blade of grass or two in its hunger. The infant Jesus is held in the arms of Mary, fleeing for their lives to a foreign land. How does God relate to human suffering? God chooses to be in the midst of it.
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us on this Sunday. Certified child care is offered during the service and a programme for young children also. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheelchair lift inside the doors to St. Andrew’s Hall from the church parking lot mid way along Clergy Street, and hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher. Linger for a time after the service and enjoy a congregational potluck.
Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.
Next Sunday we will resume our journey through the gospel according to Mark.
O God,
you are our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46)
In this time of wars, and rumours of wars, and threats of wars,
we place our trust in you, O God.
And we pray for peace.
For peace in the world and for peace in the hearts of your people.
In this time of violence, and terror, and political upheaval,
we cling to you for courage and hope, O God.
And we pray for compassion.
For compassion for our friends and compassion for our enemies.
In this time of fires, and floods, and one natural disaster after another,
we look to you for help and strength, O God.
And we pray for healing.
For the healing of the Earth and the healing of your people.
Give wisdom to those who govern the nations of the world,
and guide them to work for peace with justice for all.
Give courage to those who are working to help others in need,
and ensure that they have all the resources that they require.
Give comfort to those whose hearts, lives, and communities are broken,
and sustain them with your love until they can see hope for the future once again.
We pray for people around the world, especially those in Australia and Iran;
Yemen and Venezuela, Hong Kong and Lebanon; Syria, the United States and Canada.
We pray for every place where your children are at war, in danger, in hunger, or in grief.
We pray for those who are seeking you or doubting your presence.
With the psalmist, we remember and trust
that you make wars cease to the end of the earth;
you break the bow, and shatter the spear; you burn the shields with fire.
You say to us: “Be still and know that I am God!”
And so we pray: Still our hearts, O God, and calm our fears.
Use our prayers and our lives, our gifts and our acts of service
to touch this hurting world with your love and healing.
O God, you are our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Amen.
—The Rev. Amanda Currie, Moderator of the 2019 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (www.presbyterian.ca)
The cover of a plaster sarcophagus in the catacombs of Rome circa 200’s A.D., with the inscription “Severa—may you live in God”
As I prepared to continue this series on the ‘journeys of grace’, I thought first of course of the journey of the magi, those ‘gentiles’ and ‘foreigners’ being led by a star to the Christ of God in that manger of Bethlehem. It is a story that speaks so movingly of the great embrace and sovereignty of the Holy One.
But then I saw this image of an early Christian tomb, and was struck by the presence of the man behind Mary and the Child. It is Balaam, the gentile and foreign diviner whom God raised up to speak to the King Balak of the Moabites. In one of his oracles, Balaam says ‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near – a star shall come out of Jacob’ (Numbers 24:17). On this sarcophagus lid, Balaam has been brought forward several centuries to stand by the Child of Bethlehem, and there he points to the star. Balaam now declares that this child is the Anointed One of God promised long.
What if we were to think of this scene anew, imagining that the star now represents Christ? If the star of old led the magi to the Christ Child, where might the Living Lord be leading us today? Where is Christ to be found in our lives, in this world?
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us on this Epiphany Sunday. Certified child care is offered during the service and a programme for young children also. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheelchair lift inside the doors to St. Andrew’s Hall from the church parking lot mid way along Clergy Street, and hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher.
Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below (just click the link to download), and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.
And next week join us as we continue our journey as we ponder the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt.
Simeon with Infant Jesus – Petr Brandl (1668 – 1735)
After all the excitement and activity of Christmas, a time to treasure and to reflect. We hear again about the wonderful journey of Simeon, who was guided to the Temple by the Holy Spirit and there beheld the infant brought by Mary and Joseph – and with him we can sing, ‘Lord, you are now dismissing your servant in peace … for my eyes have seen your salvation’ (Luke 2:22-40). But to what do you think Simeon is looking in this painting by Petr Brandl?
While our minister continues with sermons on ‘journeys of grace’, our singing will be accompanied on the grand piano by Annabelle T., and Benjamin V. will play “Vivace from Violin Concerto in D minor” by J.S. Bach on his violin after the reading of Scripture.
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us. Certified child care is offered during the service and there is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street.
Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.
And join us Sunday January 5, 10:30 a.m. for an Epiphany service!
William Kurelek
Carols, readings and candlelight!
And also another wonderful painting of William Kurelek, inviting us to make the birth of Christ real in our cities, in our lives. Notice how the infant reaches out to the one homeless beneath the Parliament Buildings at the heart of our nation …
Have a look at the Order of Service and if you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join us. (The document is set up to have a fold in the middle, with the second page being therefore the first … but I am sure you will figure that out!) There is ample parking available in the city surface lot just behind the church off Queen Street, and along the streets adjacent, particularly north of Queen Street.
And next Sunday morning, 10:30 a.m., we will hear again the beautiful Song of Simeon as he holds the Christ Child (Luke 2:22-40).