Order of service
April 19, 2020
Welcome and sharing
Sanctus – Don’t be afraid
Opening prayer
O God, you came to the disciples
And offered them Easter assurance.
Yu came to Thomas and offered him resurrection hope.
Come to us in this time of worship,
And fill us with faith, hope, and love.
Amen
Hymn – Called by Earth and Sky
Prayer of confession
Come to us, God, like fresh water,
Softening the soil of a parched and weary land.
We confess
That hurts and disappointments harden our hearts,
Frustrations and failures dry us out,
Come to us, God with life-giving power.
Free us from resentment, reluctance, and reserve.
Remind us that in your forgiveness we are free.
Forgiven, may we be forgiving.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

 

Copy of Sermon

April 19, 2020

I must confess to a few struggles in the last week.

No, not so much with the confinement, due to CoVID 19, although the continuing need to stay at home and not knowing how much longer this will last is far from easy. No, what I am struggling with is how much to keep talking about this situation in these times of worship. Do I risk normalizing this circumstance by ignoring it; and perhaps ignore some struggles many of you might be experiencing. Or by constantly talking about it am I aggravating already existing anxieties?

I wonder.

And so it is I welcome this week’s scripture from John. The risen Jesus comes to the disciples where they are. Offering them what they need. The first encounter finds the disciples hidden away in their room, in fear of what lies outside and offers them peace and courage and purpose.

But Thomas isn’t there. He is away and he is skeptical of this idea of Jesus risen. He needs something more tangible. It isn’t that he is not willing to keep serving, but he needs something else. Jesus doesn’t ignore or mock his questions. He offers Thomas that which he needs to move forward.

I find this one of the most remarkable parts of the story of the risen Christ. We are called as a community. We are a group in how we respond to and worship God’s call. But we also experience and react to Jesus in very personal ways. We are distinct personalities, but part of a larger community.

And Jesus comes to us in a way that recognizes both.

All of us are having our own distinct experience in this time of distancing and isolation. I see that within my own household. Each of us experiencing our own challenges and emotional responses. Each of us with our own needs that we seek to honour. But what is also true is we can’t do this on our own. One of the things that have become so apparent, at least to me, is how much we rely on our communities; whatever they may be, to stay strong and to stay healthy when we are in crisis.

We need each other for friendship, for strength, to offer a sense of purpose and peace. Reaching out to one another, whether it is by phone, or some form of social media is critical. To ask if someone needs help or to ask for help or friendship is so important.

We can’t do this on our own. This is where the strength of church should shine. We are a community of compassion and care. It is my hope that you have not felt ignored. If we haven’t reached out to you yet, I apologize. I would ask you to reach out to us. I have no doubt we want to help.

This story today is how Jesus comes to us in our rooms of refuge. Where we may feel all alone and abandoned, afraid for what the future might hold. Jesus comes to the disciples and he comes to us, offering us love and healing and a purpose for going forward.

May we find comfort and purpose and hope in the risen Christ and may we find friendship and peace as part of a community of faith and compassion. And may we be the friends and comforting and loving neighbours those around us need in this time of fear and uncertainty.

Thanks be to God.

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