Studying James

 

The link for this week’s live streamed service is here

 

After a long hiatus, Bible study resumed last Wednesday. At the morning session there were 12 in attendance and five more at the evening session. We are studying the book of James, a book that Martin Luther condemned as a “book of straw” but one that John Calvin admired.

The most common criticism of this book is that it seems to preach redemption through works. However, a careful reading of the scripture shows that is not the case. James certainly urges Christians to act on their beliefs but he does not say we can “earn” our own salvation. Like all the writers of scripture, James insists that salvation comes through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The opening verses of Wednesday’s session talked about doubt, which is fitting as the preamble to study noted that there is some doubt about the author. Most Biblical scholars believe the verses were penned by James, the brother of Jesus, but there are other reasonably supported possibilities. Interestingly, James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe Christ was Son of God until after the Resurrection. That fact led to some interesting discussion in my small group. Did James feel remorse? Embarrassment? Guilt? What is known is that once he became a believer, James, the brother of Jesus, remained steadfast unto martyrdom.

The study session ended with a suggestion that we each write a list of the times when we saw God's faithfulness and dependability. This is a private list for you alone, but you may find it a useful resource for times when doubt creeps into your faith life. You don’t need to be part of the Bible study group to complete this exercise. But, if you want to join the discussion group you still can. The study book (pictured at top left) is available in the office this week. We meet Wednesday’s at 10:00 am or at 7:00 pm. The next meeting is Wed. Feb.8. Feb.1 Session meets and Rev. Irwin cannot be in two places at one time. Not only that, several elders are part of the Bible Study.  That means we all have an extra week to complete the homework😊

We're Open

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Good to see the church calendar filling up. 

• The choir has been meeting for rehearsals since the first Thursday of the year. --New members always welcome.
• Worship committee met on the first Friday of January --add your favourite hymns to the list posted in the narthex.
• Session met on the second Wednesday of January -- they crave your prayers.
• Friendship Coffee was held on the third Thursday of January -- bring your friends and enjoy a good visit.
• Bible Study starts next week, on the fourth Wednesday of January -- let Rev. Irwin know if you wish to attend. We need to have enough study books.

After two years plus of limiting our activities, there is a zing of excitement about the building. Seeing the Friendship Coffee sign at the gate, inviting the community to come on in, really lifted my spirits. It is in our nature to welcome old friends and new acquaintances to the church and into our fellowship. 

The months of pandemic attacked that welcoming attitude. We asked for proof of vaccines. We asked that you stay away if you didn't feel well. We asked that you stay away if you'd been in contact with strangers. We sat far apart in the pews. We waved from across the room instead of sitting down together. It didn't feel right. COVID and other viruses are still around but our level of anxiety has eased and church life is returning to normal. Praise God!

Of course, there are many places where people get together -- golf clubs, book clubs, libraries, backyard BBQ's and the hockey arena to name a few. But the busy life at SPPC brings me back to the "community" Pam wrote about last week on this blog. The common thread in the examples named above tends to be horizontal, person-to-person.

The common thread in our church gatherings is not only horizontal, but vertical as well. We are bound together by our love for each other and our love for Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Our joy is fullest and most complete in the loving fellowship that the Father, Son, and Spirit enjoy  John 15: 10-11

John 15:10-12

10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

Keep Reading

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:9 “You were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us  and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Because the Holy Spirit is invited into our fellowship in the church, our time together is precious as it is under the umbrella of God's love.

 

The link to this week's live-streamed service is here.

As the Christmas Season recedes into our memory banks I am once again reminded of our need for community, whether it be the close knit ties of family and friends, or the greater Community at large.

Community . . . comprising the words "common" and "unity," meaning "holding all things together," or of "like mind," also reminds me of the word Communion, from the same root.

But there are so many different forms of communities, and each one colours and enriches our lives in many different ways, for good or ill! And how and why we choose to participate in each of them will determine the outcomes of our lives and our sense of well-being and happiness, or disappointment.

As Christians we have made a deliberate choice to belong to a very particular community, and share a belief in Jesus Christ. And we are called to worship Him together each Sunday, "being of one mind," and holding this gift of faith in common.

We are fully aware of this special Gift as we remember and celebrate Christmas and the coming of our Saviour in the form of a human child.

At  Christmastime in particular, as we gather together for worship and celebration in one mind and spirit, we receive His blessings of Joy, Peace and Hope, and realise how much we appreciate our Church Community which forms the cradle in which we find our Saviour Jesus, who came to save all people.

So let us hold onto that "Christmas Spirit" and bring it into this New Year, resolving to share it with our other "Communities," as the "Gift of Christ" for all mankind.

Perhaps we might even change the world!

Thanks to Pam Day for this week's blog post.  

Gifts

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here. 

For the past few days, gifts have been top of mind with me. Hardly surprising considering we just had Christmas, with its abundance of gift giving, followed by Epiphany-- when the Magi brought gifts to the infant Jesus. I had a birthday in there too, so more gifts.

Among my gifts, these tokens of affection, some have been beautiful, some practical, some bring a smile, and some provoke a tender tear.  

Apart from the presents wrapped in pretty paper, I've enjoyed the intangible gifts of family and love, friendship and laughter. The gift of memory looms large at this time of year -- joyous Christmas mornings from years gone by or parties of little girls playing musical chairs.

This December, when the news was full of stories about staff shortages and supply chain disruptions, I received exceptional service from store clerks, grocery checkers, and food servers. They brightened my days with their willingness to go above and beyond to satisfy my requests. 

I've been the giver of gifts too. Some have cost me money, some have cost time as I searched and searched for just the right item. Some have cost nothing more than a smile and a few words of encouragement -- see store clerks above. Of course, being the giver is to receive a gift in return. The gift of joy on a friend's face, the gift of an "oooo" from a child, or the gift of a hug from a lonely outsider.

When I began to write this post the list of gifts in my mind grew and grew. I was reminded of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. When we began that study I doubted I could count 1000 gifts in my life. But every day I found more and more blessings to add to my list.

At Epiphany, the magi acknowledged Jesus as "king and God and sacrifice." As I ponder my gifts I recognize that I haven't named the greatest gift of all -- Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. 

As we move into the new year, we are blessed with the gift of the Comforter, (Advocate, Helper, Guide, Counsellor). We live in a time of tumult -- war, famine, inflation, greed, lust for power -- hang over our days. There is a temptation to hoard the gifts we've received, to seek safety in what we can see and touch. But Jesus promised something else.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We can cling to that promise and face the coming days with courage. Thanks be to God.

 

New Year 2023

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Having Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on Sundays this year has had me discombobulated for most of December. I was forever asking, "Are we there yet?" and then scrambling to catch up when we arrived at "there." To add to the confusion, Epiphany Sunday will occur two days after Epiphany. 

Another reason I've felt out of kilter over Christmas was the snow storm that derailed our pre-Christmas routine. Not only did snow need to be cleared from the parking lot,  the roof needed attention too. Melting snow and ice clogged the gutters and overflowed the edges of the skylights. On Christmas Eve day, there were leaks and wet carpets in the narthex. 

 

Snow on the roof 

Snow in the parking lot

Slush in the parking lot on Christmas Eve Day

Anyway, we are now at the beginning of the new year, 2023. Anyone remember the panic in 2000 with predictions of system failures over Y2K? The clocks struck midnight that year and the world did not stutter to a halt. The pundits and the doomsayers should have turned to Ephesians 1: 9-10 , a reminder that the earth and time are under God's command. .Computer systems have rejigged for a four digit year instead of a two and our communications network remains robust -- unless you're an airline passenger caught up in the fiasco of airports during our December storm.

As 2023 begins, are you looking at the bathroom scales and resolving to starve yourself until those extra pounds come off? Are you sorting your Christmas cards and resolving to cull your list for next year? Or are you basking in the glow of loving tokens from family and friends? Perhaps you are looking at an empty calendar and resolving to fill it with meaningful days.

I hope this little bit of nonsense will inspire you to make 2023 a key year.

 XvXn though my typxwritxer is an old modxl, it works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx kxy. Thxrx arx forty-six kxys that function wxll xnough, but just onx kxy not working makxs thx diffxrxncx.

Somxtimxs it sxxmx to mx that our class is somxwhat likx my typxwritxr; not all thx kxys arx working propxrly. You may say, "Wxell, I am only onx pxrson, it won't makx much diffxrxencx," But you sxx thx class, to bx xffextivx, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxrty pxrson.

So thx nxxt timx you think you arx only onx pxrson and that your xffort is not nxxdxd, rxmxmxbxr my typxwritxr, and say to yoursxlf, "I am a kxy pxrson and nxxdxd vxry much." Charles Carnes, Choir Director, Des Moines, Iowa.

Happy New Year to all. May we  fill the calendar with acts of kindness, moments of joy, and hours of service.