What's Your Cambie Village Church Love Story?

My experience of Cambie Village Church ("CVC") is that we help each other walk the mile and bear the load.  

Last Sunday in worship, as we were enthusiastically singing, I Will Lay My Burdens Down, I heard the leading voice change.  I looked over and I saw Rev. Donna reach out her hand to hold Kitty’s hand.  They were both smiling.  A stream of light was coming in the window behind Kitty and I could see a current of love flowing between them.  I realized that Donna’s voice had briefly failed, and Kitty had taken her place to lead the song.  

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

What’s your CVC love story?

The CVC love story often involves singing. Music, like any art, invites us to participate in the story, and together, week after week, we sing the Stories of Jesus. 

"Don't be afraid, my love is stronger," we hear Jesus say. "Here I am, Lord", we cry out in response to God's call. 

As Rev. Donna says, "There's more of us involved in singing than speaking. Deeper breathing, more involvement in one's entire body.

"It's personal music making.  One's body is the instrument.  

Everything depends on one's body--pitch, tone quality, rhythm, blend, volume…"

And as the tune flows, so flows the love of the Trinity.  

She reminds us also that Augustine says, "The one who sings, prays twice."  

This Sunday we're gonna sing so God can use us, - just as we sing in one of our favorite hymns. I hope to see you there!

How Would You Have Felt If You Were There?

The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

As we return to the synagogue in Luke 13 to hear Jesus teaching, it is easy for me to imagine my place here as a member of the congregation. It is easy to imagine, but doing so makes me feel distinctly UN-easy. 

Luke 13. 10-17

Jesus was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn’t even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he called her over. “Woman, you’re free!” He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.

The meeting-place president, furious because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the congregation, “Six days have been defined as work days. Come on one of the six if you want to be healed, but not on the seventh, the Sabbath.”

But Jesus shot back, “You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn’t it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?”

When he put it that way, his critics were left looking quite silly and red-faced. The congregation was delighted and cheered him on.

I'm listening carefully…watching everyone's reaction to everything that is said. Even as I rejoice for the woman who has been healed, the synagogue leader scolds her and us. I feel her shame and ours. Ouch. 

Now Jesus 'shoots back', "You frauds!".  I'm uncomfortable with his anger, at the challenge of authority and at the conflict around me.  People around me are delighted and cheering as Jesus' critics are embarrassed. 

It's all too much for me. I close my eyes and pray for peace. 

You might join me in reading this passage again before Sunday, asking yourself, "How would I have felt if I were there?"

I hope to see you on Sunday when we will celebrate Peace Sunday. 

We continue to pray for our sister Carmen and her family as they mourn the loss of their beloved father, husband, and brother-in-law, Patrick. 

How Can Someone Be Born When They Are Old?

Qasr el Yahud, where Jesus was baptized, Jordan River, Israel

Good question, Nicodemus!

Growing up in the United Church, being "born again" was not a phrase I ever heard.  I still remember the first time I ever heard it, when a stranger approached me at a work meeting and asked, "Are you born again?"  I must have looked puzzled, because she then pointed at the cross I was wearing and asked again, "Are you born again"?

In our scripture reading this week, we hear Nicodemus, ask Jesus, "How can someone be born when they are old?":

John 3:1-9; 16-18 (NIV)

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 

 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

I have since learned that Evangelist Christians use this phrase, "born again" to describe themselves, and I like the way Matthew Fox describes it:

“to be Resurrection for another I need to be Resurrection for myself. That means I cannot dwell in [despair] or death and anger and oppression and submission and resentment and pain forever. I need to wake up, get up, rise up, put on life even when days are dark, and my soul is down and shadows surround me everywhere … I have to listen to the voice that says: Be Resurrection… Be Born again. And again. And again. Rise up and be counted. Rise up and imbibe the good news deeply – that death does not conquer, that life, not death, has the last word …”

Rev. Paul Beckingham, a great evangelist, will reflect on this rebirth and gather us at the Lord's Table on Sunday. I hope you're able to join us for Worship.

Why Do You Come to Church?

 

This week we focus on Frank, the synagogue leader, and his response to Jesus’ visit to his synagogue.  

Luke 13. 10-17 (NIVUK)

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.  When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’

The Lord answered him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?  Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

From Rev. Donna:

Frank’s focus was on the law whose interpretation was clear and plain to him.

Keeping the Sabbath holy meant that no work should be done. 

No work.

I was raised with that interpretation as well, with some additions.

No TV.  

No playing games. 

The Sabbath was to be different.  This is God’s will.

Let’s consider Ruth Haley Barton’s words as we prepare for worship this week.

What is your response to her focus?

For many of us, though, knowledge of God’s will is a subject fraught with doubt and difficulty. Is it really possible to know the will of God? we wonder. How do I know whether I have “discerned” God’s will or if it is just a good way to justify what I want? How do I make sense of those times when I thought I understood the will of God but it ended up being a mess? 

For the Christian person, the choices we make are always about love and which choice enables us to keep following God into love. There may be other factors to consider, but the deepest question for us as Christian people is, What does love call for in this situation? What would love do? 

From Susan:

When I read this story again this week, I imagined that I am Frank.  I know my Torah, and the Torah clearly says that there are six days for work, and that on the Sabbath we should not do any work.  I am indignant that Jesus should disobey the law, and in my anger, I can't stop myself from pointing out his error. 

When Jesus calls me a hypocrite, he reminds me that there is more to this commandment than simply the prohibition of work.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deut 5.15)

Sabbath is the day we celebrate our liberation. Jesus freed Rhoda from her captivity that day.  Wow. 

Although I am humiliated at being corrected by Jesus, I have learned something today.  Isn't learning one of the reasons we come to synagogue?

Why do you come to church? 

Last week's circle conversation was rich. We are learning to notice and to find words for experiences and feelings we have during worship. Was it scary?  Not at all…we talked about everything from an Eagles Concert to the Camino Trail and being called by the Lord of Sea and Sky.  We also, of course, talked more about Rhoda and Frank.  We are learning that there is more than one way to read any single scripture passage…there is no single right answer.  Our lives inform how we interpret things, and God’s Word is truly alive.

Donna is inviting us back this week for more conversation. I hope to see you there after worship.

Susan

PS.  We continue to keep Patrick, Monisa, Carmen and Jeremy in our prayers, since Elisa announced the sudden and grave illness of her brother-in-law, Patrick.  Ruth Haley Barton’s words (above) ring ever more true to me now.

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

 

(Lyrics: William H. Parker)

This Sunday, we are starting a series focussing on the stories of Jesus.  We begin in the Book of Luke:

Luke 13. 10-17 

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.  When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’  Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’

The Lord answered him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?  Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

One of the things I like to do as I read the stories of Jesus is imagine myself as one of the people in this story. 

I invite you to try this.  Who are you in the story?  Where are you?  How do you feel at various points in the story?  

Today I am the crippled woman. I am standing at the back of a room which looks like our church sanctuary.  It is packed with people.  I am listening carefully to what Jesus is saying.

I see Jesus looking right at me.  It is amazing to me that Jesus even sees me…and then to be called forward by him…spoken to!  He lays his hands on me and I am in tears. But I straighten immediately.  I am overjoyed. 

As I am looking into Jesus' eyes I hear a voice…the synagogue leader's voice. When he tells the people that the Sabbath is not the day to come to the Sabbath to be healed, I feel ashamed. I'm humiliated.  I lower my head.

Then I hear Jesus’ voice, and he is scolding the leaders.  I look up at the leaders and they are humiliated now.  I look around me at the people and they are smiling in delight with all of the wonderful things that Jesus is doing. 

I hope to see you on Sunday to worship this compassionate God and to spend more time with this passage.

An invitation from Rev. Donna and the Advisory:  As previously announced, Rev. Donna Dinsmore has rejoined CVC on a part-time basis.  As we begin this new journey together, Donna will be hosting a series of after-worship gatherings.  There will be conversations, singing, and reflections.  We hope you will stay for about 30 minutes after worship; this week we will enjoy some conversation to inform us and to reconnect with Donna!

What Do You Notice When You Read John 8:1-12?

 

What do you wonder?  I invite you to pause and think about these questions…perhaps in the wondering you will hear what Jesus is trying to say to you today.

John 8:1-12 (ESV) 

 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.  The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.  Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”  This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.   And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”  And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.  But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.  Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”   She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

I Am the Light of the World 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

When I read our passage for Sunday Worship, what I noticed was: Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  And then again later:  “And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.”

I wondered what he was writing.  And why was he writing on the ground?  

We’ll never know for sure what he wrote, and a few great theologians have speculated about why he was writing.

What I see is Jesus’ gentleness and compassion with everyone he was teaching on that day, even the scribes and the Pharisees who were challenging him.  He did not confront them with scolding or unkind words.  He did not embarrass them in front of the gathered crowd.  After he spoke, he turned away from them; he wasn’t even looking at them.

The first time he bent down and wrote with his finger may have been a symbolic reference back to God writing the Law on stone.  But by doing it a second time, after he spoke, he gave the scribes and the Pharisees time to think about what he had said and when they did that, “they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones.”

I invite you again to pause and think about what you notice and wonder…perhaps in the wondering you will hear what Jesus is trying to say to you today.

We welcome back Rev. Paul Beckingham to worship on Sunday.  He will be reflecting on this story and gathering us at the Lord’s Table.  I hope to see you on Sunday!

Image by freepik

Can You Remember an Occasion when God Answered your Prayer?

What did you do in response?

This Sunday we will listen to three stories of trouble, answered prayers and giving thanks.  What do the characters in these stories do in response to their answered prayers?

Luke 15: 1-24 (ESV)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.  And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?  And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’  Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Each story ends with community celebrations. The people don’t just whisper "Thank you, God."  They stop, gather their friends and neighbours and really treasure the answered prayers. 

I wonder, do we take time for that?  I wonder what would happen if we shared our answered prayers with our friends and neighbours?  Could this be one of the ways of focussing on the good to make us stronger and more optimistic in times of turmoil?

We are so happy to have Rev. Paul Beckingham with us this week to reflect on these three parables.  I hope you will come and join us for Worship in the chapel.