MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone!
Isn’t this an amazing time of the year, as life is bursting out all around us. From early buds to crocus and daffodil, now showy colours and fully-decked-out trees. Our front lawn is a sensory overload of wonderful lilac and lily of the valley. (Kinda reminds me of my grandmother’s bedroom.) If you are allergic to the pests and pollen of the season – God bless you – but I hope you can at least appreciate the metaphor. Because this is the season of new beginnings and possibility.
Last Sunday was Pentecost, and we now move into the season of the same name. (If you’re thinking this is suddenly sounding too “churchy”, please hang in there till I attempt to make my point!) It recalls the story of the first disciples hiding out in a room in Jerusalem while the whole world was there to celebrate the festival of Shavuot (in Hebrew) or Pentecost (in Greek). Fifty days after Passover. On our Christian calendar now we celebrate 50 days after Easter.
We can imagine how the gathered disciples must have been feeling. All around them people were celebrating the first harvest, drinking new wine and eating lamb. But not the disciples. They had recently gone through the crucifixion and then the wonder of the resurrection quickly followed by Jesus’ ascension. They had said good-bye to him twice. And now they were alone.
They were grieving what was and what could have been. They were lost, worried, frightened. Now what? Everything we’ve worked for has changed. Who are we supposed to be now?
And then the Holy Spirit bursts into the room, not with a gentle tickle of a breeze, but with thunderous wind and flames of purifying and energizing fire. They were filled with the Spirit; with hope and joy and praise and a new-found sense of purpose and belonging. It is the moment we recognize as the birth of the church.
What I like about this story (other than the part about Peter explaining that they weren’t drunk as the crowds assumed because it was only 9:00o’clock in the morning… would it have been different later? anyway…) is that this gathering of hopeless followers were filled with possibility and new beginnings. They had not abandoned each other. Even in their uncertainty, they came together and prayed. They made room for the Spirit to whoosh-in and make things new.
Sometimes I feel that this is a description of the church now. So much is changing. Our lives and the world around us are not the same as they were. Are we grieving what was and what we thought could have been? Are we wondering what is coming next? Are we filled with hope or feeling lost and worried?
The Pentecost story tells us two things: first, stick together. Be community. Support each other. Listen. Pray. And second, make room for the Spirit to enter. The story isn’t done. Maybe our vision of who we are supposed to be is done, or at least changing, but God’s story, ablaze in the lives of God’s people, is not. New purpose. New life. Possibility.
The Biblical languages use the same word for spirit, breath, and wind. Ruach in Hebrew. Pneuma in Greek. The Spirit of all creation. The breath of life. The wind of change. Blow, Holy One, blow. And let’s take a deep breath.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
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Sunday, May 26, 2024
11:00 AM
The Sunday after Pentecost
A Celebration of the Holy Spirit
Worship Song: VU#381 “Spirit of Life”
Hymn: VU#367 “Come Down, O Love Divine”
Scripture: John 4:23,24; John 14:15-17; John 20:21,22
Hymn: VU#382 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Musical Offerings by the choir
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU#959)
Offering and Sung Dedication: VU#822“Psalm 100”
Hymn: VU#375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (Verses 1,3,4)
You may join us via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
Or by phone at: 438-809-7799 |
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| This Sunday morning at Lakeshore Trinity will be a celebration of the Holy Spirit with music through the ages.
The service will open with a choral introit: “Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying; Lord, Send Your Spirit In This Place”, words and music by Ken Medema (1973)
The musical offering will consist of three selections, based on the three scripture readings:
“God Is A Spirit” (John 4:23,24) Music by W. Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875)
“If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments” (John 14:15-17) music by Thomas Tallis (1505-I585)
“Every Time I Feel The Spirit” (John 20:21,22), a traditional spiritual arranged by Norman Johnson (1973)
Following the blessing, the choir will sing “Come Holy Ghost”, original Latin text by Rabanus Maurus (780-856), English translation by John Cosin (1594-1672), music by Henry A. Clark (1956) |
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| Rev. Steve is away on a well deserved break from Friday, May 24th to Friday, May 31st. We wish him a time of restoration and renewal and possibility and we look forward to having him back with us.
Our thanks to Mark Watson for his leadership in the service on Sunday during Rev. Steve’s absence, and to Dr. Gohar Manvelyan, Frank Giffen and the choir for the glorious music. |
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| PENTECOST WITH THE WEST ISLAND CLUSTER |
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| The West Island /Riverside cluster churches met together on May 19th at Cedar Park United for a celebration of Pentecost. The joyous occasion featured the Pentecost story, read in many languages, a paper craft for all representing the Holy Spirit descending in wind and flame, and a luscious picnic lunch served on the lawn, with much happy conversation and renewed friendships. Thanks to our gracious hosts at Cedar Park!
The service is available to watch at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFMBebKAZow |
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- The next rummage sale in our Balcony Boutique is this Saturday, May 25th, 9 AM to noon. There is a wide selection of gently used clothing for men, women and children. After shopping, join us for fresh coffee and tea, baked goods and conversation downstairs.
- Saturday June 8th: The final Balcony Boutique rummage sale of the season, will also feature an expanded book sale in the sanctuary. Watch this space for more details.
- Sunday, June 9th, 11:00 AM: Communion. Sundae Social. Stay on following the service and join us for ice cream with all the trimmings. Delicious!
- Sunday, June 9th is also the opening of a year of celebration of the hundredth year of the United Church of Canada. We at Lakeshore Trinity will begin the year with the dedication of a Mohawk Bible and a brand new banner. More details in the next issue of Happenings!
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Over the next few Sundays a varying potpourri of books out from obscurity in the Nook will be displayed at the back of the sanctuary. These titles represent some of the easy-to-read gems in our mini-library of publications with some relation to religion. Title samples: “Putting away childish things: a novel of modern faith”, by Marcus J. Borg; “Knitting into the mystery: a guide to the shawl making industry” [includes shawl patterns]; “God’s secretaries: the making of the King James Bible” [a fascinating tale].
These books are there to BORROW. Do have a peek.
Judy Lindsay
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Doris McConnell reports that food donations continue to be very generous. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated by the organizations we support. The last collection of food was taken to On Rock by Jack and Pam Fraser. The current collection will go to West Island Mission. |
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| WE GIVE THANKS
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please include your envelope number and indicate how you wish to have your offering divided. If not indicated, it will be designated as local offering.
Cheques should be made payable to Lakeshore Trinity United Church. They may be dropped in the mail slot at the church or sent by regular mail if you are not attending church in person. |
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