Lighting of the Christ Candle
Opening Prayer
Come to us, Kind Creator, as we gather this morning;
Encircle us with you love.
Bless us with your sustaining Presence.
Surround us with your grace.
Draw us round your living Word.
Bind us to one another as disciples of Jesus Christ, whose Spirit moves among us and within us. As we encounter you here, empower us to love the world in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn VU#375 “Spirit of Gentleness”
Refrain: Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow thru the wilderness, calling and free, Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, Wind, Wind on the sea.
1. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; and over the eons you called to each thing: wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.
Refrain:
2. You swept thru the desert, you stung with the sand, and you goaded your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with their idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.
Refrain:
3. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; and down in the city, you called once again, when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind.
Refrain:
4. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes, from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams, our women see visions, our men clear their eyes, with bold new decisions, your people arise.
Refrain:
Bible Reading – Acts 17.22-31
This is one of the readings assigned for this Sixth Sunday in the Season of Easter, Year A, by the Revised Common Lectionary. In this reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, we read today a story of St. Paul’s address to the people of Athens.
17.22 Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. 23 For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god,’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals, life and breath and all things. 26 From two ancestors – male and female – he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and allotted the times and their existence and the boundaries of the places where they live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps seeking him, find him – though indeed God is not far from each one of us. 28 For “in him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’. . .”
“Not Far from Any One Of Us”
So, in your time of isolating in place at home, how have you been filling your time?
I know that some of you have been sewing masks and gowns as the community responds compassionately to the need of front-line workers for PPE’s (Personal Protective Equipment.) God bless you for your kindness. Others have made phone calls to neighbours, friends and family who are feeling lonely, anxious, and overwhelmed. Some have shopped for food and supplies for elderly neighbours. May you too know that you being “the hands and feet of Christ”. Still, the days are long, perhaps, like me, you have found solace in reading a good novel or in watching Netflix?
As I reflected on these words from the Book of Acts, one particular novel came to my mind. It was William P. Young’s 2007 book entitled The Shack. (It was later made into a movie that was released on March 3, 2017). Eugene Peterson, the translator of The Message version of the Bible, said about The Shack:
“This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!”
If you haven’t read it, I strongly encourage you to do so. The movie is also available. In this sermon I am not going to give away the story – no ‘spoiler alert’ needed! The hero of the story is Mackenzie Allen Philips, who is known to his friends and to his wife as “Mack”. He has travelled by himself to a remote shack in response to a strange note – an invitation really – that appeared in his mailbox during an ice storm. The note was signed by God. Mack was as skeptical as you or I would be. This was especially so since the shack in question was associated with the darkest and most difficult experience of his life. But Mack was also curious, so he went. Mack has an encounter at the shack that is transformative. For the rest of the story you’ll have to either read the book or watch the movie.
How does one express in words something that is beyond words.
How does one find words to address the Source of All Being?
When we stand out under the night sky and look at the Milky Way;
When we hold a newborn child in our arms (as parents, grandparents or extended family);
When we look at a blossoming iris, or stand amazed by the scent of a roadside lined with lilacs in bloom;
How can we find words to describe the feeling of awe that overcomes us?
When we stand at the lakeshore and listen to the waves;
When we hear the plaintive call of a Northern Loon in the night;
When we experience the dawn chorus of robins, cardinals or white-throated sparrows;
How can we keep from singing?!
Generation after generation of the human family for thousands of years have struggled to come to terms with this. The Psalmist, 2500 and more years ago, expressed it with these words:
“What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8.4 NRSV)
And again, the Psalmist spoke, in Psalm 139, perhaps after considering the amazing intricacy of a human hand – or the ability of the human eye to appreciate the shades of springtime green:
“I praise you, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made.” (Voices United #861)
Our Jewish forbearers in the faith, in recognizing the complete otherness of the Creator, 
would not even pronounce the name of the Holy One. Throughout Christian history the great spiritual writers, musicians, artists, sculptors, and architects of the faith have sought to find ways to express the wonder of it all. Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts, in the 18th century; and Fanny Crosby and Robert Lowry, in the 19th century; were inspired put pen to paper and composed songs that we still love to sing. In the case of Fanny Crosby – she composed more than 8,000 hymns! In the last decade of the 20th century – in our own time – more hymns and songs were written than in the previous 200 years! We have come to know and love many of these by authors such as Jim & Jean Strathdee, Ron Klusmeier, Walter Farquharson, Fred Kaan, Brian Wren, Sidney Carter, Lynia Good, Ruth Duck and Rob Johns. And of course, our East Central Ontario Region musician and poet the late Rev. Sylvia Dunston.
I have a shelf in my bookcase that is filled with the hymnals and song books of the church – but I have only a few compared to what is available. Those volumes could fill a library.
I am reminded of the words of the gospel song: “The Love of God” written in 1917 by Frances Lehman:
“Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and ev’ry man a scribe by trade:
To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, tho’ stretched from sky to sky.
O Love of God! How rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels’ song.”
As St. Paul stated in his sermon in Athens – every human spirit longs to bring expression to this experience. In Athens they do so with a monument, “To an unknown god.” Today, in the world in which we live, while many have turned away from organized religion – there is a deep spiritual hunger in the human heart. As St. Augustine put it in prayer:
“Our souls are restless ‘till they find their rest in Thee.”
In our United Church of Canada hymn book “Voices United”, there is a hymn by the English Hymn Writer, Brain Wren, that is entitled “Bring Many Names” In this hymn the author refers to: “strong mother God”; “warm father God”; “old, aching God”; “young growing God”; and “Great living God!” – none of these images fully expresses the divine reality. There are, ultimately, no human words that adequately express the awesome reality of God’s Presence – the awesome reality of God’s being. And yet, as St. Paul affirms:
“God is not far from any one of us.” At no time is this more important than when we walk through difficult days like these.
All we can say is, in the words of our “Song of Faith”:
“Glory be to God! Holy Mystery who is Wholly Love!”
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hymn of Response & Reflection VU#264 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise; in light inaccessible, hid from our eyes; most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all; we blossom and flourish like leaves on a tree, then wither and perish, buy naught changeth thee.
4. Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light; thine angels adore thee all veiling their sight; all praise we would render, O help us to see ‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.
(Public Domain – Walter Chalmers Smith – 1867 alt.1987)
Concluding Prayer
Gracious, Loving, Present God; Jesus our Saviour promised that when two or three are gathered together in your name, you will grant their requests: fulfill now the desires and petitions of your people as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.
(Based on Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
Blessing
Sung Response “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace, never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day. God now in faith, steadfast, strong and true, know God is with you in all you do. Go now in love, and show you believe, reach out to others, so all the world can see;
God will be there, watching from above (walking by your side) Go now in peace, in faith and in love.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
