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This week there is no sermon. Instead we read Jesus entry to Jerusalem in the Likturgy of the Palms (Mark 11:1-11). We also read the Passion Story according to the Gospel of Mark chapter (14:1-15:47). A question that is often not asked by peoplde of the church is: “What did Jesus do that was so bad to turn the ordinary people of Jerusalem from laying palms and cloaks to shouting; ‘Crucify him!’with such vehemence within 5 days?” To find out we need to read Mark 12:12-14:1 and imagine how those in authority in our world would react in the same place.
Fall Auction: The auction is set for Saturday November 26. It is time begin the baking or finish the crafts or other projects you intend to bring.
I was away during Easter and did not write a sermon for posting. For people who read the blog another is being posted for the second Sunday of Easter.
March 15, 2011
Japan Update: Prayers and Donations Welcome
Our hearts reach out to brothers and sisters in Japan as they face what Prime Minister Naoto Kan describes as the most severe crisis since World War II. Our immediate response is to wonder what we can do for our brothers and sisters facing this devastation.
PRAY:
- Pray for all those caught in the devastation, those who grieve for families and friends dead or missing, those who struggle to respond in the face of great challenges, those first responders whose expertise and training are so essential.
- Pray for those around the world whose personal connections to Japan make this situation particularly poignant and difficult.
- Pray for mission partners in Japan. The international ecumenical community is an important place of solidarity and support for the Christian minority in Japan.
- Pray for United Church of Canada overseas personnel-David and Zenora Rackham, Shinji Kawano(bio not available at this time), and Rob and Keiko Witmer. All personnel are well and safe and working within their communities to help and sustain others as they are able.
COMFORT:
- Hundreds of thousands of people who survived the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, remain emotionally traumatized by these tragic events. This catastrophe, like similar events in New Zealand and Haiti, offers us a unique opportunity to reach out to our fellow human beings to offer solace using social media.
- To do this we are inviting individuals and congregations to echo the opening words of the United Church’s Creed “We are not alone”, and to post prayers and messages of comfort and solidarity for our Japanese sisters and brothers living in Japan and in Canada. These prayers and messages can be posted on The United Church of Canada’s Facebook page or added to the on-line discussion on WonderCafe.
- Communication systems remain a challenge in Japan at this moment. Land lines are still affected and the rolling blackouts mean Internet and cell phone access are intermittent. At this point in the emergency, partners need to keep their own e-mail inboxes clear to receive communications about the emergency. But we’ll let partners know where they can access these online messages.
DONATE:
- The United Church of Canada will work with partners in Japan to support on-the-ground relief and reconstruction. It is important to remember that while these immediate moments of crisis are the ones that tug at our heart strings the needs in Japan, as in any place of crisis and emergency, will continue long after relief efforts have ended and the memory of the devastation faded on the world stage. The United Church works with partners over the long term.
- Any donations received at the General Council Office, designated for “Japan Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction” will be gratefully received and used to support United Church partners in this work.
- Donations can be made online http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/donate or mailed to:The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
- Donations made by United Church members, congregations, and pastoral charges to Japan Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction are considered “over and above” gifts to the United Church’s wider work, so they are not recorded as part of a congregation/pastoral charge’s Mission and Service Fund giving.
- As part of The United Church’s Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will directly fund an emergency response in Japan. Fifteen percent will be used to support emergencies that do not receive intense media cover and response. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation.
- For more information contact:
Pat Elson, Program Coordinator, People in Partnership, Asia Partnerships
Partners in Mission Unit Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4016
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4016
E-mail: pelson@united-church.ca
Gary Kenny
Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development
Partners in Mission Unit
Tel: 416-231-7680, ext. 4051
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051
E-mail: gkenny@united-church.ca
March 15, 20100
The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on March 11, generating a 10 meter tsunami that swept away everything in its path and killed at least 10,000 people. 350,000 people are living in evacuation sites at the moment. The number of dead is expected to rise as the situation becomes clearer.
CLWR is issuing an appeal for funds to support the humanitarian aid being provided through ACT Alliance. ACT reports there are various gaps in basic needs such as water, food, blankets, electricity, health and sanitation kits that evacuation sites are facing, since most efforts at the moment focus on search and rescue and evacuation from radiation contaminated areas where explosions at nuclear power plants have taken place.
ACT Alliance is in the midst of a needs assessment from both land and air. ACT General Secretary, John Nduna said, “We are deeply concerned and we are monitoring the situation closely so that ACT Alliance can direct its resources to where they are most needed, as quickly as possible.” Should ACT decide not to proceed with an aid program for Japan, CLWR will work through other partners to deliver effective and efficient humanitarian aid.
Donations to the appeal may be made through CLWR in the following ways:
- AFTER MARCH 15 – Online at www.clwr.org/donate. In the process of completing theform, you will come to a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose Japan Earthquake.
- By calling our toll-free number: 1.800.661.2597 or locally at 204.694.5602.
- By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to CLWR, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute
to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Appeal.
Through your congregation by designating the donation to “CLWR 2011 Japan Earthquake”.
For more information contact:
Tom Brook, Community Relations Director
tbrook@clwr.mb.ca
204-631-0115
Winnipeg, 3 March 2011– The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge is calling Lutherans worldwide to prayer, support and advocacy concerning the humanitarian crisis developing from the swift political changes in North Africa.
In a March 3, 2011 letter to LWF member churches, Junge urges the churches’ prayers for people in North Africa and the Middle East so “that violence and repression will stop,” that people would “be treated with dignity and respect” and that leaders “will be chosen who are honest and accountable.”
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson added her voice to General Secretary Junge’s call for prayers. “We pray for peace that is so desperately needed in North Africa. We deplore the choice to use violence, and pray for people of courage and good will to emerge as leaders, so that people’s core human need for dignity, rights, safety and self-determination will be respected.”
In December a popular uprising began in Tunisia, forcing the Tunisian president to flee the country in January. Similar protests in Egypt in January forced the country’s president to step aside in February. Protests that began peacefully in Libya in February are resulting in a huge humanitarian crisis as the country’s leader fights to keep his hold on power.
Junge deplored the loss of life and expressed hope that those fleeing would be able to return home safely and that the refugees will find refuge. He expressed particular concern for Libya where the country’s leader, Muammar Gaddafi, “is trying to cling to power in the most cruel way, ordering his security forces to shoot and kill his own people. The death toll may already be in the thousands.” Most of those fleeing the country are foreign workers, predominantly from Egypt but also from other countries including Bangladesh and Nepal.
The general secretary welcomed the United Nations’ actions against Libya. The Security Council in February imposed sanctions against Libya. On March 1, 2011 the General Assembly suspended Libya from the Human Rights Council.
“The international community is unanimously condemning the indiscriminate use of violence and the violations of human rights,” Junge noted.
In view of the large-scale humanitarian crisis unfolding from Libya, Junge pointed out that an LWF-led humanitarian assessment team will arrive in neighboring Tunisia this weekend. The LWF-ACT Alliance rapid assessment team will elaborate a preliminary appeal and coordinate the shipment and distribution of immediate relief goods as well as the establishment of water supply infrastructure in close coordination with UN organizations on-site.
The LWF is a founding member of ACT Alliance, a global network of church-related organizations collaborating in humanitarian assistance and development.
Junge asked the churches for continued financial support as the LWF responds to the humanitarian crisis.
He urged Lutherans in Europe to advocate with their governments to show compassion toward those fleeing North Africa. “While the struggling countries bordering Libya are generously keeping their borders open, the European discussions seem to focus more on how to protect their borders” in a humanitarian situation that calls for a different approach, Junge added.
The general secretary expressed his hope that the political changes in North Africa would “pave the way for political governance that is accountable to the very people it represents.”
He added, “People want to have their dignity respected. People want to be treated fairly and honestly – they reject injustice and corruption.”
Partners in Worship Womens’ Auxillary thanks to all the bidders, helpers, and contributors to the success of the auction. Because of your generosity $4300 has been raised in the fun filled fund raiser.
Worship Questionnaire Results (23 completed questionnaires were returned)
Church Council has reviewed the responses received on the Worship Questionnaire. The results were weighted according to the numbered preferences on each question. So numbers do not always add up to 100 percent.
Pre-worship Time
- Complete silence 5 minutes prior to worship 20%
- Quietly listening to music for 5 minutes prior 51%
- Visiting prior to worship until the procession 23%
Use of Psalms in Worship
- Using sung refrain weekly 45%
- Saying the refrain rather than singing 32%
- Eliminate or use the Psalm occasionally 23%
Sharing the Peace
- Sharing it with people within reach only 53%
- Moving about to share the peace 47%
Church Music
- Traditional Hymns played on the organ 13.6%
- New Music played on the key board 15.3%
- A mixture of old and new music 31.8%
- Hymns with a message 16.7%
- Praise Songs rather than hymns 14.4%
- Words projected rather than hymn books 8.0%
Intergenerational Worship
- Like intergenerational worship 35.0%
- Don’t like changing 10.7%
- Like the songs at intergenerational services 35.5%
- Prefer a service that is totally different 18.4%
According to these results council concludes that we have a very diverse group of people who attend worship in Partners in Worship. On examining the weighted results of the questionnaire results indicate: that we have varied worship experiences and varied worship preferences and there is no over-whelming unanimity on any one practice… Rather, it is evident that members… who prefer one particular practice or style of service…are not in agreement with a significant portion of the congregation. This works both ways…worship is not about winning and loosing. It is about coming together to praise our God…sometimes with quiet reverence and sometimes making a joyful noise.
In the eyes of God…worship is the joyful response of the congregation for what God gives each and everyone of us. For some this joyful response is by making a joyful noise to the Lord… For others it is a quiet prayerful response… For others it is sharing our joy with our neighbor by word or deed. For others appropriate response is strict reverence and ritualistic. For others it is disorganized and spontaneous. As Christians we are called to be open to all expressions of response to Gods grace… and to find ways to live that joyful response out together. God continuously call us to lives in mutual loving relationships with each other, regardless of our preferences. Thanks be to God.
? I think that we all agree the slavery is a bad thing… We are repulsed with the idea that one person would feel so superior to another that they could buy them…. We would go as far as saying that the idea of one person owning another is unchristian. Jesus died to set us free from slavery. We cannot in any way shape or form understand how the slave owners of the past could worship… with good a conscience … knowing that their actions were unchristian. Since we believe these things… and live in Canada with it laws against slavery…we ask; “What has the story about Philemon and Onesimus have to do with us?”
Read more (Sermon)
Sylvia and I are leaving for a short holiday on Thursday July 29th until Saturday August 7th. So I will not be leading services for the next 2 weeks.
