sunday WORSHIP

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Inspired by Luke 13:31-35

“We live in a world obsessed with status and power, and consequently rife with political machinations. Most obvious in this regard may be the candidates for and holders of government office, who often try to make themselves look better than they actually are-and their opponents look worse than they are.”[1]

Those words could easily be your words or my words, but in fact are the words of theologian Rodney Clapp. And they were published in a lectionary series I have that was published in 2009. That is sixteen years ago, but the words could have been penned yesterday. 

There is no end to the absurd mind-numbing nonsense coming to us daily from “down south.” Ethical and moral decency are not part of the fabric of the US Presidency.

In our country attacks on Mr. Poilievre began weeks ago with PM Trudeau still in office. Verbal tirades were launched at Mr. Carney by opponents before he was even elected as the new Liberal Leader. Now as the incoming Prime Minister, well, let the Mud-Slinging begin. Can’t you wait for the next Federal Election!

On the political stage, we are entrenched in an environment of negativity fueled by ego, self-interest and an insatiable appetite for power. And we would all say - Enough already! 

It is so very sad that this has been the Human Story for such a long while. It was indeed the situation for Jesus too, which is probably why the Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” Jesus’ popularity was rising and that presented a threat to Herod’s leadership. That threat needed to be eliminated.

We have witnessed far too long the consequences of the power brokers and control seekers. Often the worst kinds of human suffering result. 

Jesus of course knows all about the evil of King Herod. He knows as well the death of John the Baptist in Jerusalem and the history of other prophets slain there. And he knows what is waiting for him upon his arrival. But as Jesus calls his adversaries out, he also “sees them as as barnyard chicks lost in a storm, too afraid and too stubborn to find shelter under the shadow of mother hen’s wings.”[2] 

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” 

Jesus is saying, “I have offered to bring you into God’s new kin-dom. I have wanted to teach you about kindness, generosity and forgiveness. I have wanted to share the Creator’s love with you all. I have wanted to free you from bondage, bring healing to your wounded and peace to your grieving. It is all right here for the taking, and it is free. But you have rejected me.” 

It is almost a pastoral message, still offering the opportunity for a breakthrough into a new day. I (God) want to be there for you. That has always been the prayer.

The consequences of rejection? There always are consequences of our actions. “Your house is left to you.” You have made you bed and now you have to lay in it we would say. “And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[c] you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ” 

You will not see me suggests you do not understand, “you will not get it until you believe in my message and live in my way.” That way is to let God gather everyone close in a universal loving embrace. Too “see” Jesus is to let him in to time and place, to let him in to our living. 

Why not just accept that simple invitation? Because welcoming Jesus means embracing the things that corruption rejects; equality, justice, fairness, accountability, and peace. Unfortunately, the values of authoritative politicians, and tyrannical world leaders both in Jesus’ time and now, are not gospel centred. It is unlikely they will heed the message offered by a mothering hen embracing her chicks. Neither will the selfish or the self-centered. The privileged might be reluctant, the vastly rich, evasive. 

But friends, that just means that our ministry must carry on. Because all God’s children, all God’s Children need to be held. 

I hear Jesus speaking to the naysayers, the rejectors of his powerful love filled message saying, silly human, you just don’t get it, I feel bad for you. I can give you all the advice in the world but if you don’t take it, you will not truly see the world and all its beauty. You will not see the possibility that God’s grace offers you. You will not realize your full potential without knowing how valued you are to the creator and to one another. To truly know what it is to be loved, you must let go of your ego and come unto me. 

That is the message we carry forward. We must somehow pass over the annoying speed bumps that would distract us from this ministry we have together. 

Knowing that we are instruments of hope and peace in the world is a bit of a burden to carry. And rejection is frustrating. But Jesus stayed the course carrying his message all the way to Jerusalem. We are invited to do the same, to take that message of love, generosity, and kindness wherever we go. That might be to Victoria, Ottawa or even Washington. Most importantly though, we need to carry it with us each and every day wherever we are.

In our personal experiences there have always been invitations to participate in kin-dom living. And for the most part we have taken them. We have parked our ego, lent a hand, been kind and generous neighbours, supported the church and other community organizations. And we have done so lovingly and without reservation. We have taken God’s invitation to be part of Shalom community. We are simply asked to keep doing the same. Amen, thanks for listening this morning. 

[1] Rodney Clapp, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 2, Lent Through Eastertide, David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, Editors, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville Kentucky, 2009, p. 68

[2] Ibid., 72

Inspired by Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-36

Consider for a few moments those individuals you come into contact with from time to time, that have what we see as a very special gift. These can be folks from all walks of life, people from all sectors of society. They could be the check-out clerk at the grocery store or the bank teller. They might be your insurance agent or your optometrist. It could be someone in your book club, your bridge club or your curling club. It could be a neighbour, or someone you have come to know here at PUC. It might be your GP, if you are lucky enough to have one.

I’m talking about the sort of people that have a kind of magnetism that attracts us. We are drawn to them and just want to be in their company. You could say they have a kind of aura about them. You know who they are in your life and in your experience. They are outgoing, very friendly, approachable and easy to get to know.

In both our Exodus and Lukan passages for today we heard descriptions of faces shining in God’s light. “When Aaron and the Israelites saw Moses, the skin on his face was shining.” While Jesus was praying, “the appearance of his face changed.” We envision faces bathed in pure love and radiating that outward for all of us to witness. 

In my reflection on these two scriptural passages, I wonder if anyone I know has had such an encounter with God? And I wonder if we can see it on their faces.

Would you say that a direct encounter with God is rare? Is it even possible? I suppose that might depend on what we classify as an encounter. 

If we asked for specific testimonies of God encounters, I expect several of you could come up and tell us about them. In fact, if you have one and want to share it let me know, we would love to hear it sometime. In truth, I believe many of us have had those experiences. I also expect a lot of us would not recognize it if it did occur.

How does one recognize a person who has seen God’s face, who has been in the Holy Presence, who has felt the creator flow through their veins?

Theologian Nick Carter says, “Every now and again we encounter people who have a depth, or joy, or even a kind of charisma that, as we get to know them, we discover grows from a deep personal relationship with God. These folks commonly talk about their relationship to God as one filled with great abundance. And how often have we heard the phrase “Her face just glows,” as others try to describe the aura they see in these people.”[1]

Her, or His face just glows. The bubbly personality flows over. A generous greeting is exchanged. A thoughtful comment is offered. A genuine interest is expressed. How are you? So good to see you? It’s been a long time. How was your trip? We missed you. I heard you were ill, how are you feeling? 

There is a different kind of light emanating from folks like that. They are filled with grace. It is a light from within, a light just as powerful as the one the dazzled Peter, James and John. A light just like the one that caused Moses to cover his face. But it is God’s transforming light just the same. 

How I wonder does it get there? I suppose one could consult Google, but I wouldn’t rely on the search results. I suppose you could just ask someone. Say there, why are you always so happy? Why do you always have such a smile on your face? You are always so pleasant to be around; did you win the Lotto or something? 

I suppose you could ask that question. Then again, if you are hoping to hear testimony affirming God’s incredible light of love, I expect you might be disappointed. I doubt you will hear, “Well I pray every day, and I give thanks to the creator for my life. I feel so blessed; I just can’t keep it in. I feel the love of God in my heart and the spirit of Christ in my soul, and it gives me great joy.” You might get that response, but I doubt it.

Moses’ and Jesus’ faces were transfigured, changed with Holy Love- Light in an instant. These are singular events, affirming beyond any doubt whatsoever God’s presence. But true transformation needs some time. Seeds are planted, they germinate and with the right amount of “spirit fertilizer,” the soul is nurtured and blossoms. Those that possess the inner light we are drawn to, have experienced such nurturing.

And I believe it is the power of Holy Love that does it. Somehow God, known or unknown, has permeated your soul-self when that transpires.

Perhaps it happened when you were very young. Gentle, kind and generous parents gave you the kind of support you needed. You were guided through your childhood in ways that were encouraging. You were loved fiercely and unequivocally. 

Perhaps as a young adult you had great mentors who saw in you significant potential. They did everything they could to make that flourish. They mentored you, and you blossomed.

Then again, it may have happened differently. You may have come from a broken home or subjected to some form of abuse. Perhaps you were bullied, shamed, and ridiculed. When your “love-light” was all but distinguished, you found comfort in the company of another. You found understanding, compassion and a recognition that you were special. It was then that you thrived. 

However, it may have occurred, the holy presence entered and influenced you. It was the guiding light that was transformative in your life. That is the same brilliant passion that Moses and Jesus experienced. It changed them, and it changes us too.

Some of us can recount specific times when God has played a divine role in picking us up and “saving” us as is said. Such a transformation can be seen in a radiant smile or experienced in a hopeful spirit. Such people might be those we gravitate to. They have been touched by holy love and they touch us too.

And then there are those who have also been touched by holy love but might not realize it. They have bathed in a transforming light. They have received gifts from the heart of God of generosity, kindness, acceptance, companionship, empathy, and encouragement. The expressions on those faces are like the faces of Moses and Jesus we heard about today. And those are the expressions I see when I look out into this COF this morning. Amen Thanks for listening this morning.

[1] Feasting on the Word, p. 437

Inspired by Jeremiah 17:5-10 

Have you ever felt like a shrub in the desert, alone in a parched wilderness? Have you experienced the kind of isolation Jeremiah refers to as an uninhabited salt land?

In our mortality, the reality is that we all do. There are occasions when we are presented with the kind of challenges that are crushing blows to our spirit. Sometimes we are left wondering what to do, where to turn. We can be confused, anxious, worried and depressed. We can be absolutely lost.

I recall such an occasion like that many years ago when I was a new employee with Health Canada. About six months after I started my tenue in Ft. St. John, I made a trip up the Alaska Highway. We stopped in Liard River, my dog and I, hoping to get a campsite for the night. Alas there was no room, so we kept going.

A short while later I ran through a huge pothole and the front tire on the driver’s side exploded off the rim. I lost control of the vehicle, a brand-new Dodge Ram 4 x 4, did several doughnuts down the highway, and finally landed on a grass verge upside down. I remember the poor dog scurrying out a broken window scared to death. Upside down I un-bucked my seat belt, fell to the roof and crawled out. Fortunately, neither the dog or I had any injuries. 

Sitting on the side of the road looking at the flipped truck, kibble and personal effects scattered everywhere, I felt as crushed as the truck.

What was I going to say to my employer? What was I going to say to Lenore to prevent her from being as traumatized as I was? She always worried when I was away. What was I supposed to do now out in the middle of the wilderness in the dead of night? I felt very alone indeed.

Much later, with the help of a passerby and the owner of the Liard River Lodge, I found myself finally bedded down on the floor of the laundromat, as the Lodge was full of summer guests. A very sleepless night followed as I relived the scene several times. The only consolation I had was the dog sleeping with me. Somehow, she decided to trust me again. 

The experience was like being alone in the parched wilderness that Jeremiah describes.

It wasn’t apparent to me that I was going to get through the present gloom. At that time in my life, I didn’t have an active faith. I felt totally alone and isolated. I didn’t have the creator’s company. Well, at least I didn’t think I did, but I am sure Holy Love was there, nonetheless. 

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

 whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

In the year of drought, it is not anxious, 

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Those are prophetic words for our being in the world today. It is of course beyond our control to prevent loss, tragedy and heartache. And it is not in the realm of God to do that either. But we can endure, and we can overcome if we heed Jeremiah’s wisdom. 

My vehicle incident would have happened regardless of my spiritual belief or otherwise. But I wonder now how much it might have helped if I took some time to sit for a few minutes, close my eyes and think to myself, be like a tree planted near water, ground yourself in the earth of your existence. How would it have felt if I took the opportunity to remember there was something remarkable with me that night on the laundromat floor other than my pet dog? Would I have felt any better if I had focused on light, warmth and love, rather than grey, damp and dreary?  

Let’s see if we can do that together here. Make yourself as comfortable as you can. Put your feet flat on the floor, your hands on you lap, your head slightly bowed. Close your eyes. Visualize yourself as a majestic tree on the side of a pond or beside a creek. The waters are calm and still. Feel your roots reach down, way down, deep into the sandy soil. 

You are thirsty and your roots stretch, they stretch and reach towards the cool water. They take in the life-giving nectar and as you breathe you feel the goodness of the creator flowing through your veins, into your heart and pumping through your body. It is good to be in this place, a place of quiet solitude, a place of calm and a place of reassurance. You can sense your pulse slowing down. Your shoulders, neck, arms and legs are relaxed. 

Visualize your tree-self. You are strong, you are vibrant, you are alive, deeply and securely rooted in God’s love. Creation is holding you tightly in her arms. Let go of any tension and experience harmony.

This is a place to go to when all about us seems too chaotic, when we are past the place of coping, when we are lost and alone in the parched places of the wilderness. Let’s take another minute to rest here, rest and breathe in the peace that is there for you. Breathe slowly in and out and let peace envelop you as we rest in quiet solitude. (Pause) I invite you back.

Jeremiah suggests we are blessed if we trust in the Lord. It feels to me like that is to trust in the constant companionship of reassurance when we face uncertainty. And it is in the knowing that there will be restoration of heart and soul even during great trauma.

We need that more than ever these days, a trust that Holy Love is always there for us, the reassurance that the God of peace and hope has not abandoned our time. We need a sense of reassurance that the present clouds of gloom dominating the skyline will be cast aside. We need something to calm our fears and reduce our anxiety.

Jeremiah has that answer for us. 

We can survive drought and wilderness. We can survive trials of the desert. In the Creator’s hand, we will thrive like strong healthy trees reaching out for a thirst quenching and soul mending drink of Holy Water when we need it. 

Our roots are anchored in God’s embrace. We can experience comfort and renewal. 

Try not to fear when adversity comes to you. Sit by the water’s edge and stay a while. You are not in the wilderness in an uninhabited salt land. You are not alone or lost. Your sorrow is not too much to bear. 

You are rooted in compassion. You are held by Holy Love. You are lifted by the spirit’s hand. Amen Thanks for listening this morning. 

  Inspired by Isaiah 62:1-5

Start with the Video Clip of Scrooge and the ghost of Christmas present. 

A very reluctant Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present. For Scrooge, to set in his ways, too hardened by his mortal life experiences, he is unable to see anything positive from this encounter. All of the Christmas “stuff” is just a huge inconvenience and a monumental bother. Scrooge’s answer to the spirit’s inquiry about his visit, “I wish the pleasure had been indefinitely postponed.” It is all Humbug as is his favourite adjective. 

“Leave me alone and let me keep Christmas in my own way,” says Ebenezer. Tired, frustrated and jaded, Scrooge doesn’t get it. The conjured image before him speaks again, (Paraphrase) “Mortal we spirits don’t seek Christmas just once a year, we keep Christmas in our hearts all 365 days of the year. And it is the same for the child born in Bethlehem, men keep him in their hearts all year round.” 

As the familiar story unfolds, we all know Scrooge learns not just to appreciate Christmas well, but how important it is for kindness and generosity to take a prominent place in the world. 

What an incredible gift Scrooge received, the opportunity to see how a changed attitude might influence others. His generosity not only of money but of spirit could be inspirational around the good old town.

Dickens doesn’t mention anything about Christ, only a reference to a child born in Bethlehem. And there is no mention of God. This is not a religious story. But as I reflect on this classic, it is abundantly clear to me that when the spirt said “Come in and know me better man,” he also meant, “Come in and know God better.” 

In today’s Old Testament Text, Isaiah pleads with God to restore Jerusalem. The captives have returned to their land, but it has not been as glorious a return as was hoped. Economic hardship amidst oppression and conflicting religious practices made life difficult for the returning exiles. 

Come on in God, return us to the times you promised, pleads the prophet. Rebuild this forsaken land, take us out of our desolation. Take us out of our misery.

For the sake of the Hebrew people, Isaiah describes their relationship with God as a marriage. 

5 For as a young man marries a young woman,
 so shall your builder[a] marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
 so shall your God rejoice over you.

I imagine this to be a very hopeful, comforting message for those who had returned to Judah after a 70-year absence. A marriage bond, an intimate partnership with Yahweh. God as protector and provider. God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, promises Isaiah. Positive and comforting words in a time of great uncertainty.

Come to know God better, come to know God in a close relationship bond. For Isaiah’s audience, come to know God as benefactor, change agent, advocate. For Scrooge, come to know God as possibility, potential, optimism, hope, peace and joy. For us, come to know God in the midst of uncertainty and doubt. Come and know God through chaos. Come and know the light of God even through destruction and heartache. 

And if you doubt, come in and know that God is the thread of hope and love since time immemorial. Come and know God better.

Yes, Holy Love is always there, although all too often it is veiled and cries to be let out. 

We are on the eve of a very big day tomorrow, the inauguration of President T. There is huge apprehension for most of us here, if not for most Canadians around this event. We are fearful over what tomorrow will bring. 

A new president will be sworn in to the Whitehouse and never before has there been so much tension over what is to come. Threats of economically choking tariffs, the preposterous amalgamating Canada as the 51st state, exacerbating the threat of WW III. And Mr. T is just getting started. 

There are several people including Mr. T on my list that I pray could be visited by the three spirits in Dicken’s novel. For those that care only about their personal image and are motivated only by their ego, that might be the only possible way to bring about a modicum of change. Alas, we are fooling ourselves if we believe that is going to happen. How then might we respond? 

If we follow “God” more intimately and learn to know God better, might that help us in our present circumstances? 

Knowing God well of course is a very personal and unique journey for everyone. For some, perhaps a time of a great epiphany, when the Creator’s light shone upon you in a way you had not expected. A birth? A death? During a time of great uncertainty when the path ahead became clear and you were comforted? 

Perhaps it has been a gradual awakening to something often called spirit. You grew into a knowing of inner peace, a confidence that even in desperation there is hope. You realized that a permanent light resides within you, reminding you that you are never alone. All these blessings reside in our being when we know God well. 

But what is knowing God better?

Knowing God better is seeing God’s radiance in all things.

Shining Forth (Meister Eckhart)

In times of doubt I forget

that you are not a God

of thoughts, to be found

In concepts or theories

but are the source of 

my life and the radiance

that shines forth in all 

that is, and then I remember:

mine is the work of learning

to see You as the radiance

that shines forth in all that is, 

even in the dark. Even in me[1]

Ours is the work of learning and “leaning into possibility.” Learning to see the radiance.

Perhaps too often we see things as polar opposites; either light or dark, either right or wrong, either good or bad. And when we are on the downside, we cannot fathom a path forward. It seems impossible and we are inclined to give in and give up. It is then that we shut God out. It is then that we question God and don’t know God well. God’s radiance is obscured.

Let God’s radiance, a holy unconditional love for all, shine through you all. Understanding the power of that love, is getting to know God better.

It takes patience of course. Patience and dogged determination. Patience in knowing the Holy love that is permanent. It is also immanent. We are married to it in our faith, married to the spirit of God as Isaiah promised in his prophetic voice.

Scrooge was an unwilling participant and followed the spirit of Christmas Present reluctantly. But he did get to know him and, in the process, learned to appreciate Christmas well. At that same time, he began to know God. 

We know God well. Let us lean into learning to know God better by celebrating God’s radiance every day.

Thanks for listening this morning. Amen

[1] P. 116

Inspired by Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

A good ministry friend of mine sent me an email a few days ago as an inquiry. Her question was regarding Baptism as presented in Luke’s gospel. She wanted her reflection for today to be inclusive of all her gathered community, but she was faced with the reality that traditional references tend to surround the individual experience of “What does baptism mean for you?” Or “what is it supposed to mean to you?” 

Adding to her dilemma, there are many in her COF who have never been baptized. So, what does Luke’s message and John the Baptist’s actions mean for those folks she asked? Do they feel alienated or excluded when we speak about baptism? Is it even significant in any way? 

Baptism of course, has been a ritual in many mainline churches for centuries. Traditionally the sacrament conveys the confession of sin, rebirth, a welcoming of the holy spirit into the life of the baptized individual, a union with Christ, and a welcoming into the membership of the COF. 

In some denominations baptism is still the only path to salvation. That is precisely why I wasn’t baptised until my early 30’s. I wasn’t baptised as an infant, and I certainly wasn’t going to be baptised as an adult because of fearmongering. It made no sense to me then, and makes no sense to me now, if baptism is seen as the exclusive path to God’s shalom community. 

Today, in the UC at least, baptism equates with a welcoming into the community of believers. We walk together in a common journey to serve in Christ’s ministry. It is a recognition that we are God’s own, cherished and loved. And it is an opportunity to profess our longing to be in loving community together. 

As adults we make promises at our Baptism, indicating that we believe in a creating and recreating God working through the spirit in us. We commit to following the way of Christ and we commit to live celebrating God’s presence, live in respect of creation and commit to love and serve others. [1] 

Seven Hundred or so years prior to the penning of Luke’s gospel, in which John the Baptist baptises Jesus, the prophet Isaiah addresses a troubled Israelite audience living in exile. 

Do not fear, for I (God) have redeemed you;
 I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
 and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
 and the flame shall not consume you.

You are mine says the divine creator, all of you. Not just selected individuals, those that have been righteous. Not only those of you who have upheld truth and justice. Not just those who have actively practiced compassion and unconditional love. Not only those who have prayed for a peaceful kin-dom. Everyone. There is no mention of baptism, but there is a similar intent. There is a recognition and welcoming for everyone into community with the divine creator.

Today that means welcoming everyone regardless of social status, ethnicity, political affiliation, religious belief, gender expression, race or culture. Isaiah’s words are inclusive, unconditional. But there is no requirement for taking any vows or making any promises. To cite a few words from one of our favourite Hymns by Daniel Charles Damon, “You are gifted, called and chosen you are mine.” You are mine, foibles and all. That’s it. Plain as day. One doesn’t have to promise anything.

In no way would I intend to diminish the value and importance of baptism. Quite the contrary. 

For an infant, it is an opportunity for the gathered community to recognize the precious gift of life. And gathered together we commit to loving that precious wee bundle of innocence and energy as if we were all his or her Godparents. As an adult, Baptism is an opportunity to publicly declare the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and express our intentions to celebrate that with others. It is a willful, serious commitment. But it doesn’t signal that we should be treated any differently than someone else. And it assuredly does not mean we have earned God’s favour over the un-baptised.

Pamela Moeller writes, “deserving isn't what matters. Joining the church isn't what matters. What we think isn't what matters. No, we are baptized because God loves us, because we are born of God, because from womb to tomb and beyond God knows us, identifies with us, claims us, loves us. Baptism tells us that. But it doesn't make it so. God makes it so.[2]

Perhaps that is the most important “take-away” for this morning. “God makes it so.” And that is what Isaiah is saying.

The Holy Breath within us all seeks to permeate our souls. It tells us we are cherished. It reminds us we live accompanied in the challenges we face. It encourages us to remember that within the all too often wretchedness of time and place, there is room for hope. That is God calling us by name. 

That same Holy Breath asks us to make a commitment. It asks, will you go out into the world and advocate for me? Will you extend the promise that I give to you – practice unconditional love for all and when you need to, forgive those who stray from my path? Baptism is when we answer those questions publicly. Answering the call, recognizing that we are one of God’s own is in the doing piece. 

I have given you a name, it is mine;

I have given you my spirit as a sign.

With the wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;

Go and tell my precious people they are mine.

We are really all baptized when we believe and when we serve. 

A profession of faith is profoundly spirit led, and God centered when we do ministry. When we join in a wondrous chorus or pray soulfully for the world and those we love, we enact baptismal vows. When we hold the pain of another gently and embrace the broken heart, a baptised spirit reaches out. When we want for others the gifts we possess, and endeavour to make that a reality, the selfless servant professes the life of Christ and the fellowship of God’s kin-dom.

Isaiah’s prophetic words were shared a long while before baptism as we know it today was practiced. Know you are loved says Isaiah. Baptism says likewise and adds, know you are loved and proclaim to the world that good news. Proclaim it in both word and deed.

Proclaim it in both word and deed. 

Well haven’t you all been doing that? You have all been the hands and feet of Christ and professed your faith through your love in action. That tells me that you have all been baptised whether or not through the laying on of hands by a priest or minister. You are all called and chosen. God has called you all by name and you have answered.

Thanks for listening this morning, Amen

[1] Excerpts from UC Sacraments Elders, 2020

[2] Moeller, Pamela Ann, Naming Reality: Reflections on the Waters of Baptism.” Exploring Visions Anew: Dreams and Visions, Charles Press, St. Louis, Mi, 1988, p. 27