In the Beginning. Paddy

Transcription

1 In the Beginning Like September, January feels like an opportunity to start over again. It s a clean slate waiting for us to write our story. Stores sell planners and calendars. Gyms and pools are full. Resolutions, hopes and dreams are everywhere. To some extent, all of this is energizing and engaging. Some years we are very glad to draw a line in the sand and declare, Good riddance, that year is done! Moving on However, with a few years experience of broken resolutions, unused gym memberships and the resumption of our busy schedules, it s easy to become a little jaded about the possibility of change, renewal and transformation. On Christmas Day, we looked at John 1:1-14. One of the remarkable things about the gospel of John is that it does not include the usual birth story details. It is the gospel of Luke that gives us the details of Jesus birth: the census; the manger; the shepherds and the angels. In contrast to this, John tells us the story of Jesus birth in just two verses: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1) and The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14). John grounds the story of Jesus in the work of creation, In the beginning, when the Word of God created both light and life. Why does John do this? John is telling us that that life-giving, light-creating Word is at it again. In Jesus Christ, God is recreating the world. John spends little time describing Jesus birth because his real interest is in your birth, your rebirth as a beloved child of God. This is a birth story all right. It is your birth story. As we enter 2019, keep that thought before you. In Jesus Christ, God is recreating the world. In Jesus Christ, God is rebirthing you as God s beloved child. Our hope is not in the New Year but in the One who makes all things new. John L. Bell is a Scottish theologian, working from the Christian community in Iona. He is passionate about the renewal of congregational singing. We are already familiar with one of his songs: Behold, behold, I make all things new, Beginning with you and starting today. Behold, behold, I make all things new, My promise is true, for I am Christ the way. So let us enter the New Year together, confident in God s work among us, trusting God to lead us. Yours in Christ, Paddy 1

2 TWO STUDY OPPORTUNITIES Learning the Lord s Prayer with Martin Luther King Take this opportunity to jump start your prayer life, whether you have been praying for a lifetime or are starting from scratch. Drawing on the book Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History s Best Teachers by Gary Neal Hansen, we ll spend two weeks learning to pray the Lord s Prayer with Martin Luther. Martin Luther ( ) was one of the most memorable leaders of the Protestant Reformation and a deeply wise Christian pastor. He wrote and taught to help Christians have prayer lives that shaped their believing and their living. Following his prayer template, you will build a solid foundation for an excellent prayer life. Meeting on two evenings: Thursdays, January 10 & 17, 7:00 8:30 p.m. Elijah: Living Securely in an Insecure World Terrorism. Diseases. Hurricanes. Every day the news reinforces what you want to forget you live in an insecure world. Elijah's times were no safer. He faced famine, murder and corruption with both courage and fear. In eight studies on Elijah's life we will look beyond the insecurity of the world to our sovereign God who reigns forever. Thursdays, from January 24 March 7, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Talk to Paddy for more details. 2

3 John Wesley s Covenant Prayer (As used in the Book of Offices of the British Methodist Church, 1936) I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (Contemporary Version) I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, Praised for you or criticized for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it also be made in heaven. Amen. 3

4 Haney Presbyterian Church is Seeking a Youth Worker The search for a youth worker for our congregation is underway. Letters and flyers are circulating. Here s how you can help: Ø Pray that we will find a young adult with a passion for youth ministry, who loves God and children; Ø Spread the word we all have a network of connections through our friends and families (and their churches). Let them know of our hopes for a youth worker to come alongside and work with us in this important ministry. OFFERING ENVELOPES for 2019 are ready for pick up in the Narthex. FRIDAY YOUTH GROUPS start again on Friday, January 11 Even if you are using PAR (Pre-authorized Remittances), having your own numbered set of envelopes makes any special donations easier to track and process for year-end receipts. 4

5 Library Corner A new year. A new chapter in the story of our lives. Perhaps a resolution to examine our reading habits? Nothing can take the place of reading scripture to ensure our spiritual growth but I would recommend to you owning a Daily Devotional book or two. It is the sharing of another person s spiritual journey with us. I treasure the quotes that remain behind from those who have gone before us. And so, this month, I want to share with you a few that have been meaningful to me: I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else. - C. S. Lewis Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer IS the greater work! - Oswald Chambers Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts shall be established. - Proverbs 16:3 The philosophy of the classroom in this generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next. - Abraham Lincoln It seems to me, Lord, that we search much too desperately for answers when a good question holds as much grace as an answer. Jesus, You are the great questioner. Keep our questions alive that we may always be seekers rather than settlers. Macrina Wiederkehr (Seasons of the Heart) What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. - R.W. Emerson Noah was a brave man to sail in a wooden boat with two termites. - Anonymous Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. - Winston Churchill The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. - Samuel Johnson We live as those who are on a journey Home; a Home we know will have the lights on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive! - The Anglican Digest If reading an entire book is intimidating to you, choose a book of quotes, devotionals, proverbs, journals, poetry or short stories. The tactile experience of holding a book in your hands and turning pages cannot be replaced by any other device. Enjoy the experience! Marla van Hilten 5

6 Our AGM is Sunday, February 17 Deadline for submission of AGM REPORTS is Sunday January 13. DECEMBER EVENTS IN PHOTOS The PWS&D Advent Challenge Tree Dec 13 - Christmas Caroling at Beckman House Christmas Caroling with John and Jennifer Bell Pageant: Interviewing a King 6

7 MORE DECEMBER PHOTOS Dec 16 - Pageant: Interviewing the Angels Pageant: Finale with Children and Choir Musicians accompanying the Pageant Dec. 2 - Choir and Youth Choir: Night of Silence Dec 1 - Dinner Tickets Visiting after Christmas Dinner Dinner: Singing by Candlelight 7

8 Christmas Poinsettias Your donations made it possible to purchase two dozen poinsettias which decorated our sanctuary during December. Thank you! Eighteen of the poinsettias were then shared with shut- in members at Christmas. The remaining six poinsettias are in the Narthex and are looking for good homes. If you would like one, please help yourself. Church Information The Advent Challenge This year we were challenged to do Advent differently and to support people in developing countries via donations to Presbyterian World Service & Development, the relief agency of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. You responded with compassion and generosity! We ll be announcing the total amount soon. CHURCH ADDRESS: th Street Maple Ridge, BC V2X 5H8 WEBSITE: PHONE: MINISTER: Rev. Paddy Eastwood OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Marilise Venter CLERK OF SESSION: Gordon Shields BOARD CHAIRMAN: Dick Lyster 8