Hi Friends,
I have been praying and preparing for my Sunday sermon on August 30th, by studying Psalm 133 and reading a book called, “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High.”by Joseph Grenny et.al. Psalm 133 is about unity and the abundance of grace that flows, when we get there. Crucial Conversations offer wisdom about how we can get to unity of purpose. Unity seems almost impossible at times! Yet, the psalm tells us that it is possible, even though the metaphors are a bit of a stretch. So let’s not give up, or take flight too quickly.
I am learning that when we get most passionate, or most defensive, it is best to step aside and examine our own motives. Sometimes our motives are pure and selfless. However, they can be like “fool’s gold” shiny, alluring but not necessarily the real deal. After we have done this private work our brains are calmer and we are more inclined to have open hearts to receive the precious blessing. We have then come closer to discovering what God wants!
I am also learning that we are kindred but do not mean blood relatives. It means that a people joined by God’s grace. Unfortunately, we don’t always act like people joined together by God’s grace. Psalm 133, though short, is “highly” ambitious: it calls all people to ascribe worth to God, to strive to attain one shared purpose. It remarkably suggests that true blessings can begin at one very particular summit and cascades downward from there. It starts with a few insiders but flows outward in blessing for many, when we cast aside what we want to commit to discerning what is faithful. It suggests that what seems impossible, is very possible with God.
The text and the book, “Crucial Conversations” are helping me to discern a message for our context today.
Are we willing to strive for a higher purpose? Are we willing to strive for a higher purpose as people of faith? Are we willing to strive for a higher purpose as a nation? Are we willing to let go of “fool’s gold”? The real treasure is there for all of us. Let’s get there together.
I think you will find that Sunday’s sermon will help us reflect as people of faith on our national life and life as a church. We are also singing some fun hymns like “Worship The Lord” and “Draw the Circle Wide”.
It’s been interesting and enlightening to write this message. I hope that you will come out and discover its relevance “Reflections on Unity: Elbows Up or Down?” We will worship together, in the beautiful Zimmerman Room, 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
Blessings,
Rev. Roni
NOTES:
NO WORSHIP Sun Sept 6th. Please plan to attend a neighbouring church.
WELCOME BACK “SUNDAE” Sun Sept 13th (10:30am), (see attachment)
UCW DATE CHANGE meeting Wed Sept 16th (11:30am) Bring your lunch.
FACEBOOK Are you on Facebook? Please add Lowville United Church’s Facebook Page and “like” the page. Liking content, provokes interest when newcomers visit the page. It is a simple thing we can all do to promote LUC’s visibility!
REV RONI`S OFFICE HOURS at our Church are Mon, Tues & Wed (10am-3pm) Contact Info: [email protected] or Cell (416) 271- 531 (text, email or phone for appointment).
REFRESHMENTS Choose a Sunday to bring “after Worship” refreshments. Sign-up Sheet is on the Zimmerman Rm Bulletin Board (south/east wall).
LOWVILLE CARES Place your Local Food Bank Donations in Zimmerman Room Baskets located under the Guelph Line window near the Sanctuary door.
ONLINE CALENDAR did you know that Lowville has an online calendar??? Go check it out at www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca/calendar. It’s updated with all the happenings.
DONATIONS to Lowville United Church can now be made online by scanning the following QR code with your phone or by clicking the Donation link at www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca
