{"id":507,"date":"2020-06-13T18:35:47","date_gmt":"2020-06-13T18:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=507"},"modified":"2020-06-13T18:35:47","modified_gmt":"2020-06-13T18:35:47","slug":"second-after-pentecost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/13\/second-after-pentecost\/","title":{"rendered":"Second after Pentecost"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-12.16.36-PM-1-1024x273.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-520\"\/><figcaption>The illustrations in this service come from the Ethiopian Gospels, Ms. W.850, Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD. The Ethiopian Gospel Book was made in the first half of the sixteenth century and is written in Ge&#8217;ez, the traditional liturgical language of the Ethiopian church. (Public domain)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>United in spirit, and gathered through the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship God with gladness.  We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the links within the liturgy. Thanks this week to Dr. Jim, Carol, Sharon, Jenny, Robert, and Heather!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRELUDE: &#8220;Old 100th&#8221; (Genevan Psalter 1551)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/old100th.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>OPENING PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of gladness,<br \/>\nWe enter your presence <br \/>\nwith praise on our lips,<br \/>\nand thanksgiving in our hearts.<br \/>\nThe gates of your goodness are always open,<br \/>\nand your faithfulness extends to every age.<br \/>\nTend us, Lord, and remind us <br \/>\nthat we belong to you alone.<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN OF PRAISE: \u201cMake a joyful noise all the earth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/makeajoyful.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Make a joyful noise all the earth!<br \/>   Worship your God with gladness.<br \/>   Make a joyful noise all the earth.<br \/>   Come to this place with a song!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Know that your God has made you.<br \/> Know it&#8217;s to God we belong.<br \/> And come to this place with joyfulness and praise.<br \/> Worship your God with a song!  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Ages through endless ages,<br \/> seasons of endless years,<br \/> the love of our Maker ever shall endure.<br \/> Worship your God with a song!  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of mercy,<br \/> you know how we feel before we feel it.<br \/> When frustrated, you understand.<br \/> When weary, you know how much.<br \/> When angry, you always forgive.<br \/> Abide with us, Lord, even when we struggle, <br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>ASSURANCE OF PARDON<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God will give us what we need:<br \/> strength for today,<br \/> hope for tomorrow,<br \/> and forgiveness<br \/> for all that is past.<br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SPECIAL MUSIC: \u201cBless the Lord, O my soul\u201d (Redman\/Myrin)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/blessthelord-redman.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>FIRST READING: Psalm 100<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Shout to God, all the earth:<br \/>     <strong>worship with gladness and joy.<\/strong><br \/> Come before God with laughter,<br \/>     <strong>our maker to whom we belong.<\/strong><br \/> To the Shepherd who tends us like sheep,<br \/>     <strong>let us raise our voices in song.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Come to God&#8217;s gates with thanks;<br \/>     <strong>come to God&#8217;s courts with praise.<\/strong><br \/> Praise and bless God&#8217;s name.<br \/>    <strong> &#8216;Truly you are good:<\/strong><br \/> you are always gracious,<br \/>    <strong> and faithful age after age.&#8217;  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-12.10.57-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-516\"\/><figcaption>Image of St. Matthew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>SECOND READING: Matthew 9.35-10.1, 10.5-15<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/matthew9reading.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. \u201cWhat a huge harvest!\u201d he said to his disciples. \u201cHow few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>5-8 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don\u2019t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>9-10 \u201cDon\u2019t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don\u2019t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>11 \u201cWhen you enter a town or village, don\u2019t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>12-15 \u201cWhen you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don\u2019t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don\u2019t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they\u2019ll be mighty sorry\u2014but it\u2019s no concern of yours now.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: \u201cJesus, you have come the lakeshore\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/jesusyouhavecome.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore<br \/> looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;<br \/> you only asked me to follow humbly.<br \/>     O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,<br \/>     and while smiling, have spoken my name;<br \/>     now my boat&#8217;s left on the shoreline behind me;<br \/>     by your side I will seek other seas.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>You know so well my possessions;<br \/> my boat carries no gold and no weapons;<br \/> \u2014you will find there my nets and labour.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>You need my hands, full of caring<br \/> through my labours to give others rest,<br \/> and constant love that keeps on loving.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>You, who have fished other oceans,<br \/> ever longed for by souls who are waiting,<br \/> my loving friend, as thus you call me.  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-11.47.15-AM.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-512\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>REFLECTION<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/june14sermon.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>If you ever lay awake at night wondering what\u2019s the most popular hymn, then lay awake no more.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>For you see, the good folks at the Hymn Society have created a sort of CHUM chart of popular hymns, both \u201cmost popular\u201d and \u201ctrending hymns.\u201d  It\u2019s not entirely clear what the difference is, but I can tell you that \u201cHoly, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!\u201d tops them both, owing\u2014it seems\u2014to the fact that it appeals to the most number of Christian denominations.  Seems \u201cHoly, Holy, Holy!\u201d is the one thing we can all agree on.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>(Just as an aside, if you don\u2019t know what the CHUM chart is, you\u2019re going to need to ask someone over 50.)<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The other thing to note is that on the top fifteen list of most popular hymns, only one author appears twice, and that would be Charles Wesley.  Now some may argue that he had an unfair advantage: that when you write 6,000 hymns, two of them are bound to appear in the top 15, and that may be so.  But when you look at his \u201cbest of\u201d list it\u2019s hard not to be impressed:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Christ the Lord Is Risen Today&#8221; <br \/>\n&#8220;Hark! The Herald Angels Sing&#8221; <br \/>\n&#8220;Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending&#8221; <br \/>\n&#8220;Love Divine, All Loves Excelling&#8221; <br \/>\n&#8220;O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, Charles never achieves the universal agreeableness of a \u201cHoly, Holy, Holy!\u201d because of his tendency toward the idea of Christian perfection.  Wesley believed, along with the many Methodists he inspired, that you could achieve a measure of perfection in this life\u2014sanctification being the term they used.  In fact, if you dig around in the archives, the old Methodist class books would (on rare occasions) include an \u201cS\u201d beside a name, indicating that the class member had become sanctified.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now those of us who feel we are equal parts Presbyterian and Methodist immediately start scratching our heads.  \u201cWho decides?\u201d is the first and obvious question, along with \u201chow long?\u201d and followed by \u201cthen what?\u201d  I hope the Methodist class teacher was writing in pencil, since our capacity to sin\u2014including the sin of pride\u2014generally takes over, and leads to the disappearance of that rare \u201cS\u201d notation.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Back to hymns, hymnbook editors generally find a way to adapt hymns to make them more acceptable.  An example is \u201cLove Divine, all loves excelling\u201d (number 10 in the top 15) and the original line \u201cpure and sinless let us be.\u201d  Apparently, even brother John thought Charles went too far, by suggesting that we could somehow become sinless like Christ.  So the line was changed to \u201cpure and spotless let us be.\u201d  See, fixed.  Spotless is like the kitchen floor that will be dirty again tomorrow, while sinless moves us into territory we don\u2019t belong (and will likely never achieve).  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Having fixed the hymn, it remains one of the best expressions of the Christian hope.  Charles concludes the first verse with these lines:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Jesus, Thou art all compassion;<br \/>\nPure, unbounded love Thou art;<br \/>\nVisit us with Thy salvation,<br \/>\nEnter every trembling heart.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>I may be guilty of quoting these four lines too frequently, but they seem to say what Charles meant to say when he drifted into Christian perfection.  Jesus has compassion on us, meeting us with a love that is pure and unbounded, and may enter our heart\u2014and every heart\u2014trembling for salvation through him.  We are saved then, rather than sanctified, and \u201cperfectly restored\u201d in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>I share all this because I suspect that Matthew 9.35 and following was in his mind while Charles wrote these words.  \u201cWhen he saw the crowds,\u201d Matthew tells us, \u201che had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.\u201d  That\u2019s where Jesus finds us.  In fact, even after Jesus finds us, we can feel \u201charassed and hopeless,\u201d and only able to go on, knowing that his compassion never ends.  The Good Shepherd will tend us, and restore us to the fold.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Further, Jesus sends the twelve out into the world saying, \u201ctell them this: \u2018The kingdom of heaven has come near.\u2019\u201d  This can be read in a variety of ways, but once again Charles is here to help.  \u201cVisit us with Thy salvation, enter every trembling heart\u201d is just another way of saying \u2018the kingdom of heaven has come near.\u2019  It\u2019s as near as your heart, where the kingdom will enter in and the will of the Most High will be done.  Jesus said as much when he was arguing with the Pharisees.  \u201cWhen will the kingdom come?\u201d they asked, and Jesus said \u2018stop looking for signs, and ignore everyone who says \u201cover here!\u201d or \u201cover there!\u201d because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17.21).  It has already entered your trembling heart.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>The kingdom is within us<br \/>\nit has entered our hearts.  <br \/>\nThe Compassionate One walks beside us<br \/>\nand restores us to our place with him.  <br \/>\nWe are surrounded by the harassed and helpless<br \/>\nand remind them the Shepherd is here.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>May God bless us and fill our hearts with unbounded love.  May we freely love others, as Christ has so freely loved us.  And may the Spirit move within, and help us find the kingdom there.  Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-11.48.53-AM.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-514\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of love,<br \/> We come before you with many needs.<br \/> We are beset with worry:<br \/> for our friends and family,<br \/> for our congregation,<br \/> for the community we inhabit,<br \/> for the nation we love,<br \/> for the sad and the lonely,<br \/> for the hurt and oppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Day and night we struggle,<br \/>\nfor fear of the future, <br \/>\nand fear of an illness,<br \/>\nthat remains overwhelming<br \/>\nand beyond our control.<br \/>\nSustain us through these times,<br \/>\ngiving wisdom to leaders,<br \/>\nand insight to researchers,<br \/>\nand patience to all who need more.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Find us, Lord,<br \/>\nin the midst of this moment:<br \/>\ncomfort those in grief,<br \/>\nand ease those in pain.<br \/>\nHelp us abide in you,<br \/>\nwalking in the light of your goodness,<br \/>\nnow and always, <br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>THE LORD\u2019S PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Our Father who art in heaven,<br \/>\nhallowed be thy name.<br \/>\nThy kingdom come,<br \/>\nThy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread;<br \/>\nand forgive us our trespasses<br \/>\nas we forgive those who trespass against us;<br \/>\nand lead us not into temptation<br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil.<br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom,<br \/>\nand the power, and the glory,<br \/>\nfor ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: \u201cTake my live, and let it be\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/takemylife.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Take my life, and let it be<br \/> consecrated, all for thee;<br \/> take my moments and my days;<br \/> let them flow in ceaseless praise.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Take my hands, and let them move<br \/> at the impulse of thy love;<br \/> take my feet, and let them be<br \/> swift and purposeful for thee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Take my lips, and let them be<br \/> filled with messages from thee;<br \/> take my intellect, and use<br \/> every power as thou shalt choose.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Take my will, and make it thine;<br \/> it shall be no longer mine;<br \/> take my heart, it is thine own;<br \/> it shall be thy royal throne.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Take my love: and I will pour<br \/> at thy feet its treasure store;<br \/> take myself, and I will be<br \/> ever, only, all for thee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>BLESSING<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,<br \/>\nand may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless<br \/>\nuntil our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.<br \/>\n\u20141 Thessalonians 5:23<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/meetagainredux.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>God be with you till we meet again;<br \/> loving counsels guide, uphold you,<br \/> with a shepherd\u2019s care enfold you;<br \/> God be with you till we meet again.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-12-at-11.49.39-AM.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-515\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>United in spirit, and gathered through the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship God with gladness. We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the links within the liturgy. Thanks this week to Dr. Jim, Carol, Sharon, Jenny, Robert, and Heather! PRELUDE: &#8220;Old 100th&#8221; (Genevan Psalter 1551) OPENING PRAYER God &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/13\/second-after-pentecost\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Second after Pentecost<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}