95 Thesis - Reformation

 

Oct 27, 2021       95 Theses

 95 Theses were posted on the doors of Wittenberg

Church in Germany on October 31, 1517 by Martin Luther, a monk serving his church. These theses were concerns and complaints Luther had against the established church of the time and wanted to bring about change in what people should believe about God. People believed that God would punish them for every mistake they made and this lead to people being afraid of God. Luther served as a monk and through his work he helped the poor, studied and read the Bible. One of the common practices at the time was the buying/ selling of indulgences which was a way of paying money and being told you were forgiven. This was not what Luther learned from his work and so began his theses.

                This act of posting his concerns on the church doors was significant because Luther knew that many people would read it during the next day’s All Saints services. When people read it, there was disagreements and yet there were also others who supported Luther. Eventually Luther left the established church and the Reformation of the church was begun.

                The Christian church has had many challenges and changes through its history. Even today there is he question of whether the Church will survive the global pandemic. But this is not the question to ask, it is whether our faith will remain steadfast or become stronger. Maybe as the world emerges from global lockdowns and staying home, what will occur is a reawakening of the need for hope. As Christians we believe this hope comes from Jesus Christ who through his death and resurrection made it possible for us to receive eternal life. Having this promise for our life after death makes us filled with hope.

                Romans 3:19-29 is the central text for the early Reformers to extend God’s grace in many ways. How might we be challenged today to share of God’s grace and to tell of God’s hope and love? “we are made right by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.  But if we have faith we are made right with God.”

                Transformation and change are a part of every person’s life. Yet, when we receive forgiveness of sin, we also receive the promise of eternal life in Jesus. Only by God’s grace is this possible. As we reflect on the significance of the Reformation, let us realize again- that we are people who will be transformed and changed throughout our lives. It is however our decision to choose to follow Jesus, by faith.

PRAYER

Loving God sometimes we complain about so many little things that it is difficult to really decide what is important and what we really want changed.  But what is needed is what comes from within us- a change of heart and attitude and focus for living. By faith in Christ we are made new. With hope and love we are offered a new opportunity to serve and share with others the good news of Jesus. Luther discovered this through the reading of the Bible. We pray O God that we too will come to you by faith and grow in understanding. We thank you for your gift of grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Oct 20, 2021

                World Food Day was founded by the United Nations’ (UN)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945, and has been observed annually, every October 16, since 1981. The event was established to increase awareness of world hunger and poverty and to inspire solutions for world change. World Food Day aims to promote healthy diets and eradicate hunger issues by 2030. This year’s theme is “Safe foods now for a healthy tomorrow.”

                As we enter the second year of the covid19 pandemic, it is difficult to imagine that food has not been available to all people around the world due to lockdowns and the transference of this virus. Canada deemed truck drivers of food and food products as essential workers during periods of lockdown. Food services through restaurants were delivered and people turned to online shopping and pick up for groceries so that they did not enter stores. This has become a convenience and new normal for many families. 

Yet this was not possible for many people these last 18 months or so. Many people lost jobs, and faced uncertain futures. A recent article in the Globe and Mail states,” Food Charities outnumber grocery stores in Canada 4to1. That should bother you.” This means that for every, “Loblaws,  Metro, Safeway or Northern grocery store in your community there are four churches, temples mosques, senior centres, schools or social programs providing food for people who may not have the means to buy it.” Over 6.7 million Canadians are served by these food distribution organizations where more than $33 billion dollars of food is distrusted last year. What this means is that there are roadblocks for making food affordable, accessible and abundant on the tables of every Canadian in a country where more than half of the food we produce ends up in landfill.

                What does this mean for Canadians? Food insecurity exists because there is a lack of regular access to enough safe, nutritious food to meet a person’s dietary needs. Poor diet quality and basic hunger then leads to physical and mental health problems as well as lower educational outcomes. And what needs to change to alleviate this problem? We need to have investments in distribution and economic shifts for rental housing, accessible, affordable childcare and improved social benefits.

                The other major problem is that there is too much edible food being wasted when people are going hungry- right here in Canada. The system of distribution needs to change so that food insecurity may be reduced. So how do we change it? We need to advocate for those who do not receive enough money for food and to share with political leaders that there are people in need. We need to also recognize that people have the same needs- and to share this concern with those who might bring change.

                We need to do what Jesus asks, to care for those vulnerable and those in need. Our community and our country depends upon these actions. We still need to support these distribution centres for food, but we also need to recognize the need for change so that all may afford to buy their food- good and healthy food.

PRAYER

God as we consider the invisible food network we pray for those who will go to bed undernourished or are hungry. We pray for political leaders to take bold action for change. We pray that food insecurity will be reduced and that we may all eat of the abundance You provide. Hear our prayers O God and enable us to act as we seek your guidance to do so. Amen.

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

 

Oct 6, 2021

“Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One, ..Give thanks!”

From time to time we sing the above words as we present our offering
to God and dedicate the gifts given to the church for the sacred mission of the church. But what are we offering to God in those envelopes?  Asking a regular giver- they would respond a portion of the blessings they have received from God.

As we approach the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, we might wonder for what we are we giving thanks. We know that the crops and harvest are still being harvested yet the vegetables and fruit bins at stores are overflowing. Is it for this food that we are grateful? Or it is more than this?

We know that in this last 18 months, there have been new awakenings in the minds and hearts of people. What was once a priority is no longer the same as people have spent more time with family and friends and less time running from one activity to another. But are we willing to give up or away some of the blessings we have received in order to help others.

When we gather to eat at Thanksgiving will we take it for granted that we will eat well because we live in Canada. Will we be mindful that in the world over 690,000,000 people will go to bed or sleep hungry each night?

For what are you grateful? Health, food, shelter, friends, family—being loved and sharing love?

Maybe that is what is needed right now..a grateful heart.

Let us pray:

When I wake up each day let gratitude stir and strengthen me, O God.

Let it draw me to goodness and hold me there...

There, where your Spirit sings, ”Go define love today,” and my heart chooses to rise to the occasion.

 Amen.*, 

*Mission and Service Fund, The United Church of Canada, Philanthropy Unit