How do you wish to be remembered?

 

Halloween decorations and candy boxes of all kinds are now in stores

in anticipation of October 31 activities. Many parties will be held the weekend before inviting people to wear a costume that is either reflective of themselves or what or who they aspire to be.

But why all the fuss? What is the meaning of Halloween?

“Halloween” is the modern form of the contracted words of All Hallows' Eve. This was a holy day observed on October 31 and the evening before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days and concludes with All Souls' Day.

This was a religious observance remembering those who had died and are in heaven and a time to pray for them as they are now with God.

When large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, came to North America beginning in the mid 19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them. In the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal holidays, particularly among children. Celebrants wear masks and costumes for parties and for trick-or-treating, thought to have derived from the British practice of allowing the poor to beg for food, called “soul cakes.” Trick-or-treaters go from house to house with the threat that they will pull a trick if they do not receive a treat, usually candy.

Many people decorate for the children and it is said that one quarter of the candy purchased each year is given out on Halloween.

But what does this day mean for Christians today?

For some it is a day of fun and dress up. Others still hold the All Hallow’s Evening/ All Saints’ Day traditions and take the time to remember their loved ones who are now with God. Yet still others go to the extreme and make this a frightening evening of scary faces and images.  But whatever you think about Halloween—it has become an evening of differing traditions. From the Christian perspective what is key is in how we remember those who faithfully served God as they lived on Earth and to remember them on All Saints’ Day. This day reminds us that all are created in God’s image and one day each of us will die. We will also be remembered by those who love us. The question is how do you wish to be remembered?

As a follower of Jesus Christ or as a person of no faith at all.

PRAYER
God of grace and hope we praise you and thank you that you created us in your image and called us to serve you. We praise you because we believe in Jesus who died and rose again for our sakes. Help us in our unbelief when we are just not sure of who we are and who we might become. Bless us O God and keep us safe. Strengthen us also as we remember our loved ones who are now with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

What do you need in this moment….right now?

 

What do you need in this moment….right now?

Something to eat? Drink? A comfortable place to nap? Or your mind to be at rest even for a moment?

For many people these last weeks have been busy days because of the changing seasons, activities with school and work, social gatherings and the need to be connected with others. So what do you need in this moment?

As a child I always wondered what those “Calgon, take me away” commercials meant until I had a family of my own. One’s time is never one’s own with family commitments whether family is in the house with you or loved ones live away from you. There is a desire or want to be able to help as they need you or at least you think they need your help. Does this desire to help others because you feel needed ever stop?

The simple answer is no. This is who we are as human beings. Even our pets need us- to feed them, brush their fur, play with them and hold them. So where do we get this desire to feel needed? And are their limitations?

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matthew 9:35-36

Jesus had compassion on the people he met. They were harassed, helpless and they needed him. The people saw Jesus heal others and they went to him. Not only did Jesus bring physical healing he also taught them to think and reflect on his teachings about the priorities in life. He taught them to take the approach that there was more to life than the negative things affecting them. Jesus wanted the people to look beyond their every day life to something better.

Jesus knew their needs before he asked and yet he asked anyway. The people needed to articulate what they wanted Jesus to do. Jesus also wanted the people to hear what he said as they spoke to him.

Our needs change each season, each day and as we age, but what is certain for those who believe is to have faith no matter what each moment brings.  God gave Noah the task to build an ark to save his family. By faith, Noah did it.  Did Noah need to build the ark when there were no clouds in the sky? No but he trusted God to fulfill his needs and built the ark. After everything was released back into the Earth, Noah no longer needed the ark but his story reminds us that we need to trust God to fulfil our needs. We need to please God and to do this we must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

So what do you need today? Faith, trust and hope—in God. For no matter what the day brings you will be able to cope and live because you are not alone.

PRAYER

Gracious God we thank you that no matter what we face we are reminded of Jesus’ compassion. Through faith we believe that he shared and showed his love in order that we would trust you for all our needs. Help us O God to lean on you and trust you in faith. Amen.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you

will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:25-27

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization declared October 16 as World Food Day. The goal is to free humanity from hunger and malnutrition and to effectively manage the global food system.  The theme for 2022 is “Leave No One Behind: Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”

In the musical, “Oliver!” one of the memorable songs is “Food Glorious Food”. This song is sung by the orphans as they prepare to eat one of the daily meals of gruel- a sloppy watering porridge.  They can only imagine something better to eat but know the importance of eating.  What is shocking is that Oliver eats this porridge and in a startling moment, walks up to Mr. Bumble and says, “Please sir, I want some more.” This triggers a response in the orphanage that has not occurred. But innocently Oliver states I am hungry and asks for more sustenance.

There are many people needing the basics of life right now. But with food being expensive, scarce in areas and out of reach for many due to climate problems, war and movement of people, food equity is off balance.

But what can one person do you might ask? Surprisingly you can do a lot. If you have the resources you can share what you have with local outreach programs. You can witness the need first hand at any shelter/soup kitchen and you can support the drive for collecting what is needed.

You may also contact many food support international agencies which need people’s financial assistance, but even more than this, the need to tell someone else of the need for helping others in the world and why is critical.

With hurricanes wiping out neighbourhoods, droughts and floods occurring in different pockets around the world and the destruction and losses due to war torn areas, people need food in order to live and in order to survive.

And we need to raise concerns about how we share food—local foodbanks do this regularly as people may donate to one location yet they receive too much of one item for the needs of their clients/ guests. This needs to happen more readily around the world so that every person receives good food.

As we consider this today please pray for those who are hurting, starving, malnourished and seeking any support. And remember that you are the one who can made a difference in the lives of others by learning more.. https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en 

PRAYER

God for the blessings of food, shelter, clothing and hope we praise you! We also know that not everyone receives these blessings and so we pray for discussions that occur around food equity.  Enable leaders to talk and then put into action what is needed to feed the many who are starving or malnourished. Hear us O God we pray. Amen

What is a Grateful Heart?

 

O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”  Ps. 95:1-3

“Give thanks with a grateful heart” is a chorus doxology that has been sung at Glenwood Church when our offering is presented to God and is dedicated. Thanksgiving weekend is soon approaching and it is a time when we gather together and offering God our thanks. But what is a grateful heart? How does one’s heart exemplify gratefulness? Alternatively, can one give thanks without a  grateful heart?

Yes would be the answer to this—we might call it ‘lip-service”. This means that we offer God the expression of our words through saying ‘Thank you,” but in reality the thanks we offer is not from within our being.

A grateful heart is the heart of a person which is filled with God’s Spirit. This person has experienced God’ gift of hope offered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in response to this gift gratitude is supreme.  One who is grateful is humbled by the blessings God has made possible through the work and generosity of others. Often a grateful hearted person is overwhelmed and just has to share this with others. They cannot keep it to themselves.

As the Psalmist states, “"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Ps. 9:1

As we prepare to welcome family and friends into our homes, to prepare food and a special dinner together, are we willing to share with others the gift of gratitude to God and why being grateful is a condition of one’s heart? As you prepare to share this special time, why not ask what it is that makes you grateful and what calls you to truly give thanks to God?

Let us consider this as we offer God our Thanks for His many Gifts to us, including his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Remember to give thanks in all circumstances. For this your way to offer yourself in humility and hope.

PRAYER: Thank you, God for everything-- ……   Amen