Ministry

New Testament 101: James

Letter of James, also called Epistle of St. James the Apostle, abbreviation James, New Testament writing addressed to the early Christian churches (“to the twelve tribes in the dispersion”) and attributed to James, a Christian Jew, whose identity is disputed because this writing was traditionally attributed to James, the brother of Jesus (James the Just).

This letter is a good example of a general letter because the recipients were Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Though written as a letter, it is more like a short book of instructions for daily living.

For James, faith means action!  In fact, the entire book is a series of examples that show faith in action in wise and practical ways.

His advice was clear and to the point: If you are poor, don’t despair.  Don’t give up when your faith is being tested.  Don’t get angry quickly.  Don’t favor the rich over the poor.  Do good things for others.  Control your tongue and desires.  Surrender to God and rely on God’s wisdom.  Resist the devil.  Don’t brag about what you are going to do.  If you are rich, use your money to help the poor.  Be patient and kind, and pray for those who need God’s help.

A Quick Look at This Letter

1.  Greetings (1: 1)
2.  A Life of Faith and Wisdom (1:2-18)
3.  Hearing and Obeying God’s Message (1: 19-27)
4.  Don’t Favor the Rich and Powerful (2: 1-13)
5.  Faith and Works (2: 14-26)
6.  Wisdom and Words (3: 1-18)
7.  Warning Against Friendship with the World (4: 1-5.6)
8.  Patience, Kindness and Prayer (5: 7-20)

Pastor Beryl

The Farmer's Prayer

[From Angela Barraclough via Pastor Beryl]

A while back I read a story of a visiting pastor who attended a men's
breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country.

The group had asked an older farmer, decked out in bib overalls, to say
grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk," the farmer began.  The visiting pastor opened one
eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard."  Now the pastor was
growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't
much care for raw white flour."

The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that
he wasn't the only one beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake
them, I do love warm fresh biscuits."

"So, Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when
we don't understand what you're saying to us,  help us to just relax and
wait until you are done mixing.  It will probably be even better than
biscuits."

AMEN

Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to
complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today.
Stay strong, my friends, something even better is going to come.

New Testament 101: Hebrews

Many religious people in the first century after Jesus’ birth, both Jews and Gentiles, had questions about the religion of the early Christians.  They were looking for evidence that this new faith was genuine.  Jews had the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea and the agreement made with God at Mount Sinai to support their faith.  But what miracles did Christians have?  Jews had beautiful worship ceremonies and a high priest who offered sacrifices in the temple so that the people would be forgiven.  But what did Christians have?  How could this new Christian faith, centered in Jesus, offer forgiveness of sins and friendship with God?

The letter to the Hebrews was written to answer exactly these kinds of questions.  In it the author (traditionally Paul the Apostle was thought to be the author. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown) tells the readers how important Jesus really is.  He is greater than any of God’s angels (1:5-14), greater than any prophet, and greater even than Moses and Joshua (2:1-4, 14). Jesus is the perfect high priest because he never sinned and, by offering his own life, he has made the perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all time. (9:23-10:18). By his death and return from death he has opened the way for all people to come to God (4:14-5:10, 7:1-8,13).

This letter has much to say about the importance of faith.  The writer points out that what Jesus offers comes only by faith.  And this faith makes his followers sure of what they hope for and give them proof of things that cannot be seen.  The writer praises God’s faithful people of the past (11: 1-40) and encourages those who follow Jesus now to keep their eyes on him as they run the race (12: 1-3).

What does it mean to have a high priest like Jesus?

Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was temped in every way that we are.  But he did not sin!  So, whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God.  There we will be treated with undeserved kindness and we will find help.  (4:15, 16)

A Quick Look at This Letter

1. The Greatness of God’s Son (1:1-4)
2. Jesus is Greater Than Angels (1:5-2:18)
3. Jesus is Greater Than Moses and Joshua (3:1-4:13)
4. Jesus is the Great High Priest (4:14-7:28)
5. Jesus Brings a Better Agreement (8:1-9:22)
6. Jesus’ Sacrifice is Once and for All (9:23-10:31)
7. Some of God’s People Who Had Great Faith (11:1-40)
8. Follow the Example of Jesus (12:1-13, 19)
9. Final Prayers and Greetings (13:20-25)


Pastor Beryl

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All Saints Memorial November 1, 2020

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UPDATE: A decision has been taken to hold this service in person on Sunday November 1st, provided that the government restrictions imposed from October 1st to 28th are not extended. Pastor Beryl is moving forward with preparations for the service. If it goes ahead live on the 1st, it will be filmed and shared on our website so that those who can not or do not want to attend in person may watch it as of the 2nd of November. If it becomes unadvisable to hold the service live, it will be pre-recorded as we have been doing and available to watch on November 1st. In addition to the Memorial tributes, the service will also include Communion.
To add names to the list of those being remembered at the service, please contact the office by phone or e-mail by Tuesday, the 27th of October.

ORIGINAL POST:
At this point we don’t know if we will be able to have our traditional All Saints Memorial service at the church on November 1st. We can say that it will go ahead in one way or another, but might have to be a pre-recorded service. Names of those we have lost in our congregation and wider community will be read aloud. It is not too early to contact the office to add names to the list. Here is the invitation to the service: 

Please join us…

Annual All Saints Memorial Celebration
Sunday, November 1, 2020,

SouthWest United Church


Dear Friends

Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (MEV)

Just as Jesus named the blessed ones, in our annual day of remembrance on November 1st, we too will recall and give thanks for those who, in life, blessed us and have now gone before us.

As our annual celebration of All Saints approaches, you are warmly invited to join us in our All Saints Communion and Memorial Tribute.

As you know, SouthWest does not solicit funds for funerals but, rather, receives offerings “in loving memory” of those who have gone before us.  All gifts given to the fund are gratefully acknowledged and a receipt is given for tax purposes.

Memorial gifts received before October 28th will be acknowledged during the service.  If you wish, you can e-mail or call the office to confirm your participation.

We hope that you can join us and look forward to seeing you on November 1st at 10:00 a.m.

Beryl Barraclough                                                       Dennis Brown,
Pastor                                                                          Clerk of Session

    

“Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?” - Terry Pratchett

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