Matthew 9,9-13
\nGod of wisdom, by your Holy Spirit, open our minds, that as the
\nScriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into
\nyour truth, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
\nWhen I lived in Brampton I had a friend named Nicola
\nAt the time she had 3 children
\nThe eldest was Alexander
\nNot Alex
\nNot Sandy
\nBut Alexander
\nWhen I met them he was four
\nA little more than a year before I met them Alexander had an experience of
\nasking for God\u2019s help and being a hero
\nThis happened when Nicola collapsed in the bathroom, when only she and
\nthe children were at home
\nOn this particular day, she was experiencing symptoms that had her think
\nthat her blood sugar was off
\nNormally she is not diabetic, but she had experienced gestational diabetes
\nwhen she was expecting
\nThere was no reason for her to believe that she was expecting
\nShe and her husband had two children, and they were happy with that
\nnumber
\nAlthough she was sure she was not with child
\nShe went to the bathroom to test her blood, and before she could do that she
\ncollapsed
\nAs she lay unconscious on the floor
\nAlexander knew that his mother needed help<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
So he prayed to Jesus to help
\nHe then sat down and waited for the help to arrive
\nMuch to his dismay nothing happened
\nNicola says she thinks he thought Jesus would walk through the door in
\nsandals and robe and cure his mother
\nAfter sitting on the steps for a while he decided that Jesus wasn\u2019t going to
\nshow up
\nSo he would have to take matters into his own hands
\nHe phoned 911 and the ambulance came to help
\nWhen the attendants saw the supplies Nicola had out they knew the problem
\nand knew what to do
\nAfter the dust had settled and Nicola was on her feet again
\nIt turned out that Alexander was angry at God
\nHe felt that he had asked for help and it didn\u2019t come
\nIt was his phone call that had saved his mother, not his prayer
\nNicola pointed out that God had put the idea into his head to call 911
\nAnd God had helped him to remain calm enough to know what to do instead
\nof panicking and crying and getting confused
\nSometimes God answers prayer by helping us to see what to do next<\/p>\n
This lesson that a little boy learned by experience is one that we all can use
\nGod is with us in our day to day lives
\nBut maybe not in the way we expect<\/p>\n
Like Alexander we may hope for Jesus to turn up as he did in the gospel
\nlesson we read today
\nHe walked up to Matthew and said follow me, and Matthew did<\/p>\n
3<\/p>\n
Simple and easy
\nThere was Jesus giving Matthew a straight forward request
\nThere was no doubt in Matthew\u2019s mind as to what he should do
\nIt may seem to us that such a direct link is no longer in place
\nThat God is not found in the everyday happenings of our lives
\nThe truth is
\nThe world is still God\u2019s
\nAnd God is present
\nWhen we look for and listen for God, we find God
\nAs the writer Welford Davies put it:
\nGod be in my head
\nAnd in my understanding
\nGod be in my eyes
\nAnd in my looking
\nGod be in my mouth
\nAnd in my speaking
\nGod be in my heart
\nAnd in my thinking
\nGod be at my end
\nAnd at my departing.
\nWalford Davies<\/p>\n
While we may not see God in the way Alexander hoped for
\nOr in the way Matthew did
\nGod is with us
\nAt times that we are looking to find God
\nIt is helpful to draw on the wisdom of the Celtic believers<\/p>\n
4<\/p>\n
Those who lived in what is now Ireland and the surrounding area
\nWho saw all of life being offered to God
\nThey had a love of nature and looked for the thin places where the division
\nbetween heaven and earth was almost invisible
\nIf we were to do that, where might we encounter God?<\/p>\n
One of the ways we describes God is the Trinity
\nWe worship God as one in three and three in one
\nOne symbol for the Trinity is a triangle
\nA simple triangle
\nNothing expensive
\nOr complicated
\nJust a simple shape
\nHow could it help to think of God when we see a triangle?
\nSuppose you are walking to school and concerned about a test that will be
\ngiven that day
\nWhat if you should drop your backpack and have your supplies fall out
\nGreat, you may think
\nWhat more can happen today?
\nA test in my hardest subject
\nNow my stuff is all over the ground
\nBut as you pick stuff up there is your square from the math set
\nYou can either put it away and continue to fret
\nOr remember as you look at those three sides
\nThat the triune God is your defense and helper
\nI have never had the experience of God filling my mind with facts even if I
\ndidn\u2019t study<\/p>\n
5
\nBut God has helped me to focus so that I can retrieve the information that is
\nthere
\nSimilarly, as we drive from one place to another, and we see the yield sign
\nwith its three sides, we can remember that God is always with us<\/p>\n
Another symbol for God is a circle
\nSo chosen because it has no beginning and no end
\nWhen we are called by Jesus to follow him, we are called to share the love
\nof God with our world
\nThis can be everything from being a listening ear for someone who needs a
\nfriend, to sharing a cup of tea, to praying with another, to publicly sharing
\nwhy God asks us to help those who have less, to name a few of the ways we
\nshare the love of God<\/p>\n
The question of how we are to be disciples who follow Jesus is partly
\nanswered in the latest issue of Presbyterian Connection, which tells us of
\nhow our leaders and our learners are responding to Jesus\u2019 call to follow him
\nAt the 2025 meeting of General Assembly there was a Narratives of Hope
\nand Possibility report presented
\nThis report was partly to remind us of who we are and what motivates the
\nchurch to be sent out into this anxious world
\nThe report states that love is the motivation for mission to an anxious world,
\nfor God so loved the world
\nOne congregation that is reaching out beyond itself is Wexford Presbyterian
\nChurch in Scarborough ON, which is located in the midst of a vibrant and
\ngrowing immigrant community<\/p>\n
6
\nIn response the congregation \u201claunched a program to help neighbours
\nimprove their English, develop computer skills and build meaningful
\nconnections \u2013 all over coffee and baked treats\u201d
\nThe front page of the Connection has a well written article giving more
\ndetail about how a traditional congregation is making new connections in
\nJesus\u2019 name<\/p>\n
The outgoing moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Rev Jeffrey
\nMurray, has his final \u201cMessage From the Moderator\u201d on page 2 of the
\nConnection
\nIn it he reminds us that \u201cMission is rooted in love for the people whom God
\nloves.\u201d
\nHe further says that mission that is rooted in our \u201cambition or anxiety about
\nour place in the world\u201d misses the point
\nOur goal in mission is not to help people become like us, and to keep our
\nsystem going
\nRather, the motivation of mission is to introduce the world and its hurting
\npeople to Jesus
\nAs disciples of Jesus we can share our faith by witnessing to what we
\nbelieve
\nWe can also share our faith by being involved in politics and promoting
\njustice
\nOne of the issues that has been in the forefront of attention in Canada has
\nbeen Bill C-9, Combatting Hate Act
\nThe intention of the bill was to provide protections for people to access
\nplaces of worship and to participate in public worship without fear of
\nscripture being used as a weapon<\/p>\n
7
\nThis is a simplified description of the intent of the bill, which is not intended
\nto limit the preaching of the word
\nThose who have felt that the Bible has been used to condemn them need to
\nhear that God loves the world and God has reached to those who live in the
\nworld.
\nAnother project that we read about in Connection is the \u201cCaring Closet\u201d
\nbeing run by St Andrews in Coldwater (page 15 Presbyterian Connection)
\nIt is an inter-church project in the village of Coldwater ON where
\nsecondhand clothing and some household items are made available to those
\nwho need them.
\nThe articles about Coldwater\u2019s Caring Closet tells of the various ways this
\nsmall congregation engages the community.<\/p>\n
Those of us who have followed Jesus for most of our lives, and who have
\ntried to bring the good news to our world may wonder how effective we
\nhave been
\nIn answer to that page 3 of the Connection talks about an online
\n\u201cCongregational Formation for Mission\u201d course
\nThe author, Tim Dickau shares some of the things that have been learned as
\na result
\nAs folks from across Canada have shared and learned together in order to
\nbuild up the ministry of their congregations they have been reminded that
\nthe cultural changes in Canada are not the fault of the church.
\nSecularism and individualism are realities that invite us to learn new ways to
\nconnect with our neighbours.<\/p>\n
8
\nAs a result of seeing that our communities are changing, we are realizing
\nthat we need to relearn how to be neighbours, to make friends with those
\nwhose lives are different from ours.
\nThirdly we have learned that engaging in God\u2019s mission of witness,
\ncompassion and justice involves experimentation and risk.
\nWe may find that the things we do in Jesus\u2019 name may not be successful as
\nwe people define success, but these things do bless others<\/p>\n
The invitation Jesus gives, \u201ccome follow me\u201d is one that is given to each of
\nus and one that can be fulfilled in a variety of ways
\nSome will do something big and recognizable and new
\nSome will support projects that are already in place
\nSome will contact politicians
\nSome will be the quiet friend who is the face of Jesus to one who is troubled
\nAll of us will pray as we bring the needs of our world before our loving God
\nWhen Jesus went looking for those he was going to call as disciples
\nHe found people in their day to day environments
\nThey weren\u2019t in a special place waiting to be auditioned
\nThey weren\u2019t any more qualified or religious than the next person
\nHe went right up to a tax collector and said follow me<\/p>\n
When Jesus went to people and said follow me
\nHe was asking them to follow him into the midst of life
\nHe was not calling them to a life of solitude
\nOr a life of freedom from the ordinary
\nInto the midst of living Jesus calls us to follow him
\nTo be his people among ordinary people<\/p>\n
9<\/p>\n
When Jesus says come follow me
\nHe isn\u2019t saying come and do more
\nIt\u2019s not like joining a group that only wants you for your charm, good looks
\nand talents
\nJesus is saying come follow me
\nSo that we can follow him into a more secure way of living
\nSo that we can follow him as part of the family of God
\nWith Jesus as our brother
\nOut holy friend
\nOur saviour
\nWalking with us day by day
\nHearing and answering prayers in unexpected ways as he did with Alexander
\nReminding us of his presence in our lives through symbols
\nLetting us share the love of God through practical acts of kindness
\nJesus says come follow me
\nAnd helps us on the way<\/p>\n
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
\nGod of our past and our future, we come with grateful hearts, trusting
\nthat you walk with us through all the seasons of our lives.
\nYou create a future for us, calling each of us to use our individual
\nabilities and opportunities to make a difference.
\nThank you that we all have a place and a purpose in your world.
\nGuide all who are graduating this year to use their knowledge,
\nlearning and lives in service to you and your world. Let them hear
\nyour call and find their calling.
\nHear us now as we pray for the world in its deep and diverse needs:<\/p>\n
10
\nWe pray today for those who face danger and despair in these times:
\nWe remember before you those living with hunger, and all those
\ncaught up in unrest and violence beyond their control.<\/p>\n
Keep a brief silence
\nWe pray for all those working to relieve suffering in these lives
\nand bring justice and peace:
\nWe pray for your church in this place,
\nin this region\/town\/city and around the world.
\nGuide it so that it is clear in its proclamation,
\ngracious in its service,
\nbold in its advocacy
\nand humble in its discernment.
\nEspecially, we pray for the General Assembly
\nthat begins its deliberations today.
\nGive its moderator, commissioners and all who serve the
\nAssembly
\na strong sense of your guidance.
\nWe pray for all those facing fear or frustration,
\nwrestling with sorrow or discouragement in any area of their
\nlives:
\nFor those who live with illness or pain….
\nFor those bearing chronic conditions or disability….
\nFor those who know the grief and change of bereavement….
\nKeep a brief silence.
\nAnd we pray for all those who work to bring healing and comfort
\nand agencies that offer support and care to those who suffer:<\/p>\n
We pray for all who feel helpless or hopeless in this present
\ntime:
\nFor those around us facing unemployment, struggling to make
\nends meet…<\/p>\n
11
\nFor those caught up in the pain of misunderstanding or broken
\nrelationships\u2026
\nAnd for those working through situations of conflict at home or
\nat work…<\/p>\n
Keep a brief silence
\nWe pray for all who offer guidance and support in the midst of
\nsuch difficulties
\nand for those who have skills in reconciliation or mediation:
\nGod of healing and hope,
\nGuide our congregation to engage each day with faithfulness.
\nWhere we need correction, show us a new way;
\nwhere we need love and encouragement, inspire us.
\nUnite us as we travel into the future you are creating for us as
\nfollowers of Jesus,
\nas we pray in his name. Amen<\/p>\n
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
\nGo in faith into whatever the week ahead may hold, sure that
\nChrist walks with you.
\nAnd may the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and
\nthe Spirit who gives us life bring you joy and peace, now and
\nalways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Matthew 9,9-13 God of wisdom, by your Holy Spirit, open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into your truth, for the sake of Jesus Christ. When I lived in Brampton I had a friend named Nicola At the time she had 3 children The … Continue reading “Written Sermon for June 7th, 2026”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"sermons_blog_filters_topics":"\t\t\t\t