Greetings friends and family of St. Giles,
This weekend is the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost. This Sunday marks the transition into ‘Ordinary Time’ in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It is a time of growth as disciples embrace new learnings from the Word and focus on the mission of God in the world.
The scriptures for the service on June 7th point us to God’s call on our lives using the examples of unlikely people in scripture. Abram – a childless man of 75 – was called out of his home country to follow God to new land. His decision to follow in faith would bless the whole world. The Apostle Matthew was called to follow Jesus from his seat in the tax booth. And the whole world benefited from him following in faith when he shared the story of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.
Selim Sfeir, the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus, writes that “we call ourselves disciples of the 21st century, and so we are. We go through moments of doubt, like the disciples went through doubts – in the presence of Jesus. But Jesus is not going to dwell on the doubts of some of his disciples; if he has gathered them together, it is for a much more important task.”
What is the task of which this Cyprean Archbishop speaks? How does it relate to your specific calling in the Kingdom of God and your work in the church? You will have doubts. And we encourage you to discuss them with elders, Rev. Chandra, and each other. But please balance these struggles in discernement with a focus on who you are as a disciple, and what you are asked to do by God as a faithful follower. You are a beloved child of God called to share the gospel message of Christ in the world.
Rev. Terry Fach, our General Presbyter at the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod, will be preaching this weekend as we prepare for our next steps in the amalgamation process with Knox. He will also encourage focus on next steps in your personal walk with Christ. And Esther Woelfle, our former choir director, will lead the choir in hymns of praise to God.
May your worship this week be filled with faith as you continue to glorify God through trust in God’s promises.
Blessings,
Chandra
“Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what he had promised”
– Romans 4:20