Here is the short video to accompany this message: https://youtu.be/ChEgJPlCSV4
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Here are the readings for this Sunday September 6th and the one we’re focusing on is in bold: Exodus 12:1-4; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
These days, many of us are feeling … something … that doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps you’re have dreams that are very different than the dreams you normally have; maybe you are affected differently by something you hear on the radio, TV, social media or newspaper; the music you listen to is heard from a different perspective and seems to take on new meaning; or perhaps there’s an unsettled spot deep inside you. You are not alone in these feelings and many (if not all of us) can’t help but be affected by the more than five months of living differently, staying in our homes and not seeing all the people we normally see. And now we’re beginning to venture out, mask and hand sanitizer handy, figuring out how to go to familiar places, do familiar things, in a new way. And we’re different, too. There are many stories from the bible – both the Hebrew scriptures and the gospels – about people who have had to adjust to a new way of living. Not all of them adjusted well; not all of them loved their new homes; not all of them were happy; but they were faithful and believed that God would be with them. Many made new discoveries that enriched their lives; some found new friends in unexpected places; and others found blessings they thought they would never again experience. As we move through these changes, it’s good to remember what nurtures us, what makes our hearts warm, what leaves our spirits singing as we wander through this new life. This is what will sustain us when we have to sanitize our hands for the 100th time today or calm us when the skin under our mask is itchy or give us patience when we can’t understand or hear the person speaking to us through the plexiglass shield or encourage us even we hear the numbers in Manitoba are going up and we were just about to go visit someone in an area that now feels unsafe. Like our ancestors, we too can do this with God’s help. We can follow in the footsteps of Jesus and respond with compassion and kindness. We can feel that amazing spirit blow across our faces as we carefully take off our mask and know we are not alone.
A funny image from Connie: although we won’t be doing this, it does remind us that worship will be different – and it might make you smile! You will have received a letter from the Executive outlining some of the changes coming as we gradually reopen the building. As we prepare for an in person, indoor worship service on Sept 13 at 10:45am, know the Board and the COVID-19 reopening committee is working to keep everyone safe and following all the guidelines and protocols of the Province, Manitoba Health and the Prairie to Pine Region and United Church of Canada. Please visit our website (trinityunitedwinnipeg.com), find the COVID-19 tab and look for the information you need to know along with a short video to show you some of the changes.
Scripture for the day: (Matthew 18:20) Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.
Prayer for the week: Creating God, as we think about the future of the faith community we call home, we are filled with questions, concerns and some anticipation. Be with us as we work our way through the details; let your peace be a part of our being together. May your love guide us as we learn to be together in a new way. Amen.
May blessing, peace and the knowledge that we are not alone on this journey; may God be a part of your week as we wander through our changing days and evenings, knowing the winds of God’s spirit blow with us! May we all remember God in a way that keeps us going.
Elizabeth
Trinity United Church 