Sun. Mar. 28, 2010 (Rosie Perera)

Rosie Perera continue her series on Revelation with a message entitle Jesus Glorified based on a series of lectures she attended last year at Regent, in a bid to bring to life the wonder and majesty of this book in some understanding of its situation and poetry. Rosie noted the significance of all the symbolism in the passaged Rev 1:9-20, from the seven churches, lampstands, and stars; the symbolism of the description of the son of Man, and even the significance of his name. All these symbols would have been well known to Jews of that time as they were mentioned in earlier books of prophets and prophecy. Rosie contrasted this symbolism with the counter-symbolism of the John 12:12-16 where Jesus enters Jerusalem preceded by people waving palm branches, and enticed us to wait for the next installment of this series in the understanding of Revelation. [AP] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, Mar. 28th, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Mar. 21, 2010 (Andre Pekovich reads Sarah Foulger)

Andre Pekovich and Karl Brown teamed up to bring the thoughts of others to a traditional 5th Sunday of Lent service featuring readings and messages from Psalm 126, in a message of hope for restoration, a brief mention of Isaiah 43:16-21 in a passage through the desert with no water but God, and some interesting reflections on John’s Gospel from 12:1-8 about the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair and a year’s earnings’ worth of oil. This passage anticipates Jesus’ death and is prefaced by the raising of Lazarus, and appended to by the plot to kill Lazarus again. In this magical interlude, during a celebration dinner, this woman treats Jesus’ soon-to-die body as though it were already dead. Set within the larger story about Lazarus and the
priests, we are encouraged to prepare for the life and death questions that always swirl around Jesus. Her expensive perfume anoints him, and she thereby invests in the death of Jesus. Lent comes before Easter, suffering before new life; we invest our most precious possessions in order to gain new life. [AP] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, Mar. 21st, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Mar. 14, 2010 (Barbara Nickel)

Barbara Nickel, a former attender at PGIMF, presented a diversity of provocative thoughts on a vital passage of servanthood beginning with Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Drawing on parallels with the Parable of the Lost Son, Barb evoked a God of love who has boundless patience with us, even as we demonstrate every day the imperfection of our creation. Her poetry opened the boundaries of worship further to evoke texture and sensation to express love of God and creation, as well as that of Margaret Avison. It is always truly a treat to hear the author of a work speak the thoughts that led to the creation of the work, and this was especially so with Barb’s poetry, which opens clearly when the meaning behind the words is made clear. Special music by her sons set the mood of introspection, allowing the group to consider the aspects of God’s love as expressed in servanthood from many different viewpoints. Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, Mar. 14th, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Mar. 7, 2010 (Janice Kreider)

One of our gentle gardeners, Janice Kreider, talked about sometimes removing trees from their yard and the unproductive fig tree which produced no fruit. The owner wanted it cut down. (Luke 13) The gardener was reluctant to cut it down a three year old tree and pleaded for one more year, saying he’d like to dig the soil and fertilize it. If after a year the tree produced no fruit, it could be cut down. Janice referred to the yeast parable in the same chapter a small amount of yeast produces unexpected results. Where is God in the fig tree story – the landowner or the gardener? The landowner might represent an impatient absentee landlord. Janice noted that this is an unfinished story, there’s no sequel from a year later to tell us how things turned out. It is story of hope, even if faint hope. It’s also a story of patience and tolerance; sometimes we’re restless and want results now, when a bit of nurturing might eventually produce fruit. (HN) Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, Mar. 7th, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.