Sun. Apr. 29, 2012 (David Mivasair)

Easter and Passover both teach redemption: the world does not need to continue as it is, Rabbi David Mivasair said on April 29th. Mivasair, the Rabbi at Vancouver’s Ahavat Olam congregation is a progressive and open-minded soul who is recognized for his compassionate teaching. Mivasair also provides chaplaincy services in Vancouver’s downtown east side at First United Church. Mivsair noted that the Rabbinic tradition has 613 divine commandments for Jewish people, but only two of those talk about what to pursue: seek peace and pursue it, and pursue justice. These are things we are to go out and create, he said. The experience of slavery in Egypt reminds us of the need for reparation – care for the stranger and the orphan – because you were slaves in Egypt. He described Passover as a model of how life can be, noting that the Bible talks about a Passover for all people.  The promise of liberation and redemption is for everyone, he said. Citing Abraham’s negotiation with God about saving the righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, Mivasair maintained that a truly righteous person argues with God: arguing with God is what made Abraham stand out. Mivasair said we are God’s agents, acting out the godly drama: what is God trying to get you to do? “Seek, pursue, and engage,” were the Rabbi’s closing words. (HN)

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Sun. Apr. 22, 2012 (Ken Friesen)

Ken Friesen reflected on his recent tour to Israel and Palestine with an MCC group. Ken noted that MCC has been working in the area since 1949, shortly after the establishment of the state of Israel. The experience provided Ken (an MCC-BC Board member) with an opportunity to see what peace-making looks like in a conflict area. He observed that the Israel/Palestine situation is controversial: some Christians want total support for Israel while others are concerned about how the Palestinians are treated by the Israeli state. Palestinians are up against a highly organized military state. People in the Middle East hold strong and unflinching political views. MCC’s role is to share Christ’s love and become a blessing through service to others. MCC’s work involves partnerships with a dozen local organizations, including a conflict resolution centre and products for Ten Thousand Villages. Citing Jesus teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Ken said we should treat others with love and respect, and we should be giving priority to compassion over power and control. God’s requirement is that we respond to human need, wherever it may be. (HN)

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Apr. 15, 2012 (Carl Friesen)

Carl Friesen, on a recent trip to Israel/Palestine, was confronted with a gross oversimplification of the gospel: “Jesus substitutionary death on the cross brings salvation to lost souls so that all those who believe can enjoy eternity in heaven when they die.” Carl asks, if this is all there is to the Christian story, what is the significance of Easter Sunday? Why didn’t the story finish on Good Friday with the cross? Carl notes some insist it merely foreshadows a future resurrection for us. Carl notes that view is not supported anywhere by Scripture, and took us through various passages in the gospels and Paul’s letters to show that Resurrection Sunday proved once and for all that this Messiah (as opposed to all the other pretend messiahs who came before) really was not only the king of all creation, but that his new creation had already begun with the Easter Sunday event. Parallelling John’s gospel of the account of creation “In the beginning was the Word...”, John brings forth image after image to demonstrate Christ’s resurrection as the new creation - both occurred on the first day of the week, both brought new life out of water, both brought forth healing - from raising Moses’ serpent and from the ascended man. Carl points out that Paul extends this theology in 1 Corinthians and Romans by insisting that the new life called forth in Christ’s resurrection is also called forth in the world around us right now - the whole world has a chance for new life, and we, as Christ’s agents in the world now must bring it about. This call given to all Christians is not merely to endure this life in the hope of a better one after death, but to work hard to bring about the harvest of this new creation, so that the last image John leaves us with - a new heaven and a new earth coming together in heavenly union under Christ the king. [AP]

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, April 15th, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Apr. 1, 2012 (John Friesen)

John Friesen focused on the scapegoat concept as described in Leviticus 16. The scapegoat was a goat that was allowed to escape into the wilderness after the priest had laid the sins of the people upon it as part of the “Day of Atonement” activities. The scapegoat is a person or group (usually innocent) made to take the blame for the fault of another, a strategy that’s endemic in society: in churches, universities, and families. It’s important to distinguish between blame and scapegoating. John described Jesus taking the role of the scapegoat, “behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The resurrection released Jesus from the role of the scapegoat. Jesus calls us to a new relationship with God and with each other, we are to exercise mercy, not violence. (HN)

Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, April 1st, 2012 using your browser's preferred media player.