Sun. July 29, 2012 (J. Evan Kreider)

Evan focused on the well-known David and Bathsheba story. David saw what he should not have seen – Bathsheba, the wife of a trusted warrior, bathing on a nearby rooftop. David makes the mistake of pursuing her when he already had a harem. Bathsheba had no choice but to obey the king. Eventually David arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle and he marries Bathsheba who becomes the queen mother; a position with a lot of power. This story represents a turning point in David’s reign as family tragedies increase. David, by his example, taught his sons to rape, deceive, and abuse power. He violated the instruction in Deuteronomy: “Your king must not acquire many wives.” This is a sad story of a poet, king, and musician - an OT poster boy and a man after God’s heart – whose downfall began with a serious abuse of power. He should have followed the golden rule: do not do unto others things that you do not want them to do to you. (HN).

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Sun. July 22, 2012 (John Neufeld)

John Neufeld spoke on “A Room To Remember.” Memories are important and unavoidable; there is no escaping from remembering. Jacob, the night before he met this brother from whom he had been estranged for 20 years, had a time of remembering. Here we had a middle aged man struggling and wrestling with his past. Memories can be a gift or a burden, sometimes an unwelcome burden.  Psalm 42 reminds us of David’s unpleasant memories: “My tears have been my food day and night.” We deal with our past by adoring it, abhorring it, or ignoring it.  In recalling difficult times, we remember how we maneuvered through those times.  Remembering our hurts from the past might require forgiveness or forbearance; forbearance is a form of spiritual generosity. “Enter the room called remember, and reflect on the good and the not so good,” John said. (HN)

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Sun. July 8, 2012 (Ruth Enns)

Ruth Enns spoke on the medieval chant, Dies irae, a poem (sequence) written c. 1250 by Thomas Celano. Dies irae was quickly appreciated, being added to the Mass for the Dead (removed only in the late 1960s as a result of the reforms of Vatican II). The poet imagines a fearful day of judgment when "all" will be revealed.  The poet then asks, "What am I going to do", if even the righteous have reason to be fearful? Hope is offered when we are reminded that Mary Magdalene and the 'thief on the cross' were forgiven, so perhaps there is hope for the likes of me. The poem's final lines ask that "Gentle Jesus, grant them rest", praying for the souls of all humanity. It is interesting to see that, as Christendom faded from the cultures of the 18th and 19th centuries, interest in this particular medieval chant went viral, with Europe's leading composers quoting from its opening melody when writing for orchestras, the piano, the organ, and of course for choirs.  The chant soon became a signature tune denoting death to all who heard it. Even contemporary culture, as it explores Armageddon, the end of the universe, etc., has been intrigued by this theme--whereas the present church tends to downplay a final judgment, eternal torment, and even the notion of there being a hell.  [JEK]

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Sun. July 1, 2012 (Connie Siedler)

Connie Siedler pursued the theme of spiritual seasons by focusing on the transition from winter to spring. Winter conveys images of darkness and of waiting for spring; a season when death turns to life.  Spiritual life also experiences seasons; the winter of our dormancy includes waiting for spring; and spring requires planting and cleaning.  Connie noted there is a time for everything, and suggested spring is a time to venture into new territory.  Spring is a time to listen to God, to look at our lives and to see what needs renewal.  Try new things and sow generously. Spring cleaning is important; we need to get rid of the dust and clutter of winter.  Connie suggested the practice of examen (part of Ignation spirituality) where we reflect on the events of our day, asking questions about when we felt most alive, when we were stressed or distracted, and when we felt closest to God.  Spring reminds us that death does not have the last word. (HN)

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