Question: What is your favorite joke or story?
Call to Worship
(Psalm 100, from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language”)
On your feet now—applaud GOD!
Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.
Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Let us worship and enjoy God together!
Prayers of Adoration and Confession (Rev. Robert M. Thompson)
We thank you Creator and ever Creating God for making us in your divine image.
We praise you that we live, we love, we laugh, because we are like You.
We praise you Jesus the Christ, the Word made Flesh, Storyteller extraordinaire,
For You had the last laugh on the devil when You rose from the dead.
We praise you Holy Spirit, coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.
You are our counselor, our guide, our motivator – You are our joy!
Forgive us, Lord,
when we take ourselves too seriously,
when we don’t claim the joy that is rightfully ours as your children,
when we forget that you endured the pain of the cross for us for the joy that lay beyond it,
when we misuse the your gift of humor to us to hurt and mock others,
when we forget that you will have the last laugh in this world
Gracious God,
restore to us the joy of our salvation,
the joy that is our strength,
the joy that gift of our Risen Saviour to us.
We offer you our worship with humble and joy filled hearts in Christ. Amen.
Hymn: “At the dawning of salvation” (# 248)
Words: Donald Fishel, Music Alluia No. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4AghcUS9Xk (Different song, but the right tune)
Verse 1
At the dawning of salvation,
In the morning of the world,
Christ is raised a living banner
By the love of God unfurled.
Through the daylight,
Through the darkness,
Christ leads on His great array:
All the saints and all the sinners
He has gathered on His way
Verse 2
He is risen in the morning
He is risen from the dead
He is laughter after sadness
He is light when night has fled
He has suffered He has triumphed
Life is His alone to give
As He gave it once He gives it
Evermore that we may live
Verse 3
For the glory of salvation
In the dawn of Easter day
We will praise You loving Father
We rejoice to sing and pray
With the Son and with the Spirit
Lead us on Your great array
Saints and sinners celebrating
Your triumphant love today
Prayer for Understanding
O God who enlightens every one that comes into the world: enlighten our hearts with the truth of your Word, that we may ponder and love those things that are pleasing to you. Through Jesus Christ, we pray AMEN
Scripture Readings
Genesis 17:17-19; 18:9-15; 21:1-7 A child of promise named “Laughter.”
Colossians 1:9-14 A prayer from Paul to those who are struggling.
Matthew 17:24-27; 19:23-26; 28:1-10 Humour from Jesus.
Sermon: Laughter in the Midst of Tragedy
I thought for this 3rd Week of the Easter Season what we all needed was a small break or “Sabbath” from the ongoing pandemic and the heart breaking tragedy we have been heard about from Nova Scotia this week. I suspect we could use a moment to recharge our spiritual and emotional batteries so we can get back to be a blessing and support to those around us. I want to do this by reclaiming an ancient spiritual practice of the church.
According The Joyful Noiseletter ( https://www.joyfulnoiseletter.com/hhsunday.asp ),
“For centuries in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday, including “Bright Sunday” (the Sunday after Easter), was observed by the faithful as “days of joy and laughter” with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.”
“Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced.
“The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. “Risus paschalis – the Easter laugh,” the early theologians called it.”
I share with you some of my favorite stories in my sermon archives for your pleasure, refreshment, and to the glory of God, who gave us the gift of laughter to raise our spirits. I pray that your spirits would be lifted in the same way Abraham’s and Sarah’s were when their son Isaac (meaning: laughter) was born and just as Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to us by rising from the dead. Enjoy!
Story 1: God Will Provide
A young man met with the father of the woman he wanted to marry. When asked what he did for a living he replied, “I am a New Testament scholar.”
“A New Testament scholar. Hmmm,” the father said, “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she’s accustomed to?”
“I will study,” the young man replied, “and God will provide for us.”
“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asked the father.
“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replied, “God will provide for us.”
“And children?” asked the father. “How will you support children?”
“Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,” replied the young man
The conversation continued like this, and each time the father questioned the young idealist, he insisted that God would provide. Later, when the mother asked, “How did it go, honey?” The father answered, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.”
How has God provided for you and who are you supporting in the midst of the pandemic?
Story 2: Graceful Amazement
Kathy’s grandmother told the story of a poor family who had a visit from the minister at supper time. The family quickly changed their dinner plans from the simple to the more extravagant. The youngest member of the family was asked to say grace and this is what she prayed…
The Lord be praised, I am amazed
to see how quickly things are mended.
When I see the supper we have here,
when porridge was intended.
What are you thankful for in these “interesting times” that we live in?
Story 3. “Changing Course?”
In U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch shares this story of two competing Navel Authorities.
He writes two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”
“Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out.
The lookout replied, “Steady, Captain,” which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.
The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: ‘We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.’ ”
Back came the signal, “Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees.”
The captain said, “Send: “I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.'”
“I’m a seaman second-class,” came the reply. “You had better change course twenty degrees.”
By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send: ‘I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'”
Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse.” We changed course.
What changes have you made in your life in the midst of the pandemic?
Story 4: Deliver us from email
A mother had been teaching her three year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord’s prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after her mother the lines fro m the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. The mother listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up until the end of the prayer : “Lead us not into temptation,” she prayed, “but deliver us from E-mail. Amen.
Give thanks to God for the technology we have to connect and stay close to family and friends.
Story 5: Morning Prayer
The Rev. Dean Alan Jones of the Church of the Risen Christ in Denver Colorado always begins his day with this special prayer:
I want to thank you, Lord, for being close to me so far this day.
With your help, I haven’t been impatient,
lost my temper, been grumpy, judgmental or been envious of anyone.
But, I will be getting out of bed in a minute,
and I think I will really need your help then. Amen.
How have your habits of prayer changed during the pandemic?
Story 6: Love in the Concrete
On Sunday, Rev. MacDonald delivered a fine sermon about love, forgiveness, and managing one’s anger. During the week, he spent long, hard hours building a wooden frame to hold cement for a driveway. On Saturday he poured the cement, went to the shed for a tool, and on his return found a neighbourhood boy walking in the newly poured cement. As he sternly lectured the boy, a member of his congregation from across the street watched with interest before asking, “What happened to your advice of Sunday – Love, forgiveness, and self-control?”
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Rev. MacDonald answered,
“You know, it’s far easier to love in the abstract than in the CONCRETE.” ?
Give thanks for how God has demonstrated his love for you and given you an example of how to love others “concretely.”
* * * * * * *
The power of Jesus’ stories and humour (i.e. the image of a camel going through the eye of needle) was that they always pointed to deeper spiritual realities. Sometimes those stories affirmed and sometimes they challenged the listener depending on what the listener needed to hear. My hope is that these stories along with other ones being shared by funny people who want to help lift us up and guide us through these times where we need to laugh as well as cry. Jesus demonstrated that we can love God and love our neighbors by doing both. Amen.
Hymn: “God who gives to life its goodness” (#334)
Words: Walter Farquharson. Music: ABBOT’S LEIGH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c51nsIPWnCohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kTQslW7xgg
Verse 1
God who gives to life its goodness,
God creator of all joy,
God who gives to us our freedom,
God who blesses tool and toy:
teach us now to laugh and praise you,
deep within or shouted loud,
till the whole creation dances
for your goodness holy God.
Verse 2
God who fills the earth with beauty,
God who binds each friend to friend,
God who names us co-creators
God who wills that chaos end:
grant us now creative spirits,
minds responsive to your mind,
hearts and wills your rule extending
all our acts by Love refined.
Prayers of the People
God our Maker,
You have always walked alongside your faithful people in many generations,
people facing challenge and uncertainty,
people seeking your purpose and promise.
Thank you for your faithfulness to us in all situations.
Walk with us and with those for whom we pray for this day,
that your grace and mercy may sustain our faith and hope.
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for all who must think about the future in uncertain times.
Give them hope rooted in the knowledge that their lives matter to you.
Show them how to make a difference in the world,
whatever threats and challenges they face as they grow.
We pray for creative and wise solutions to the difficult issues
f knowing how and when to put people back to work
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for people for whom age or experience, illness, or disability
create barriers to full participation in your world.
Give each one a sense of dignity and purpose.
Show them where their gifts are needed and how much they matter to you.
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for communities challenged by forces beyond their control:
economic crisis, environmental collapse, natural disaster, political strife.
Give courage to those facing crises and wisdom to those who lead
so that well being may be restored and hope for the future prevail.
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for our congregation, for our life together and our future in mission.
Sustain and enrich our fellowship and worship
so that you will find us faithful on our journey into that future.
And we pray for the well being of those lives linked to ours
who bring us both joy and heartache
because they matter so much to us and to you…
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Healing, comforting and sustaining God,
Bring healing and comfort to those suffering from the corona virus.
We are grateful for and pray for the safety of all who work to bring about your healing miracles.
Comfort those who are missing loved ones and friends due to isolation, or death.
Support all who suffering physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in these difficult times,
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
God who creates and enables and visions,
Be with all whose creative energy to care, to teach, to learn, to support and solve problems
is fading and struggling.
Grant fresh eyes and perspective, re-energize and renew vitality, open new door and approaches
through conversation, reflection, and dreaming/visioning.
We pray for artists of various media, musicians, filmmakers, writers, comedians, cartoonists,
Guide their work and art that it may lift the spirits of those dragged down the pandemic.
God in your mercy, hear our prayers.
God our Maker, hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken,
and use us in ways we may not yet even imagine to respond to those around us
with the love and mercy we see in Jesus Christ
who taught us to pray in these words,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Offering of our Time, Talent, Treasure to God
In this Easter Season, we celebrate the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that God has given to us. The gifts we offer to God of our time, talent and treasure reflect God’s goodness to us flowing into us and outward to those around us. The sharing of God’s gifts to us witness to the hope we have in Christ Jesus, our Risen Lord.
There are many ways and places to give, so give generously and wisely. Donations for St. Paul’s can be sent by mail to: St. Paul’s, Box 1264, Banff, AB T1L 1B3.
Hymn: “Brother, sister let me serve you” (#635)
Words and Music by Richard Gillard
Verse 1
Brother let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant too
Verse 2
We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
Verse 3
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear
Verse 4
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through
Verse 5
When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony
Verse 6
Brother sister let me serve you
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too
Pastoral Blessing
(Matthew 22:34-40; Psalm 121:8)
God calls unto into relationship with Him
To love Him with all that we are
And to love our neighbors as ourselves.
May the LORD
keep you from all harm.
May he watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over
your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Amen.
Congregational Blessing:
Those who wait on the Lord
shall renew their strength;
They shall rise up on wings as eagles;
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint;
Help us Lord; help us Lord, in your way.
Those who live the risen life
shall renew their strength
They shall rise up on wings as eagles;
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint;
Help us Lord; help us Lord in your way.
Have a great week, be a blessing to someone, and be safe!