Moving Forward, Sharing God’s Love

“Moving Forward, Sharing God’s Love”

Krista’s Reflection on Anniversary Sunday, June 11, 2023

Based on Genesis 12:1-9 and Paul’s Letter to the Romans 4:13-21

Introduction to the Scriptures:

Last week we heard the creation story of Genesis, how God created the heavens and the earth.

This week God promises Abraham, one of the forefathers of our faith, a great name, land, and many descendants. He must trust in God. He must leave the land of his birth in Ur (Mesopotamia/Iran) and travel almost 1000 miles to the land of Canaan.

The apostle Paul writes to the believers in Rome about Abraham as a model to follow. He commends Abraham’s faith and encourages the followers of Jesus to have the same faith as our early ancestors.

SERMON

History of Our Faith – the Pioneers

I’ve always loved Victorian houses. Maybe it’s the architecture, or maybe it’s something about the people who inhabited them. I can sense a mother brushing past the banister in her long skirts to gracefully ascend a flight of stairs and get her baby from the nursery; I can imagine a father, let’s call him William, sitting in his den, perhaps smoking a pipe, studying the scriptures by candlelight, then reading a story to his children in the evening.

Perhaps he was reading about Abraham, a man of 75 years, who packed up his wife and children, animals and servants and travelled to the distant land of Canaan.

Abraham obeyed God and left his father’s house and all the people he knew to follow God and become a new nation.

Now William was probably thinking – Abraham is just like us! We also left the old country, to settle in this small town in Innisfil.

Relating to Now

Perhaps some of you can relate to William. Your ancestors also came to this country and settled in this land. Lived in an old farmhouse (maybe you are stilling living in it, or someone else you know!).

Maybe some of your ancestors are named in the original congregations of these churches. Maybe you are a great-grandchild or distant relative of them, and now sit in the very same pews, hearing the same Scriptures over a 100 years later.

But we are in a different time now… or are we?

Many have moved away. New generations have been born. Some have followed a different path and left, while others return for special occasions, like baptizing their children.

We honour all who have entered our churches, past, present, and future – leading us to where we are now, the Churchill Gilford community of faith in Innisfil.

Our original church denominations, whether they be Methodist or Presbyterian, followed a fate unseen– God called them to join together to become the United Church of Canada, to worship and pray together as one family under God. And we still do.

Abraham’s Call

Abraham heard God calling him, to go and leave the place he was living and become a great nation. He didn’t know how that was possible. God promised them children. But he and his wife were old. This promise came to fruition many years later.

From Abraham, came three faith traditions under one God: the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. All owe their existence to Abraham and Sarah, who had the courage to follow God’s call, overcome challenges, grow, and expand beyond their expectations.It didn’t happen all at once. It took many, many years. The Jewish people struggled for thousands of years – became slaves in Egypt for 400 years – but still, they became a great nation. It wasn’t easy. But when they were tested, and trusted and followed God, things turned out alright.

Moving to the Manse – the Minister’s Story

I have lived in my present home for a little over 20 years. It is the longest I have lived anywhere in my life, and that’s not very long. My true roots are in Ireland and Scotland – hundreds of years ago.

I am like a seed that was scattered to the wind, and landed with my pioneer ancestors in Canada, one side in Newfoundland, and the other side near Kingston, Ontario. Somehow I ended up in Scarborough, Ontario, taking a leap of faith to start my own family there.

I thought I would live in my present house for many, many more years, and raise my grandchildren there. I thought we would never move from that place.

Until I entered the ministry. Until I heard the call of God. Like Abraham and Sarah, I had to let go of what I knew and be open to new possibilities.

I heard the call from Rev. Linda Butler last year (about this time), that there was a pastoral charge I should consider for my SME up in Churchill and Gilford. I had passed by Churchill many times on my way to Barrie to visit my folks. But I never, ever, imagined I would one day be a minister in this same place.

God knows where I need to go and for how long.

I said yes to that call, and so my SME began – already a year in. I loved visiting the Manse, an 1880s Victorian house, the kind I had always loved but had never lived in.

I loved the community – perfect strangers to me a year ago, now like our hymn says, “part of the family.”

After I returned from my study leave back in May, Steve surprised me by saying it was time to go, to sell our house, and move to Innisfil! I thought, what?! But something in me knew he was right – it was time. Our children had grown, our neighbourhood had changed, and we had changed. I am now a minister of a two-point charge in Innisfil! And we love it up here.

Suddenly, we are moving!

After the Churchill Gilford team said yes, everything happened so quickly without my effort or will. It was like I was being lifted and transplanted to where I needed to be. It just made sense.

God knew where I was to go. I had to just trust and follow. So far, the call has landed me here in Innisfil. What was only supposed to be my office, in a beautiful old Victorian house, is now going to be our residence while you want me to be minister here. (For those in Bible study, perhaps it was the power of my gaze – I noticed this cute little town of Churchill & Gilford, and always loved Victorian houses – God gave me what I always wanted but I would never have had the courage to go).

Now I am the one in the den, studying the scriptures, and telling stories, while Steve is in the kitchen cooking me dinner! (My, how times have changed!) God has a good sense of humour.

Closing

I am excited to be here today. To share our faith journey with each other, to hear our amazing stories of faith, including where your grandparents lived, and which house or farm they owned.

It is amazing to know that some of you were baptized in one of our churches. You raised your families here. And your grandchildren, niece and nephews look to you as great people of faith – as part of their roots. Part of their stories, too.

As we walk together in this rich faith, with its many traditions and histories; may we continue to tell our stories– and pass them down. Inspiring others who walk with us, and our children and children’s children who may follow the call somewhere else.

God has a big plan for us we cannot see. God knows where we are meant to be.

Almost 100 years ago, Gilford Methodist Church and Churchill’s 1st Presbyterian Church decided to walk together by becoming one Pastoral Charge under the newly minted United Church of Canada. Now we are still walking together, sharing, and caring for each other, and God’s love with everyone in our growing community.

Closing

How can we continue the great legacies our ancestors started, like Abraham and Sarah?

Krista’s Three Things:

1. Find out where you come from – and honour your ancestors.

2. Don’t be afraid to say yes to something new – God might be calling you.

3. Remember your great faith – it will take you where you need to go

.Happy Anniversary Sunday!

May God bless and keep us as we continue our journey on. Amen.