All Souls Bangor

We look today at an important episode in the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan.  The Israelites did not know what had become of Moses and in his absence they built an idol.  This message explores what may have led them to make such a grievous mistake and suggests how we might increasingly avoid the same.  Our best bet is simply this, to trust that we belong to God and that God is with us even when he is hard to discern.  It is through faith in the promises of God that we are freed from fear, and only in the absence of fear, can we live the faithful lives to which we are called.

The Passover refers to that event, during which the ancient Israelites are spared God's judgement over all of Egypt. This was the straw that broke the camel's proverbial back and led to their liberation from bondage.  Even so, what a great cost, the death of the firstborn.   Today's message considers that cost.  How are we, as people of faith, to respond.  Our liberation from sin and death, it too was won at great cost.  We rejoice but there ought to be in our celebrations a solemnity as well as we consider the suffering that made that liberation possible.

There are many places in the Old Testament where we can see hints of what is to come, of what God will do in Christ.  The life of Joseph is a fine example.  Similarities include betrayal for a few pieces of silver, being thrown into a pit/grave, but also the rise to a place of power.  And from that place of power, both choose mercy over judgement.

God made some pretty incredible promises to Abraham.  God makes incredible promises to us as well.  Often it is hard to trust in promises.  We have been let down so many times before.  But God's promises are trustworthy, not because they are easy to wrap our minds around, but because it is the Lord, the God of Heaven and Earth, who makes them.

Week 1 in the 2020-2021 Narrative Lectionary, this message explores the second account of creation in Genesis 2 and 3.

An exploration of Agape love which God extends to us and which we are called to extend to one another.

An introduction to some of the ideas contained in the Letters of John.

As Christians we celebrate and proclaim the grace of God.  Sometimes, however, we can get preoccupied with trying to outline the limits of that grace.  Our assurance of grace is not dependent on the condemnation of others.  Perhaps God's grace will reach further than we think.  This possibility should make our hearts glad.  This message is offered as a call to focus on grace, to celebrate grace, to proclaim grace; and leave the work of final judgement to God.

Early on in the pandemic, when our suspension of in-person services were just beginning, we drew upon the Babylonian exile as a way of speaking about our experiences.  As we resume services and schools prepare to reopen, we would do well to think about the experience of those who returned from exile.   Things were not as they once were.  We are realizing the same is true for us.  This sometimes harsh reality can be a cause for grief, yet there is hope for the future.

Today's message looks to the life of Joseph.  We find there a message of hope and encouragement, a reminder that we cannot judge our lives by any one moment.  The story of our life is still unfolding.  Even now, God has a new chapter in mind.  Knowing that, we ought never despair; but instead, trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God.