Pastoral Reflections

Greetings in the name of God who invites us to imagine and dream!

This coming Sunday we enter the season of Advent. Our advent theme this year is, Dare to Imagine! To imagine is to form a mental image or concept of what could be. To imagine is to dream about and envision the life or world that God is inviting us to pray for and work toward. The advent resource we are using this year extends an invitation to us. “As we begin a new church year, let’s dare to imagine our path forward with God toward God’s dream for our world.”

I am grateful for this Advent invitation. So much in our world today seems out of sync with God’s dream. Many in the world are fleeing homelands that are unsafe to live in. And the passage for them to a new home is long, difficult, uncertain and often dangerous. Floods overwhelm both British Columbia and Eastern Canada and we wonder if this is another sign of the stress that our planet is suffering. For British Columbia the earlier droughts and fires this year intensifies that wondering. Climate Crisis is a headline that grows more frequent and intense. Relationships between settler and indigenous communities, although they show signs of healing, continue to struggle and experience seasons of deep stress and even violence. Tensions in our own families, church communities and broader community continue as we face the stresses of polarization around differing opinions about Covid vaccines and safety protocols. We also face personal health challenges and struggle to find the answers we need as our health care system lives through its own struggling health.

In this present time in which we live we need a church and people of God who will dare to imagine and dream about the world that could be, and who will then dare to join God in the mission of transforming the world that is, into the world that God is making new.

Imagine families, churches and communities that dare to imagine and then dare to join God in bringing imagination to reality.

Imagine a world that supports those neighbours struggling through floods and fires, and then decides together to make the lifestyle changes that will help heal our earth.

Imagine a world where settlers and indigenous peoples live as neighbors in mutual relationships of respect and understanding. Imagine what it would mean to live that dream. 

Imagine a world where we continue to worship together despite our differences, where we make the adjustments needed, and give our hearts and hands to each other instead of judging and distancing from each other. 

So much in our world seems out of sync yet so much in the world is also good and right. May we give thanks for what is good, name and lament what is wrong, dare to imagine what could be, and then join God in God’s mission to heal and transform the world.

I love the benediction recorded in Ephesians 3:20-21, and the big truth it names.

²⁰ Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Pastor Ray

Greetings to the blessed people of East Zorra who mourn!

Even In the short time I have hung around EZMC, there have been many that have experienced the loss of someone they know. Is there such a thing as ‘Good Grief’, especially when the loss is someone very close to us?

The usual use of the expression ‘good grief’ denotes an exclamation of irritation, frustration, or surprise. When we lose a loved one, we grieve. It hurts! Your grief is as personal and unique as your fingerprint; no one else will have the same bereavement experience as you and there is not one “correct” way to respond to loss. It seems that the more we have loved someone, the more we grieve.  We say our hearts are broken.

We hurt because the deceased has left a big hole in our lives.  No longer can we enjoy their company, their uniqueness, their smile, their humour, their idiosyncrasies.  And there is no replacement to fill that big hole.  You don’t ever ‘get over it’ or ‘move on’.  But there is some consolation. There is some good news. “They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly — that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp”. — Anne Lamott. Helen Keller says: “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us”.

In addition, I believe that God’s grace and sovereignty are greater than any loss or disappointment. Since Genesis, death has been part of humanity’s reality. Jesus came to assuage the effects of the curse. My intellect may not understand why God allows tragedy to strike, but I can rest in His infinite wisdom and tender mercies. One look at Jesus’ suffering on the cross, and we know He understands our pain and does something about it. ‘The Lord had anointed him to preach the gospel to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted’ (Luke 4:18)

‘Good Grief’ is when I allow Him to comfort and heal me.

And, we will remember them.

Pastor Lloyd

Greetings in the name of our God of Peace! 

On Remembrance Day this week many of us paused to remember those who died in military service as they fought for the freedom of their country, families and the values so important to them. We remember their commitment and courage as they sacrificially gave their lives in their fight for freedom. We also remember those military personnel who physically survived through war but live with trauma that continues to war within them.

As we remember them we also remember the many other causalities and victims of war. Many civilians also suffered physical death and many suffered other losses and forms of death. Loss of loved ones, loss of home and family, loss of security, innocence, hope, peace….

We remember, not only to recalling the past, but to learn from the past and allow the story of the past to help inform and shape our future.

As we remember, on this week of Remembrance Day, may we commit again to do the work that makes for peace. May we strive to deepen our resolve to walk the nonviolent way of Jesus in all our relationships. May we be reminded that all people are God’s people and that God desires that we live together in peace and harmony. May we pray for our world and all its leaders so that their interactions and conversations lead to more peaceful ways of living together on planet earth. May we pray that weapons of war will be transformed into instruments of justice, life and peace! May we pray for the day that war will cease and that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

As we pray these big prayers for our world I pray we are inspired to do our part in the small piece of the world in which we live. Maybe our world will be transformed one person at a time! As the old song goes, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me….”   Will we do our part to understand those who think differently and live differently than we do? Will we make friends instead of enemies? Will we live sacrificially instead of selfishly? Will we work to build bridges instead of barriers and walls? Will we make the choices that lead to the health and well-being of all? Will we look out, not only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others? Will we begin a ripple of love, understanding and compassion that will result in a tidal wave of good across our neighbourhood, country and around our world? 

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deedsdone in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

Pastor Ray            

Greetings to those who love talking to God

Lately, life has given us a plethora of fresh new reasons (and recycled old ones) to walk through our days in fear, confusion, worry, and shame. We sometimes even borrow trouble for hard days that haven’t hit us yet. Can you relate?

I generally believe that pausing to reflect on life, especially in nature, is therapeutic. But even then my thoughts can turn dark. If I’m not careful to take these thoughts captive, blessed moments of respite can become riddled with anxiety and paranoia. I can fail to stop and fully enjoy the blessing God has given to me! I begin to take credit for all I have and get to do, while worrying about when it will end, and things will get hard again. I forget to prioritize time with God the way I do when I desperately need Him to relieve some real-life pain.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8

This verse reminds me to let go and let God do what God does.

So today, we can smile especially when it’s hard and hurts. Our eyes see our Creator’s hand as we take intentional time to peacefully watch the world go by. Because this day, God made for us, equipping us for the challenges of the hour. So we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Let’s Pray: Father, your faithfulness is never-ending, your mercies new every morning. There is none like you. Calm my anxiety, worry, and fear over when the calm water will kick up again. Help me not borrow trouble for hard days that aren’t here yet. Increase my confidence in you, my wisdom, and my ability to let your love flow freely through my everyday life.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Lloyd

Greetings to my fellow-labourers who join with me in wanting to ‘Know Christ, and make Him known’!

This Sunday we have special guests, via Zoom, led by our missions committee: Dann and Joji Pantoja. Dann and Joji have been our special global witness workers for some time. Here is an introduction to their activities:

The island of Mindanao is known as a conflict zone in the Philippines. It is also the home of Peace Builders Community Inc. (PBCI), founded by Dann and Joji Pantoja. PBCI provides peace & justice training for Christian church leaders, Indigenous leaders, and civil society organizations. Their vision is that by the year 2030 each of the 81 provinces will have an established Peace and Reconciliation team. As part of PBCI’s sustainable development initiative, Joji works as CEO of Coffee for Peace, a social enterprise that works directly with local coffee farmers to ensure a fair return for their product and responsible environmental practices.

Dann and Joji Pantoja, are embracing their Indigenous names and identities: they are Lakan Sumulong and Lakambini Mapayapa from the Tagalog tribe of Southern Luzon.

Interesting facts about the Philippines –                                                                

• The capital is Manila, which is the second largest city
• The nation has a population of 111 million people
• The land area is 30 million hectares, composed of 7,600 islands most of which are uninhabited, it is the second largest nation archipelago, with the fifth largest coastline of any country in the world, and has no land border with any country.
• There are 184 languages, two official, (Filipino, English) 
• There are 300 volcanoes, 24 active, with 20 earthquakes a day, most never felt.
• average height of people is: 5’ – 1” 
• Though officially the Philippines are a secular state, Christianity is the dominant faith and over 80 percent of the population is Catholic.
• The national dish of the Philippines may well be the adobo, a stew of port or chicken cooked with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf and peppercorns.
• Rice is a food staple, and may be eaten at every meal.  The rice terraces of the Cordillleras remain has they were in pre-colonial times, and are considered by the Filipinos to be the eighth wonder of the world. They were built over 2,000 years ago and are a now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The only place in the world where skunks are found other than America is Indonesia and the Philippines, where they are called stink badgers.

Please pray for Dann & Joji as they share their heart with us on Sunday.  Pray that God will continue to bless their ministry and work amongst the Filipino people, and that peace will come to the island of Mindanao.

We are also witness workers, in our homes, at our jobs, in our activities, let us work for peace, justice, and the good news that there is hope as our Saviour, Jesus, is active with us, and empowering good.

Blessings as you labour for Him.

Pastor Lloyd