South Stormont Pastoral Charge

Today’s Gospel reading is about the Beatitudes. They appear at the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is one of the most important parts of the Gospel of Matthew. Through this sermon, Matthew reveals the true meaning of the Law.  The Law was a gift given to the Hebrew people as they entered the promised land. It was meant to help them learn how to build a new world shaped by love and peace. By the time of Jesus, however, things had changed. The Law had become a tool of oppression because many religious leaders focused only on following it literally. They no longer cared about the spirit of the Law. They used their knowledge to judge others and to control them. Because of this, Jesus taught the true meaning of the Law. In the Sermon on the Mount, he repeated the words, “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” Jesus did not reject the Law. Instead, he revealed its true spirit. To begin, the first thing Jesus preached about was the true meaning of blessing. The Hebrew w...

*Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light is Come (#79 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: In this season of Epiphany in Canada,    All: we are still in the depths of winter. One: Cold, howling winds and long nights   All: may keep us inside, and we long for spring. One: May this Christ light warm our hearts and light our way, All: so that we can be faithful disciples in this time. Amen. *Beth W Johnston. Gathering ACE 2025/2026 . Page 42. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Come, Let Us Sing (#222 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) We come today to confess that we do not always live as you want us to live, we do not always want to try to live in your way. We confess that we would rather stay with what we know than venture into the unknown. Help us to understand your call in these times of challenge. Help us to notice those in need of what we have to offer. Help us to love as you love all people. Forgive us. Restore us...

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.” This is a powerful statement of faith that both Matthew and Isaiah share. It reminds us that God does not forget the dark places. God does not ignore people on the margins. God brings new light first to those who feel overlooked, pushed aside, or forgotten. The focus here is Galilee, in northern Israel, including the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. In many ways, Galilee was a land of abundance. The Sea of Galilee provided rich fishing, the soil was fertile, the climate mild, and the rainfall steady. A major trade route, the Via Maris, ran through the region toward the Mediterranean. Galilee was a place of travel, business, and opportunity. Over time, however, this abundant land became a place o...

  *Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light is Come (#79 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: God created light in the beginning.    All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: Christ reveals God’s light to us.   All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: The Spirit reveals God’s light in others. All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: Come, you who are light for the world, let us worship God. *Sandy Ferguson. Gathering ACE 2022/2023 . Page 43 Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Will You Come and See the Light (#96 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Loving God, through Christ you bring light into our dark places. We admit that sometimes we are afraid of that light, because it shows us the hurt and broken parts of our lives. We hide what is wounded and incomplete, unsure how you will meet us in our weakness. Forgive us when we forget that nothing about us is hidden from you, and that ...