South Stormont Pastoral Charge

Today’s Gospel reading tells a well-known story about two sisters, Martha and Mary. This story is often understood as drawing a sharp line between those who serve and those who listen, with the suggestion that the listener holds a higher place. But if we look more closely, we see that this story is not really about choosing one way over the other. It does not say that working hard is wrong or that listening is always better. Rather, it helps us understand the importance of recognizing what matters in each moment and focusing on one thing at a time. When Jesus came to their home, Mary chose to sit and listen to him. She wanted to know more about him. She was excited to hear about what he had done and what he was going to say, so she gave him her full attention. Meanwhile, Martha chose to work and serve. This was important, as Jesus and his disciples likely needed food and drink after their journey from another village. But Martha’s serving was driven by worry and pressure.  For her,...

  *Gathering Hymn God, Reveal Your Presence (#391 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Called to this place…   All: as people of God. One: Called to this place…   All: as friends in the Spirit One: Called to this place… All: as followers of the Christ One: Called to this place… All: to be renewed, to be refreshed, to be re-made! One: Called to this place… All: that we might go to all places to share the love of God! *Richard Bott, Gathering Pentecost 1 2025 . Page 40. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#288 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Gracious God, we acknowledge and confess in your presence the smallness of our love, the narrowness of our concern, the denial of our true humanity. Through our careless hands have slipped opportunities not taken, people not cared for, days not celebrated. We are ashamed and sorry for the ways of our unfaithfulness, and ask for reassurance an...

Through today’s first Scripture reading, we hear from the prophet Amos, whose words challenge us. In his vision, Amos saw God standing beside a wall with a plumb line in hand. A plumb line is a tool builders use to determine whether a wall is straight and upright. In ancient times, it was also used to assess whether a wall could still be repaired. If the tilt was not too severe, it could be restored. But if it leaned too far, it was better to tear it down and build a new one. In this sense, the plumb line in today’s text is a symbol of measurement to see whether the people of Israel can still be renewed. Amos was from Judah, the southern kingdom, but he served as a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel. He was not a professional religious leader. He was a farmer and a shepherd. At the time, most priests were like puppets of political power, saying only what people wanted to hear. Their eyes and ears were closed to the truth. The spiritual and moral collapse of the nation left littl...

  *Gathering Hymn God, Reveal Your Presence (#391 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: We are gathered here on this Sunday after a week of our own busyness.   All: We are here for rest and renewal. One: We are gathered here to feel God’s presence, like a cool breeze on a hot, humid day.   All: We are here to release the noise and stresses of the world. One: We are gathered to receive the good news of God’s healing power, like a parent singing a lullaby to a crying baby or a Good Samaritan stopping to help, All: We are here to soothe our spirits and to fill our hearts with God’s love. One: This is the day that God has made. All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us worship! *Mary Parsons, Gathering Pentecost 1 2025 . Page 73. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Come, O Fount of Every Blessing (#559 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Gracious God, too often we forget that it is you who abundantly supplies...

Today’s Gospel reading invites us to reflect on how we can share the gospel of Christ. The gospel is not simply a set of religious teachings or moral principles. It is the good news of liberation for those who live in suffering and oppression. It is the light of hope rising in the midst of darkness. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he did not tell them to force or pressure anyone. Instead, he said, “Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’” This was because the gospel of Christ is a message of peace. It brings freedom to the oppressed, hope to the despairing, and healing to broken relationships. The gospel must not be proclaimed with power. Jesus told his disciples to go with nothing. He said, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.” These were items that showed a person’s outward authority and status. Jesus rejected any kind of mission that relies on wealth or power. The gospel is never something to be forced or imposed. Looking back through history, we sadly see t...

  *Gathering Hymn God, reveal Your Presence (#391 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come gather in this sanctuary of worship.   All: We come to have the Spirit unify and strengthen our faith. One: Come sing and share in worship.   All: We come to worship God, who gifted us with melody and senses. One: Come this day, which God has made, to worship and be renewed. All: We come grateful for each day God has made, because in each of these days, we can worship and be renewed. * Leigh Sinclair, Gathering Pentecost 1 2025 . Page 36. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn O Holy Spirit, Root of Life (#379 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) You are always with us, God, calling us into your love. We admit that we often chase power and control, and try to hide our weakness. We confess that we feel confused, anxious, and sometimes lost in these times. We cannot fix everything on our own, so we turn to Jesus, asking f...