Message: The Road of Blessing / Genesis 12:1-4

Genesis can be divided into two main parts. Chapters 1 to 11 move from the creation stories to the Tower of Babel. This first section gives us a broad picture of humanity and the world, and it is often called the primeval history. Then, in chapters 12 to 50, the focus becomes much more specific. Instead of speaking about all people, the story follows one household and its descendants, beginning with Abraham and Sarah. This section describes the roots of faith for many in the world, including those within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Today’s first reading comes from the very beginning of this second part of Genesis. The change is sudden. There is no long introduction and no explanation. God simply speaks to Abram and says, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house.”

In the ancient world, this was not a small request. Land, family, and household were the foundations of life. They were the basis of survival, identity, and security. So, leaving home was not a simple adventure. It was a risky and costly decision. And the destination is not even named. God says only, “Go to the land that I will show you.” There is no map, no detailed plan, and no clear route.

God tells Abram to leave what is familiar and safe. This is where faith begins. Country, land, family, and home are all important gifts in our lives. But problems arise when gifts become idols.  The same thing can be a gift or an idol, depending on how we understand it.

When family is received as a gift, it becomes a source of joy and gratitude. But when it becomes an idol, it can become a prison filled with fear and wounds. Gifts support life, but idols oppress life. Addiction is not only about drugs or alcohol. Sometimes a nation, a family, or property can become an idol. We can cling to these things so tightly that they begin to rule us. When that happens, coming to church does not mean they truly believe in God. God becomes a tool for the idols they attached to.

God’s call to Abram to leave what feels familiar and safe is not a punishment. It is an invitation to true life. God gives Abram a promise: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”

God does not call Abram because he is perfect. Scripture does not hide his failures. In fact, no one in the Bible is described as perfect. What matters is that we know our limits and stand honestly before God. And above all, it is crucial to keep a compassionate heart. God does not forsake those who suffer. God is the source of compassion, and those who are compassionate are drawn close to the heart of God.

We see Abram’s compassionate heart when he pleads for Sodom. He asks God for mercy for people he does not know well. He knows that much of the city is filled with violence, injustice, and cruelty. Yet he still speaks for those who are there. Abram follows God’s call to leave without question, but here he dares to speak to God. He shows that from compassion comes courage. From compassion comes passion. From compassion comes action. From compassion comes strength.

Now let us turn our attention to where we are. Many people worry about the future of the United Church of Canada. There are numbers that point to decline, and they are not easy to hear. According to its General Council, total membership in our denomination is projected to fall by 2035 to around 111,000 people, about one-third of the 2023 level. Average Sunday attendance is projected to drop to about 8,174, compared with 110,877 in 2023. The number of full-time ministers is projected to decline from 683 in 2023 to 89 in 2035. There are many signs that make the future look uncertain.

I came to Canada from Korea in 2018 because of the United Church of Canada. I saw a light of hope in this church, and I wanted to experience it. It was not an easy decision. I had never imagined living in another country. But I have never regretted that choice. In fact, it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The more I come to know the United Church, the more I realize how deeply its faith is needed in this world.

And recently, I heard good news. Two weeks ago, Kitchissippi United Church in Ottawa welcomed 105 new members during Sunday worship. That service was filled with joy, with song and dance in English and in several African languages. It was a sign of what can happen when a church becomes a blessing as it walks with God.

Most of those new members are African Christian refugees who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. In that congregation, they have found a safer place to belong. They have found friendship, faith, and community. That did not happen by accident. It began when the congregation members recognized a real need and responded with courage and care.

Our situation is not the same as theirs. But one thing is clear. We also are called to step beyond our comfort zone and walk toward the land God will show us. We are called to trust God, to share in the pain of the world with compassion, and to strengthen one another with courage.

The road ahead may feel uncertain. We do not have every answer. We do not have a clear map. We are not perfect. We may make mistakes. We may face risks.

But I believe. I believe in God who calls imperfect people onto the road of blessing. I believe in God who calls us to step out and be a light of hope, even when it seems impossible. I believe in God who walks with this faith community so that we may become the salt of the earth. I believe in God who listens to our fears and guides our way. I believe in God who stirs us to act with justice and mercy. I believe in God who gives us patience when the road is long.

As I prepared for this Annual Congregational Meeting, I saw signs of God’s guidance among us over the past year. I saw people who make Sunday worship possible, creating space for us to celebrate God’s presence and listen for God’s voice. I saw the light in the eyes of those who joined educational programs and grew in faith together. I saw hands at work in outreach, helping to make safe and joyful spaces for our neighbours. I saw quiet dedication, the unseen work and steady effort that keep this congregation strong and faithful. I saw people walking beside others in grief and sorrow, offering care, comfort, and hope. In all these moments, I saw God at work through the generosity, courage, and love of this community.

Now it is time to begin again. God promises, “I will bless you, and you will be a blessing.” With God, the road ahead can become a new opportunity to be blessed and to bless others. When God calls Abram, he is 75 years old. For God, it is never too late. What matters is that we trust God’s hand and walk together. And as we support one another and keep the light of Christ burning, we will discover the mystery of the God who makes a way in the wilderness. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.



Rev. Min Hwang

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