I will give what I have

(It was on the Wednesday of Holy Week that the story of the woman who anointed Jesus occurred).

From a high, secret shelf, I take what I hid myself -

perfume, precious and rare, never meant to spill or spare.

This I'll carefully break, this I'll empty for his sake:

I will give what I have to my Lord.

Though the action is crude, it will show my gratitude

for the truth that I've learned from the one who's heaven-sent;

for this life once a mess which his beauty can express,

I will give what I have to my Lord.

With his critics around, common gossip will abound.

They'll note all that they see to discredit him and me.

Let them smirk, let them jeer, say what people want to hear;

I will give what I have to my Lord.

It's because he'll receive, that I believe

God has time for the poor. He has shown us heaven's door.

Be it perfume and care, be it anger or despair,

I will give what I have to my Lord.

Jesus, Prince of Peace

Jesus, Prince of Peace

humble and riding on a donkey.

Jesus, disturber of the peace,

you upset bad religion

when it gets in the way of God.

Jesus, upsetter of the self-righteous,

you turn questions on their head,

offering no instant answers,

but showing the way.

Jesus, lover of the lost,

you say "forgive' when we want to shout "condemn!"

Jesus, host at the table,

you share your best even in the face of our worst.

Jesus, Saviour of the world

...yes, even the world which wants you until it meets you.

(Stages on The Way - Iona Community Wild Goose Worship Group - Holy Week 1)

Moderator's Easter Message 2011

Dry Bones

New Life into Old Dry Bones

On Sunday, our minister at SUC, with the help of Sasha on djembe, offered us a very artful rendition of Dry Bones from Ezekiel.

Talk about bringing new life to old scripture! It is very useful to hear scripture in creative ways that bring the message home. For instance: God is very clearly telling Ezekiel to “prophecy to them bones!” In other words, once again scripture is saying “It’s up to YOU, o Human One—you know whether or not those old bones can come to life!” WE cannot leave it up to God—the ball is in OUR court!

It led me to ask of myself, “What is the most important thing that is accomplished through Squamish United Church?” Does anybody have an answer?

Thank you, Karen and Sasha. This was not only entertaining, but thought provoking, and, judging by the buzz of the congregation, will be remembered for years to come!

Keep on prophesying to these ole bones!

A Springtime Prayer

As we head into Easter this year I know more than a few of us are longing for more vibrant signs of spring. I am looking out the window of my office at a cherry tree that has only a few buds popping out. Even this treeIt seems to be looking longingly at the sky for any sign of the warmth that would cause it to bust forth with spring time joy! So this morning I offer a prayer from Joyce Rupp.

A Springtime Prayer

Ever-renewing and energizing Creator,

come, stir in my dormant spiritual limbs.

Wake up my tired prayer.

Revive my weary efforts of care.

Sing hope into my discouragement.

Wash my dusty, drab attitude

with the cleansing rains of your vision.

Go deep to my roots and penetrate my faith

with the vibrancy of your grace.

Shake loose the old leftover oak leaves

of my tenacious ego-centerdness.

Coax joy to sprout from my difficulties.

Warm the buds of my relationships

so they bloom with healthy love.

Clear out my wintered debris

with the wild breeze of your liberating presence.

Nudge me, woo me, entice me, draw me to you.

I give you my trust and my gratitude

as you grace my slowly thawing spirit.

Light-filled Being, my Joy and my Hope,

let the greening in me begin!

- Joyce Rupp

A Contribution to Statistics

This is one of the many poems Peter Short shared with us last week. It really made me think about who I am and what I do so I thought I would share it with you on this day of our Soul Journey.

A contribution to Statistics

Out of a hundred people

those who always know better

fifty-two

doubting every step

nearly all the rest,

glad to lend a hand

if it doesn’t take too long

as high as forty-nine,

always good

because they can’t be otherwise

four, well maybe five,

able to admire without envy

eighteen,

suffering illusions

induced by fleeting youth

sixty, give or take a few,

not to be taken lightly

forty and four,

living in constant fear

of someone or something

seventy-seven,

capable of happiness

twenty-something tops,

harmless singly, savage in crowds

half at least,

cruel

when forced by circumstances

better not to know

even ballpark figures,

wise after the fact

just a couple more

than wise before it

taking only things from life

thirty

(I wish I were wrong),

hunched in pain,

no flashlight in the dark

eighty-three

sooner or later,

righteous

and understanding

three,

worthy of compassion

ninety-nine,

mortal

a hundred out of a hundred.

thus far this figure still remains unchanged.

Squamish United Church Presents