Family Sunday/Communion

Today is Mother's Day so we celebrated Family Sunday. All ages participated in the service. Thank you: Greeter - Denise; server- Jessie; candle lighters- Sage and Sydney; bread and wine- Cheryl; bread maker- Marion; collection- Barb.
Today we talked about "church" and what makes a church. We looked around ours and named the things that make it a church. Then, I said if that was all gone, what is left? The people! Without people, there is no church. I spoke about the various kinds of church one may find.... like ours, cathedrals, new megga churches, partially outdoor ones like I attend in Manzanillo, heritage buildings....
Our church is linked with two other pastoral charges; Oriole-York Mills, the Church of the Good Shepherd and Alix-Delburne to share plans for the United Church's 85th anniversary. They are two very differnt charges. The Good Chepherd has a membership of 157 while Alix's average attendance is 10 and Delburne's is 20.
The Good Shepherd is very active in the community and within. Delburne has a Sunday School.Seniors are amongst the majority in both places.We are excited to share with these churches. We have so much to learn from each other's faith family.
We looked at the reading about Lydia, the believer who met with other women to worship God. Paul and Silas arrive to spread the Good News and found only women! Lydia invited them to join them and in the end was moved by their words and was baptized.She invited them into her home where they continued to teach family and friends and baptize them. Lydia became the leader of the new "house " church which became a shining light to others, spreading God's love and care.
I shared attending a "house" church in Firestone.Colorado. Our daughter was part of a group to "plant" a church there. They attended church in their homes for a year and then acquired a garage that they converted into their church. They have been in it for one year and need to expand! Why? They are a group of believers who are welcoming and share the Good News thorugh words AND actions.They worked our how they wanted to be and to respond to the world as a faith family. They have an 8 acre veggie garden that feeds the church, community and food bank; they have monthly suppers for the community.St. Brigit's Church is a true Christ-centred Church! Like our church, their actions speak of Jesus' love for all.
This is what churches are to do... to reach OUTSIDE their doors... to look at the needs of the people in the community...... where there is hurt, pain or need. As Christians it is our responsibility to reach out.Do our words and actions show we are true followers?
For Emmanuel Church, what is God calling us to do? Please pray for us this week and listen for God's responses. Where God calls us, we will go. We, the poeple, are the church. Let US go to be faithful, active followers of Jesus.