September 20th, 2020
A Congregational Letter to Morgan’s Point and Forks Road East United Churches
September 20th, 2020
After three weeks away, I was so very pleased to be able to connect in with so many of you this week through phone calls and texting. My time away was not exactly how I had envisioned it, but I must say that I am returning to work rested and looking forwards to the activities that are before us as we daily serve our God.
On Monday, of this week, the Pastoral Charge Reopening Committee met to discuss the responses of both congregations to determine whether we should open our doors for worship in October. After a thoughtful conversation around the feedback we had received from many of you, and as we considered the provincial trends we are now seeing occurring, we came to a unanimous decision. That decision was then recommended to Council on Tuesday evening. Council approved the recommendation. Please expect a Congregational letter that will explain our decision this week by email or through the post.
My sermon this week is based on Matthew 20:1-16. This passage is the Parable of the workers in the vineyard. As mature Christians, one of the first things we learn from today’s gospel reading is that Jesus does not care much about fairness or unfairness in the way we tend to think about it. Instead, God works with a different reality, in a different direction, and by different standards.
Jesus wants us to understand that the worth of a human being is not measured by how much we earn in pay, or how well we perform, or by any of our usual measures – status, popularity, social achievement, productivity, wealth, or physical appearance. Instead, our worth as human beings is absolutely affirmed by God, who guarantees our value, not because of anything we have done, or can do, but because of God’s immense love for each one of us.
At the heart of this parable, Jesus wants us to know that God would have us concentrate on our own spiritual condition, and not spend our time and energy considering everybody else’s spiritual condition. He wants us to accept our ultimate worth and our ultimate purpose without comparing our contributions to those of others. After all, it is by working together, with acceptance and compassion, that we build God’s kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven.
Have a grand week. I look forwards to connecting in with each of you again next week as we share laughter, tears, prayers, and conversations that strengthen and refresh us. Remember that as we pray for one another every morning at 10:30, God grants us wisdom, love and peace to hold each other in God’s infinite love and care.
Keep well and safe.
God’s Blessings,
Pastor Laura