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Rev. Moon’s Message for March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

“The Resurrection of Christ” (between 1361 and 1362) by Catalan painter Jaime Serra (died after 1405); from the collection of the Zaragoza Museum, Spain; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

Mark 16:1–8

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Happy Easter to you. It is our prayer that each of us may hear and experience the Easter message that the angel of God continues to proclaim: “He has been raised; he is not here (Mark 16:6).” Jesus is no longer in the tomb, and he will not be found there. It is also our sacred task to proclaim and live out the Easter message that Jesus is not in the tomb. The tomb represents what brings or leads us to death: refusal to listen and understand, bigotry, pride, intolerance, hatred, resentment, endless fear, and worries. The tomb represents the place of failure, disappointment, regret, and despair.

The question the Easter story presents to us is this: “Where are you today? Are you willing to come out of the tomb and take a step toward the Risen Christ who is waiting to be found by us?” May God, who has raised Jesus from the tomb, help us to rise above our death. Our prayers for each member of our community, as well as everyone in the suffering world, continue. Please expand our prayers by joining us.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, March 30, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for March 10, 2024

“Sunset in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil” by NicolasAlbuquerqueWolf. CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported. Full image credit below.

Dear Friends,

We are observing the season of Lent during the month of March. May we deepen our awareness of God’s presence in the suffering world and prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. Some highlights during the season of Lent to help us deepen our worship:

  1. Sunday, March 10, Rev. Helen Smith leads the worship service as Rev. Moon is on study leave from March 5-12 (we apologize that there is no live streaming but there will be a web version of the service).
  2. Wednesday, March 13 at 10 AM in the lounge, the Caregiver Support group meets.
  3. Wednesday, March 13 at 7 PM in the church hall, Mind and Heart, the monthly Bible study, starts. The purpose of the gathering is to create a safe space to ask questions about faith and to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in the Bible and in our own lives. The first meeting is an introductory meeting. Each study is expected to last 30–50 minutes.
  4. Friday, March 15 at 1 PM in the lounge, Read and Pray, the faith and prayer study group resumes. Anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and experience of contemplative prayer is invited to join.
  5. Sunday, March 17 at 1 PM on Zoom, Read and Discuss, the virtual monthly book study group meets. If you would like to learn what happens during the meeting, please me or the church office for the link.
  6. Sunday, March 24, Rev. Bob Smith will lead Palm Sunday worship service, with Rev. Chuck assisting.
  7. Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary, Listen and Listen, a quiet and communion service, is held. Please, anyone who wishes to deepen silence and contemplative prayer is invited to join.
  8. Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday (Tenebrae) Service is at 7 PM, with a simple Soup and Rolls dinner at 6 PM (no charge).
  9. Friday, March 29, Good Friday Service is at 10 AM.
  10. Sunday, March 31, Sunrise Service starts at 6:45 AM at Guild Inn Park.
  11. Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday Service is at 11 AM. The Bells of Guildwood will deepen our celebration. The choir is preparing a Cantata. We also welcome Steven Szeto as a member by celebrating the Profession of Faith. Anyone who wishes to become a member of our church may approach Rev. Chuck Moon or any elder.

Our prayers for each member of our community, as well as everyone in the suffering world, continue. Please expand our prayers by joining us.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

“Sunset in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil” by NicolasAlbuquerqueWolf.  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

A version of this message appeared in the Friday, March 8, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Holy Week Services 2024

Please join us for one of our wonderful services during this special week in the Christian calendar, as we contemplate our faith journey and the death and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Sunday, March 24Palm Sunday service 11:00 AM
Thursday, March 28Maundy Thursday
Soup & bread meal 6:00 PM
Tenebrae Service 7:00 PM
Friday, March 29Good Friday Service 10:00 AM
Sunday, March 31Easter Sunrise Service 6:45 AM (sunrise@6:59), Guild Park Bluffs directly south of the Guild Inn Estate

Easter Sunday Service 11:00 AM

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, March 2, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for March 3, 2024

“Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law” (ca. 1648) by artist Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674); from the collection of the Milwaukee Art Museum; taken from the Wikimedia Commons. In honour of this week’s sermon scripture on the Ten Commandments.

Dear Friends,

We are observing the season of Lent during the month of March. May we deepen our awareness of God’s presence in the suffering world and prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. Some highlights during the season of Lent to help us deepen our worship:

  1. Sunday, March 3, during a Mission Moment, Kunle Akingbola shares the journey of transformation as a part of the Black History Month celebration.
  2. Wednesday, March 6, the Annual General Meeting is held at the church to celebrate the ways God has guided us in 2023, and to prepare ourselves for 2024 by approving its budget.
  3. Sunday, March 10, Rev. Helen Smith leads the worship service as Rev. Moon is on study leave from March 5-12 (we apologize that there is no live streaming but there will be a web version of the service as always).
  4. Wednesday, March 13 at 10 AM in the lounge, the Caregiver Support group meets.
  5. Wednesday, March 13 at 7 PM in the church hall, Mind and Heart, the monthly Bible study, starts. The purpose of the gathering is to create a safe space to ask questions about faith and to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in the Bible and in our own lives. The first meeting is an introductory meeting. Each study is expected to last 30–50 minutes.
  6. Friday, March 15 at 1 PM in the lounge, Read and Pray, the faith and prayer study group resumes. Anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and experience of contemplative prayer is invited to join.
  7. Sunday, March 17 at 1 PM on Zoom, Read and Discuss, the virtual monthly book study group meets. If you would like to learn what happens during the meeting, please join us on Zoom.
  8. Sunday, March 24, Rev. Bob Smith will lead Palm Sunday worship service, with Rev. Chuck assisting.
  9. Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary, Listen and Listen, a quiet and communion service, is held. Please, anyone who wishes to deepen silence and contemplative prayer is invited to join.
  10. Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday (Tenebrae) Service is at 7 PM, with a simple Soup and Rolls dinner at 6 PM (no charge).
  11. Friday, March 29, Good Friday Service is at 10 AM.
  12. Sunday, March 31, Sunrise Service starts at 6:45 AM at Guild Inn Park.
  13. Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday Service is at 11 AM. The Bells Of Guildwood will deepen our celebration. The choir is preparing a Cantata. We also welcome Steven Szeto as a member by celebrating the Profession of Faith. Anyone who wishes to become a member of our church may approach Rev. Chuck Moon or any elder.

Our prayers for each member of our community, as well as everyone in the suffering world, continue. Please expand our prayers by joining us.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, March 2, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Selection of Brooks Gorst as our new Music Director

Dear friends,

I would like to share important news with you regarding a significant development within our congregation. After an extensive search and careful consideration, the search committee recommended Brooks Gorst as our new Music Director to the session, and the session has prayerfully blessed the recommendation. Brooks Gorst has accepted the position.

Here is a small sample of the recommendation from the search committee: “Brooks Gorst has demonstrated that he exemplifies the criteria generated by the Music Director Search Committee for the evaluation of candidates. He aligns with the values and mission of GCPC and represents a good overall fit for the church and its members.”

Our sincere thanks to the members of the search committee for their faithful work. We invite you to join us in welcoming and commissioning Brooks Gorst on Sunday, February 25th. We humbly request your prayers for this new beginning for Brooks and the congregation. May we, as a worshipping community, grow together in our faith in Christ and collaborate in service to God. May we help each other to deepen our love for God through the gift of music.

Sincerely,

Bruce Morrison
Clerk of Session

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – Feb 13 at 5 PM

Our annual pancake dinner put on by the Fellowship Committee is on Shrove Tuesday, February 13 at 5 PM.  If you are able to attend, please sign the sign-up sheet in the church hall or contact the church office.  There is no cost for the dinner though we are happy to accept goodwill offerings.  We hope to see you there!

Annual General Meeting – March 6 at 7 PM

All members and adherents are invited to join us on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 PM.  Refreshments (pizza) are available for those attending in person.

We will receive and approve the 2023 reports of various committees and church groups, receive the 2023 financial statements, and consider and approve the 2024 budget.

See you there!

Rev. Moon’s Message for February 4, 2024

In honour of the theme of the 2024 Black History Month, “African Americans and the Arts”, as selected each year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, photo (1965) of American singer Nina Simone (1933–2003); taken by Dutch sportsman and photographer Ron Kroon (1942–2001) for the ANEFO agency, restored by Bammesk; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

Our faith community is committed to deepening our awareness of, and prayers for, each other’s experiences. We strongly believe that hearing personal stories significantly contributes to expanding awareness, understanding, and celebration.

February is Black History Month. Through the initiative and leadership of the Mission and Outreach Committee, we have invited three of our community members to share their personal reflections and stories.

  • Feb 11: Roslyn Thompson (Mission Moment: Awareness)
  • March 3: Kunle Akingbola (Mission Moment: Transformation)
  • March 10: Helen Smith (Mission Moment: Awareness)

Please join us in our observance and prayers.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, February 3, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for January 28, 2024

Portrait (1787) of Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759–1796) by Scottish painter Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840); from the collection of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

Yesterday [as I write this] was January 25, Robbie Burns’ Day. I did not grow up in a home that knew or celebrated Robbie Burns Day, but I have met many friends who celebrated it.

I remember a friend who would always wear his family kilts to church around Robbie Burns Day and would tell me about his poems. He even initiated celebrating a Burns’ Supper at the church, complete with singing, reading, and welcoming. He died last year. He is no longer here, but I smile today because I can hear him talking about Robbie Burns and can picture him with his kilts. I still don’t know a lot about Burns, but I had a friend who loved him dearly. Whenever I hear the name, it makes me smile because of who my friend was.

I wonder if it is our work as Christians to help others smile when they hear the name of Jesus. Our sacred task is to allow our words, silence, actions, inactions, relationships, and all aspects of our lives to reveal the life of Jesus. May the Spirit of Jesus Christ continue to come alive in our lives today.

Happy ‘Rabbie’ Burns Day!

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, January 27, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for January 21, 2024

“Mending the Nets” (1881) by American painter Winslow Homer (1836–1910); from the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

Sunday School Program Coordinator

We are looking for a Sunday School Program Coordinator. This is a volunteer, non-teaching position to help organize our Sunday School teachers and will require on average 2–3 hours per week.

The main responsibilities are to:

  • Select and purchase curriculum in consultation with the Minister and the Nurture and Education Committee;
  • Schedule teachers and helpers for each Sunday from the 2nd Sunday in September to the 2nd Sunday in June;
  • Distribute curriculum and other materials to teachers for their Sundays.

It is a volunteer position, but a small bursary may be available for high school or post-secondary students. If you are interested in the position, please contact Rev. Helen Smith and/or Rev. Chuck Moon.

Virtual Book Study – Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM

We invite you to join our virtual book study gathering on Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM, and every third Sunday of the month. A warm welcome awaits those who are eager to participate in insightful discussions. This month, our focus is on Evelyn Underhill’s The Essentials of Mysticism. We look forward to engaging conversations with you. A Zoom link is available in your latest edition of Tidbits.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, January 20, 2024, edition of Tidbits.