Tuesday, July 4, 2017

July 3, 2017

I trust the summer warmth is bringing you pleasure and rest.

In Sunday worship we acknowledged Canada’s sesquicentennial with 150 years of popular hymns. Yes, we could still be singing! I chose a few favourites, though, that took us from 1867 to the present.

The scriptures we read were Psalm 100 (All People that on Earth do Dwell & Make a Joyful Noise), Micah 6 (Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God), John 13 (I give you a new commandment: love one another), and Psalm 72 from which the concept of Canada as a Dominion sprang. One of the Fathers of Confederation found it in his morning devotions: “Give the king your justice, O God … May he have dominion from sea to sea.”

The favourites we sing change from generation to generation. Did you know “What a Friend we have in Jesus” was written in Canada? Perhaps you grew up singing “Jesus Loves Me”. Some of our children now request the spiritual “Over My Head” and “Like a rock God is under our feet, like a starry night sky God is over our heads”. We are teaching them that God is with them everywhere.

God is with you everywhere. God is with you at all times. As you lean into the summer warmth, maybe you offer a prayer of gratitude. As you see the sun rise in the early hours, maybe you say a prayer for all God’s children everywhere. As a favourite hymn comes to mind, please know that your church holds you in love, peace, & prayer.

Many blessings,


Rev. Dr. Catherine MacLean