Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Midweek Scripture: Jonah 3:1,2

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."

This week we continue to ponder about God’s call and our response. On Sunday we meditated on calls to young Samuel by God and Nathanael by Jesus through Philip.

As we know, not everyone who gets the call is excited and responds the way that brings God glory. Today we are reading Jonah 3:1,2 where God had to send him again to Nineveh because when God tried the first time Jonah chose to get away as far as they could from the City of Nineveh. His attempt to go elsewhere was a failure because of the storm and him being thrown overboard only to spend three days in the belly of a sea creature.

The story of Jonah offers us many lessons. Today, instead of looking at what Jonah could have done, let’s look at God’s intention on why God was so set on sending Jonah to Nineveh. Here was a city of people who were not part of the people of Israel. They did not know the God of Israel. They did not know right from wrong according to God. (Jonah 4:11)  When the citizens of Nineveh, over one hundred thousand people, turned from their evil ways, God changed God’s mind. Instead of the planned calamity, they were spared.

Important thing about the story is that God’s mind was changed. Yet, knowing that God may change God’s mind, Jonah did not want to preach against the people. Jonah did not want to see the people of Nineveh heeding the call to repent and change God’s mind. Some of us can fully appreciate Jonah. We, too, do not want to see God changing God’s mind on the repentance of our enemies. We want to see justice or right punishment rendered to those who persecute us. We are not as easily forgiving as God is most of the time. Our grudges, desires for revenge and hurts from painful losses at the hands of unjust people run deep. We want to see justice done. At least, we like some reparation for harms we experienced.

Against angry Jonah, God explained. To God, the lives of so many people who turned from their evil ways are far more precious than all of them paying the rightful price for what they have done. Repentance brings unconditional forgiveness. This is hard for us to grasp. Most of us want to see those who harmed us or others suffer consequences, yet, God’s way is to give grace to all those who repent.

This unconditional forgiveness is very difficult for us to accept. Yet, we see Jesus praying for forgiveness of those who took part in his murder. Christians have been taught by Jesus to love even the enemies, not just those who are good to us and those whom we like. This unconditional forgiveness is the most difficult thing for Christians to live by. Yet, the only reconciliation that leads to life is through unconditional forgiveness given to us through the death and resurrection of Christ and us following in his death and resurrection.

2024 January & February

Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 28 following the service of worship

Please pray for God’s guidance as we plan and come together to make a commitment for Christ’s ministry here at Drummond Hill for 2024. As we discuss our budget, remember that we are asking God to fulfil all our needs as we promise to give God all for Christ’s ministry.

Valentine Dinner on Saturday, February 10 at 5 pm

Our annual Valentine Dinner will be taking place on Saturday, February 10 at 5 pm. The cost is $25. This is a fundraiser to do Christ’s ministry. Please mark the date. Invite your neighbours and friends. Tickets will be on sale soon. We need volunteers who can help serve. There is a list that you can sign up.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tue. Feb. 13, 4 pm-6 pm

This all you can eat Pancake Supper is back on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The cost is $5.

This tradition goes back many centuries. To be ready for Lent Christians confessed their sins and used to fast. Fasting took many different forms. The word shrove comes from an old English word scrifan which means “hear confession.” Preparing for fasting in Lent, a tradition was developed to use up animal fats used for cooking. Since Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, many Europeans developed this yearly ritual of using up all fats in the house since most Christians refrained from eating meat except fish during Lent. Today, we do more as a time of fellowship and reminding ourselves to be ready for Lent.

Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 10 am

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is the day we begin observing 40 days prior to Easter. This forty day observance is based on Jesus’ fast in the wilderness after his baptism prior to beginning of his ministry. Some Christians take this opportunity to do simple fasting. Others refrain from certain activities as we remember God’s love for us given through Jesus. In Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, a mark of cross is put on one’s forehead by ashes made from palms used on Palm Sunday a year before to symbolize our repentance. In Presbyterian and Reformed traditions, we mark the start of Lent by worshipping. Please come and join us. Invite your friends.

Lent Devotions, every Wednesday on Wed. Feb. 21-Wed. Mar. 14

As part of being the body of Christ, we join with Christians around the world in devotion and prayer as we remember Jesus’ ministry and our faith in him. It is also an opportunity to refresh ourselves spiritually as we prepare for Easter.

What we are looking for:

Pots, pans, kitchen utensils, clean blankets and bed sheets. If you would like to share them with us please bring them to the church.

Volunteers Needed

People who know how to use PowerPoint software
If you would like to help during worship services operating the powerpoint software so that we can project worship materials like hymns and Scripture readings, please let us know.

Pastoral Care Group
We are looking for people who like to keep everyone in touch with each other. Volunteers will send out weekly emails to all newcomers to the church with welcome words and keep in touch through email with everyone who has not been able to attend services. We are trying to find ways to encourage everyone to be part of a loving community.

News and information group
We are trying to set up a group of individuals who like to gather helpful information as well as relevant news and information for people who are attending Drummond Hill. If you enjoy gathering information that is helpful or good at writing articles, please let us know.

Greeting for Sunday morning service:
Please check the list placed in front of the church hall and fill it as you are able.

Refreshment Set-up:
People who would like to set up refreshments so that after the service fellowship, people will enjoy snacks as they share time with one another. We have open spots for February Sundays. If you are setting up you need to be at the church by 10 am. You will not only put snacks out but also make coffee and tea. The list to sign up is available in front of the church hall doors.

Refreshment Clean-up:
After everyone finishes refreshments, we need help with clean up. An empty sign-up sheet is waiting for your name to be written on.

Filing documents:
2 hrs/week for 3 weeks

We will set up the time that is convenient for you.

Cleaning Kitchen:
2 hrs/ week for 4 weeks

Update on things we are working on:

First Aid Training Course

I have contacted St. John’s Ambulance and am now waiting for them to get back to me with a cost in order to run the course in the church.

Food Handler Certification Course

We are waiting to hear back from Niagara Region’s Health Department to see if we can set up a course at the church.

Weekly Prayer Meeting for all who are seeking jobs

Patrick and Jedidah will speak with you to see if you are interested in setting up dates and times for people to come and pray for themselves as well as for others in the same situation.

Time for Music

Some of you expressed interest in learning to play guitar and songs. If you let us know, we will set up the time to learn how to play guitar and learn some North American hymns and choruses. Please contact us if you are interested.

Learning about Canada

As newcomers it would be great to know how things work in Canada. For example, how to build up good credit scores, why good credit scores are important, what rights workers have to be treated with respect, what happens when we get laid off, etc. We will add these sessions to the current weekly activities of exercise and devotion.