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Enjoy this full edition of a very special service honouring the stories and living history of our church. South Arm began in 1906. That's a lot of great history, ministers and families who have worshipped and served here! Many of our current members have been here over 40+ years. They carry important stories and memories of the church across the ages that we don't want to lose. Today we revisit some of the stories of eras past, sing some old hymns and cherish the living history of our church that has formed who we are today. The deep faith, the community connections, the heart of service, the resilience and lessons learned along the way all matter. And as we look to the future of where God is calling us to serve, we hold these stories and attributes close to our heart and mind.

All hymns from The United Church of Canada hymnal, "Voices United" published in 1996 through The United Church Publishing House. Music Licensing registered for our church under: One License A-607425 & CCLI 2453477

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Jesus calls the 12 together and empowers them with his authority to go out and do the ministry he himself had done: proclaim good news, heal the sick, cast out demons, make lepers well and raise the dead. They are to go from place to place where God directs. Some households will welcome them and extend hospitality, some will run them out of town. In all, God is with them and they are Called, Equipped and Sent. Called, Equipped and Sent. As followers of Jesus, as followers of his Way, we too are Called, Equipped and Sent into the world to do the work of God.

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In their old age, well past the natural child-bearing years, word comes to Abraham that his wife Sarah will give birth to their first child. In the natural this is preposterous for a senior well beyond menopause and child-bearing years to imagine (which is why she laughed), but for God... anything is possible! And what God says will happen, comes to pass. Not always in our time or way. In fact, rarely in our time or way but in God's way and wisdom. The promises of God are always worth waiting for. The trouble is, we're not always that great at waiting. In the long delay between the promise and the fulfillment, when we begin to doubt, here is an invitation to remember, "Is anything too wonderful for God (to be able to deliver on God's greatest promises)? No!". Rev. Lauren turned today's scripture into a script and various members of the church acted out the parts of Abraham, Sarah, 3 heavenly visitors and the Lord. We hope this message resonates for you in some way and gives you continued hope in the goodness and promises of God.

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This year South Arm United Church is engaged in a Visioning process to seek God's guidance on whom we are called to be and how we might better open our doors to serve our neighbours (and the world). As part of that visioning we want to honour the past, taking the best of who we are into the future. Acknowledging the deep roots and living history of the church that formed who we are today, we want to honour those stories, sing some old hymns and name how much the church has evolved since its' founding in 1906. Today's special service does just that. Not your typical service or podcast episode.

Music played throughout are primarily from The United Church Hymnals:

"Then Let Us Sing" Copyright The United Church of Canada, 2025.

"More Voices" Copyright The United Church of Canada, 2007.

"Voices United" Copyright The United Church of Canada, 1996.

Music Licensing registered for our church under: One License A-607425 & CCLI 2453477

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This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. Pentecost (meaning "50" is 50 days from Passover). And Pentecost happens under very specific circumstances. People pilgrimaged to Jerusalem from all across the Roman Empire for the Festival of Weeks (commemorating the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai). This gathering of diverse people spoke Greek because of the empire but their native language would have been from the region they were from. So when tongues settle on the disciples and they begin to speak the Word of God in the various languages, people are taken aback. And out of this, Peter preaches, many come to believe and the church as we know it today begun. And out of this we know that we also who have been baptized and become part of God''s beloved are also gifted the Holy Spirit to continue the work of God in the world. Attached to this week's notes is a map showing the various regions people travelled from in order to be part of this festival and the Pentecost experience.

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Today we get to hear Jesus offer a prayer to the One he called Father. This prayer from the heart asks that we may be one in unity with God and God's call on our lives, as the Trinity is in their own, 3-in-1 relationship.

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Last week we looked at the passage immediately before this one. Jesus had shared with his followers 2 central teachings: (1) that to see Jesus is to see the One he called Father and (2) that the way to where he is going is to follow him. He is the Way. We may want the coordinates but Jesus instead offers an invitation - follow me.

Today we pick up in the next verses of John where Jesus relates his personhood and work with the relationship of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will soon leave this earth and return to heaven but he won't abandon them (or us). No, when he returns to heaven soon after the Holy Spirit will come to continue the work of being our guide, our comforter and our advocate. In the church calendar, we are currently 2 weeks away from Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised.

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I am glad to live in a time when we have Google Maps. That technology which helps us get places, able to speak directions to us and knowing up-to-date delays and the best route is quite incredible. But when The Way is with you, you do not need a map. In the lectionary Gospel passage for today Thomas asks Jesus, "We do not know where you are going so how can we know the way?" It's an honest question I can easily imagine asking Jesus myself. And Jesus replies, "I am the way (and the truth and the life)". The Way is not a place per se, but a person. When I hearJesus say, "I am" it reminds me of how God identified Godself to Moses at the burning bush. And our call is to follow Jesus wherever he may lead. No map required but please do, buckle up and enjoy the ride!