Dear Friends, 

Over the past several Sundays we have been focused on a sermon series called “Encounters With Jesus”.  This Sunday we will continue and explore the encounter a rich young ruler has with Jesus. (Mark 10:17-31) This man comes to Jesus with an interesting question. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He knows that it is important to keep the commandments and he tells Jesus that he has kept all of them since he was a child. There is a sense that this man believes he has done everything necessary to ensure his place in the eternity. He lacks for nothing. Yet Jesus identifies a problem with this thinking. Perhaps eternal life is not “something we earn” but something that is given by the grace of God. Why? Because who is “good enough” to inherit eternity on their own merit? Our lives in some way reflect whom we ultimately trust - Earthly securities and accumulations. Or, the gift of grace in Jesus who alone is perfect and good.  Jesus’ includes in this conversation a hyperbole which gets our attention.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” (vs 25) This stands out in a culture that measures success but the accumulation of wealth. Jesus is not saying that to be rich is “a sin”. What he is saying is that money and wealth have the power to deceive us from our true spiritual state. It is not “what do I need to do” in order to inherit eternal life, but an acceptance of God’s grace and mercy already given in Jesus - so that no one may boast. In our encounter with Jesus what would he say to us? Where is our ultimate confidence and security when it comes to inheriting eternal life? Join me on Sunday as we explore this passage for our own lives.

We also extend our best wishes and prayers to Rev. David Matthews as he is leaving St. Thomas a Becket and will be moving with Caroline and their two young children to a new parish in Calgary Alberta. David’s last Sunday will be November 10th.

My thanks to Chris Starkey as our community garden manager. This Saturday we will be closing our community garden for the winter months. Thank you to those who donated food to Eden Food for Change and also to those who knew of someone in need of some fresh garden produce and donated. Your generosity is much appreciated. 

Session is in the process of gathering resumes for Glenbrook’s Office Administrator position. Over the next month we will be interviewing prospective candidates for this staff position. Please keep us in prayer as we continue in this process.

Have a good weekend

Pastor Ian