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 of Pontius Pilate and Jesus. (John 18: 28-38) Pilate was the governor of Judea at the time of Jesus’ ministry. Josephus and early Jewish historian tells us that Pilate was a seasoned military man who ruled this small geographical area of the Roman Empire with brutal force. He was known to have put up pictures of Caesar and to have minted his own coins with pagan symbols just to remind everyone who was in charge. And then along comes Jesus of Nazareth who some are alleging is claiming to be King of the Jews and should be put to death. At first Pilate sees Jesus as a nuisance and tries to delegate the responsibility to the religious authorities. But they insist that if Pilate does not do something about Jesus he is going to have more problems. Pilate knows this will not look good on a CV back in Rome. What to do with Jesus?  So Pilate summons Jesus to his quarters. What ensues is a conversation for the ages in which Pilate begins to interrogate Jesus and find out the truth. “ So you are you a King?” Pilate asks Jesus. The response of course is calm and confident. “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth.” To this Pilate famously replies “What is Truth!” To Pilate truth is whatever Rome says. Whatever advances his own personal power and political goals. But in Jesus he sees a different kind of king and a different kind of authority and power. What is truth! It is a question we are all faced with and perhaps it has something to do with the One who stood before Pilate then,  who dies and who is seated on the throne of Heaven today. Jesus is King. What do we do with Jesus? Perhaps he is the truth we all need to embrace.        

Thank you for the generosity of our congregation with our Good Neighbours Growing Project in partnership with the Canadian Food Grains Bank.  Wow over $9,000.00 and even more the blessing that this will bring for those who are dealing with food insecurity and famine caused by war, disease and natural disasters. 

After 27 years George Ryder is going to step down as our Clerk of Session. It has been my joy and privilege to work with George over these many years. George has been a faithful leader, a wise counsellor and a good friend to me over my 25 years as a pastor. The good news is that George is going to continue as an active elder on Session. Our hope is that we will be able to announce a new Clerk of Session by the Annual Meeting. (Feb 9th)    

Have a good weekend

Pastor Ian