January 31, 2025
Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will continue our sermon series on the story of David as found in 1 and 2 Samuel. We began this series with the anointing of David the shepherd boy by the prophet Samuel. In the next episode David famously defeated Goliath. With this victory David’s popularity grew and he began to trend in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel. However King Saul became increasingly jealous, to the point that he was determined to kill David. David’s salvation came from an unlikely person. The son of King Saul, Jonathan, who demonstrated a loyal friendship and a covenantal love towards David. This week David is a fugitive on the run. He is hungry, homeless and vulnerable. He finds himself in the City of Nob and being helped by a Priest by the name of Ahimelech who offers him sanctuary and gives him bread and a sword. However, the bread and the sword are unique. The Bread of Presence is holy and consecrated bread offered to God in worship. The sword is Goliath’s sword. Ahimelech recognized that compassion and mercy come before the strict interpretation of the liturgical law. David came to him needing sanctuary. Ahimelech gave David what he could to accomplish God’s calling as the anointed King. David left that sanctuary nourished and empowered to pursue the calling upon his life. However, this act of compassion cost Ahimelech his life, along with his family and in fact the whole city of Nob. Perhaps it is not surprising that the symbolism of “bread” and of a “sword” are symbols of God’s Word in the Bible. Perhaps it is no wonder that Jesus himself refers to this story when he was criticized by the Pharisees for his disciples picking the heads of grain and breaking the sabbath laws. Is the sabbath made for keeping the law or for a relationship with God? Ahimelech got it right. When we are facing challenges and living in violent and chaotic times isn’t it good that we can come to worship seeking sanctuary, believing that God will nourish us and empower us with his presence and power. So please join me on Sunday as we continue to explore this great story in a message entitled “Seeking Sanctuary”.
I want to extend our congratulations to Nancy Alexander who has been elected and appointed as our new Clerk of Session. Nancy served our congregation for many years as the Chair of the Board of Managers and has been a valuable member of Session. Nancy brings many great spiritual gifts to this roll. Her tangible gifts of leadership and administration will fit well in this role as she will be responsible for guiding our congregation in the policies and procedures of the Presbyterian Church of Canada and within our Erin Mills Church Campus. Her love for God and for our Glenbrook family is also very much in evidence, and I am so pleased to have Nancy as our new Clerk of Session. We pray for God’s blessing upon her and her leadership.
February is Black History Month and we are planning a service on February 23rd to recognize and thank God for the contributions of people from the Black community in faith and service. Our special guest will be Rev. Julia Moses who is the pastor of British Methodist Episcopal Church and members of her congregation. BME have been using Glenbrook sanctuary for many years as their place of worship and I have a long relationship with Julia and her associate Glenda Lewis. I also want to thank the Agyemang family for the alter cloths that have been donated and used over the month of February.
Have a lovely weekend.
Pastor Ian
