September 4, 2026
Labour Day Greetings! After 10 weeks of worshipping together for the summer, the two congregations will return to “regular” Sunday worship rotation this week with services at 9:45am in Ilderton and 11:00am in Melville (with Melville’s Birthday Lunch to follow this week).
Over the last ten weeks the two congregations have shared an outdoor service with BBQ, a couple of Supply Ministers while Rev’d Steve was away, and then continued worship together throughout August. The ten weeks were an opportunity for some to have a time of rest, for connection and re-connection across the two churches, and to share in the presence of God in worship and in conversation. With Labour Day upon us, the unofficial end of summer is here. People begin to finish their holidays and time at the cottage. Schools and universities prepare to welcome their students. Activity registration changes to indoor sports and activities. The routine of the winter months is beginning to push its way in. And though it might sound depressing, for many of us there is comfort in routines, reconnecting with what grounds us and finding our communities that hold us.In our Exodus reading this morning we made a jump again. Moses has indeed responded to God’s call and goes back to Egypt. He challenged Pharoah, the plagues unfolded. Now, God has declared that it is time for the Hebrews to leave the slavery of Egypt. Our passage this week is the description of the first Passover meal. How the lamb is prepared. That everyone, God stress everyone, is to be part of the experience. And they are to eat standing up, ready to go at a moment’s notice. It is an act recorded in Scripture and a high celebration within the Jewish faith all these centuries later. It helps them to define their community and to remember the promises of God. My pondering this week is for you folks to think about what brings you to your community of faith? What is it that makes Ilderton or Melville special and keeps you coming back? What are/were the events, who are/were the people that help form the community? What is in the week to week or in special moments that bring intense joy and that makes you feel belonging in the community of faith? By extension, what do you want the community and the world to know about your beloved faith community? Community and identity intertwined.Community matters. Identity matters. In the coming weeks as we hear about the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. We will hear how their community is formed and shaped as they let go of the past and learn to live into the unknown. We will listen to the complaints and challenges, but we will also hear the promises of God with them. Community and identity intertwined.We have our own challenges but let us be open to being more fully a community of love and grace that finds its identity rooted in the living teachings of Jesus and may our actions touch the web of God’s creation with love and grace.Blessings,Steve
The Rev Steve LongmooreIlderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
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