A reimagining of John 3:16, just for Regent Park
Hello, friend!
I wanted to share here a sermon that I preached about a week ago - both in our Friday community in Regent Park, as well as at All Saints at Dundas and Sherbourne on Sunday. These words seemed to resonate with some folks in both communities. Generally, our sermons are solely available ‘live in person’ at our services (of which anyone is most welcomed to join!) as we really value physically coming together in the flesh in various ways throughout the week (through church, and other activities and offerings). But this week, I was reminded that sometimes we need to find ways to share our message of inclusion and love to the wider community.
Especially if you are living in Regent or Moss Park and feeling the crushing weight of poverty, or feeling isolated, or forgotten, or feeling burnt by the church, or judged or excluded by what you have been told is the bible’s message… this is for you.
Love and peace,
Angie, Community Minister
Before listening, please read the following passage of John 3:1-17
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Friday church service info:
If you’d like to get connected to us through church, we have church services on Friday at 12:30pm at 40 Oak St. A free meal is served in the drop-in room at 12, and then our group gathers for church in the multi-faith room. There are often new faces and occasional visitors. We do different things for church - sometimes we are gathered in a classic circle and sing, reflect, and pray, other times we learn together by watching a movie about an inspirational justice-seeking Christian, sometimes we make cards or crafts, and sometimes we go for ‘fellowship Friday’ coffee hour to a local cafe! To get added to the church email list to know what is coming next, please contact me by email at: ahocking@united-church.ca
A note of reference and inspiration. I heard Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber speak many years about ‘reclaiming John 3:16’, and her words permeated me, and no doubt inspired some parts of this message many years later. Nadia has repeatedly been a source of wisdom and inspiration for me personally. If you' don’t know her, I encourage you to check out her writing, sermons, and projects at: https://nadiabolzweber.com/