This morning we are reminded that, as Christians, we are called to be residents of ‘Mercy Street’, distributors and recipients of the mercy of God known in Jesus Christ – ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy’ (Matthew 5:7).

I think it was the American Presbyterian author, Fredrick Buchner, who has written that, if grace is receiving good that is not deserved, mercy is not receiving the evil we do deserve.

I think of Shakespeare’s description of mercy as an attribute of God in The Merchant of Venice from the mouth of Portia:

The quality of mercy is not strained, 
It dropped as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown …
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice.

It is an attribute of God, seen most fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us, and is to be seen in Christians like you and me. This is our high and holy calling … for the sake of family, neighbours and strangers, for our own sakes (after all, it is the merciful who receive God’s mercy!), and to the glory of God.

Join us if you are in the area – you would be very welcome. During the service a nursery for infants and a programme for children is offered. There is ample free parking available in the lot behind the church off Queen Street and along the streets around – disregard the posted time of day restrictions as they do not apply on Sundays. And have a look at the order of service below, along with the announcements, each of which you may take as a personal invitation to grow in Christian faith, study and community.

Download (PDF, 472KB)

 

Comments are closed.

Post Navigation