HELLO!

Last Sunday the audio was not working on our livestream service. Since then, June and Peter worked to layer an audio recording they made into the video. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xeym1D3do08

This is my last pitch to see if there are persons available-interested to work with Kaitlin to offer a light breakfast from 8 am to 9 am on Easter Sunday, April 5^th in the Brick Hall, downstairs. This gathering would offer those who attend the 730 am Sunrise service in the Woodlawn Cemetery a space to share in conversation before the 10 am Easter Sunday service in the sanctuary. If you are interested, please let Kaitlin or me know.

At a recent ecumenical clergy gathering to plan our Good Friday service, this year to be held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, April 3^rd from 130-3 pm, Rev. Mary Lynne Whyte, a former minister here at Woodlawn, shared news she gave me permission to share with you. Not long ago Mary Lynne’s mother died and now her father has died as well. Please keep her in your prayers. Mary Lynne will preside at a graveside service in Ontario July 2^nd for both parents. If you wish to offer an online condolence, here is the link: https://www.eastcoastmemorial.ca/obituaries/Allison-Al-Bulmer-Weeks?obId=47208969 Mary Lynne is retiring at the end of June and her husband Paul is retiring at the end of this month.

This Sunday, March 15^th our theme is how God chose David to be an instrument of God’s intention in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. As you likely remember, David was an unlikely and flawed choice. The story is well timed for the season of Lent, how God’s choices are not based on how our culture/world usually makes decisions, “wealth, privilege, celebrity, beauty, popularity”. "God does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). After the prophet Samuel had deposed God’s first choice for king, Saul we hear this strange tale of David, the youngest of the eight sons of an obscure farmer named Jesse, chosen for this most significant role. The eldest, Eliab, quickly catches the prophet's eye, and he mutters to himself, "Certainly God’s anointed is standing before me" (1 Sam. 16:6). Samuel turns to Jesse and says, "God has chosen none of these" (1 Sam. 16:10). So Samuel turns again to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" "Well," the old man replies, "there is the youngest, but he keeps sheep." Some translations use words like runt and small instead of youngest. Further, David was tending sheep, a vocation seen as the lowest status of all types of work. God is here and will continue to work in the most unexpected ways with the most unexpected people to reveal the “kin-dom”. God’s grace surprises us.

Are we ready to be surprised this Lent? Peace, Kevin

PS There is a Men’s Luncheon on Thursday, March 19^th at 12 noon. It’s a great way to get to know one another better. Please let Bob Lindsay know if you are coming so Ralph can book the sandwiches and Dwight can prepare sufficient soup. rhlindsay@accesswave.ca 902-210-0740