April 19, 2026
Readings and MessagE
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
What this passage always reminds me of is about a little story that I read somewhere where it’s summer and the local church was hosting its annual Vacation Bible School. There were a whole bunch of volunteers, and each had groups – the minister at that time had the 6-year-olds. His question to them was, “What did forgiveness feel like?”…and all the children just looked up to him with those blank looks on their faces…and suddenly, one of the children had an expression on his little face and an idea had been formed. He smiled and raised up his hand, and this is what came out of his mouth: “I know what forgiveness feels like, it feels like it’s your birthday…it feels like you get to start all over again.”
And this is what Peter is offering all these folks in this passage – the Holy Spirit’s guidance into new life…a new world being formed where neighbour loves neighbour and a new sensibility has been fashioned…
PSALM 116:1-4, 12-19
If I were to give this Psalm, Psalm 116, a very simple title, I believe that it just might be this: “Why I Love God, and How I Demonstrate That Love with My Life.” And what I’ve done this morning to make this passage “More of Us”, is to change the “I” which the Psalmist uses and exchange it with “Us and We”. To me, this makes more sense in that we are worshiping together and we do this collectively so I’ll pass the reading now on to Don and we do this Psalm reading responsively…
Luke 24: 13-35
So here we have the passage of the road to Emmaus…that place where almost anything can happen and in this passage – it happens….you’re walking along, bemoaning the fact that what all of your dreams were, have just been shattered…the New Jerusalem or the New Israel is not to be because your prime candidate, lost his life…and then this apparition appears, or maybe it’s a conscience, maybe it’s that truism that you just couldn’t see because your eyes were closed to reality…and then, when we all come into community and share in bread, share in drink, share in story – everything becomes clear and the world becomes a much better place…this may be the road to Emmaus story in 2026…who knows for sure and,
“Where’s Your Road to Emmaus?”
“The Importance of Outreach Beyond Our Sacred Walls”
So folks I begin my message this morning with offering thanks to so many of you who contribute some of your offerings to our outreach programs and of course our Mission & Service Fund…the importance of outreach is one of our mandates at Lakeview United Church in that we all called to serve beyond our proverbial walls and in doing so with our financial contributions and of course our time and talents, we walk the walk which Jesus has asked us to do – to serve our other human beings not only in this city but beyond.
And we do these contributions from our heart in that we know that there are countless needs in this world and in what we do, may be small, but to those who continually seek help, we are one of the huge collectives which fill those needs of many and various organizations. And what I’ve done is to show you some of those places or groups which we offer our assistance to……
They are many and varied and each one has a need.
If one looks at the Statement of Purpose of Lakeview United Church, this is what it states:
“Spiritual Renewal & Growth in a Caring & Affirming Community”
With the outreach programs which we are linked with, this has always been our focus and one is no more important than another and as can be seen, the financial assistance and thoughts and prayers are not only for folks and organizations in this city or province or Canada for that matter but go way beyond to countries in need….
So, this morning, we’ve invited Gary Mak to be with us and speak a little bit about the chaplaincy at the University of Calgary and the Mount Royal University. This is an important outreach in that Gary offers guidance and connections with so many of the students who come from different countries, different cultures, differing sexual orientations, and seeking the Holy One in their lives…so folks, a warm welcome for Gary Mak…