paddyathaneypres@hotmail.

ca

(604) 467 1715 haney.pc@telus.net Website: www.haneypreschurch.org Minister: Gerard Booy revhaney.pc@telus.net Youth Minister: Paddy Eastwood

A couple of weeks ago I received a thought provoking email. It spoke, among other things, about Lent and how strange it is that we continue with all our normal programs and activities during Lent. Nothing changes. We are as busy doing things as usual. We hold dessert nights, soup-and-sandwiches lunches, family fun nights, Irish stew dinners, breakfasts, Mexican train nights, ministry fairs, and committee meetings just like we always do. It doesnt seem to matter that the church calendar tells us it is Lent. We eat, we play, and we work. The person wrote, I am more used to spending the Len-

Lent is the church name for the forty days before Easter (not counting the Sundays because Sunday is the Lords Day, the Day of Resurrection). Historically, Lent is a time of preparation, repentance and devotion. New believers (called catechumen) devoted themselves during Lent to prayer, instruction, and fasting in preparation for their baptism on the Eve of Easter.

ten season with quiet serenity and reflection at church such as evenings of prayer.
This triggered a question: What does Lent mean for us at HPC?

The more I think about this, the more I realize that we dont have much of a Lenten tradition. Okay, we pull out the latest PWS&D liturgies and read them at the beginning of the service, we hang Lenten banners on the side walls of the sanctuary, we set aside one week for special Holy Week services, some of us even give up chocolate but for the most part, life around here doesn`t change much during Lent. Does it matter? I think so. It matters because of the way in which our activities shape us. Our activities, if we are not careful, we might shape us to look more like the surrounding culture than like Christ hyper-active, looking for entertainment, being more concerned about the body than the spirit, putting business before people, paying little attention to God, being anxious about money .

This follows the pattern in the Scriptures where forty days is characteristically a period of formation and preparation for the life to which God is calling his people. Here are a few examples: Forty days - the time that Moses spent with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18). Forty days - the time that it took the dejected prophet Elijah to travel to Horeb, the mountain of God, where God met him in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:8) before sending him back to continue his ministry. Forty years - the time that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness (Numbers 14:13). (Continue on next page)

Forty days - the time that Joavoid God altogether. We nah gave the people of Nikeep ourselves busy with neveh to repent (Jonah church work, but we avoid 3:4). talking to God. We convenForty days - the time that Jeiently steer clear from the sus spent fasting in the whole business of living in wilderness before his minresponse to God. The best istry began (Matthew 4:1place to hide from God is in 2). the church. And the best way Forty days - the time between to hide from God is to be busy the Resurrection and Asdoing church work. Church is cension of Jesus during not a substitute for God. It is which the Risen Lord appeared to his disciples, a vehicle to bring us into Gods presence. speaking to them about the Kingdom of Heaven Like Mary (the other sister in the Luke 10 story), we and preparing them for their ministry (Acts 1:3) need to sit at Jesus feet and listen to his words. Mary Hmmm. If they needed it chose the better portion (better than the food that MarIf you ask me what churches are for, I would say, for tha was trying to prepare) because she paid attention to the spiritual nurture of people; to equip us to love and Jesus. Jesus was in her house and she enjoyed his presserve the Lord in uniquely Christian ways in the world. ence. She was not distracted. She was open to his Spiritual formation is high on the churchs agenda. It is teaching. She gave him her undivided attention. the ongoing process by which we are formed in the image of Christ so that we can live our lives in the Jesus way. But spiritual formation takes TIME and it requires TIME; quiet time, time to pray, time to read Gods Word, time for reflection, time for family devotions, time to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches, time where we sit at the feet of the Lord listening to what he says. It cannot be hurried. I wonder what would happen to HPC if we would take Lent (or even just the rest of it) to sit at Jesus feet? What would happen if committees and the Session dont meet for 40 days, or if theyd decide to meet for devotions during Lent rather than for business? What would happen if we set aside all other activities for 40 days and clear our calendars in order to have more time to pray, read the Bible, and talk to our neighbours? What Our modern, hyper-active lifestyle does not offer us would happen if we come together for lunchtime prayer much time for spiritual formation. And the church is and soup rather than for soup alone? What would hapoften not much of a help either. We somehow think that pen if we do less? God wants us to do many things; the busier the better. Would the church fall apart and the world go to ruins? But the high level of activity in our church can be a dis- Or would we be better off; better equipped to serve traction. We might end up like Martha in the Bible sto- Gods kingdom; spiritually healthier, with a deeper unry. Imagine this. Jesus is in her house. She is under the derstanding of the gospel, and with more passion to fulsame roof as Jesus but she is so busy doing good things fill the Great Commission? Would we perhaps find more for him that she doesnt actually pay attention to him. joy in the Lord and in one another? She is more concerned about herself than about Jesus. In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness Distracted is the word used for Martha in Luke 10. and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15). Our busyness can also be a way of avoiding God. We The peace of the Lord be with you. convince ourselves that we are doing good things and that we are in the right place church while we safely Gerard

As I write this we are just starting the season of Lent. Although the wider Canadian culture emphasizes Christmas, within the Church it is actually Easter and the celebration of Gods raising Jesus from the dead that is the high point of the year. Sharing the stories of Lent and Easter is an important part of our passing the faith on to our children and grandchildren.

and Abbotsford with a large childrens books section. In the Childrens Story during Lent, I will be focussing on prayer. Most children learn to pray by praying with their parents and grandparents. This might be a good opportunity to teach your children the Lords Prayer by including it in your mealtime graces or at bedtime.

Telling the Story at Church We learn as we are engaged in what we are doing. Thats why small group bible studies with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss what we are learning are so effective: when we articulate what we believe, we learn what we believe. This is also true for children as much as possible engage your children Telling the Story at Home in the congregational celebrations of Lent and Easter. The Easter story is good news for Gods people of all Help your children notice how our sanctuary changes ages: the power of God; the comfort of the One who as we go through the stories of Lent. is always with us; the forgiveness of friends who betray It is one thing to read how Jesus entered Jerusalem on and deny; the possibility of new life and hope vari- a donkey. It is altogether different to wave your own ous parts of the Easter story speak to all of us over the palm branch to welcome the King. Instead of telling course of our lives. your children about the Last Supper, bring them to the At first, this might seem daunting. Christmas with its donkey ride, search for a bed, shepherds, angels and magi seems more child-friendly. However, children can hear the story of Jesus passion and resurrection and their faith is nourished as they participate in worship of our faith community. Children of all ages can hear the basic story of Good Friday and Easter. Even very young children can hear that Jesus was killed by people who were angry with him but that God made Jesus alive again. Younger children focus more on the emotions of the story rather than the facts be sure to always include the happy ending of Easter morning (on Good Friday, there is a surprise waiting). We can add details as our children mature. Please make sure to take home a carton of Adventure Eggs to use starting March 20th. These eggs tell the story simply yet effectively. As one child put it after his first year using the Adventure Eggs, I guess the Easter bunny doesnt have much to do with Easter after all, Mum. There are also childrens books and Bibles in our library and Christian bookstores in Langley Maundy Thursday service on March 28 so that they too can celebrate the Lords Supper on the anniversary of the night Jesus invented it. It is no different for the Holy Week evening services, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Children are not only welcome in our services of worship, its important that they be there. God bless you and your family as you celebrate Easter together. Paddy With thanks and credit to Carolyn C. Brown, Worshipping with Children.

It was a lonely place that hill called Golgotha, the place of the skull. Also called Mount Calvary, though it wasnt much more than a mound with an up-thrust rock that made it slightly higher than the surrounding ground with little enough space for three crosses. It was a place of death, cruel death a place to be shunned just outside the city wall. Slowly the crowd gathered though no sound was made. What was there to say? Three men were to die Nothing unusual about that many had died upon that hill. But there was something different about this day. It was as though the very earth itself stood still silent, waiting, waiting, waiting. But not for long. Suddenly a great multitude emerged from out the city gate with much wailing and mourning cries he was led by the soldiers to that lonely hill.

The deed was done three men were hung upon a cross. The gentle breeze moved softly across fevered brows. The crowd was still Was that all? No miracle? No last minute reprieve? Where was God? The soldiers went on about their business their work was done. The crowd stood still looking on. Is that all? Some sneered, others mocked disappointed perhaps their hopes dashed Could he not have saved himself? The day advanced the hours passed. Many left, a few stayed by sorrowful, weeping quietly. A great darkness covered the earth. The gentle breeze was replaced with a chill wind the sun obscured with black cloud.

Suddenly a voice from the cross rang out: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. It was over. The soldiers were startled into silence. The crowd began to disperse wondering trying to make sense of it all. The warm breeze returned moving gently over and around the still figures on the three crosses. Once again It was a lonely place that hill outside the city wall. By Dorne Cornish

On the topic of Grace, I wish to highlight two library books: Whats so Amazing about Grace by Philip Yancey, and Grace: more than we deserve, greater than we imagine by Max Lucado.

Thats it in a nutshell; never bad enough that we dont qualify; never good enough that we deserve it. Yancey also reminds us that grace is a gift that costs everything for the giver and nothing for the recipient. It is ours to receive with supreme gratitude. In Romans Paul says, Where sin increased, grace increased all Grace needs to be acknowledged in the context of sin. Sin necesthe more followed by the question, So, should we go on sinning sitates grace and grace is the gift that blots out our sin. We so that grace may increase? By no means! could not bear the knowledge of our ongoing sin if we could not wrap ourselves in the folds of grace. Lucado assures us that To this, Lucado assures us that grace creates a resolve to do Sustaining grace meets us at our point of need and equips us good; not permission to do bad. Grace fosters obedience. with courage, wisdom and strength. He encourages us to not These two authors have done a remarkable job of researching only embrace grace but to personalize it and to pass it on. Give the topic of sin and grace, which implicates all of us, and presentthe grace youve been given! he emphasizes. Freely you have ing it to us in an impressive, easy to understand format. This is received, freely give the Bible tells us. only a sampling of the treasures that await us in our own church Yanceys definition of grace is the best that Ive ever read. library. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more. Come and check it out! There is nothing we can do to make God love us less. Marla Van Hilten

They came from Mexico in their thousands about 20 000 in fact, each season to Canada to work in our fields. Of these, 3500 come to B.C. farms. A mass migration of sorts, mostly here to the Fraser Valley, some to the Okanagan. They are easy to identify and no doubt we have all seen them: dark heads bobbing up and down in the fields or small figures pedalling sedately on bicycles. Our government welcomes the yearly influx as an essential resource to fill our uncomfortable gap in our own labour market. Producers recognize a virtually inexhaustible supply of affordable workers. Mexican authorities see a valuable source of foreign currency. All true enough perhaps, but how do these Mexican workers see themselves and their situation here. Imagine: 20 000 individuals, each a father, head of a unique family with its unique set of joys, problems, sorrows, challenges. The common thread drawing such a diversity of people to Canada is of course a pervasive and socially insurmountable poverty back home. The daily struggle to provide even the basics of food, shelter, clothes, schooling for families, they say become more difficult every year. So they consider themselves fortunate when selected from so many applicants to come here. All this of course at the cost of a young father being separated from his wife, children, extended family and familiar surroundings for up to 8 months each year. Life here is not easy for them, pay being minimal and living and working conditions quite variable. But all is cheerfully endured given the goal in sight. So far just a theoretical sketch of how the government, the farmers and the workers themselves might view their seasonal program. Meanwhile many of us here at HPC continue to address the very real needs of these workers and their wives and children back in their home villages and tiny farms. Such fathers merit our respect and even admiration as each does his utmost for his loved ones. Their appreciation is immense for what help and encouragement we have been able to supply, whether suitcases, warm work clothes, childrens clothing bicycles or other miscellaneous goods and services. The extraordinary contributions of many in our congregation continue to bear fruit. Thank You! Roger Page

Some notes from the Sound team that will be of interest.

We have been asked if we can record the Sunday "message" and make it available. We are investigating recording this each week and then posting it as an audio file on the Internet. This won't meet everyones needs but you will appreciate that making copies of tapes or CD's and distributing them becomes an additional task that unfortunately we are not in a position to undertake. When we have more details we'll let everyone know.

Just a reminder that there are some

hearing assistance units available for use on any Sunday. If there is a demand again for these, we will get some more ear-pieces so that each user can have their own ear-bud that they can bring with them each week.

After many years of faithful and enthusiastic service Andy Kingma has retired from the Operators team. Many thanks Andy on behalf of the congregation, your dedication and willingness to step in if we were "down a man" have been a blessing to us all.

This brings me to post a request to the

congregation for volunteers to join the team on Sundays. The schedule calls for duty once every fifth or sixth week. You will receive training and coaching so don't be put off. Up to now we have been a male ensemble but we are an equal opportunity employer! We are training some younger members now but the more resources we have the less any one person gets called on to do. Thanks to all Nigel Taylor taylorpde@hotmail.com

Once upon a time there was a small fishing village on the rugged and stormy west coast of Vancouver Island. Over the years the villagers had watched in dismay as boats and ships floundered and sank offshore, often with loss of life, before they could be rescued. They decided to purchase a life-boat and embarked upon a fund-raising project to obtain a suitable boat. In time they acquired a large row boat and, manned by volunteers, were successful in saving many lives as they now had the means of reaching those in peril. As time went by they decided they needed to be better organized and formed a Life-Saving Society, established qualifications for membership and held regular meetings. This was a serious business they were in and they wanted to do it right. It soon became apparent they needed both a bigger and better boat, one with a diesel engine and proper life-saving gear. Money was raised and a boat was purchased. But such a boat could not be left on the beach, as had the old boat, so more money

was raised and a life saving station, with adequate room for meetings and storage of the boat and equipment, was built. The boat was a beautiful steel-hulled craft with gleaming stainless steel and brass fixtures. They kept it in pristine condition and people would come to the village to see the beautiful boat and the well-equipped life-saving station. It was the talk of the coast. But a subtle change had taken place and the people no longer kept an eye seaward for any sailors that might be imperilled and no lives were saved. They were too busy polishing their gleaming boat and keeping the station neat and clean and, of course, holding regular meetings. They had forgotten the purpose for which they had purchased the boat and erected the life-saving station, but they had a great time together. God, forgive us. Submitted by Dorne Cornish

In an increasingly troubled world, the PCCWeb Daily Devotional reminds us of what is truly important: the love of God and His active presence in our lives. I have started every day for the past year with Daily and the Bible reading selections. While the world remains troubled, Daily is helping me to live "in the world" and not "of the world." Robert Foster, Escondido, California, USA.
I love these devotions, and every morning, it is the first thing I read. Because of the devotions, I see God more and more in the ordinary things of my daily life, and I find myself asking what God is teaching me here now in this time. I see God in everything. I am amazed how often the message is just what I need to hear as I hear God speaking to me through the devotions. Liz Samis, Drayton, Ontario, Canada.
I find the Daily to be a calming reprieve in the hubbub of day-to-day earthly matters that cause us stress and concern. Whether I read the Daily in the morning, evening, or somewhere in between, I find it calms my thinking and reminds me that God is in control, that I am one of His children, and that He loves me in spite of my sins. Peter Morrison, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Question: What joins 6000 readers in 55 countries every day of the year? Answer: PCCWeb Daily Devotionals are available online and by e-mail every day and are free of cost. The Daily Devotional has been published by volunteers every day for the past 16 years. Here is what readers are saying about it:

Although the Daily website is provided by the Presbyterian Church in Canada, writing is not restricted to Canadians or Presbyterians. Devotionals are submitted by volunteers from all over the world, from places like Uganda, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, and Britain, as well as Canada and the USA, making Daily truly on online community with friendships throughout the world. The sincerity of the writers is obvious. A PrayerLine" is also part of Daily, where readers can ask for prayer, or pray for the concerns of others. There are some 6000 known subscribers by e-mail, but there are several untrackable formats besides e-mail, such as webpage, text feed, podcast, Facebook, Twitter, and smartphones. In addition, subscribers find the devotionals useful to take to meetings of ladies, men, elders, trustees, and study groups. Readers pass them on to friends and relatives by e-mail or word of mouth, and use them for children's stories and sermon illustrations, so the grand total of beneficiaries is impossible to calculate accurately. Check it out at www.daily.presbycan.ca We really hope that you will subscribe!