This passage is most timely today, considering what is being thrown at us from south of the border. In my heart, I find it hard to love someone, who has been a trusted ally.
Luke 6:27-36, often referred to as the “Love Your Enemies” passage, is a radical call from Jesus to not only love those who love us, but to actively extend love, kindness, and forgiveness even to those who might be considered our enemies, challenging our natural inclination towards retaliation and demanding a radical shift in our perspective and actions towards others; it emphasizes the importance of being generous, merciful, and not judging others, mirroring God’s own unconditional love.
Key Points for Reflection:
- Unconditional Love:
The core message is to love even those who hate you, which is a direct challenge to traditional societal norms and pushes us to see beyond personal grievances to actively seek the good of others, even when it is difficult.
- Positive Response to Hardship:
Jesus instructs to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who spitefully use you”, encouraging a non-violent response to persecution and choosing to respond with good even in the face of negativity.
- Imitating God’s Character:
By extending love to our enemies, we are reflecting the very nature of God who is merciful and compassionate towards all people, regardless of their actions.
- Internal Transformation:
This teaching is not just about outward actions but requires a deep internal transformation where we actively choose to let go of resentment and cultivate a heart of forgiveness and compassion.
- The Golden Rule Applied Extensively:
Jesus takes the Golden Rule to a new level by asking us to do good to those who do not do good to us, actively seeking to bring about positive change through our actions.
Worship Calendar
Feb. 23 Love Your Enemies Luke 6:27-36
Buy Canadian
During all of the turbulence coming at us from south of the border, I have made a concerted effort to “Buy Canadian”. To help me with this, I have joined the Made in Canada group on Facebook and I recently downloaded an App on my phone called Maple Scan. When I am shopping, I take a photo of an item and the App tells me who the Parent Company is, its location whether or not it is a product of Canada and whether or not it is made in Canada. It also details Canadian alternatives. This has taken much of the guess work out of shopping, as I want to do my part to support the workers of my country…a country that I dearly love. I hope that many of you will feel moved to do the same.
Pancake Supper hosted by your Outreach Committee
Tuesday, March 4th, at 6 PM
Everyone is welcome to join us for our famous Down East pancakes, homemade by our in-house chefs! Fellowship time to follow.
Free Will Offering is gratefully accepted
A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the foyer
A Message from St. James Food Basket:
Thank you for so diligently collecting egg cartons. We have reached storage capacity at this time. We will let you know when we will need more egg cartons.
TAX RECEIPTS
Due to the Canada Post strike in December, the Canada Revenue Agency has issued legislation that extends the deadline for making donations for the 2024 tax year until February 28, 2025. We will be issuing tax receipts up to December 31, 2024 as usual and then issuing receipts again from January 1 to February 28, 2025.
If you wish to take advantage of this one time change and claim January and February 2025 donations on your 2024 tax return please contact Jackie Taylor, otherwise we will hold the tax receipts for those two months until the end of 2025 and you will receive two receipts then.
Thank you
Jackie
North of Nowhere: Conversation with TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson
Date: Monday, February 24
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue
Free tickets (please register): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1223563624739
Join us on Monday, February 24 for an in-person conversation with Marie Wilson about her new book North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was critical to establishing a public record of the experiences of Survivors of residential schools and generated 94 Calls to Action for all areas of society to work towards reconciliation. Marie Wilson will speak about her time with the Commission, the ongoing need for truth, healing and justice for Indigenous people in Canada, and where we are today.
Journalist and author Cynthia Reyes will moderate. Marie Wilson will be available to sign books afterward. Her book will be available for purchase on site. Organized by the Anglican Church of Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the United Church of Canada.
More information may be obtained by contacting:
Katharine Sisk
Senior Program Coordinator,
Justice Ministries, Life and Mission Agency
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
1-800-619-7301 ext. 25
Readers Wanted!!
We are looking for 7 readers to read the Lenten Candle Liturgy this year. If you are able to help us out, please let Susan C. know.
World Day of Prayer 2025
Graceview is the host church for this year’s WDP which will take place on Saturday March 8th at 10:00 AM.
The subject this year is the Cook Islands in the south Pacific and the program was written by Christian women who live there. The program title is “I made you wonderful”, based on Psalm 139.
We hope we can count on your support. Please mark the date and invite your friends.
Maureen Screen
A Winter Devotional Update:
A new edition of These Days (January/February/March), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (December/January/February) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
WEEKLY GIGGLE
After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons.
“Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!” The pastor was thrilled. “No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why.”
“Well,” the parishioner began, “it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever!”
Do you have any news or prayer requests that you would like to share? Drop me a line and I will be happy to include it in the Weekly Email. Have a blessed week, everyone.
Susan choppertini@hotmail.com
* Message from Pastor Eric: “FYI the Graceview website page has been revamped, so as to keep people updated of our activities and events. Visit us and enjoy all that is good about Graceview”. https://graceview.ca/calendar-events
* We also have our own Facebook page. (Graceview Presbyterian Church). This site shows the world all that we are and what we have to offer as a church. Check it out and be sure to “follow.”
lease note the following email addresses for all church-related communication:
Pastor Eric: pastor@graceview.ca (416-621-0888) and press #1 for Pastor Eric.
Church Office: office@graceview.ca (unchanged and managed by our Secretary, Halyna)