A Word about the Good Samaritan
James Hanvey
It is so characteristic of Jesus in these great parables of redemption, he not only casts a light on the brokenness of our situation, but he also always opens the door for us to change. Each parable shows us the path to a better way of being and living: a new possibility, maybe one which we had thought was impossible. Indeed, it is the very encounter with Jesus that makes the new way possible; he breaks down all our determinisms, social as well as personal.
Life is full of journeys. There are journeys we make for business, others for duty, some for love and others for adventure. Sometimes the way is easy and filled with companionship; at others, it is difficult and lonely. We do not know why the man was going on the long road from Jerusalem to Jericho; we only meet him beaten, robbed and half-dead.
There appears to be an implicit violence built into our relationships brought about by markets that want us to compete against each other or consume products and the diminishing natural resources that we all need to live. Not only does the media inform us, but it also wants to control and manipulate us: we the consumers are ourselves consumed. People themselves have become commodities to be trafficked. We are served by a culture of individualism that constantly legitimates the priority of ‘me’ over others.
Of course, in the parable the man who has been beaten and robbed is not alone. A number of people pass him by. (…) And yet, astonishingly, someone did stop: a Samaritan. In doing so, he may well have put himself in danger, for in this part of the world he was the outsider, the one who was to be shunned. The Samaritan does not pause to do a risk assessment or make a calculation or check to see if he is covered by insurance. His response is immediate and unconditional; he can only see the urgency: a life hangs in the balance.
Something else also happens. Whatever form it takes, there is no way of describing the sense of isolation and loneliness that violence brings. All the carefully constructed securities that give us a sense of who we are immediately destroyed. The Samaritan not only tends the physical wounds, but the deeper wounds to the sense of self. Without even saying a word, he says to the victim, you do have value, and you are worthy of care. And if ever that was in doubt, look at how lavish is the care he provides, even looking ahead to his future needs.
The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that our society, our communities and relationships are not permanently broken. We can restore them. And it can all begin with reaching out to the other whoever they are, whatever state they are in. We can decide that we will not let anyone, or any circumstance, diminish our humanity or the humanity of another person.
Worship Calendar
July 13 The Good Samaritan: Go and Do Likewise. Luke 10:25-37 Rev. Eric Lee
July 20 In a World of Distraction Genesis 18:1-10a & Luke 10:38-42. Rev. Eric Lee
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our New Instagram Account
We’re pleased to share that Graceview now has an official Instagram account! It will be maintained by Rachael Chen and will focus especially on updates and outreach related to our new Young Adults Group. We invite you all to follow our IG account.
Here is the link:
https://www.instagram.com/graceview.presbyterian?igsh=MnlpeXE5YTYyN2ly
Young Adults Fellowship
The Young Adults Fellowship group began last week at Graceview. They plan to meet again in 2 weeks’ time. Do you know of a young adult who may like to join? Spread the word. All are welcome. Nest meeting will be July 19 at 7:30 PM.
Egg Cartons Wanted
St. James Food Basket is once again in need of egg cartons, at least for the summer months.
Please leave them in the cloakroom at Graceview and they will be taken to St. James. Thank you for your help.
SodaStream
Free to a good home two pink canisters for SodaStream. Contact Maureen at 416-433-8148 or maureenscreen@gmail.com.
A Summer Devotional Update (Updated June 17, 2025):
A new edition of These Days (July/August/September), as well as a new edition of Our Daily Bread (June/July/August) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Music Announcement
Glen would like to start a New Bell Ringers Choir. Anyone can join between the ages of 10 and 110 years. No music knowledge or experience is needed. Rehearsals will be once a month, every third Sunday for 20 minutes after church. The first performance will be Thanksgiving Sunday. The first rehearsal of the Graceview Bell Ringers will be on July 20.
Food For Thought
“Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone’s passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person’s share of the work.
Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone’s list, “Let Someone Else do it.” Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; “Someone Else can work with that group.”
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most generous givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember — we can’t depend on Someone Else anymore.”
WEEKLY GIGGLE
As my five-year-old son and I were heading to McDonald’s one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for whoever might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son, “We should pray.”
From the back seat I heard his earnest voice: “Dear God, please don’t let those cars block the entrance to McDonald’s.”
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.”
Please 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)