God Calls Us (2) God Calls Us By Name

Epiphany 2
“We are God’s beloved”. This is our deepest identity. But this is only the beginning of the story. God takes this vast expansive love, as broad as the midday sun, and narrows it into a beam of light, shining within a human life in uniquely personal ways. Our awakening to that light is the next bit of the story.

In 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Samuel is waking up slowly to the presence of God calling him, singularly and personally, by name. At first, Samuel assumes the voice belongs to Eli, the priest who has raised him since he was brought to the temple by his mother, Hannah. After a few times, Eli suggests an alternate possibility: the voice MIGHT be God. Even though no one had heard the voice of God or received a vision from God for a long long time, Eli was open to the possibility that this MIGHT be of God.

So, Eli gives Samuel this beautiful piece of advice. He suggests that Samuel be open to possibility too. In other words, be open to the possibility that this thing happening in your life might just be of God. 
Then he suggests that Samuel get curious. If he hears the voice again, says, “Speak Lord. Speak. I am listening.” He suggests that Samuel simply cultivates space to listen, to see if indeed God might have something to say.

The revelation of God and our awareness and response to this revelation is a relational dynamic that ebbs and flows throughout the course of our life. When we gather on Sunday, we are making room for one another on this ever evolving journey. What might God be doing among us? What might God be doing in each other, even if it looks differently?

It’s like walking the labyrinth, together. Sometimes it might appear we are walking in different directions. Sometimes it appears like we are lost. Despite what we might feel, the way of the labyrinth holds us secure. We find our way to the centre.

As we respond with curiosity, trust, and openness, as we keep walking, the way opens up in us. New possibilities, new twists and turns, new directions, new callings, new perspectives emerge. This is a repeating pattern within the Bible. It is a repeating pattern in our lives. 

Deep peace and blessing, 

—Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, The Church at Southpoint 

Worship Calendar

Location & Zoom. We meet on Sundays at 15639 24 Avenue, Surrey. Zoom is offered if you cannot attend in person. Zoom link. Meeting ID: 831 1690 9977 password: 753319

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Blogs
Catch up on Anne’s recent blogs under “News” on our website, southpoint.ca

Sun Apr 7
(2) Opening to Love
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
John 21:1-19

Sun Apr 14
(3) Receiving Clarity
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
Acts 3:12-19
 
Sun Apr 21
Rev Scott Swanson
Acts 4:5-12

New to Southpoint?

At Southpoint, it all begins with God’s love. Just as a plant grows, it receives sunshine, so we grow as we receive God’s love. At Southpoint, we are growing in our capacity to love God, ourselves, one another, and creation.

We seek to be a community of grace that is intentional yet organic, spacious yet authentic, grace-filled yet accountable. * We are fully welcoming. *

We encourage relationships rather than run programs, yet we recognize the importance of intentionality and structure as we nurture life together.

As a community, we seek to put our love in action. We value helping out on Sunday mornings, sharing food, and showing up in hard times. We keep our church life simple so folk have time to build relationships with family, friends, and neighbours. We encourage folk to serve in tangible ways within the wider community. We rent space rather than own a building, allowing us to do more with less, supporting missions at home and abroad.

Curious to know more?

These six slides express what motivates our ministry (best viewed on a monitor). Here’s the bio of our Pastor, Rev. Anne Baxter Smith.

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