As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

 If you love me,
you will keep my word,
and my Father will love you,
and we will come to you.  

John 14.23
 

Gathering

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you riches beyond imagination.
Pour into our hearts such love toward you,
that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

John 14. 15-22 

Sermon:  The Ven.  Brian Evans

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of
our hearts be ever acceptable to you, O Lord.  Amen.

       “Who Is Your Advocate?"

Advocate—an interesting word.  

Satisfying my curiosity, I searched out my Thesaurus for synonyms. This is what I found: supporter, backer, promoter, believer, activist.            

In our first parish, we had a very wise ‘inquirer of Scripture’--including translations, grammar, punctuation, and interpretation. After all, she was a retired schoolteacher. I valued our encounters. Not arguments, possibly debates.

She was a delight. Mrs. Foley could have preached this sermon, and the meaning of having an advocate or comforter.

For Mrs. Foley, there was a difference, and we often debated that difference.            

This week’s “Working Preacher” has shared a lovely encounter with being a “comforter.”            

We will pick up the story at the point when Caroline Lewis was in conversation with her friend who had recently attended the Bishop’s Convocation in her diocese. I believe, this is similar to our ‘Clergy Conference’ in our diocese: a time to be together, a time for sharing, and learning from our colleagues; a time for support and encouragement.            

One of the ‘traditions’ in these gatherings is often telling your story, in one form or another. Not only are you expected to tell your story, but often within the space of 3 or 4 days, you may be asked more than once.            

Caroline’s friend expressed how it was ‘just too many times for her.’            

Part of the problem,  with our society, is an expectation whereby you are not permitted ‘to skip’ if you are not prepared to tell your story.  

One of the learnings I had in Seminary was, in sharing cross-cultural experiences, that in other cultures it is ok to 'pass' if you feel you have nothing to add…it is ok to pass the “talking stick” on to the next person.            

In this case, the friend had lived through a time of the loss of her husband (43 yrs. of age) in the past year.            

This is what happened, and I quote:

“She cried a lot. She thought about going home.
After one of the sessions, she went outside to sit on a bench.
A woman, whom she didn’t really know, came over to her and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you?” The friend responded, “Just sit with me.”
And the fellow-pastor did. No words. No touching. Just sitting.”
And the significance of that, and the importance of being able to do that.  
-Caroline Lewis, Working Preacher May 7, 2023, Just Sit with Me.            

Jesus, in his farewell discourse, tells us about such an individual. At the moment he does not give it a name, other than ‘an advocate’ or ‘comforter.’           

Remember, we remain two weeks away from Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Next week, will be the Ascension. All these scriptures lead up to this moment in our Liturgical year.            

There is an old story of a man sitting on a park bench in a great coat. A person comes along, sits down and in a hesitant voice asks if there is anything he could do for him. The older gentleman looks up and simply says, “You already have.”

It’s not the words, not the embrace, not the shaking of a hand. But, it’s the simple ministry of presence.  

What was meant is: the world is so in need of someone to just sit down and be. The need of a comforter, an advocate, or whatever synonym you wish to use, this is ministry at its finest.  

This is the very essence of our Christian ministry. Just to be.

• An advocate;

• An intercessor;

• A guide;

• A companion.  

The person who can just sit with me.

How valuable this is.   More value than a load of prayers. Prayer without words. Often, the most valued. That of simply sitting with someone or being invited to sit with someone.  

This is significant for our relationship with our companions on the journey.

It is of equal value, in the sense of the institutional church. To simply ‘be with one another on the journey.’

Jesus is so conscious of this need today he tells us, because he will be leaving us soon.

Next week, we mark the ascension of our Lord. His concern is for us is to understand he does not leave us abandoned.            

As we live in a society filled with grief—of communal loss, of national, and global strife—it is not uncommon to feel alone. To feel left out. Often, we feel as though we just need an advocate, someone who will just listen, will simply ‘be with’ us.            

Henry Francis Lyte, writing hymns at the end of the 18th Century, “got it”.

A hymn we often relate to in a time of death, and a favorite among many for funerals, captures this idea of having an advocate in your life.            

It is the beautiful evening hymn, “Abide with Me.”  

The first two verses: We all know it.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me.  

Then the 3rd verse affirms our need:
“I need Thy presence every passing hour.”     

Unfortunately, because of its popularity for funerals, it has lost its true value in acknowledging the need of the comforting spirit of God in our life.

For I am not sure that Lyte wrote this, planning for a funeral.

Think about it. It’s an evening hymn—a hymn of prayer to God as we sleep; a hymn to give you comfort, to be able to rest, knowing that God is with you.            

This hymn is meant to be pastoral, just as Jesus’ farewell discourse is in our reading today.

So, we ask the question, ‘who is your advocate?’            

In the Apostles’ Creed, we identify God as: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; God as creator; Jesus who is human, who lived and died for us; and the Holy Spirit.            

Martin Luther explained the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed thus:  

I believe that by my own understanding or strength.
I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord,
Or come to him,
But instead by the Holy Spirit
Has called me through the gospel,
Enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy,
And kept me in true faith,
Just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy.
The whole Christian church on earth
And keeps it with Jesus Christ
In one common true faith.
Daily in this Christian church
The Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sin,
Mine and those of all believers.
On the last day, the Holy Spirit will raise me,
And all the dead
And will give to me and believers in Christ,
Eternal life
This is most certainly true.            

This ‘common truth’ we find in our baptism, as we celebrate 'in baptism',

“neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8.38-39)            

In life, we will have many advocates, and they will come and will go.

But for us, as Christians, there is one true advocate, who remains with us: The Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Let Us Pray

United in the hope of joy and resurrection,
let us pray for the Church, the world, and all in need.

God our faithful companion,
you promise to never leave us, and to send your Spirit
to guide us in wisdom and truth.
Send your people into the world to serve as mirrors
that reflect and magnify your love. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

All the earth sings praises to you.
Grant your care to the creatures, plants, and places that are suffering,
and equip us to respond to their song.
Make us agents of restoration, and refreshment,
for all your beloved creation. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You call all people of the world your children.
Judge the nations justly,
show mercy to all who are oppressed,
and speak truth to power through your prophets. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Nurturing Lord,
you send your Spirit to grant us peace.
Make your presence known to those
who feel abandoned or alone,
and to all who are sick or grieving.
We continue to pray for those in need, particularly in our parish:
Roy & Gail; Daryl & Sue; Roy; Jay;  Sheila;
Elaina ; Sharlene; and those on our hearts. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

You hold us in your loving care.
We pray for mothers, and mother figures.
Console all who long to be mothers,
children estranged from their mothers,
anyone grieving the death of a mother,
and mothers who have lost a child.
Support all for whom this day is difficult. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Almighty God, you give life and breath to all things.
We give thanks for the apostle Matthias, and all your saints.
Sustain us by your love, until we join the saints in glory. 

Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great. 

Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection,
we lift our prayers and praises to you,
almighty and eternal God;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. 

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

Father,
You restore us in life.
You restore us in life by giving us your Son;
and from his death to his resurrection,
we continue to be strengthened to do your will,
and to be your servants in the world,
in the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.  Amen.

Blessing: 

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  Amen.