June 20, 2025

Dear Friends, 

Last weekend I had the joy of officiating at the wedding for Samantha Black and Mike de Jourdan. I want to extend our congratulations to Mike and Sam and to bless them in their life together as husband and wife. My thanks to Brian Irwin who continued our series on The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

This Sunday I will continue with a second to last message in the series I have called “Joy: A Study In Philippians”. The focus will be from Philippians 3:12-21 where The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner to describe the Christian life. Paul I think was a bit of a sports fan. He was familiar with various greco-roman sports including competitive running. In ancient Greece, athletics were a vital part of culture, encompassing physical training, competition, and social connection. They weren't just about sports, but also about preparing for warfare, representing city-states, and earning respect. Athletic events were deeply intertwined with religious festivals, particularly the Panhellenic Games like the Olympics, and were often depicted in art. Runners would often train and compete naked, such that there were no encumbrances to slow them down. They would train and discipline themselves, as do modern day runners, to persevere through the pain and the suffering in order to run for the prize. Paul picks up on this analogy when he writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14.  Paul sees his own life as one who is a runner, saved and called to represent Christ. He sees himself as a runner who has not arrived at the finish line, but is still persevering and pressing on towards the goal to win the prize. He calls the Philippian church to do the same. If necessary imitate what he is doing as a follower and disciple of Jesus. Keep running spiritually. Keep your eyes on the finish. Yet keep persevering in the faith day to day, finding encouragement and strength in the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word and through your brothers and sisters in the community of faith.

We extend our congratulations to Paul and Rosie Wilson and their daughter Lily who will receive the Sacrament of Baptism this Sunday. The Sacrament of Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace that we have been given through Christ. There is nothing we can do or earn to achieve such a gift of grace and the Sacrament of Baptism is a reminder that we are all like children who are dearly loved by the Triune God of grace and love. 

Pastor Stephen Rothery is Glenbrook’s Interim Moderator and he was present at our Session meeting this week and has started to provide some next steps to our Glenbrook leadership once I retire. He will lead the service on July 6th and “preach the pulpit vacant”. Please take note of his communication this week and the congregational survey.

I hope that you have a lovely weekend

Blessings

Pastor Ian