Your Strength becomes Our Strength

’All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them’
(Acts 2:1-21)
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:4)

Have you ever tried to do anything that you were not gifted to do? I am not a computer or electronic wizard or a gifted musician. God has not given me any of these "natural" gifts. On the other hand, I consider myself a gifted ‘fix it’ or ‘assemble almost anything’ man”. It comes naturally to me, and I love it, and use it to save some service calls, and also to help my neighbours. We appreciate the gifts God has given to each of us. These differences have served to create a need for one another. God wants each of us to need the other. The Scriptures describes the Body of Christ in the same way. Each person is a member of His Body with gifts and talents designed to make His Body perform as a multi-talented group, all playing to the same tune.

It is when one member is ‘out of tune’ or decides he/she doesn't like his/her gifts, or decides to do something he/she is not designed to do that the orchestra begins to sound off key. Imagine if the parts of the human body decided they didn't want to fulfill their roles any longer. That body would no longer function effectively because one or more of its members were not performing the functions they were designed for.

I am always delighted to see how members and friends of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church pull together during special occasions in the Church. Hectic, exciting, busy, and tiring, yes to all of that. But also, each time, each member plays to the same tune, they are contributing their God-given gifts and talents.

As I observe the congregation, each person gives his/her best to make these occasions successful. To me, the most important thing is the spirit of working together as a community of believers. As small as we are, the energy generated is the sign of a true witness of God’s spirit among us. A gift given to us from above.

God has called each and every one of us to play in God's orchestra and each instrument is very important. When one link in the chain is weakened, the whole chain is susceptible to breaking. God made it that way so that we could help that weak link. God made it that way so we would be forced to depend on one another. Remember you are most important link in the chain great or small. This is the gift of Pentecost.

Shalom! Your friend and pastor,
Pastor Samuel K King-Kabu.
Pastor@st-ansgars-montreal.ca

Quilt of Belonging:

Quilt of Belonging: The quilt block for Denmark was designed by Jette and sewn by several St. Ansgar’s ladies, including Rosa and Inge. Rosa attended the launch of the quilt in Ottawa on April 1. During the week of April 23 to May 1, the quilt has been displayed in Cornwall. Susan and Sheena, Sheena’s friend and Jette went to see the quilt there. It is VERY spectacular. It measures about 10 – 12 ft. in height and about 135 feet in length, and comprises over 260 blocks from all the nations that make up Canada. In a couple of years, when the quilt has finished touring the country, it will hang permanently in the Museum of Civilization. You can look up information about the quilt and see many of the blocks by logging on to www.invitationproject.ca. You can also, on the site, check on the progress of the quilt as it travels around the country. And, when we get closer to the date, you’ll be able to verify when it will be displayed in Montreal (it is now expected it will be here in about 18 months). The Quilt of Belonging was originally a Bicentennial project initiated by the Canadian artist, Esther Bryan. However the project grew exponentially in scope and was only just finished this spring after 6 years of work by thousands of fabric artists from a multitude of cultures.

A book has been published about the quilt - the title is "Quilt of Belonging: The Invitation Project". In is an illustrated history of the quilt with one full page for each textile block and its unique accompanying story. Rosa has an order form and would be happy to help you order your own copy of the book. The book costs $29.95 (GST and shipping on top). If the book is purchased directly from the InvitationProject in Williamstown, ON, they get 50% of the cost to help defray all their expenses. The book will eventually be available in bookstores across the country, but then the InvitationProject will only get the royalties.

Rosa’s Hash Browns

1 package (750 g) frozen hash browns
2 T (30 ml) butter, melted
1 c (250 ml) onion, chopped finely
1 can cream of chicken soup, slightly heated
8 oz old cheddar cheese, shredded
¾ t (3 ml) garlic
1 c (250 ml) sour cream

2 c (500 ml) Rice Krispies or Special K
2 T (30 ml) butter, melted

Grease the bottom of a 9X13 glass baking pan. Layer the first seven ingredients into the pan. The hash browns can be refrigerated or frozen at this point. Just before putting into the oven, combine cereal and butter, and spread over the hash browns. Do not cover. Bake at 350 º F (190º C) for 75 minutes.

(Rosa says this recipe was given to her by her daughter Jetta.)

Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2005/11/09
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal