Lection: Genesis 21

June 21, 2026

Genesis 21:8-21
Luke 10:25-28

National Indigenous Peoples’ Day: “Rejection, Resilience, and Renewal”

I think it was six years ago on National Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday that we were honoured to have the Rev. Mary Fontaine as our guest preacher for an online COVID-era service. Mary grew up at Mistawasis Presbyterian Church here in Saskatchewan, and she is the founder and executive director of Hummingbird Ministries in Vancouver, one of our Presbyterian Indigenous Ministries.

On the Sunday Mary preached for us, she had the text from Genesis 21 to consider as well. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but ever since that time when I come across this story about Hagar and Ishmael being cast out, almost dying from lack of water in the wilderness, I think about the Indigenous peoples of our country.

The parallels are striking when you think about it – a trajectory that I want to summarize with three words this morning: Rejection, Resilience, and Renewal. Those with more power and privilege decide that others are not worthy of life and dignity and attempt to wipe them off the face of the earth. They are almost successful. Great harm is done, and they are very nearly wiped out.

But with the help of the … Read more »

June 25, 2023

Genesis 21:8-21
Matthew 10:24-39

“The God Who Sees You”

I wonder if any of you have watched the 2009 film, “Avatar.” You may remember it from the blue-coloured people – the Na’vi – who are Indigenous to the moon called Pandora. And in the movie, Earth people have arrived on the moon to mine it of a natural resource called “Unobtanium.” As part of their strategy for accessing this valuable resource, the Earth people use advanced technology to give themselves avatars so that they can look like the Na’vi people and interact with them in that way.

Nick and I recently re-watched “Avatar” before watching the 2022 sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and both are interesting movies that raise questions about land, resources, intercultural relations, and colonization. But the reason I’m mentioning it today is because there is a Na’vi greeting highlighted in the movies which immediately came to mind when I began reflecting on today’s biblical texts.

When Na’vi encounter or greet one another, they gesture with their hand from their forehead, extending one hand down toward the other. They marry this gesture with the phrase “oel ngati kameie” (I see you). And we learn that this is a deep sign of respect … Read more »

June 21, 2020

The following video is the worship service at First Presbyterian Church in Regina for National Indigenous Peoples Sunday on Sunday, June 21, 2020. We were honoured to welcome the Rev. Mary Fontaine, founding Director of Hummingbird Ministries in BC as our guest preacher. Read Mary’s biography here on the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s webpage.

… Read more »

June 22, 2014

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39

“Not the Easy Way”

What interesting scripture readings we have to consider this morning! First we heard the story of Hagar and Ishmael. They are rejected and mistreated by Abraham and Sarah, sent out into the wilderness to die of thirst, but God takes care of them and protects them. God saves them and provides a future for them.

Next we heard from the psalmist who was struggling with some kind of trouble. In the midst of his situation he does not despair, but he calls on God for hope and help. He remembers that God has done wonderful things before. He remembers God’s power and might, and prays that God will help him once again.

Then we had a passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Apostle has just finished explaining that our justification by faith through God’s boundless grace is a free gift from God. God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And then, in today’s passage, Paul says that “all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death… we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so … Read more »

June 22, 2008

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86
Romans 6:1-11
Matthew 10:24-39

Today’s Gospel passage from Matthew consists of some sayings and words of instruction and encouragement from Jesus to his inner circle of followers. In last week’s reading (the first part of chapter 10) Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, gave them power to cast out demons and cure diseases, and sent them out to the “lost sheep of Israel” to proclaim the good news, cure the sick, raise the dead, and generally to do the kinds of things Jesus himself was doing. So, keeping in mind the mission that Jesus had just given to these leaders in his group, let us examine the further instructions that he gives to them.

Our passage begins with a proverbial saying: “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master.” As students of Jesus, the disciples are being told that they will experience the same kinds of challenges and struggles that Jesus did. He was persecuted. So will they be. He was rejected by many. So will they experience rejection. Jesus points out … Read more »