Midweek prayer meeting has just ended, and I am inspired to share a note of encouragement to and on behalf of the Willowdale church membership. No one ever leaves our midweek meeting in a worse condition than they came; truly, it is an inspirational and uplifting sixty minutes. Midweek prayer is a regularly scheduled meeting in my weekly calendar, and I look forward to the time of sharing and praying with my brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a time when I can just be a member and be ministered to by a variety of friends in Christ. This past Wednesday evening, newly graduated Dr Evadne Henry shared the message, “The Battle of Understanding.” Do not let Dr. Henry’s new title intimidate or frighten you, Evadne Henry is still our beloved Associate Pastor who has a caring heart and concern for the membership of Willowdale. This Sabbath, Pastor Henry will share a message inspired by God and developed over two years of intense doctoral studies. The Doctor of Counselling wants to share good news about the Wonderful Counsellor. We are indeed blessed to have Dr. Evadne Henry as a member of the pastoral staff at Willowdale and wait to hear a word from the Lord through her Sabbath message.
Last Sabbath, I was impressed by an excellent worship service in which the women of Willowdale did everything, except for an incursion from yours truly, sharing announcements (please remember the church sanctuary ceiling fan project). The special music and praise segment of worship was truly uplifting, only to be overshadowed by the spoken word. Three ladies, Faith Sprengel, Abigail Amorim-Mathi, and Michelle DeSilva, shared unique, Bible-based, spirited messages, all launched from the superwoman exposé of Proverbs 31. Faith revealed how women are essential to the ministry of the church and listed numerous ministries, which are led and assisted by women. Faith’s “drop the mic” line that I liked was, “Women were the first to arrive at the tomb and the first to share the good news of the risen Saviour.” The truth is women were the first evangelists, sorry Peter, James, and John. Abby shared a creative account of Martha based on three dinner parties. Talk about creativity. Wow! Her fresh perspective of Martha gave all of us a reason to pause and celebrate the many Marthas who serve alongside sister Mary. Finally, Michelle DeSilva, serving and speaking on fumes, delivered a message to encourage and comfort women in the church who were overwhelmed by a job description found in Proverbs 31 that seems impossible for women to meet and accomplish. Michelle’s concluding line was found in Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Women of Willowdale, thank you for your service and ministry to your fellow members and the Lord.
Every Sabbath in North York, the doors at 535 Finch Avenue West swing open to welcome worshippers. I truly believe that God moves and inhabits the praise of His people. Friends, something happens in worship that helps to inspire, educate, and motivate the pure in heart to keep on keeping on despite life’s challenges. I do not want to miss the weekly opportunity at my local church to heed the admonishment of the apostle Paul to the early church believers, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Look around, it is undeniable that Jesus is soon to come, and I need to regularly associate with like-minded believers who share my belief and excited anticipation about a soon-coming Saviour. Maranatha!
Pastor Glenn DeSilva