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By the Rev. Don Muir, General Assembly Office
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I recently turned eighteen and I have a question about text messag- ing. I text with all my friends and sometimes I use “OMG.” Is that wrong? I was always taught not to take the lord’s name in vain but everyone does it. In case anyone reading this article doesn’t know it, OMG is an abbreviation for “Oh my God!”, “Oh my gosh!” or “Oh my goodness!” These three letters are commonly used, especially while texting, to express astonishment. I assume, in this instance, the writer is thinking of the first example. Does this expression use the lord’s name in vain? The scriptures describe God as the life-giving creator. Job dis- covered that God is great, mighty
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OBITUARIES
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        and awesome in the true sense of that word. The psalmist sees God as a shield and fortress—a protec- tor. Other passages say God is holy, merciful, salvation and light. God is love, peace and hope. One might think it is a bit lopsided to invoke the name of this astounding God to emphasize amazement at, say...the colour of your friend’s hair. “OMG - your hair is so purple!” Nevertheless, I suspect most who type OMG are doing so with unbridled enthusiasm and not with the intension of using God’s name in vain. I also suspect God is big enough not to be offended by such exuberance. At least that’s a POV to consider.
My church recently asked if I’d like to consider taking on the role of an elder. I’m honoured to be asked but I’m a little uncertain because I don’t fully understand what an elder does. Could you sum it up for me?
I’m glad you’re pondering God’s will for you within your congregation. The discernment to this high calling also includes your session that considers the readiness of any elder candidate, and the congregation that expresses its opinion of a candidate’s suitability by voting for them, or not, in an elec- tion. The word elder comes from the Greek (pres-boo’-ter- os). In the Bible it can mean “a ma- ture person” or to someone holding a leadership position within the church. See Acts 14:21–23, for example. The Book of Forms, the governance guidebook for our church, explains that the session (made up of the min- ister and elected elders) is responsi- ble for “the supervision and oversight of all associations of members and adherents connected with the con- gregation...” (Section 109.1). For example, the session cares for mem- bers and adherents, encourages Christian education and wise use of time, gifts and other resources and so on. Section 132 states that elders should be “committed Christians, who regularly attend worship, are of sound judgment and upright charac- ter, and are knowledgeable about the government of the church.” Living Faith, one of our subordinate stand- ards, describes the elder’s role con- cisely. “Through the office of ruling elder, men and women are ordained to share with the minister in the lead- ership, pastoral care, and oversight of the congregation.” May God guide you in this decision.
I have a question about the Lord’s Prayer. When I went to my sister’s church, which is also Presbyterian, I notice they say “forgive us our sins.” At my church we say, “forgive us our debts.” Why would the prayer be different? More Greek. And I’m not a Greek scholar, but according to my research, verse 12 of the Matthew 6:9–13 version of the Lord’s Prayer, reads, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (New Revised Standard Version).
Dr. Ruth Elizabeth Alison
Elder at Glenview Presbyterian Church in Toronto and Union Presbyterian Church in Halton Hills, Ont. Oncologist and first female president of the Canadian Cancer Society. Deceased May 26.
The Rev. Dr. George Malcolm Sr.
Former minister in Hamilton and Cobourg, Ont., and Lachute, Que., and former missionary in Taiwan. Deceased July 28.
The Rev. Wallace Inglis Little
Retired minister who served for 50 years in Manitoba, Ontario and Malawi. Deceased July 24.
The Rev. Ernest J. Zugor
Minister Emeritus of Calvin
Hungarian Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Deceased May 7.
The Rev. Kaja Muhn
Former Associate Minister with Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church. Deceased June 7.
The Rev. James Peter Jones
Ordained by the Presbytery of Montreal. Former minister in Manitoba and Ontario. Deceased July 14.
Faith Vais
Wife of the Rev. George Vais. Deceased July 27.
Beatrice Boyd Firth
Active in Christian ministry and mentoring. Deceased July 5.
The Rev. Lloyd Murdock
Former minister in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Deceased June 21.
  PULPIT VACANCIES
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New Glasgow, First (full-time minister) – Atlantic Provinces
River John, St. George’s – Toney River, St. David’s (full-time minister) – Atlantic Provinces
Ottawa, St. Giles (full-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario Ottawa, St. Timothy’s (part-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario
Prescott, St. Andrew’s – Spencerville, St. Andrew’s (part- time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario
Renfrew (full-time minister) – Quebec and Eastern Ontario Bracebridge, Knox (full-time minister) – CNEOB (Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda) Grand Valley, Knox (part-time minister) – CNEOB
The word debt is a translation of (of-i’-lay-mah). Liter- ally, it means “that which is owed.” Debtors is   (of-i-let’- ace), and means “one who is indebt- ed.” In the context of the prayer, these words take on a broader meaning. Being in debt to another person is a
Huntsville, St. Andrew’s (full-time minister) – CNEOB
Toronto, Fellowship (part-time minister) – CNEOB
Hagersville, St. Andrew’s (part- time minister) – Southwestern Ontario
London, New St. James (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario North Pelham, First – Rockway (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario
Woodstock, Knox (part-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario Sylvan Lake, Memorial (full- time minister) – Alberta and the Nor thwest
Creston, St. Stephen’s (full-time minister) – British Columbia Vancouver, Kerrisdale (full-time minister) – British Columbia
kind of offense. Therefore, the prayer asks God to pardon our wrongs even as we forgive the wrongs owed to us by others. The Luke 11:2-4 version of the Lord’s Prayer, uses another word in verse 4. “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.” The word translated as “sins” is   (ham-ar- tee’-ah), which means “missing the mark.” Missing the mark becomes a failure...or a sin. The prayer asks God to forgive us when we miss the mark even as we forgive those who are morally indebted to us. All that is to say, both “debts” and “sins” are correct interpretations; however us- ing sins, as in the ecumenical version of the Lord’s Prayer, provides a clear sense for today’s reader of what Je- sus taught his disciples.
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