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~Fusion Canada Newsletter~
March, 2016
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The Story of
~~Here I Am, Lord~~
When I was a young Jesuit, studying theology in Berkeley, California, a friend came to me one day asked me for a favor. "Dan, I know this is late notice, but I’m planning the diaconate ordination ceremony and need a piece of music set to the text of Isaiah chapter 6." He saw the look of shock on my face knowing I was well aware that the ceremony was only three days away. I told him that I was sick with an awful case of the flu and didn’t know if I could compose anything suitable in that short time. He encouraged me and I told him that at the very least I would try to complete something in time for the ordination .
I had always loved the particular Scripture passage (Isaiah 6) where God calls Isaiah to be his servant and messenger to the people and Isaiah responds with both hesitation and doubt, but also with a humble willingness to surrender to God. If it was going to work, it would have to be God's power and grace making it happen. Much like Isaiah I was not very sure that I could meet the request my friend had made, but I was willing to try.
I remember sitting at my desk with a blank music score in front of me and asking God to be my strength. As I sat there praying for help, I remembered also the call of Samuel, where God came calling in the middle of the night and asked Samuel to do something beyond what he thought he was capable of. I worked for two days on the piece and I remember being exhausted. I was making last minute changes to the score as I walked it over to my friend who lived several blocks away. I remember being very unsure of myself, but hoping that it would be what he had wanted for the ordination.
And it was ok. It was more than ok. From the very beginning, people loved the piece and clearly identified with the dialogue between God and us that is the core of the song.
In the years following, so many have spoken to me or written how they had their own experience of God "calling in the night" and being given the courage to respond. For me, the story of “Here I Am, Lord” tells of the God who over shadows us, giving power to our stumbling words and the simple works of our hands, and making them into something that can be a grace for people. The power God gives is far beyond what we could have planned or created.
Here I Am, Lord, also known as "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky,"
is a well known Christian hymn written by Dan Schutte in 1981.
Its words are based on Isaiah 6:8
8Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
and
1 Samuel 3:4
Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."
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Old Strathcona Family Day Community Festival
Monday, February 15, noon to 4 PM
Knox Evangelical Free Church
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Prayer team potlucks
& Kingdom Cell Bible Studies
~Twice a month we share a meal, taking turns going around to our different homes. We delight in the fellowship, bible study and prayer time that serves to encourage, strengthen and enlighten our
~small group of friends that want to change the world~
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The Story Continues...
Britannia-Youngstown
skating rink!
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Back in 2008 the Fusion team was one of a number of community groups that worked together to bring the skating rink in Britannia - Youngstown back to life after 15 years of silence. "The Rink" quickly became a gathering place for kids, youth and families in this part of Edmonton. And we are pleased to report that "The Rink" continues each year as strong as ever (top picture above). It has just been closed after another successful winter of fun, games and community building. (picture above of melting ice)
Then one day a few months ago the Fusion team was having a meeting in a restaurant when we recognized two men having dinner together.
One was NEIL PEPPLER, our faithful youth worker. The other was a 'young man' who was part of many of our programs and spent hours helping us shovel snow and flood the rink. He has since graduated from high school and works full time. It was so good to see the two of them! God is always full of beautiful surprises! (picture below)
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Join the Fusion team for another fun filled day
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Join us for our
Annual Fusion Conference
Saturday, April 16, 2016
9am -7pm
at
Fusion Canada's National Office
& Conference/Retreat Center
Morinville, AB
(which will include our)
Annual General Meeting
of
Fusion Youth and Community
Society of Canada
from
2pm-4pm
Please R.S.V.P to 1.780.699.1087
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