Sermon Aug 24 2008 Faces of the Living Church
"...we don’t have to personally save the world- or the church- or our families- we don’t even have to save ourselves. By doing our part and doing it the best we can, we enjoy all the benefits of being a part of the body. By knowing and claiming our gifts, then exercising those gifts in the world, we are fed, not burnt out."
Sermon Aug 17 2008 No One Left Behind
Take the experience of having entered into the skin of the person you are prejudiced against- and let that encounter with Jesus change your heart. Then- let all of our changed hearts change a world that is in desperate need of “scraps from the Master’s table”
Sermon Aug 10 2008 Out of the Comfort Zone
When living a life in the company of Jesus, expect the unexpected.
. . . we are called to live in the midst of storms and know that the Risen Christ comes to us, and yes, we are even called to step outside of the boat and do the impossible with Jesus.
Sermon Aug 03 2008 Filled by God's Love
Ah, but we had faith – among us, we had faith that there would be enough, that with God's help, through the use of such ordinary things as bread and fish the Teacher could perform extraordinary feats. Such abundance was seen that day! A wealth of compassion, an outpouring of love. It was glorious to witness – God provided for us, far beyond what we could have imagined. We trusted and shared in God's abundance and were provided for in both body and spirit. Beautiful.
Sermon Jul 27 2008 Pictures of the kingdom
Take time to be amused and bothered by Jesus’ pictures of God’s Kingdom and take time to explore your own images for the Kingdom in your own life.
Sermon Jul 20 2008 [to be added]
. . .
Sermon Jul 13 2008 The Story of Hairy Red and Jake the Kid
So remember, young ‘uns, when you’re feeling like the trail’s pretty hard and you’ve taken the wrong turn and you’ve messed up and you don’t belong – kind of like Hairy Red – remember that the good Lord blessed not just Jake the Kid but also Hairy Red, in his own way and his own time.
Sermon Jul 06 2008 A real rest
Ahhh, the glories of summer. And the glories of every day, which can bring us true rest and refreshment, if we will attend to and follow the rhythm of Jesus’ life.
Sermon Jun 29 2008 Calling All The Children Home
Listen for an opportunity in conversations to say something that relates to your beliefs or your life in this family of faith… You will be surprised how thirsty your friends and neighbours and children and grand-children are to have authentic conversation about matters of the spirit... extend the invitation... to come to church with you one Sunday, or to a Pathways Friday, to see what it is that you are talking about.
Sermon Jun 22 2008 Hanging on… Letting Go
Don’t be afraid.
What freedom there is in letting go. For most of us this process is not a blinding conversion experience on the road to Damascus- as it was for the apostle Paul. It is a life long movement towards life- baby steps in letting go- so take heart. Have the courage to look at your life- and let it go- stop hanging on to the illusion that we are somehow in control… of anything… and let yourself go into the freedom of life in Christ.
Sermon Jun 15 2008 Staying on message
Start locally. The Reign of God, NOW. Seek fullness of life.
Using the personal gifts God has given us, as God’s Spirit prompts us, we seek to follow the Way of Jesus. That’s how we can “Stay on message”.
Sermon Jun 08 2008 Compassion trumps piety
"In this our 50th
year one of the things St. Andrew’s may truly honour is the
history of the caring enterprises in which the congregation has been
involved... As we attend to the Spirit and seek to discern the life towards which God
calls us, let us always remember that Jesus eats with the outcasts,
turns to the needy, and brings life that overcomes the shadow of
death."
Sermon June 01 - The following in lieu of sermon:
“Food for a Week” slideshow
Video Presentation from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank : "We are all connected"
Neighbour-Nudge [2 minutes] - “How did this video impact you?”
Sermon May 25 2008 Free as a bird
"... The challenge is that we might... pursue what God intends to do from this time on with utter and confident trust in the Holy One."
Sermon May 18 2008 Responsibility and response ability
"... Genesis not only calls us to be responsible. It also promises that we can fulfill that responsibility. For we have the power of creativity."
Sermon May 11 2008 Pentecost – The Prequel
"... praise for the wisdom of the good mother, and the good father. Praise for the balance they strive to achieve, for our sake, between permission and constraint. Praise for the work of God’s Spirit between them and us."
Sermon May 04 2008 Choose Life - like we have a choice!
"... it is not all about us - our needs, our fears, our insecurities… all these are embraced and transformed in the presence of Christ... here at the table we collectively say YES to Life."
Sermon Apr 27 2008 Life in Christ
"I will be doing a two part book study using Diana Butler Bass’ book The Practising Congregation at the end of May which might help us create the environment where all sorts of spiritual practises can flourish."
Sermon Apr 20 2008 Aligned with God
"We can become aligned by following the Way of Jesus. By the Way of Jesus I mean the stories he told and the symbolic actions he did and the orientation towards God which he demonstrated."