Francis Cleyn’s Samuel’s Reproach to Saul, c. 1630-1635. Copyright and used with permission from http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cleyn-samuels-reproach-to-saul-t05745. CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Unported 1 Samuel 12:1-25 When one is set aside to lead others it is both a frightening and empowering thing. When people seek our guidance, our hearts can swell and we can be
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Ephesians 4: 1-16 The Gifts of the Spirit Psalm 100 We are called by God to share our gifts of the Spirit to build up the body of Christ. Paul explains to the Ephesians that we do this by leading a life worthy of the calling, with humility, gentleness, patience
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Romans 14: 1-23 Do not judge another Psalm 15 Paul spent a lot of his ministry reminding people of the new commandment that we are to love one another as I would love you. Jesus served God and not himself. In this passage from Romans, Paul reminds the people who
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Acts 8: 26-40 and Psalm 145 Evangelism: what does that even mean? (and celebrating 93 years of the United Church of Canada) How can we share our experience of God’s love without negating others’ experiences? The debate about how to “do” evangelism is almost as fiery as what the word
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Galatians 3:23-29 and Psalm 148 In Christ, there is no East or West…or is there? Paul’s teaching was focused on the amazing Grace of God to unite all – no matter what religious traditions they followed…or did not follow! After he died though his message was watered down or contradicted
Continue readingHebrews 11: 1-3 Faith is… Psalm 33 The United Church of Canada has several statements of faith – the Twenty Articles of Faith (1925), the Statement of Faith (1940), A New Creed (1968), and the most current A Song of Faith (2006). Each statement has been written to reflect the
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Acts 2: 1-21 and Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Pentecost: A Spirited Community Becomes the Church! What are the qualities of the earliest Christian communities of faith? What traditions did they begin that we continue which ones did they continue on from their own ancestors of faith and what practices have changed
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The picture was taken by Tony Jansen while on tour in Jakarta Indonesia in 2018. Jim Triscott and Rev. Karen did some editing. The sculpture is called: Arjuna Wijaya Sculture produced in 2003. The plaque near the statue reads: “Sculpture relfects the radiance of inspiration for the spirit of cultural
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Scripture: Philippians 1: 1-18a Paul’s prayer for the Philippians Movie: Ladybird The movie Lady Bird follows the life of a high school senior who is struggling to find her way in a world that seems unfair. Her negativity, selfish ambition, envy and rivalry lead to hurtful acts, but like Paul through these
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Scripture: Acts 17: 16-31 Paul in Athens is distressed. Movie: 3 Billboards Paul had a message for the people of Athens, a message he wanted them to hear. His message was “while God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Like Paul,
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