Genesis 1: 1-4 In the beginningPsalm 51: 6-12 Create in me a clean heart. In the beginning God created. We believe in the United Church that God not only created, but is still creating and we are partners in this creation. Sabbath practice invites us to be intentional and deliberate
Continue readingScripture: Isaiah 30:12-16 In rest you shall find salvation Psalm 46 Be still and know that I am God Mark 6:30-32 Jesus invites the apostles to rest in the wilderness Sermon: What’s Stopping You?The practice of sabbath is begins by pausing, taking a break, letting go of what we are
Continue readingScripture: Exodus 31:12-18 The sabbath law Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Observe the sabbath day Mark 2:23-28 Challenge about sabbath Sermon: Year-Round Holidays“Holiday” means “holy day”. Sabbath is a holy day; not a vacation, but a holy day. And it comes around again every week, all year round. What is the difference between
Continue readingHebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Living mutual love; angels in disguise.Psalm 81:1, 10-16 (VU pp. 796-797 Part 2) God will feed you wheat and honey.Luke 14:1, 7-14 Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. It’s time to get down to the heart of the matter. One’s happiness is directly related to being
Continue readingJeremiah 1:4-10 The call of Jeremiah: “But I’m only a boy!” Psalm 71:1-6 (VU pp. 789 Part 1) A mighty fortress, a sheltering rock is GodLuke 13:10-17 Jesus shakes things up by healing the bent-over woman. The scriptures for this Sunday remind us that it’s not always about following the
Continue readingYes, Lets… The Spiritual Arts Collective Project of Robertson-Wesley United Church, Edmonton, Alberta. Reverend Karen Bridges put down her blue pen and picked up a red one. Presently, she put down the red pen in favor of a black one. And then, back to red. When she noticed my raised
Continue readingIsaiah 5:1-7 The unfruitful vineyard will be purged.Hebrews 11:29-12:2 The great cloud of witnesses who lived by faith.Luke 12:49-56 Jesus comes to bring fire and division within households.
Continue readingIsaiah 1:1, 10-20 Don’t be hypocrites; work for justice.Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 (VU p. 775) The heavens proclaim God’s justice.Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The idea of animal sacrifice in today’s society as a peace offering to God seems absurd and an ancient practice
Continue readingScripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23 Vanity of vanities Psalm 49:1-12 The folly of riches Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool Sermon: Making Sense of LifeAt first we accept the world as sensible and Jesus life does not make sense. But as we hear the gospel and come to know
Continue readingScripture: Colossians 2:6–15 Christ brings real life Luke 11:1–13 The Lord’s prayer Sermon: Living Prayer By teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus equips them for continuing to live God’s Way. Prayer emanates from the deep longing for the Spirit: “thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it
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