When a child asks for bread, who of you would give the child a stone? The Persistent Widow Once upon a time there was a woman whose rights had been trampled on. She took her case to a judge and asked to present her story. The judge did not listen
Continue readingIsaiah 1:1-18 Yahweh condemns injusticeLuke 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus A portrait of Zaccheus through dramatic monologue: “I never imagined that such a transformation could happen to me. I never imagined my heart could change after all these years. Then Jesus came to my house!” listen view
Continue readingThe United Voices of Edmonton (Robertson-Wesley Choir, Knox-Metropolitan Choir and the Willan Chorale) are preparing to undertake a choral trip to England. Because of this trip, I’ve been thinking about the community we’re creating from 3 choirs, the grounding in an an age-old tradition of evensong, the beauty of the
Continue readingGenesis 1:1–5 · In the beginning2 Kings 2:13–35 · Elisha succeeds Elijah “Creating a future is different from defining a future. The difference is focused in the distinction between valuing gifts and possibility vs. Defining needs and solving problems.” Reflections shared by Rev. Lynn Maki at the Covenanting Service for
Continue readingSirach 35:12–17 Divine justiceLuke 18:9-14 Pharisee and the tax collector Jesus tells a story about two people, both trying to be faithful. One goes home feeling right about what happened, but not the other. What makes the difference? What leaves us feeling right and what leaves us just not feeling
Continue readingThe lyrics from the song “I am a Rock” by Simon and Garfunkel float endless through my mind these days as I gaze out the window of my office. “I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries.” I have
Continue readingOctober 17, 2010 Stewardship Sunday 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5 “People with itching ears will turn away”Luke 18:1-8 “The parable of the widow and the unjust judge” I will say it again: the body of Christ is nothing without you. You are all God’s stewards called to live a life
Continue readingDeuteronomy 26:1–11 First fruits and tithesPsalm 100 Make a joyful noiseLuke 17:11–19 Jesus cleanses ten lepers Sometimes, expressing gratitude—simply giving thanks—is the last thing we think to do.That is tragic, because when we begin with gratitude, it transforms—blesses everything that follows, like a light that illuminates our way ahead in
Continue readingGod’s Steward Ship has set sail for another year with many children and youth and various other adult volunteers on board. For the past month we have been exploring the scripture from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members
Continue readingHabakkuk 1:1–4, 2:1–4 Complaint and replyPsalm 37:1-9 Trust in the LordLuke 17:5-10 Unlimited faith and the willing servant The prevalence of evil and apathy in the world seems to extinguish hope for our worldly existence. But hope is not so passive — rather it is an active choice to trust
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