All Saints United Church

Sacred Struggle with Sorrow Matthew 26:34–46As we begin our Lenten journey, we step into the garden of Gethsemane and sit with Jesus in his sorrow. In Gospel of Matthew 26, we encounter a Christ who is “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” In a culture that has discipled us into comfort, convenience, and constant distraction, Lent invites us to slow down and resist the instinct to avoid what hurts. Yet in the garden, Jesus shows us another way: to feel our grief honestly, to bring trusted companions close, and to wrestle with God without masks or clichés.Alongside Jesus’ anguish, we reflect on Psalm 88, the dark psalm that refuses to tidy up its pain with easy hope. Together, these texts give us permission to lament, to pray when God feels distant, and to admit that sometimes we are not okay.This sermon explores the spiritual cost of numbing our sorrow and the healing that can begin when we confront it. We consider what faithful presence looks like in community, why fewer words and longer hugs often matter most, and how prayer becomes not a way to fix our pain but a space to be honest within it.Your garden moments will come. The question is not whether we will face sorrow, but how. In Christ, we discover that the garden is not the place where God abandons us — it is often where he meets us most tenderly.May this Lent become your sacred struggle: a courageous wrestling with self, with grief, and with God, and, in that honesty, a deeper communion with the One who is not ashamed to sit with us in our sorrow.

This week, we continued our Commitment series, which invites us to align both who we are and what we have with God’s purpose for our life and His Kingd0m.Our focus this week was on redeeming your talent, asking the honest question: Where are we giving our attention? Drawing from Luke 10:38–42, we explored the story of Martha and Mary and what it reveals about distraction, devotion, and choosing what truly matters. Martha’s tension becomes our own as we ask what it looks like to sit at Jesus’ feet in a distracted world.

This week we kicked off the New Year with a sermon titled "What Your Hands Reveal About You and the Kingdom of God", and it might be more than you think...

This week we continued with Week 3 of our sermon series Psst…God is Not Angry With You. Rev. Allan Booth preached a powerful message titled What About the Cross?, reflecting on Luke 23:35–46.Rather than seeing the cross as a place where God pours out his wrath on Jesus instead of us, Allan invites us to reimagine the cross as the moment where Jesus most fully reveals God’s heart as Saviour, not in anger, but in love.If you’ve ever wrestled with questions around atonement or wondered what the cross says about God’s character, this message is a thoughtful and compassionate invitation to see the cross through the lens of grace. Enjoy.

This week we continued our series Psst... God’s Not Angry With You with a thought-provoking message from Rev. Allan Booth titled “What About the Violence in the Old Testament?” Drawing from Psalm 86, Allan helps us wrestle honestly with some of the harder passages of Scripture—reminding us that even in the midst of complexity, God’s character remains steadfast in mercy and love.Enjoy the conversation, and may it invite you deeper into the mystery and grace of God.

This week we launched a new sermon series titled "Psst... God's Not Angry With You," which invites us to rethink the way we've been taught to understand God's posture toward humanity.In this opening message, David J. Kleinhans tackles one of the most loaded and often misunderstood theological ideas: the wrath of God. Grounded in Luke 15:11–32, the parable of the prodigal son, the sermon challenges fear-based theology and explores a vision of divine love that seeks restoration over retribution.What if God’s wrath isn’t about divine rage but about love refusing to let sin have the last word? What if the heart of the gospel is not appeasement, but embrace?Give this sermon a listen as we step away from the treadmill of performance religion and into the arms of a God who runs to meet us.

This week we celebrated Resurrection Sunday with a powerful message titled Groundbreaking Life, preached by Rev. Allan Booth. In this sermon, Allan explores the hope, renewal, and transformation that flow from the empty tomb. It’s a timely reminder that the resurrection isn’t just an event in history—it’s a reality that continues to break ground in our lives today.We pray this message encourages you and deepens your experience of the risen Christ.

This Palm Sunday, Holy Week off with a message titled Two Thrones, One Choice, preached by David Kleinhans. Rooted in John 12:12–15, the sermon contrasts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with that of Pilate's, contrasting more specifically the world’s idea of power and the way of Christ's . As we move into Holy Week, may this message invite you to consider which throne you’re drawn to, and the kind of king you choose to follow.

This week, we continued with Week 6 of our series Practicing the Way. Our focus was on A Rule of Life, exploring John 15:5-8 and what it means to abide in Jesus. How do we structure our lives in a way that keeps us rooted in Christ? Join us as we reflect on the rhythms and practices that shape a flourishing spiritual life. Enjoy.

This week, we continue with Week 5 of our series Practicing the Way. Rev. Allan Booth explores Mark 2:13-17, where Jesus calls Levi and dines with sinners, revealing his heart for those in need of healing and redemption. What does it mean to follow Jesus in the way of grace and transformation? Join us as we reflect on this powerful passage. Enjoy.

This week, we continued our Practicing the Way series with a message titled From Struggle to Strength, based on Matthew 26:36-39. In this sermon, we explored Jesus' time in Gethsemane, his moment of deepest struggle, and how it teaches us to navigate adversity with faith, resilience, and trust in God. If you’ve ever wrestled with hardship and wondered how to persevere, this message is for you.Listen now and be encouraged!

This week, we continued our Practicing the Way series with a sermon titled Rhythmic Theology. Allan Booth explored Mark 2:23-28, where Jesus challenges rigid interpretations of the Sabbath, revealing a rhythm of grace over legalism. Through this passage, we reflected on how spiritual practices are meant to bring life, not burdens. We hope this message encourages you to embrace the rhythms of God’s grace in your daily walk. Enjoy!

This week, we continue our Practicing the Way series with a message on Becoming Like Jesus, rooted in Luke 6:39-40. Jesus invites us into a life of transformation, where discipleship isn't just about learning His teachings but embodying His way of living. In this sermon, David J. Kleinhans explores what it means to truly follow Jesus, that it is a marathon and not a race. Whether you're new to this journey or have been walking with Christ for years, we pray this message encourages and challenges you. Enjoy!

In this week’s episode, we continue our 'Practicing the Way' series with a reflection on John 15:1-8, where Jesus speaks about being the true vine and our connection to Him. Rev. Allan Booth shares a heartfelt message on what it means to find our home and purpose in God, and how staying connected to Him is essential for spiritual growth. Whether you're listening for the first time or have been following along with us, we hope this message draws you closer to understanding the heart of God’s design for our lives. Enjoy!

This week we began our Advent series with a sermon titled Hope vs Optimism, delivered by David J. Kleinhans. Together, we explored the profound difference between these two concepts, discovering how biblical hope anchors us in God's promises, even amid uncertainty. It’s a message to inspire and encourage us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Enjoy!

This week marks the final instalment of our series Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together. In this sermon, titled A Church that Loves, Rev. Allan Booth unpacks 1 John 4:7-21, exploring how a loving church reflects God's mission in the world. We hope this message inspires you to live out God’s call to love in your community. Enjoy listening!

This week we continued our series Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together. In this sermon, David J. Kleinhans explores how the Christian faith invites us to live with a vision shaped by God’s Kingdom, even as we navigate the realities of this world. Reflecting on Revelation 21:1-5, David encourages us to see our lives and our communities through the lens of God’s promise to renew all things. We’re called to be a church that embodies hope, a church living with a different vision for a better world. Join us in this powerful discussion on what it means to live "in the world but not of it.

This week, we continue our series, Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together, with an inspiring message titled A Church that Goes. In this sermon, Rev. Allan Booth explores Acts 1:1-11, unpacking what it means for our church to be an active, outward-looking community on mission with God. As we journey through Week 5 of this series, join us in reflecting on how we’re called to step out, share hope, and live with purpose. Enjoy!

This week, we reflect on A Church at Work as part of our 'Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together' series. David J. Kleinhans examines how we live out our faith through our vocations, looking at Genesis 1:26, 1 Corinthians 10:31, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. May this message inspire you to see your work as a way to honour God and participate in his mission

This week, we continued our 'Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together' series with a message titled A Church That Gives, drawing from 2 Corinthians 9:7. This episode invites us to consider generosity as a response to God’s abundant love. We hope this message encourages you in the grace of giving.

This week we kicked off our new series titled Missio Dei: Joining God's Mission Together. In this first sermon, David J. Kleinhans explores 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, focusing on the theme 'One Body, Many Parts – Our Collective Mission.' We looked at how the mission of the church can only be fulfilled through the active participation of everyone. Enjoy the message!

This week, we continued our series God in the Arts. The sermon, titled The Brothers Karamazov and the Presence of God (Psalm 46), explored practising the presence of God, with David J. Kleinhans drawing from Father Zosima’s wisdom in The Brothers Karamazov. Join us as we dive deeper into how art and theology intertwine, offering fresh perspectives on living from the centre of God's love. Enjoy.

This week, we continue with Week 3 of our series titled 'God in the Arts.' Allan Booth delivered a sermon titled 'Where is the Love?' based on Lamentations 3:19-26. In this message, we explore themes of suffering, lament, and the enduring hope found in God’s love. Enjoy!

This week we continued our series titled "God in the Arts" with a sermon called "The Art of Capturing Light." Preacher Allan Booth led us through a reflection on John 12:34–36 & 44–46, exploring the powerful imagery of light and its deeper significance in our spiritual journey. Enjoy!

This week, we kicked off our new series, "God in the Arts." In Week 1, we explored the life and work of Vincent van Gogh in a sermon titled "Van Gogh: Unveiling the Sacred in the Ordinary," more specifically, we looked at his painting based on Luke 10:25-37, the Good Samaritan. David J. Kleinhans delved into how Van Gogh’s use of color accentuates the dignity of ordinary people, revealing the sacred in every person. We pray that you find inspiration in this reflection on art and spirituality.

In the final week of our Women's Month series, "God Speaks Through Her," we delve into a powerful and challenging message. This week, Jude Brown leads us through the story of Tamar, exploring the importance of speaking up against violation and injustice. The sermon, titled "Speak Up on the Violation of Tamar," is rooted in 2 Samuel 13:1-22. We hope you find this message both thought-provoking and inspiring. Enjoy!

This week, we continue our Women's Month series titled 'God Speaks Through Her,' inspired by the contributions of women clergy and theologians from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. In our third installment, Rev. Allan Booth delivers a thought-provoking sermon titled 'Messy Messiah,' focusing on Jesus' encounter with the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:24-30. Enjoy.

This week, we continue our Women's Month series, 'God Speaks Through Her,' where we draw inspiration from the voices of women clergy and theologians within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. In this second week, Sandi Holley shares a powerful message centered on the story of the Shunammite Woman from 2 Kings 4:8-37. Join us as we explore the deep faith and resilience of this remarkable biblical figure.

This week we kicked off our Women's Month series titled "God Speaks Through Her." It is a series inspired by the contributions of women clergy and theologians from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. This week's focus was be on Jesus healing the woman who bled for twelve years, as recounted in Mark 5:25-34. Enjoy.

Week 5 of our series on the Parables of Jesus. This week, we looked at the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

Week 4 of our series on the Parables of Jesus. This week, we looked at the Parable of The Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-29).

Week 3 of our series on the Parables of Jesus. This week, we looked at the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders in Matt. 7:24-29.

Week 2 of All Saints series on the Parables looking at the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:11-32.

An All Saints series on Jesus' Parables

Week 4 of our Lent Series "When God is Silent."

Week 2 of our Lent series "When God is Silent."

Week 1 of our Lent series.

Our final week of our foundations series. This week we tackle the topic of Eschatology.

Foundations - Hope (Lyn Warr)

Foundations - The Gospel (David Kleinhans)

Foundations - The Trinity (Lyn Warr)

Advent 4 - Allan Booth

Advent 1 - Lyn Warr

Forgiveness - Peter Houston

God In The Movies (Week 3) - Allan Booth

God In The Movies (Week 2) - Lyn War

God In The Movies (Week 1) - David Kleinhans

Everything belongs to...(Week 5) - Lyn Warr

Everything belongs to...(Week 4) - David Kleinhans

Everything belongs to...(Week 3) - Allan Booth