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Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down! As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down! As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down! As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down! This week, Pastors Grant and Justin discuss finances and tithing within the church. We believe that, although this topic may stir up uncomfortable emotions, it's essential that the church leans into these hard discussions. As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down, where this week Grant and Justin explore the realities of wrestling with difficult passages and parables. As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected]. 

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sit-down, where this week Grant and Justin talk about Palm Sunday, Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and the challenge to serve others like Jesus. As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sitdown, where this week Grant and Justin explore the challenges of interpreting (and over-interpreting) parables, as well as the “master/slave” dynamics present in Jesus’ language (with Jesus ultimately subverting this dynamic). As always, if you have questions or reflections, please send them to [email protected]. 

This week, Grant and Justin ask themselves the question "How much is enough?" as it relates to the parable of the rich fool, contentment, needs, and wants. This is a challenging passage and we hope you'll carve some time out of your week to go deeper into some of the questions Jesus raises for us.As always, if you'd like to be a part of the conversation, send us a question for reflection at [email protected].

Welcome to a New Year and welcome to the Sunday Sitdown, where this week Grant and Justin discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the life of the church. How do we receive the Holy Spirit? What difference does it make in our lives and the life of the church?As always, we're open to questions and feedback that could be considered for inclusion in the podcast. At this time we're primarily keeping it connected to our Sunday sermon. Send your questions to [email protected]

This week pastor Grant and Lindsay Sytsma talk about a difficult passage in Matthew 2 about Herod's cruel actions in Bethlehem and Mary and Joseph's fleeing to Egypt for safety. Thanks so much for joining us! As always, if you have questions or reflections on how God has been at work for you in this Advent season, please share with [email protected].

Advent 4 2025 - Lindsay Sytsma

Welcome to another episode of the Sunday Sitdown where Grant and Justin explore the Magi and their decision to head to Bethlehem to see what was happening - how do WE pay attention to the "signs" around us and how do we then go and actually do the thing?If you have any Advent reflections or questions, please feel free to send them to [email protected].

Advent 3 2025 - Grant Vissers

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sitdown, where Pastor Grant interviews Allison Pinches after her sermon, drawing from Matthew 1. Over Advent, we'd love to hear your stories - how is God showing up in your life over Advent as we aim to slow down and truly enter into this season? If you have something to share, big or small, please send to [email protected].

Advent 2 2025 - Allison Pinches

After Advent 1, Justin and Grant sit down to talk about Joseph's sacrifice and how we are going to lean into this Advent and Christmas season as individuals and as a church.

Series: Advent 2025Message:  The Hope of ChristmasSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Matthew 1:18-21AS we once again look forward to the arrival of Jesus at Christmas Grant takes us through the beginnings of the story and helps understand how Christmas brings us hope.Episode 25-0046: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

On the week that leads into Advent, Grant and Justin discuss and explore some of the practices that can make this season truly meaningful. What would it look like if our Advent and Christmas season was truly slowed down to the point we could sit back and take note of what God is saying and doing in your life and the life of the church?If you'd like to share some of the ways these practices are helping shape your life over the next month, please send them to [email protected].

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sitdown where pastors Justin and Grant try to wrestle out further who Jesus is referring to as having "authority to throw you into hell" in Luke 12, as well as how we truly live the integrated life. As always, please send your questions as they arise to [email protected].

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  ReintegrationSpeaker:  Justin SytsmaPassage: Luke 11:37 -12:12There is a tendency to think of Jesus only as “gentle Jesus, meek and mild”, but Justin points out in this passage that, like all of us, Jesus was a full, multi-dimensional human being. Though welcoming and inclusive, he also doesn’t pull his punches when necessary. But that doesn’t mean those he calls out are without hope.Episode 25-0045: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

In today's passage, Jesus alludes to the "Queen of Sheba" seeking wisdom from Solomon, and so today we're taking an opportunity to share the process of reading the Bible and seeking wisdom as a meta-discussion on this week's relatively difficult-to-understand passage. If you have questions, please feel free to send them to [email protected].

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Asking for a SignSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 11:29-36It can often be difficult for us to discern where God is leading as we face the many decisions we make in life. Sometimes anxiety mounts as we wait for God to send a clear and obvious sign. But, as Jesus points out to his followers, sometimes the sign we are looking for is right there in front of us all the time.Episode 25-0044: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sitdown, where this week pastor Grant and Justin explore a challenging passage where Jesus seems to contradict himself from chapter 9, and we get into the heads of the cynical crowds who seemed to oppose Jesus healing the demon-possessed man.As always, if you have questions, reach out to us - [email protected]

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Overcoming the Strong ManSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 11:14-28It can be discouraging when we see the battle between good and evil playing out in the real world. But we don’t have to lay awake at night wondering who is going to win. We know who the stronger man is.Episode 25-0043: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

**Audio issue resolves after about 20 seconds**Welcome to another episode of The Sunday Sitdown where this week Pastor Grant and Justin explore why Jesus calls us "evil", what makes Jesus' prayer unique to other Jewish prayers, and how we understand what precisely we receive in prayer, if it's not "just" the Holy Spirit.Here's a few resource links to check out:How to Pray - A Simple Guide for Normal People - Pete Greig https://www.amazon.ca/How-Pray-Simple-Normal-People/dp/1641581883/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AOUMYVWJVH4M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9M3qYccJBnmiN3bhQqEd8joXhkT2ij2-xwlwVegy_tiaZCLiUE2PCEZhB-Xg6ysdbAVXeRXCJo8DQCiDRJ0cF-LgLZdSoKStZGSr1wapsjRzYFYrMg75E2cN42KMMNZ3Of7zoEj2cbq1fa2OwH0yImZpfXciazDsjH1spWGQHhXHUNiDyZk3Fcs6xSLPbrlwhhRsPgfWBFKW2FuBbXywVA.ohXNDvG_JC8Xs2TcvJjyhnfd7uyCMzwDVvvJT98c1Gs&dib_tag=se&keywords=pete+greig+how+to+pray&qid=1761775104&sprefix=pete+grei%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1Talking with God: What to Say When You Don't Know How to Pray - Adam Weber - https://www.amazon.ca/Talking-God-What-When-Dont/dp/1601429460/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2US819IOE4BXT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7_5r7u2e_crbnpup23aPIdF5Q0SSuLZDBVIq3H-HY7L7x1V27RppWnwX5t3aRlrw49P5eUzJVqlewx34fB4EfQ.KOM6FzzKl6saG8mkVdZEC50A6qFtrKZXJ3LjDs4VB28&dib_tag=se&keywords=adam+weber+prayer+what+to+say+when+you+don%27t+know+how+to+pray&qid=1761775258&sprefix=adam+weber+prayer+what+to+say+when+you+don%27t+know+how+to+pra%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference - Philip Yancey - https://www.amazon.ca/Prayer-Does-Make-Any-Difference/dp/031034509X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RR02Y5AVSN75&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qjc2zLtTs48AXFpUJ8zVk7oHuu7C3P54cg7zlxK6APy45QBrL8KaDj2odtCBly_Y_Q2iuEkuzklONUz0SI4fmJx71pdon2J_4a6f9hFlx9SxC0hgWaJEfT03uqf1VTOXB3S-5M5SvwFZjFn8HJsJ0FpAdY35f34Vcq5TsfqanFpWaLXs_W4vnS9dgZgNqD24_-v7-3sfx0eFvVE__wmlg0ed_qREYRV0ycJMEkIPVORsbUtoqRsR1OJvmVHUOB6QvRkBVcYLCUsQJ-QBymiT7Cy8dqog3c3keKTHSyM_0rY.UFL41SlWNGkhbenKmIfKCjG_DXnSZN6_WFcpBJOp5AY&dib_tag=se&keywords=prayer+philip+yancey&qid=1761775156&sprefix=prayer+phil%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Lord, teach us to praySpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 11:1-13We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is, arguably, the single most well known prayer in all the world. And yet, how many of us truly understand what it is we are praying. This morning Grant leads us to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ answer to the disciples request, “Lord, teach us to pray”.Episode 25-0042: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome to another episode of our podcast! In this episode pastor Justin chats with Annabelle Edward about Jesus, Mary, and Martha from Luke 10:38-42, exploring ideas such as ways that we can 'sit at the feet of Jesus' both as individuals and as a community, as well as the tension between being in the presence of God vs. doing the work of the Kingdom.As always, we welcome your questions based on Sunday's sermon - if you have a question for us, please feel free to send it to [email protected].

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Do Not Wait to Be InvitedSpeaker:  Annabelle EdwardPassage: Luke 10:38-42Our series on the Gospel of Luke continues with Annabelle Edward guiding us through the story about Mary & Martha. Meditation vs. Service, which is the better way? How do we achieve balance? Annabelle presents some great perspective on this.Episode 25-0041: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome to this week's episode of The Sunday Sitdown where pastor Grant and Justin go deeper into the story of the good Samaritan and the expert of the law. In this episode we'll explore more about what it is to be a neighbour and how we find the Gospel in a message that could easily be misconstrued as Jesus saying "to be saved, go and do _______" rather than finding ourselves in the unmerited favour of God.As always, if you have questions, you can send them to [email protected].

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Knowing vs. DoingSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 19:25-37On this Thanksgiving weekend (in Canada) Grant takes us through what is very likely the most widely known of all Jesus’ parables - the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s widely known, but how widely is it followed?Episode 25-0040: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome to another week of our series through Luke as Justin and Grant nerd out on the "Jesus as a new Moses" theme that quietly undergirds this passage. Practically, we explore what it means to be both a people of peace AND urgency. As always, feel free to send your questions to [email protected]

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  The Kingdom of God has Come Near YouSpeaker:  Justin SytsmaPassage: Luke 19:1-25It can be very easy to focus on the power that is displayed in the gospels, but Jesus makes it clear that power over demons and scorpions is not the most important aspect of God’s kingdom. There is something greater in the believer’s experience.Episode 25-0039: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome back to this week's Sunday Sitdown where we unpack the challenges of following Jesus - comfort, priority, and history, and get specific on the ways we can push back against these tendencies.NOTE: There was an intermittent issue on Grant's microphone so there are couple minutes of audio that are lower quality, but hopefully it's all intelligible!

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  The Cost of Following JesusSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 9:57-62Living the Christian life in the modern world can be a challenge. Wrestling with these challenges is the most important thing we can do; but how? This week Grant lays out three challenges we will face and three practices that will aid in facing those challenges.Episode 25-0038: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Welcome back to another episode on our series working through the Gospel of Luke, where this week Grant and Justin explore rejection, revenge, and retribution.As always, if you have questions you'd like to have considered, please send to [email protected].

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Responding to RejectionSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 9:51-56How do you handle rejection? It’s hard sometimes. The tendency to lash out is strong for many of us depending on the situation. It was no less so for the disciples; yet Jesus wants us to understand that’s not what he came here to do. Episode 25-0038: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Scrambling for GreatnessSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 9:45-52How competitive are you? It seems we all have a little bit of a desire to be proven better than some others. Or we get a boost to our self-worth when we can show we’re right and they’re wrong. The disciples were no different, but as Grant shows us, Jesus challenges us to pursue a better way.Episode 25-0037: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

In this week's episode, Justin Sytsma and Grant Vissers lean into the weirdness of the transfiguration and our very human tendency to try to contain God as individuals or a church. Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Remembering GodSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 9:37-44In many ways, in North American culture, September is the Monday of the year. The weekend (summer) is over and it’s time to get back to work. But that isn’t always easy; it can take a while to get back into the flow of “real life.” Grant shows us how the same holds true for us spiritually as well.Episode 25-0036: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

In this week's episode, Justin Sytsma and Grant Vissers lean into the weirdness of the transfiguration and our very human tendency to try to contain God as individuals or a church. Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Interrupted by GodSpeaker:  Grant VissersPassage: Luke 9:28-36Sometimes we can get so excited by what’s happening we just need to be a part of it. And so we act first and think later…maybe. This week Grant shows us that Peter was a lot like us in this way and points out just what it took for him to stand down and pay attention.Episode 25-0035: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

In this week's episode, Justin Sytsma sits down with Allison Pinches to go a little more in depth into Luke 9:18-27, a pivotal moment where Jesus reveals himself to his disciples and asks this crucial question "who do you say I am?" and what it looks like to "take up our cross daily".Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]!

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Who Do You Say I Am?Speaker:  Allison PinchesPassage: Luke 9:18-27There is a great deal of emphasis on identity in our culture these days. We ask ourselves, “Who am I?” or “Who do people think I am?” A great deal of effort goes into crafting these identities on social media and elsewhere. This week Allison continues our examination of Luke as Jesus himself deals with the issue of his identity.Episode 25-0034: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Join us this week as Lindsay Sytsma and Justin Sytsma explore the 5 works that Lindsay highlighted in her sermon from Sunday - Welcome, give, everyone, satisfied, and broken. How can the church live out the call of the Kingdom of God using these 5 concepts? Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]!

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  More Than EnoughSpeaker:  Lindsay SytsmaPassage: Luke 9:10-17Our series on Luke continues this week with Lindsay Sytsma guiding us through the account of what might be Jesus’ most iconic miracle – the feeding of the 5000. As she does she helps us to identify five words that will enable us to relate this expression of God’s abundance to our own lives.Episode 25-0033: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Join us this week as we go a little deeper to Jesus' call to his disciples to go from village to village and do as Jesus has been doing - the call to proclaim the Kingdom and heal. Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]!

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage:  Go and DoSpeaker:  Justin SytsmaPassage: Luke 9:1-10aThis week Justin continues our look at the book of Luke by taking us through the first time that Jesus sends his disciples out into the world to put into practice what they had been learning. Episode 25-0032: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Join us this week as we go deeper into Jesus making a private moment public and a public moment private with two individuals healed at the end of Luke 8. Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]!

Series: The Gospel of LukeMessage: Flipping the ScriptSpeaker:  Annabelle EdwardPassage: Luke 8:10-56In most social situations we have a set of realistic expectations that help us to function within that social event. It can make us quite uncomfortable when something or someone turns those expectations on their head. But sometimes, as uncomfortable as it might seem, things actually work out for the better. This week, Annabelle Edward, KPC’s Digital Communications Coordinator, continues our series on Luke and demonstrates that Jesus had a particular knack for turning expectations around.Episode 25-0031: © 2025 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Join us this week as we go deeper into how Jesus' presence confronted both evil and the townspeople in the Gerasene region in Luke 8 - and how Jesus confronts us today. Be sure to bring us your questions following Sunday's service - [email protected]!