South Arm United Church's Podcast

Send us Fan MailLast week we looked at the passage immediately before this one. Jesus had shared with his followers 2 central teachings: (1) that to see Jesus is to see the One he called Father and (2) that the way to where he is going is to follow him. He is the Way. We may want the coordinates but Jesus instead offers an invitation - follow me. Today we pick up in the next verses of John where Jesus relates his personhood and work with the relationship of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will soon leave this earth and return to heaven but he won't abandon them (or us). No, when he returns to heaven soon after the Holy Spirit will come to continue the work of being our guide, our comforter and our advocate. In the church calendar, we are currently 2 weeks away from Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised.

Send us Fan MailI am glad to live in a time when we have Google Maps. That technology which helps us get places, able to speak directions to us and knowing up-to-date delays and the best route is quite incredible. But when The Way is with you, you do not need a map. In the lectionary Gospel passage for today Thomas asks Jesus, "We do not know where you are going so how can we know the way?" It's an honest question I can easily imagine asking Jesus myself. And Jesus replies, "I am the way (and the truth and the life)". The Way is not a place per se, but a person. When I hearJesus say, "I am" it reminds me of how God identified Godself to Moses at the burning bush. And our call is to follow Jesus wherever he may lead. No map required but please do, buckle up and enjoy the ride! 

Send us Fan MailThe church is a different kind of community from many in the world. Where else but around Jesus do we find people of all different languages, nations, identities, ages, socioeconomic statuses etc gathering in one place with someone so major in common? Society often divides us up into neat and not so neat identities and categories. The church breaks down all that. The church is a weird and wonderful, counter-cultural community. Let's name that, recognize what it means and own our place in that ongoing story of God's people and work called to stand out. 

Send us Fan MailWe see with more than just our eyes. Our heart, our ears, our sense of smell and touch all play a part in how we come to really see people and know they truly are. On the road to Emmaus, 2 disciples are walking when suddenly Jesus joins them post-resurrection. But the fail to recognize just Who is walking with them. He unpacks scripture pointing to himself, reminding these disciples all the prophets had said about the path to life coming through death and resurrection. But it's only when they join him at the table and he blesses the bread, breaks it and gives it to them (Communion, The Last Supper) that their eyes are opened and they finally see it was Jesus all along. 

Send us Fan MailThis recording is from the Sunday after Easter and Reverend Lauren was away. A wonderful retired United Church Minister, Rev. Brian Thorpe filled in. Enjoy this message! 

Send us Fan MailIt's Easter Sunday and He is Risen! Celebrate Easter Sunday and Communion/Eucharist with us as we mark that Jesus arose in the world and conquered the powers of sin and the grave/death. And, Jesus Way is still alive in the world today - through us. In the art of Improvisation acting, performers are invited to jump into an unfolding story someone else began by agreeing with what they do and adding to it. This technique is known as, "Yes, and...". This happened, "Yes, and" then this happened! Today we employ that idea to the unfolding story of God's work in the Easter narrative and in our day.  This amazing thing happened and then watch what unfolded.... Enjoy. 

Send us Fan MailGood Friday. Today we follow Jesus and his journey to the Cross and look at how our inclinations as people and as a society lean towards violence, while Jesus Way is the Way of Peace and Forgiveness - even to his accusers! 

Send us Fan MailJesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt which marks Palm Sunday and the entrance to Holy Week appears in all 4 Gospels. Each Gospel writer tells the story a little differently. This year we focus on Mark's account. But what does that mean? How does Mark frame the story next to the other Gospel accounts? Well, you're in luck because this week Reverend Lauren prepared posters and preached the story 4 ways, detailing how each Gospel writer tells the same story. Please visit our Facebook page: South Arm United Church to see the images of the posters detailing each account. Blessings to you and yours as we enter Holy Week. 

Send us Fan MailContinuing in our Good News series we examine the story of the woman accused of adultery who is brought into the temple for judgement. Faith leaders confront Jesus and ask what should be done with her. The scene reads like a set up. But Jesus flips the script by writing some things in the sand which cause these righteous leaders to drop their stones and walk away. None is left to accuse her except Jesus, who offers her forgiveness and the chance to start again. God's justice is generous and no matter our station in life, we all are in need of God's forgiveness, mercy, faithfulness and justice beyond what we deserve but God lovingly offers. 

Send us Fan MailWe continue in our "Good News" Lenten series this week acknowledging the systemic injustices that exist in our world, how Jesus meets people on the margins with compassion and love and calls us to love to do likewise. We acknowledge the rhythms and pressures of empire vs. the rhythms of God. We acknowledge that God forming us for this world, for this time means we are a cherished part of God's creative plan without needing to prove anything to the world. The Good News? God cares for those on the margins, the most vulnerable, the outcast (including us)!

Send us Fan MailContinuing in our Lenten "Good News" series, we look today at Mark's account of "The Feeding of the 5,000". Jesus sent out the disciples (here called Apostles for the first time which means, 'sent ones') to do as he has done - teach, encourage people to repent, pray, anoint, heal the sick and follow Jesus' example. Having gone out in pairs to minister to people as Jesus instructed, they return to report back, in need of rest. Jesus invites them to get away with him to a deserted place. But the crowds see Jesus and rush to get where he's going. Jesus has compassion for them as "Sheep without a shepherd" (a direct reference to Moses) and attends to their needs feeding mind, spirit and yes, body. With God all things are possible. God's economy is one of generosity where all our needs are met and there is more to spare. 

Send us Fan MailThere are times when God's word is so good I who love to preach (Rev. Lauren) just want to sit down, be quiet and let God speak. This Sunday was one of those times. Someone asked if I could put the big point of the message up front and in this sermon I did just that. After giving the big point in the first 1-2 minutes I was very tempted to sit down and let the words sit with people. I had a whole sermon prepared but God's word and the big point would have been enough. I wonder if this week is almost best listened to twice? Once for the big point and another time for the full scope? You decide and please let us know. 

Send us Fan MailFirst Sunday of Lent. We are following a series created by 'A Sanctified Art' entitled, "Tell Me Something Good". Each week the sermon title begins with the words, "The Good News is...". Today we find Jesus at a wedding party where he will perform his first miracle (sign/wonder work) that points beyond the act itself to revealing something of his identity. With the wedding banquet as our setting and a 93 year old Birthday in the church, we decorated with balloons and started the sermon with a little dance party. Starting in this fun and unexpected way drew people into the setting and grabbed their attention and from their we let the scripture speak. Music: "Ev'ry Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving" (More Voices Hymnal #185). Words and Music: Leonard Burks. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477 

Send us Fan MailThe banners in the church turn to white for this service as we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday. This is from the last Sunday of Epiphany/Ordinary Time before the Lent season begins next week. In Matthew 16 the religious elite ask Jesus for a sign (which he does not provide anymore than he has already), Jesus and the disciples cross a lake and head to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asks the disciples who people say He is. Then, Jesus asks them directly, who do You say I am? And Simon Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. With this, his name is changed to Peter (Petros, meaning the rock) and "on this rock I will build my church" Jesus declares. It is after correctly naming who Jesus is exactly the he takes Peter, James and his brother John up a mountain for a holy encounter they won't soon forget! The beginning and now near the end of Jesus ministry are marked with a voice from Heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I well pleased" and here we have the extra statement imploring us to, "Listen to Him". 

Send us Fan MailGod gives a word to the prophet Isaiah to deliver to God's people, you fast and act holy in vain when you don't live as my people the rest of the week. Is it good to fast? Yes, absolutely. Is it good to worship? Yes, absolutely. Is it good to bow down in prayer? Yes, of course. But what good is any of that if we return to our normal lives and live like everyone else, as if God has not transformed us in any way? None. 

Send us Fan MailUnited Church Growth Animator, Rev. Scott Reynolds was with us all weekend. On Saturday he lead our Seeking God's Vision team on a Retreat to begin imagining where God is calling us to serve and grow as a community. Sunday morning Rev. Scott co-lead service and was our Guest Preacher. His message reminded us: (1) How the way of Christ looks very different to the ways of the world & (2) To go and look for the face of Christ in others and show up in such a way that they see the face of Christ in us as well. 

Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we had a special Guest Preacher, Jeannie Van Zandt. Jeannie is a student at Vancouver School of Theology (VST) where she is completing a Master's of Public and Pastoral Leadership towards being a Hospital Chaplain. Today she lead our in-service Children's Time with a beautiful illustration from The Chronicles of Narnia and then spoke on Why Jesus Came. And after church she stuck around to mingle with our community as we gathered around tables of food and coffee for an old-fashioned, church potluck. 

Send us Fan MailHaving spent a good amount of time in Corinth, Paul has established relationships and has encouraged the home churches there. He gets reports that things have gone sideways a bit and sits down with a fellow leader, Sosthenes, to pen this letter to the Corinthian churches. They have divisions and disagreements to do with following different leaders, worship styles and right beliefs. The church is a beautiful, set apart community of God called to serve God in the world. We have all the spiritual gifts we need to do this work but sometimes our all too human ways can get in the way of the good God intends us to do. It was true in Corinth and it is still true to this day. We are a blessed and broken people, a people of great faith and sometimes with doubts and fears, a people with hope and a people who hurt. We are all that. And what is especially true - is that God loves us and calls us to be a special kind of community (Koinonia) for His glory through it all. 

Send us Fan MailIn Matthew 3 we find John the Baptist in the wilderness cleansing people of their sins (ways that do not align with God's best for our lives and turning towards God with humbled hearts). This is a call John takes seriously and lives out beautifully, set apart for a purpose, including a different wardrobe and even diet. One day Jesus Himself comes to be baptized and John is reluctant. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus has no sin. Jesus is already obedient to the Way and Word of God. He IS the Word of God. How can we baptize the Lord? And yet Jesus insists that this is the way it must go to show his obedience to Parent God in His own life, demonstrate for us what faithful life looks like lived out and to inaugurate the ministry that will lead him to the cross, the tomb, resurrection and back to heaven again to prepare a place for us. Baptism is a beautiful and powerful sacrament of the church not to be taken lightly and to be remembered again and again. This Baptism of Jesus Sunday we welcomed 2 new members to the church with a blessing to remember their baptism and 2 people were baptized and welcomed to the church local and universal. Praise be to God. 

Send us Fan MailFear doesn't stop us. This recording is from 04 January 2026, the Sunday closest to Epiphany (the day we celebrate the wise men reaching the holy family and paying homage to Jesus with their worship and precious gifts). On the road to Jesus the wise men are confronted by King Herod. Threatened by any mention of another king, ruler or authority in his earthly realm, Herod hatches a plan to go after the baby Jesus and wipe away the threat - but God has other plans. In dreams, both the wise men and the holy family are lead away and escape his grasp, so Herod does the unthinkable...he orders the elimination of every child born under 2 years of age. It's violent, horrific, offensive and grievous. It's also an ancient and all too familiar story of an earthly ruler/tyrant who will do anything to keep and advance their own agenda without concern for the lives of those who might get in their way. And throughout the ages, God invites us not to fear but to trust Him and press on as his image and light bearers to a world in need of faith, hope and love. Earthly rulers and fear do not have the last word. 

Send us Fan MailThe news headlines we read and the top stories on TV and Radio news that seem to get the most attention tend to be negative. But in a world with lots to get us down and be concerned about, there are also plenty of Good News stories as well. They are just not featured as prominently. But there are plenty of people doing beautiful things in the world if we take the time to look. And of course on this Christmas Eve service, we remember the Best news of all - Emmanuel, God with us is ever with us and for us. Wherever we are as the followers of Christ, Emmanuel - God With Us is truly with us. And that, is the best news and of huge comfort through all times.

Send us Fan MailThere are lots of moments in life both joyful and difficult where reaching out for someone's hand is of great comfort. In our service today we hear the call to reach out for God's hand for our comfort and strength and then to reach our hand out to those in need. 

Send us Fan MailChristmastide and the Holiday season can be fraught with memories of years past, loved ones we miss, loneliness, stress and an manner of struggles. The human experience is not all sunshine and rainbows. We hold both the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas while at the same time acknowledging that life can be quite hard and the world is a challenging and often violent place in which to follow God. And so we have a service, a place to come holding the tension of the grief and the gratitude, to pray, to hear a word of hope, to light candles and to be in the presence of God and others on the journey to know we are not alone. Music throughout the service: 1. O God Hear My Prayer - Repeated Refrain, taize style throughout the service (Voices United hymnal #948), 2. Hope Is A Star (Voices United Hymnal #7),  3. O Ancient Love (Voices United Hymnal #17).  Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477   

Send us Fan MailToday we look at the story of the angel's anunciation to Mary that she is to be with child and this child is of God. While we may never have an angel visitation and hear those words, "do not be afraid" we are reminded that God calls us to walk faithfully, to pray and to serve others through all times and places - including in the very midst of our fears. 

Send us Fan MailAdvent 2 (Peace) Are you The One who is to come? Or, is there another? John the Baptist asks these 2 pivotal, important questions from prison he wishes to have resolved with Jesus. In our day and time we might expect a simple 'Yes' or 'No' response to those prompts, but Jesus answer is not so simple or straightforward. Instead, Jesus quotes Isaiah and cues John to the prophecies said about the coming Messiah which are all coming true in Jesus. In the midst of our fears, we lean into Hope and Peace this Advent - knowing that God is at work. 

Send us Fan MailThanks to www.sundayschool.store we found a free, no practice needed family pageant with a theme centring on the lights of Christmas and "The One True Light of Christmas". Listen in as school teacher Jean Ann who often leads our Children and Families programming along with Reverend Lauren work our way through a pageant with no rehearsal. The script was in place, Jean Ann brought props to make the story come alive in colour (simple costume pieces, flashlights, Christmas lights, green fabric and a bright star for all the characters to follow) and volunteers jumped up to fill all the parts needed. Pageants are such a fun, church Christmas tradition! 

Send us Fan MailAdvent 1 (Hope). This year we follow a series produced by "A Sanctified Art" with the theme, "What Do You Fear? Insisting On Hope This Advent". Today we revisit the story we touched on last week of Zechariah and Elizabeth and dive deeper into the Hope it offers us for our time. 

Send us Fan MailReign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday. We begin today by looking at the text before today's text so that we have the full context of the message. Elizabeth and Zechariah are mature in years and have never had a child. While Zechariah is serving in the temple and angel appears and tells Zechariah that his prayers have been heard and Elizabeth will against all odds, by the will of God, bear a child late in life. This child will be John (the Baptist) who will be a prophet and prepare the way for the One to come. Journey with us through "The Benedictus" - Zechariah's praise to God and then prophecy over this blessed child, John (who would grow to be John the Baptist).

Send us Fan MailVisions of heaven a new earth fill our Christian imagination. One day God's new Kindom will come about. One day justice will be the way. One day all will live peaceably side by side. Children will be born, people will live long and the ways of this world will be turned around for good. Until that day, we as followers of Jesus are called to be good news bearers, light givers and workers for justice in this world, in our time and in our place. God could bring this all about on God's own. But God delights in working in and through people. 

Send us Fan MailThere are a myriad of theories and beliefs around the end of times. Some of them sound very convincing. Paul reminds the believers in Thessalonica to stay the course, remember what you were taught and to keep calm and carry on in following and serving God. Do not be distracted by 'fake news' of convincing theories of the end of times. Is it today? We don't know. Did we miss it? No. Those who stay true and faithful will always find themselves on the right track, offering hope for today and the promise of everlasting peace and reward in God's Kindom.  Music following the sermon: "Put Peace Into Each Other's Hands" (More Voices  Hymnal #173). Words: Fred Kaan, 1989, rev. 2001. Music: Ron Klusmeier, 2004. Words copyright with Hope Publishing Co. Music copyright Ron Klusmeier, 2004. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477        

Send us Fan MailThe Revised Common Lectionary today offers a letter believed to have been written by the Apostle Paul with words of encouragement to a community of believers in Thessalonica. Under persecution, their faith and love for one another are growing stronger. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy commend the community and encourage them to be worthy of the calling God has given them. However the lectionary selection leaves out 6 of 12 verses in this passage. Those 6 that are left out of this week's selection speak volumes. The portion left out speaks of a day when all will stand before God on a judgement day and the lives we have lived will be accounted for. What we do on this earth matters. Sometimes in a conversation, what is left unsaid says more than what is said as we are reminded in today's message. 

Send us Fan MailEvery 3 years The United Church of Canada has a meeting where worship takes places with representatives from across Canada, the business of the national church is conducted and a new Moderator who is our head of the church is elected. Susan Johnson from our neighbouring church, Gilmore Park United Church was a delegate to this huge occasion. Today she blends worship with news of what is happening across our denomination, The United Church of Canada. Scripture readings include Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17. Music Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477         

Send us Fan MailGuest Preacher and Presider, The Reverend Maggie Watts-Hammond lead this service as Rev. Lauren was away. Hear Rev. Maggie's wonderful interpretation of the parable of "The Widow and the Unjust Judge". How can we who are called to offer words of hope, faith, strength and comfort preach in a world of such trials and stay clear of politics? The truth is, we cannot.

Send us Fan Mail"Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" our Psalm says today. But there is more to 'fear of the Lord' than the surface level, English translation where we imagine being scared. In Hebrew the word for fear (yirah) is also translated as reverence and respect. So, to hold God in the highest regard with reverence and respect is the beginning of wisdom. Acknowledging that God is Holy and greater beyond all our human understanding and imagining, thereby recognizing our place in the created order under God, is the beginning of understanding and living into wisdom. 

Send us Fan MailFrom the Revised Common Lectionary offerings for this week we return to the Psalms, the mini-Bible, the songs and poetry of the Hebrew Bible. Today we look at Psalm 37, a Wisdom Psalm which seems to speak right into our time today with an age old question, "How do we affirm a Great and Holy God and live in the midst of a messy and often unjust world where wrongdoing seems to thrive"?  Our temptation may be to meet evil with evil, anger with anger, fire with fire. But that doesn't solve anything. It only makes things worse. A better response is to Stop, breathe, pause, turn to God in prayer and discern how we can peaceably stand against injustice and make a difference. In this, we trust God implicitly and act in integrity out of our faith. 

Send us Fan MailA rich man who seems to be living easy and a poor man who has it rough and lives right outside the gates of the rich man's home. Two very different people and life circumstances. When they die, they find their roles reversed. The poor man is with Abraham and the rich man is not. He is somewhere else and there is a gulf between them which cannot be crossed. What do we make of this parable? And what is God saying to us through this story? Listen in, open your heart to what the Spirit is saying to the church (you) and hold the tensions of the story with us. 

Send us Fan MailToday we hear the call to pray for Kings and those in positions of authority. We also learn a formula for structuring our prayers: ACTSI. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplications and Intercession. We start by praising and adoring God. This is followed by Confession where we admit to God the ways we have fallen short of God's best for us and, we receive God's forgiveness and grace. Then we Thank God. We Thank God for forgiveness and grace and all things we can think to thank God for. After this we lay out our prayers before God for ourself. This is called making Supplications. Finally, we stand in the middle between God and some other person or situation and we Intercede for them. We pray for those we know are sick, who need a special blessing from God and for situations in the world. We intercede for people and events as Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf. ACTSI. 

Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we welcomed guest preacher, Reverend Jay Olson. Rev. Jay has helped shepherd our church through 1 year with no clergy and 2 years with Lauren as a student minister. Today Lauren was officially sworn in as the minister of South Arm United Church. Hear Jay preach about the Body of Christ and how we are all in this together. 

Send us Fan MailDid Jesus really say, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even life itself cannot be my disciple"? And if so, what did he mean? First, did he say it? Maybe. Scripture records it as such. Did he mean it? Well, we don't believe in a literal translation of being called to hate anyone. No, we are called to Love God and Love our neighbour as ourself. What Jesus is getting at is that being a disciple asks everything of us and can cost us relationships and indeed, our very life. Jesus stresses the cost of following him and ensures his followers know the cost before signing on. And of course, whatever the cost here, we believe God makes it all worthwhile. 

Send us Fan MailAgain this Sunday we encounter Jesus on a Sabbath, with Pharisees (a sect of religious leaders who were very strict about following the law) and we're presented with a person in need of healing. Jesus asks if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, qualifies the ask further and then heals a man of dropsy (edema/swelling). The man leaves healed and Jesus offers 2 lessons: (1) A parable about a wedding banquet and sitting in a humble place instead of a place of honour and, (2) A call to breakdown social barriers and to welcome those beyond our comfort zone and usual social group. To serve those who cannot repay you is an act of kindness that reflects the heart of God and will be rewarded in heaven. 

Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we examined the command to honour the Sabbath and keep it holy. In the synagogue on a Sabbath, Jesus sees a woman bent over for 18 years. She doesn't ask for help but he sees her, lays hands on her and pronounces her healed. She stands up for the first time in 18 years and is restored to wholeness in body and in the community at large. A leader is sure Jesus has broken the command to honour the Sabbath and this healing is classified as 'work'. Jesus has some words back to the man which bring restoring people to wholeness in word and deed as the true heart and meaning of the Sabbath. So...how do we personally live out the command to honour the Sabbath? 

Send us Fan MailLast week we began exploring The Hall of Faith. We looked at some of the biggest names and stories we know in The Bible and how God works through people to accomplish God's plans. Today we continue with a few more such stories along with a warning. Pursuing The Way of God runs counter to the ways of this world and can bring on trouble including persecution and even death. In fact, the greek word for 'witness' is 'martys' from which we get the English word, 'martyr'. To be a follower and witness is linked to being willing to follow God even unto death. With that, we pray that God would direct our steps to accomplish whatever it is God wants through us to bring about the "Kin-dom come on earth as it is in heaven".

Send us Fan MailToday we start a 2 week examination of what has been called The Hall of Faith, a 'whose who' of great Biblical figures we know and recognize. As we look at their lives we are reminded that God is awesome, God seeks relationship with all of us, that we too are vessels of God's love and work in the world and finally, that "By Faith," with God, all things are possible for God's glory and purpose. 

Send us Fan MailAfter Jesus finishing praying, one of the disciples asks Jesus how to pray. Jesus lays out a shorter form of what we know as "The Lord's Prayer". Following this, Jesus offers a metaphor of how we as humans who are beautiful and messy creatures know how to give good gifts to one another and how much more does our Holy God is altogether Good know how to give us all good gifts including most of all, the Holy Spirit. It's a powerful passage. 

Send us Fan MailToday we welcomed back guest Minister, The Reverend Dr. Brian Thorpe. Hear as he shares from God's word and brings the text to life in our time and place.

Send us Fan MailRev. Billy Graham is said to have prayed the Psalms daily, such that every 3 months he would have prayed aloud all 150 Psalms before starting again. The Psalms have been called a mini-Bible unto itself. In the Psalms we find the the full scope of human experience. We find people not unlike ourselves laying their very souls bare before God in anger, in distress, in sadness, in jubilation and in reverence of God's holiness. If we are ever at a loss for words on what to pray, we might just open up the Psalms and find in them what it means to walk through all the good times, hardships and ordinary days in between with God on our side.

Send us Fan MailIn today's message we talk about being a gathered and sent people. Gathered into the church to worship, to hear a word from The Word, to pray and to encourage one another on in good works. And then we are sent out into the world to live out our faith, to share the good news and to participate in hospitality - both giving and receiving graciously. And we wonder, who might be the 1 person we could invite to church?Music throughout our service Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477  

Send us Fan MailEveryday we face a myriad of choices. In each moment we can choose to live by gratifying the desires of the flesh or the way of the Holy Spirit. Are we meant to subdue the flesh and live according to the Spirit 24/7 or is there a way to hold both body and Spirit as holy and be in communication with both? This is the topic we address in this week's sermon. Living in the flesh, with the Spirit.  Music between scripture reading and sermon: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee" (Voices United Hymnal #560). Words: Washington Gladden 1879, alt. Music: Henry Percy Smith, 1874. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477        

Send us Fan MailIn Canada, June is Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. If honour of this, we were fortunate to have The Rev. Murray Pruden join us as our guest preacher and co-presider. Rev. Murray opened our service with a wonderful prayer to 6 directions (East. South, West, North, Up and Down) and he offered a beautiful sermon which you can hear here. Music between scripture reading and sermon: "Many Are the Lightbeams" (Voices United Hymnal #588). Words: Cyprian of Carthage 252, Swedish para. Anders Frostenson 1972, rev. 1986. English Translation David Lewis, 1983. Music: Olle Widestrand 1974, arr. Len Lythgoe, 1983. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477        

Send us Fan MailThis Sunday we designated, 'Music Sunday' with special guest musicians and extra hymns. We also took time to honour all students connected to our church who are graduating from various grades, programs and schools. Made in God's image and even more specifically, in the archetype of Christ, we are called to Love God and Love our neighbour as ourself. From a heart of awe, wonder and reverence for God, we are called to live as Christ in the world. Not exploiting our planet, animals or people, but caring for one another as Godself does. Today we are reminded of God's spectacular works and our place in the grand story of it all. Music between scripture reading and sermon: "Seek Ye First the Kingdom" (Voices United Hymnal #356). Words & Music: Karen Lafferty, 1972. Copyright Cccm Music (ASCAP) Universal Music-Brentwood Benson Publ. (ASCAP). Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477