Messages
Recent Messages
What kind of king chooses to enter his own parade on a donkey’s back? Every magazine and keynote speech exalts wealth, might, and majesty. Could it be that true power lies not in the things we expect, but rather in humility and self-giving love? In Mark 11:1-11, we explore the subversive kingship of Jesus which challenges everything we think we know about strength and authority.
We listen to Luke's account of the Apostle Paul's excursion into the city of Athens, recorded in Acts 17. The Book of Acts continues Luke’s first volume, showing us that Triune God is doing something new in creation and in all peoples. Athens was a city renowned for their continued contribution to culture and innovation in the Greco-Roman world. Why did Luke write to us about this particular place and this particular people and what does God want to do here? These are the questions at the heart of Luke’s account. It is a question for us and our place and time as well.
Ever felt like life was leading you through a wilderness with no end in sight? In Jeremiah 29, God speaks directly to a community in exile, but it is a message for each of us in the places we find ourselves. What if God has something beautiful and formative that can only be discovered in times of exile? What if rooting ourselves in the lives of others is the key to discovering God's plan not just for 'you', but for 'us'?
In the Gospel of John we find what is known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. This prayer of Jesus is totally heartfelt and powerful. But how has it been answered? What is God’s heart for us?
Paul’s prayer for the church is a daring invitation to experience the fullness of God — dimensions of love that are beyond what we can imagine or comprehend. What if the only way to completely tap into this fullness was through experiencing God? And what if being rooted in this love could heal us and change the way we live and love the people around us? Join us as we continue our series of Rootedness: Grow Deep in Christ and in Community.
Lent is a wilderness journey, an invitation to say no to things we may even enjoy in order to say yes to a greater love. In John 15, we are invited to stay root ourselves in Jesus. Like sap in a vine that nourishes and empowers branches, Jesus is saying ‘let my life flow through you.’ The living sap from the stock that flows to branches enable them to bear grapes; otherwise it’s fruitless.
We live in a lonely and hurting world. A world filled with people who refuse to let people into their lives. But what if humbly letting people in is the way to let God in? And what if kind of healing that Jesus longs to provide us can only really be found in community with one another?
What does it look like to set our minds on things above when all the responsibilities of life are navigated in earthly realities? How do you clothe yourself with humility and compassion when ego and self promotion seem to always be in style? In Colossians 3:1-17, we are invited to live resurrected lives as a witness to the world.
Rev. Shahrzad Kandalaft from St. Paul's Presbyterian Church will share about her faith journey with Christ and what it is to be transformed by Love.
The Scripture this week confronts the seductive allure of pride and selfish ambition. These default settings are why we often find ourselves in conflict, disunity and evil. True wisdom, James teaches; is not found in climbing the ladder of self glory, but through the promise that if we are to humble ourselves before God - He will lift us up.
This Sunday we engage with a story where the values of the disciples still reflect the distorted perspective of the world rather than those of the kingdom. Jesus disrupts our notions of greatness. Are we willing to yield our pursuit of self-serving ambition and instead be marked by the humility and servanthood characterized by Jesus?
As we enter a new year, what could happen if we embraced a lifestyle of humble, self-emptying love in a culture of self-exaltation? How does Jesus’ choice to empty himself challenge every lesson of self-promotion we unconsciously absorb? In Philippians 2:1-11, we encounter the ultimate example of humility in Jesus who shows us that true strength is showcased in surrender and that true glory is expressed in servanthood.
Hope. Real Hope. Not just fantasy wishing. It certainly seems in short supply, if at all existent. As Follower of Jesus we have been told that we have a Hope that will not disappoint. Great in theory, but how do we make it practical? This Sunday we will take that journey together.
We draw into Luke's Gospel where we see a story filled with unexpected characters chosen as the first recipients of the good news. How does Jesus’ arrival challenge what the world sees as power and influence? What fears might God be inviting you to release as you remember that God is with us? We celebrate Christ, the Savior and Lord.
Life was messy for Mary after saying that she was the Lord’s servant and humbly accepted the role of being mother to the Messiah. Her dreams and plans took a distant second place to the role God wanted her to be part of. Life can get messy for us as well. Having a real relationship with Jesus does not mean that all the broken parts disappear or that no hard times will come. We live in a broken world and in broken stories. What it does mean is that the Love of the Lord will carry us through all of these moments in ways we could never have expected.
Is it possible to find comfort in discomfort, to cling to hope in despair? When we find ourselves in the wilderness, how might Isaiah’s promises of restoration resonate in our own story of healing and expectation. Join us for the second Sunday of Advent.
The Israelites have returned from exile only to find the Temple is destroyed and Jerusalem lay in ruins. In Isaiah 64, the prophet begs that God would tear open the heavens, that he would come down and make things right. In the midst of disappointment and longing, he invites us to look in the mirror and see our collective need for redemption. Join us for this first Sunday of Advent.
How do we sing with joy in God's presence while navigating the wilderness of our own doubts and mistakes? Do you often find yourself experiencing the tension of trust and hesitation? Psalm 95 affirms that this is a dance as old as faith itself, the psalmist’s experience echoes the contrasts in our own life.
In Psalm 90, Moses stands at the threshold of eternity and pens a prayer that cuts to the heart of human experience. In this ancient poem we find a reflection on the brevity of our days against the backdrop of God’s eternity. Join us as we unearth wisdom that calls us to live fully here and now.
What would it mean to have Jesus work with us in our story? Can we take a Sabbath from the way we would normally do things and with His leading work with Him directly in all of our tasks? What would our stories look like? What if Sabbath is learning how to let Jesus be a real conscious part of all that we do?"
Have you ever had the feeling that you are chasing rest that always seems just beyond your reach? What if that rest was never meant to be chased, but entered—like stepping out of hiding into the open? The writer of Hebrews talks about a rest so rich, so vibrant, it stretches from the creation of the universe right into your own heartbeat. Engage the art of Sabbath and discover a peace that's been available all along.
Why does God seem to speak so softly in a world that is desperate to hear a thundering voice? In the isolated confines of a cave, Elijah experienced God's presence not in dramatic winds or raging fires, but in a gentle whisper. Sabbath calls us to set aside a sanctuary in time where we can hear the still small voice of God.
“Meh.” While navigating the realities of life, this exasperated sigh captures the all too common state of not necessarily being depressed but not feeling a sense of thriving either. Do you ever find yourself grieving a loss of a future you envisioned? There is a universal longing for wholeness, a rest for our soul. Jesus invites us, not to another appointment, task or errand we don’t want to do; but to the true “unforced rhythms of grace.”
What if the rhythm of the land, with its seasons of production and rest, mirrors the rhythm that our bodies and souls yearn for? In a world racing forward, God, through the Bible; whispers a timeless secret: true flourishing comes when we, and the world around us, are allowed to breathe. Are we listening?
Have you ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of doing, accomplishing, and striving? The words of the prophet Isaiah and the actions of Jesus help us discover that Sabbath saves us from our relentless self-driven paths. It's a reminder that Sabbath isn't a burdensome command; it's a gift crafted for our wholeness.
As we explore Exodus 16, we are invited to re-examine the 'Egypts' that we cling to — the unseen chains that keep us enslaved. Join us Sunday as we see how Sabbath is an act of resistance in a world with an insatiable appetite for more. May we reclaim our humanity, learn to trust, to pause, and remember that we are no longer slaves.
In a world that is quick to bind us with chains of expectation and judgment, imagine a Sabbath that sets people free, free from the weights we bear, and invites us to stand upright. This Sunday, journey with us through Deuteronomy 5 and Luke 13, where Jesus reveals the Sabbath as a day where the broken are made whole, the oppressed are set free, and God's loving-kindness is manifest in transformative ways.
Many people think of God as being eager to punish them for their sin. This is not true! And yet, in Exodus 34:7, God is clear that He “does not leave the guilty unpunished... laying the sins of the parents on the children... to the third and fourth generation.” So what on earth does that mean?! Is God really going to punish our kids for our sin? Is this to be believed? And how can God still be good and beautiful if this is true?
Since the beginning, the universe has pulsed with a rhythm that continues to this day - work and rest. Movement and stillness. Dive into the Scriptures as we explore the 'why' behind our work and the beauty of rest. Join us this Sunday as we begin a series on Sabbath and what it means for the people of God to embody rest in a restless world.
What if transformation was less about trying harder but about surrendering more? Romans 12:1-2 invites us into a life where our hearts and minds are shaped, not by the noise of the world, but by aligning ourselves with the way of Jesus. A renewed mind, a transformed life - it's closer than you think.
Guarding your heart and mind isn't just about protecting yourself; it's about preserving the essence of who you are meant to be and the path you walk. Join us for this week's sermon on Proverbs 4:20-27, where we'll explore how the heart is the wellspring of life, and why our influences echo in our actions, our relationships, and our outcomes. Let's discover how to cultivate a heart that aligns with wisdom and the Spirit of God, and see how it transforms every aspect of our lives.
Jesus uses parable to give us good news: this world belongs to God and He is working in it, and also bad news is that there is an enemy trying to undermine the kingdom. The message gives encouragement, teaches the importance of patience and not judging the people of the world (we are not good at this, and it is not our job), and sounds a note of urgency & accountability with a cosmic ‘painting’ of the end of the age.
God has a name, it’s not “God”. It’s Yahweh. But why does this matter?
The image of God in humanity is not lost, it’s distorted. As we engage with the Scriptures we’ll see how God is making things right again. The Holy Spirit breathes life into our relationships, our purpose, and our very identities. Through this renewal of the image of God, we're empowered to cultivate the fruit of God’s character in order to better reflect God's image in a world so in need of His love and grace.
The writer of Hebrews proclaims: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Paul says it this way, “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” Join us in our ongoing exploration of what it means to be made in God’s image and how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reshapes how we view ourselves and the world.
In a world fixated on power, control and status, we turn to John 13:1-17, where Jesus, God in flesh, radically subverts these notions by washing His disciples' feet. In this sermon, we'll explore the profound depths of Jesus' humility and love, challenging us to redefine true leadership as service and to dare to follow in His transformative footsteps. Join us as we introduce and commission our Deacons this Sunday.
You may have a wallet full of ID cards but who are you, really? Are we defined by possessions, accomplishments, or heritage? Or is there something else? The Apostle Peter lived through his own identity crisis. He offers a liberating--and empowering--perspective on Who it is who makes us, us.
We continue our exploration of being 'Made in the Image of God'. Join us as we engage an often overlooked passage in the Torah. These ancient laws of Leviticus 19 reveal God’s heart for shaping a distinct people and bringing renewal to neighbourhoods and cities.
It's not unusual to experience fear in response to God's call in our lives. The Apostle Paul did while in Corinth in Acts. But how did he respond in the face of fear? And how did Jesus encourage him to keep going? What’s all this mean for us today?
We continue our exploration of being 'Made in the Image of God'. We dive into Genesis 3, while this passage reveals the distortion of God's perfect image within us, we remember that the divine imprint is not lost, only marred. We'll grapple with how that affects our relationship with God, with others and with creation and to navigate our daily realities with the hope of restoration and the relentless pursuit of embodying God's likeness in a world longing for renewal.
Dive with us into a transformative journey as we walk through being “Made in the Image of God” In this new series, we’ll discover how this truth shapes our understanding of human dignity, value, and our innate capacity for relationship, creativity, and stewardship.
