Sermon on the Mount #3: Writing “The Law” On Our Hearts October 15th, 2006 Gary Harder Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Matthew 5:17-31 Introduction We are in the third week of preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. This week I felt rather overwhelmed by the texts in front of me. I had moments of almost despair as I tried to sort out what these texts meant for me, and what I might say about them. I would write…
Sermon on the Mount #2: Count Your Blessings! October 8th, 2006 Lydia Harder I have never really liked the song, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” As a child, when I would complain about something, my mother would say, “Count your blessings and you will feel better!” But that never seemed to work for me. What it did do was make me feel very guilty for complaining about anything. And sometimes I felt like I had…
Sermon on the Mount #1: The Good News of the Upside-Down Kingdom October 1st, 2006 Gary Harder Texts: Matthew 4:23-5:3 Matthew 7:28-8:3 Introduction I am excited about this series of sermons on The Sermon On The Mount. It felt very good to meet with our preaching team a few weeks ago to study this section of Matthew and to plan this series of sermons. The last time we preached through the entire sermon on the mount here…
Onesimus: A Runaway Slave September 24th Tim Schmucker Text: Philemon 1:10-21 Two years ago Derek became completely captivated with a book that turned out to be the first in a series of 6 books. Then came the sequel series, another 6 books. Upon arriving at the end of each book, it’s been excruciatingly agonizing for Derek to wait for the next one to be published. Part of the problem is that he reads each one in a…
Being Church by the water September 17th Michele Rizoli Texts: John 5:1-9, Psalm 103, Romans 12:1-8 The story we just heard, about the paralytic who waited for 38 years to be healed, is one of my favourites. These last couple of weeks as I reflected on the character of Marg’s service as church secretary and on (yes, I’m going to say it) the spectre of Gary’s retirement that looms not far ahead, I couldn’t stop thinking about…
Hiding and Seeking September 10th Gary Harder Texts: Psalm 139: 1-12 Isaiah 58:6-9 Luke 15:3-7 Introduction The game is universal. Hide and seek. “17, 18, 19, 20. Here I come, ready or not”. If the children are still quite small, the hider might help the seeker. “Is anyone under that desk, the seeker asks”? “Nope”, comes the answer from under that desk. But the point of the game, when you are young, is to be found – and…
Being downright practical September 3rd Gary Harder Texts: Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Introduction On this labour day week-end our lectionary texts happen to be about labouring. About doing good works. About living out our faith. The texts are about being downright practical about our faith. But before getting to these texts I want to set up a debate – an argument – between two sides. Listen to Romans 1:17 “For the righteousness of God is revealed…
“This teaching is difficult, who can accept it?” August 27th Jeremy Bergen Texts: Joshua 24:1-2a; 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; John 6:56-69 The sermon today should be short and simple. Our summer series has been on the theme of being bread. The theme suggested for today is “Eat and Live.” And we are presented with some stories, and with a psalm that appear to illustrate this well. That is, if we eat the bread God gives us, then we will…
Becoming Bread: “STARVING AND DEPRESSED IN THE MIDST OF A GIANT SMORG” August 20th Gary Harder Text: 1 Kings 19:1-8; 11-12 Introduction When the drought set in, in Israel – no rain at all. None – when the drought set in, God told Elijah to flee to a little creek. He was supposed to hide there, drink from the creek, and he was supposed to wait there for ravens to feed him. (1 Kings 17:2-4) I…
Living Abundantly In The Midst Of AIDS August 13th Sarah Adams Text: John 10:1-10 AIDS Conference in the news – Ecumenical – InterfaithTheme – Keeping the Promise – governments, companies, us, GodOur text today is about one of those promises from God.“I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” Abundant life – a promise from God. So what have you heard about AIDS? 25 year anniversary. 40 m. infected. 2.3 million children. (50% die before 2; 80%…