Luke 21: 25-36 (1st Sunday in Advent) Sunday School Activities I never thought I would hear a scripture like the one we heard today about signs of the end times, and think to myself, “yep that fits.” What we just heard Karen read is known as apocalyptic scripture. Its most prominent in the book of Daniel in the Hebrew Scriptures and the…
You are not alone. Come share the journey.
You are not alone. Come share the journey.
Sermons by Rev. Joe Gaspar
Mark 12: 28-34 Sunday School Activities 23rd Sunday after Pentecost) Don’t you love it when things are simple? Albert Einstein once said, “When the answer is simple then God is answering.” Love God, love your neighbour as yourself. It’s simple—in the same way that running a marathon is simply moving your legs quickly for twenty-six miles, in the same way that losing…
Job 38: 1-7, 34-41 Sunday School Activities Poor Job, by the time, this scripture rolls around he endures 37 chapters of death, famine, disease, and know-it-all friends who have more interest in preserving their ideas about God than helping Job. Now this in chapter 38, it’s as if God says; ‘Who do you think you are Job?’ What is this garbage you’ve…
Grace Ronan – Amazing Grace Sunday School Activities James 5: 13-20 (19th Sunday after Pentecost) On February 12, 2002 then U.S. Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld was asked this question by a reporter: “…is there any evidence to indicate that Iraq has attempted to or is willing to supply terrorists with weapons of mass destruction? Because there are reports that there is…
Mark 8: 27-37 Sunday School Activities 17th Sunday after Pentecost) I try to imagine the experience of the people around Jesus in the faith story this morning, walking along a road, a dirt road, dust kicked up with every step. They’re bantering back and forth, maybe talking about how great it is to be in Jesus’ company. Maybe being itinerant they’re wondering where their next meal will be. Then Jesus asks innocently enough, “who do people say that I…
Mark 7: 24-30 (15th Sunday after Pentecost) There is a story of a person that is pulled over by the police and asked for their license and registration. “What’s wrong, officer,” the driver asks. The officer says, “well I saw you waving your fist as you swerved around the lady driving in the left lane, and I observed your flushed and angry face as you shouted at the driver who cut you off.” “Is that a…
Blackbird – Jamie Hoffman Sunday School Activities We don’t like judgement and sin in the United Church. They are tainted words for us. We associate them with a toxic kind of religion that puts up barriers to love and inclusion, the tools of a Christianity rooted in moralism, literalism, and self-satisfied power used to bludgeon people on the margins of society—women, lgbtq2s…
Psalm 57: 4, 6-10 Music Sunday They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Neil Murray (Sax) Bob Hudgins (Piano) Earth Song – Voices United Choir You Do Not Walk Alone – Voices United Choir Come You Thankful People Come – Cast in Bronze Be a Light – The Band Sunday School Activities The Sacred Expressions of Music—Psalm 57: 4, 6-10June 13,…
2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 – Trinity Sunday Sunday School Activities Prelude – Waltz #15 by Brahms – Bob and Neil Voices United Choir – The Plans I Have for You Such a short little scripture this morning, two little verses, a short farewell at the end of a long letter. Why? Why this short, seemingly inconsequential excerpt on a Sunday the church sets…
Acts 2: 1-12 Pentecost Sunday Sunday School Activities Sinfonia by Purcell(Neil) Domine Deus by Vivaldi(Joc This long weekend is the traditional kick off to gardening season. I know we have many gardener’s at Parkminster. Some of you have shared with me how gardening brings you closer to God. The poet May Sarton says of gardening, “Everything that slows us down and forces…