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Sermon transcript: This is one of those scriptures where I’m tempted to agree with American Lutheran Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber’s tongue-in-cheek alternatives to confusing parables, “Here’s what would be helpful: six steps to better discipleship. Or the three secrets of the kingdom of God, spelled out in an acrostic…perhaps packaged as an easy-to-read policy manual or employee handbook—that sort of thing.”1 If you’re…

Sermon transcript: One of the defining characteristics of being in a relationship is the way we feel entitled to make claims on each other. The more intimate the relationship, the stronger the claims. Acquaintances expect to be acknowledged if they see each other on the street. Friends expect to get together regularly, and to share aspects of their lives with one another.…

Sermon Transcript: As a preacher, one of the things I watch for is the temptation to smooth out scripture’s rough edges, to skip over the hard and harsh parts. Our faith story this morning and its central image is a favourite of many—God as the potter. It’s a beautiful metaphor to be sure, to see God shaping us with gentle hands even…

Sermon transcript: Some years ago, when Andrea, my wife, worked in libraries she attended a conference where the late renowned author Richard Wagamese spoke. He told the story of the kindness and hospitality of a librarian in St. Catharines, where, as a homeless teenager, he would go to stay warm and dry and pass the time with books. He spoke of how…

Sermon transcript: Have you heard about the eerie and uncanny prophetic record of The Simpsons TV show? In 2000 it referenced a Trump presidency, in 1995 characters used smart watches, in a 1993 episode a Japanese flu virus outbreak has unsettling similarities to the COVID-19 pandemic, a 1998 episode features Homer scribbling on a chalkboard, the bottom of which shows a math…

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Sermon transcript: Before age slowed her down, my mother was an incredible hostess and a great cook. In traditional Portuguese style, she would dote over you, keeping an eye on your plate and your glass lest either should become too empty. During our visits she would spend a lot of time in the kitchen, guarding her territory fiercely. She took great pride…

Sermon transcript unavailable.

Note: There were some technical difficulties during our service on this date and the audio may be difficult to hear. Please see below for a transcript of the faith story shared by Jamie Hofman during this service. Thank you to Joe for offering this opportunity, and thank you to the congregation for listening to my faith journey. I hope it’s as helpful…