Texts: “Invincible Summer” by Albert Camus * Philippians 2:1-3 (adopting the mind of Christ) Video of the complete service Fall arrived on Tuesday morning, and I’m glad it has begun with sunshine and warmth. I enjoy all the seasons – the white expanses of snow in winter; the greening promise of spring; the languid heat … [Read more…]
Texts: “The Guest House” by Rumi * Mark 14:32-34 (Jesus in Gethsemane) Video of complete service I’ve been feeling a bit depressed of late. Maybe it is the smoke from the west coast that shrouds Edmonton’s sun. Maybe it is the death on Friday of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a feminist icon and U.S. Supreme Court … [Read more…]
Texts: Romans 12:1-3 (do not judge) * 1 Corinthians 13 (faith, hope, and love) Video of complete service Do you ever feel annoyed by the way political and business leaders communicate? A lot of their efforts strike me as hollow, misleading, or toxic. But then, communication is not easy; and as a church, we run … [Read more…]
Texts: “Creativity” by Matthew Fox * Mark 6:30-34 (Jesus feeds the five thousand) Video of the complete service The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged leaders in families, churches, and governments; and today, I look at these challenges from the standpoint of imagination, creativity, and innovation. Our service today is an innovation. It is the first time … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 10:32-34 (Jesus predicts his death a third time) Video of complete service The World Health Organization reports that since COVID-19 emerged nine months ago, more than 800,000 people have died from it. But like most statistics about the pandemic, this figure is questionable. The WHO and other public health agencies rely on information … [Read more…]
Texts: “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver * Matthew 4:12-22 (Jesus calls his first followers) Video of full service * Order of service In this year of multiple crises, there has been a lot of talk about leadership. Today, the Conservative Party of Canada elects a new federal leader. Last week, the Democratic National Convention nominated … [Read more…]
The following are remarks from a worship experience I recorded in early July and which the church released on July 26, 2020. Click here to see a video of this service — Ian Welcome Welcome friends to Mill Woods United Church. My name is Rev. Ian Kellogg, and although this video is being released on … [Read more…]
Texts: “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver * Matthew 6:25-34 (“do not worry) Video of complete service * Order of service Edmonton is the most northerly city in Canada, and winter sometimes lasts for half the year. So, we relish our short summers with their long days of sunshine and heat. When I had two … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 5:1, 5-8 (Jesus sends out the twelve) Video of part of the service * Order of service The year 2020 is marked by three related crises — a global pandemic, an economic collapse, and a leadership vacuum. Within these crises I see both promise and peril. I believe their resolution could catapult the … [Read more…]
Texts: “To Begin With, the Sweet Grass” by Mary Oliver * 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (gifts of the Spirit) Video of the complete service * Order of service Saturday is a holiday in the United States. Every July 4th, Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence of 1776. This year, July 4 might be a painful one for Americans. … [Read more…]