Text: John 20:19-31 (the doubting Thomas) * Video of complete service In last week’s sermon, I talked about why I reflected on the story of the empty tomb as found in Mark instead of the reading suggested by the Revised Common Lectionary. Every Easter, the Lectionary prefers the story from John in which Mary Magdalene mistakes the … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 16:1-8 (the empty tomb) * Video of complete service * Bulletin (PDF) “The women fled from the tomb bewildered and trembling; and they said nothing to anyone because they were so afraid.” Is that any way to end a Gospel, and any way to begin an Easter sermon? That sentence, which we just heard, … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 14-15 (excerpts) * Video of first part of service Friends, this is the third Good Friday of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first one of the three where we are holding an in-person gathering here at Mill Woods United. In April 2020, the pandemic had just begun, and I used Facebook Live from my … [Read more…]
Text: John 12:1-8 (Jesus anointed for burial) * Video of complete service * Bulletin (PDF) Today, I start with a discussion of “The Slap.” Last Sunday evening, Kim and I, like so many others, were shocked when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the Oscars telecast. This occurred after Rock made a joke about the shaved head of Jada … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 15:11-32 (the Parable of the Prodigal Son) * video of the complete service Why do we participate in church? This is a question we ask periodically at Mill Woods United, and I appreciate it. When I surprised myself by joining Kingston Road United Church in Toronto 20 years ago, it had nothing to do … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 10:17-31 (the costs of discipleship) * Video of complete service * Order of service (PDF) Since it started more than three weeks ago, the horrors of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have dominated many of our hearts and minds. So many people killed; so much destruction and displacement; and so much fear and uncertainty with … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 13:31-35 (foxes and hens) * Video of complete service * Order of service (PDF) As we move further into Lent and as the world offers things we love — like the promise of spring, which arrives one week from today; and things we don’t love, like uncertainty now that the world has entered the … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus in the wilderness) * Video of complete service * Order of service (PDF) The Good News of Jesus Christ was written to help Jewish people deal with an unspeakable disaster. In the Year 70, a three-year-long Roman siege of Jerusalem finally broke through its walls. The Empire’s soldiers killed tens of thousands of patriots who … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 9:2-9 (Jesus is transfigured) * Video of complete service * Order of service (PDF) I have a confession to make. I don’t like most of the Bible. I realize this is an unusual thing for an ordained minister to say, but it’s the truth. It is also true that I am deeply moved by the Gospel … [Read more…]
Texts: Luke 4:14-22 (Jesus preaches in Nazareth) * “Choose” by Steven Garnaas-Holmes * Order of service (PDF) * Video of complete service Two years ago this week, I offered my first reflection on COVID-19. In 2020, the first Sunday of the month was February 2nd, Groundhog Day; and I believe Andrew Langstone made a funny comment about the … [Read more…]