Text: Matthew 9:35-10:8 (Jesus calls the twelve) “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure leprosy, expel demons.” These are the instructions that Jesus gives his first followers in the passage we just heard from Matthew. But these twelve men are fishers and not doctors. How, then, are they supposed to heal the sick and cure … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 2:1-21 (the day of Pentecost) * Context: part of a joint service between Mill Woods United and Zimbabwe United Methodist – Edmonton The dream of Pentecost is a sweet one. When tongues of flame alight on the heads of the first followers of Jesus, they are astonished to find they can preach in … [Read more…]
Text: John 17:1, 2, 17-21 (“that all may be one”) The Anglican Church of Canada first floated the idea of uniting Canada’s Protestant churches in in 1885. In the decades that followed, five denominations discussed the idea, leading to the birth of the United Church of Canada. In 1925, Canada’s Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches … [Read more…]
Text: Acts 17:22-31 (“an altar to an unknown god”) Why are there so many different religions? If there is only one God, why are there are so many different paths to the Divine? In today’s reading, Paul tackles the profusion of gods and goddesses in Athens. In the face of the pantheon of Greek and … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 24:13-35 (the Road to Emmaus) Introductory words to worship service . . . Sometimes church involves strange elements. Today’s service includes two of my favourite things that might seem strange to some: communion, and an anthem the choir will sing, “Christ the Apple Tree.” I first sang “Christ The Apple Tree” at a Christmas … [Read more…]
Text: John 14:1-14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”) “Behold, behold, I make all things new, my promise is true, for I am Christ the way.” Each Sunday this spring, we sing these words as the offering is brought forward. The last line, “I am Christ the Way” is inspired by today’s … [Read more…]
Text: John 20:19-31 (Thomas doubts the resurrection) What do we know, and how do we know it? These questions arise from today’s Gospel reading. Mary Magdalene had come to know Jesus had been raised from the dead when he appeared to her outside an empty tomb on the first Easter morning. A handful of his … [Read more…]
Text: John 20:1-18 (the empty tomb) Easter, resurrection, and Jesus all featured prominently in the Edmonton Journal last Tuesday. Paula Simons’ front-page column wasn’t about Jesus of Nazareth, though. It was about McJesus, otherwise known as Connor McDavid, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Simons’ column suggested that in Edmonton this spring, resurrection hope lies … [Read more…]
Text: John 11;1-45 (Jesus raises Lazarus) Why does Jesus weep as he approaches the tomb of Lazarus? As John tells the story, Jesus is going to bring Lazarus back to life. So why weep? Perhaps Jesus weeps in sympathy with Mary and Martha, the sisters of his dead friend Lazarus. Perhaps he weeps for the … [Read more…]
Text: John 9:1-41 (Jesus heals a blind man) Light can lead to enlightenment; and so light is central to healing. In today’s reading, Jesus calls himself “the light of the world” before he heals a blind person. Like a person born blind, many of us live in darkness. Happily, the ups and downs of life … [Read more…]