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…]
Text: Matthew 15:21-28 (Jesus and a Canaanite woman) Video of complete service* Order of service During the past month of world-wide uprisings against racist police violence, personal realities have presented a challenge for me to understand the feelings being expressed, perhaps because of the positions of privilege I embody. I am a white, male, straight, cis-gendered, … [Read more…]
Texts: “Pandemic as portal” by Arundhati Roy * Luke 4:14-19 (Jesus proclaims Jubilee) Video of complete service * Order of service Today I begin with three of the most challenging questions I can imagine. Could the world rid itself of nuclear weapons? Is there a way to find new homes for the worlds 70 million+ … [Read more…]
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:4-14 (one body, one spirit) Video of the service * Order of service One of the highlights of my first year at Mill Woods United was the Pride Parade on June 7, 2014. When I lived in Toronto, I had gone to the Pride Parade a few times over the years as … [Read more…]
Texts: John 7:37-39 (living water) * Acts 2:1-12 (the Day of Pentecost) Video of the complete service * Order of service Have you expanded your bubble since May 14 when Alberta relaxed physical distancing restrictions? Ten days ago, I had a chiropractic appointment. Last week, I got my hair cut. More and more, I am … [Read more…]