Text: Luke 17:11-19 (Jesus heals 10 lepers) Video of the complete service One of the little things in everyday life that irritates me involves the phrase “You’re welcome.” My wish is that more people would say this simple phrase more often when they’re thanked. I sometimes run into this pet peeve while listening to the … [Read more…]
Texts: Ephesians 2:1-2 (spirit of the air) * Matthew 9:35-10:1, 10:7-10, 16 (Jesus sends out the Twelve) Video of the complete service Holding ourselves to account is part of the rhythm of daily life. Am I maintaining an exercise regimen? Did I pick up groceries on my way home as I had pledged? Did I … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 10:17:31 (“give everything to the poor”) Video of the complete service The blessings of a simple life have been proclaimed for thousands of years by teachers like Jesus and Buddha. And in recent decades, a movement called voluntary simplicity has flourished. In 1981, Duane Elgin published a book with that title in which … [Read more…]
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…]