There’s something about Mary…. This morning I want you to think about what words or images come to mind when you think about Mary. If you want, you can take a look at the stained glass window of the Nativity here in the Sanctuary, which I’ve included in the PowerPoint for those of you at home. The scene depicts Mary and Joseph bowed over their new son Jesus, Mary is small in stature and has a position of humility and gentleness, bowed down to take care of her infant son. As you look at … [Read more...]
Divine Delight – Sermon for Advent 3, 2021
“The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” ~ Zephaniah 3:17 What do you delight in? Delight is a word that we don’t often hear nowadays – in fact, usage in print and other media has dropped significantly in the last century – and when we do hear the word I think we don’t necessarily hear it or appreciate the full weight of the word. A person can be … [Read more...]
Prepare the Way O Zion – Sermon for Advent 2, 2021
If you were here last week, you will know the great relief it was to be able to sing together again. As lovely as the voices of our soloists and choir have been over the last 2 years, there is something special about congregational singing. It doesn’t matter if you sing flat or sharp, loud or softly, combined it creates a sacred chorus, it was truly a joy to behold. Singing is in many ways the universal language, you do not need to understand the words of a song to necessarily understand its … [Read more...]
Waiting, Watching – Sermon for Advent 1, 2021
“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:25-36 Waiting can be hard at the best of times. Several years ago at Christmas time, you’ll remember that there was the ice-storm. Christmas services across the city were threatened as many people and churches experienced days without power. For many of us, it was a back-and-forth week. Is the power on yet? We knew that the power would … [Read more...]
Good News and Gospel Truth – Dec. 6
“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” ~ Mark 1:1 What is the most important part of the Advent and Christmas seasons? For some people it is probably all the opportunities to celebrate with family and friends, the exchange of gifts and the delicious food – holidays, after all, is the perfect time to spend with family after all. Others may find it is the familiar music which wafts through the air: the carols and holiday classics that remind us of years past and … [Read more...]
Jesus is Coming – Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent 2018
First Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2018 Alice J Stewart So... our reading from the Gospel of Luke today sounds... scary. All those signs and portents and sufferings that precede Jesus' return don't sounds terribly pleasant. But when we meet Jesus again in his full glory, everything is going to change. And change of any sort is accompanied by suffering among us mortals. Small changes, like rearranging the church furniture, can be slightly uncomfortable at first. Ordinary life … [Read more...]
Between Two Worlds – Sermon for Advent 2
“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”- 2 Peter 3:9 I want to begin today with a modern day parable: For the Kingdom of God may be likened to business owner who hired two women who worked as coworkers for many years. When each woman was hired, the owner warned them that the job did not come with a pension, and that one day their retirement would be upon them, advising them to … [Read more...]
Tell Me What You See
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” – Matthew 11:3-4 “God is going to restore Israel’s Glory Days”; “God is going to kick out those Roman foreigners who make our lives hell.” “The Messiah is going to come and drain the swamp of political corruption in Jerusalem.” “God is going to Make Israel Great Again!” … [Read more...]