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Showing posts from July, 2016

Belonging as "The Better Part" - On Loneliness as An Invitation to Discover New Resources (Jul 17, 2016)

Sermon: Belonging as “the Better Part”            - On Loneliness as An Invitation to Discover New Resources Text: Luke 10:38-42 I would like to begin our conversation with a question I posted to my Facebook page: “What is the primary factor that creates loneliness in you, if you have ever experienced it, or if you are feeling lonely now?” Please let me repeat the question for you. As we think about that question, I would like you to get up from your seats and make a big circle around the chairs. You can move slowly, take your time, especially if you find moving a bit of a challenge. The goal of this activity is to acknowledge that for some of us loneliness is a real problem. We acknowledge that it is present in our lives. If you deal with the issue of loneliness or isolation for any reason, gently squeeze the hand of the person next to you, and if you’re shy about the person next to you knowing that you do, I add this: if you notice that the person next to you gentl

Remembering Dorothy... (Jul, 16, 2016)

Remembering Dorothy…and all who loved her so much Text: John 14 It is always such an honour to write a message for the family and their friends at a Celebration of Life, because I am given the blessing of being included in the heart-engaging process of remembering, sharing the grief and the happy memories, of a person whom we have been privileged to know. Thank you, Margaret, for allowing me and everyone present here to claim that privilege. Today, we remember and celebrate the life of Dorothy Naish. Dorothy was a beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend to many people. Dorothy had many interests and talents, (golf, curling, canoeing, travelling, camping, painting) and her broad interests brought many friends from all walks of life into her life. Dorothy was proud to have them all, and joyfully journeyed with us all. Dorothy embraced life’s joys and blessings fully; she never lost the sense that as we connect, we become stronger. She also taught us the importance of virt

Joy as Ordinary Courage (July 10, 2016)

Sermon: Joy as ordinary courage Text: Psalm 91, Luke 10:25-37 Our first reading, Psalm 91, has inspired many beautiful hymns such as On Eagle’s Wings and There is Room for All - the one we just sang. No wonder it’s so inspiring - this psalm is about hope. What confidence can we have in God? What makes our mind fearless? The psalm offers great words and images that praise God as our protector - “fortress, stronghold, dwelling place, shelter.” It assures us that with faith in God, we are moved to be courageous, sustained by a sense of real security: seeing our life secured and nurtured in “The shadow/shade of the wings of the Lord”, rather than believing that we are at the mercy of the brutal, harsh aspects of life, caught helplessly in life’s predicaments. After all, God wants us to know, we are called to accept life, embrace life as a gift , not as a burden or curse. For some of us, this realization, this acceptance, is tough. At certain bends on the road of our life, it takes

Funeral Sermon - Celebrate Christiane

Celebrating Christiane John 14:1-6 Every month, I go to two senior’s lodges to worship with the members. I begin each worship by introducing our worship leadership team, Marnie, Gordon, Louise, Loraine, Edith, Beryl, Valerie, and any others who come to help. It would be a simple duty to lead the worship; it becomes an honoured duty when we see and appreciate such a welcoming congregation waiting for us. They welcome us, accept us, cheer us on, and say things that are very encouraging - “Good worship” “Good job” “Thank you”, “Come back!” Worshipping at Senior’s lodges is not just a duty - it’s a joy, actually a huge joy, because even if we might sing the same songs over and over each month (there are songs that are in high demand, like I Love to Tell the Story, What a Friend We Have In Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, and Amazing Grace) there’s such faith and love in the faces of the singers. I have trust in the singer’s heart. When you look a person in the eye while you sing and she si