Below is the sermon I gave at the 85th Anniversary of First United Church in Sydney, NS. I was asked to speak on the future of the church.
“Jonah and Us”
Jonah 1:1-17
First
of all, I want to thank you for inviting me here to speak at your anniversary service. It’s quite an honour to be asked to speak at other churches. (well, it’s either that or your scraping the bottom of the barrel, no matter, it’s still nice to be here).
It’s even nicer this morning because you’ve asked me to come and speak from my heart about a matter that I am very passionate about, the future of the church. In fact, I have to admit, it’s a challenge to make sure I get everything I’d like to say done in 45 minutes or so.
I’m probably going to say things you already know. I hope I’m going to say things that will challenge you, and challenge you deeply as we all move forward as members of the United Church of Canada in this time and place in our history.
If I’m not able to challenge you to think about what it is we do as churches in our communities as representatives and carriers of the love of God shown through Jesus Christ, I might as well just stand up here and tell jokes.
“Knock knock…” Read More→
Last week we looked at someone we know fairly well, Peter; the first disciple; the first to speak when the apostles emerged from their home to share the Good News on the streets. We listened to his passion as he spoke over and over again about Jesus Christ and the work God was doing through him, even in the face of great danger.
This morning we’re continuing the story of Easter by looking at what the first leaders of “the Way” were up to. These will be the names of those who are working at spreading the message of Jesus Christ, alive and risen to the world following shortly after Pentecost, that is when the Spirit of God came upon the disciples and making them apostles. Turning them from students into leaders.
This is the day… do you feel it?
Yesterday Rev. Peter invited us into the story of ancient Jerusalem, to walk alongside Jesus as he entered the city; to see the crowd; to engage our senses as we enter into this Holy Week.