Most weeks, our worship leader offers a 15–20 minute sermon based on the Scripture texts for the day.
Our regular preacher is pretty versatile. She’ll tell stories, pull together different ideas, lead a meditation, give the congregation an “assignment” to talk about in twos or threes, show a slide show or video, or sometimes even sing to the congregation. The sermon functions to deepen our reflection on the Scripture themes of the day, and often leaves us with a challenge or a question.
Scripture texts are outlined in the Revised Common Lectionary.
Fishing with Jesus
For the third Sunday after Epiphany, Rev. Cari preached on another call story, this time from the Gospel of Matthew (4:12-23). Before diving into the story itself, which actually contains three calls, she took a short detour. She had read a news piece on the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a research project that has been going…
Seeing with Jesus
On the second Sunday after Epiphany, Rev. Cari preached on John 1:29-42, one of two “call of the disciples” texts we’ll hear this season. (The next one is from Matthew’s gospel, involves fishing, and we’ll hear it next Sunday.) Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” prompted a sermon that ranged from Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s book Crow…
“Let Now”
Today was the Sunday in which we remember the Baptism of Jesus, and so remember our own baptism. This morning, Rev. Cari preached on Matthew 3:13-17 – Matthew’s take on the events of that day. Of course, the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist, and their roles and relative “status” in the tradition was…
Logos and Light
Preaching on Christmas Eve on John 1:1-14, Rev. Cari sewed together stories, theological reflection and a beautiful poem by Marie Howe. We hope, if you take the time to listen, you can glimpse what it is like to be loved completely. Merry Christmas from Crossroads United Church.
God is With Us
Rev. Cari preached for the fourth Sunday in Advent, on Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew’s version of the birth of Jesus. And though it’s Joseph’s turn, in this text, Mary still features prominently! Rev. Cari first unpacks the word “virgin” as quoted from Isaiah 7, then goes on to explore where the truth of the text lies….
Where God Shows Up
For the third Sunday in Advent, Rev. Cari juggled Isaiah 35:1-10 with Mary’s song (set in narrative at Luke 1:39-55). The common thread is the reality of the “wilderness” a space of barrenness that reeks of danger and death… a space that is recognizable to us in these late days. But, says Isaiah, sings Mary,…
Shed your Husks
On the second Sunday of Advent, we typically meet John the Baptist… and this year is no exception. Rev. Cari preached this week on Matthew 3:1-12, a text that introduces John and his baptism of repentance as a “prelude” to Jesus. She focussed on that message of “repentance” – metanoia in the Greek – which means…
Wake Up!
For the first Sunday in Advent Rev. Cari preached on Matthew 24:36-44, a text from the “little apocalypse” of Matthew’s Gospel. It’s full of vaguely threatening imagery, heralding the “day” or return of the Promised One, and we are asked to wake up, and stay awake. Why do we get this kind of material in…
Reign of Christ
This morning’s sermon focussed on power… but not the kind of power that we’re used to, the power to dominate and control. The text was Luke 23:33-43, the story of the crucifixion of Jesus, and this power – the power to serve and save – was on full display. Rev. Cari chose to begin the…
Godly Play: Jesus and the Children
This Sunday was Children’s Sabbath at Crossroads United Church. Rev. Anita prepared with the children, youth and young adults of the congregation to lead the worship service in its entirety, including serving communion to the congregation. But the “sermon” was a Godly Play story, presented by Rev. Cari. If you listen to this file, you…