Rev. Cari Copeman-Haynes

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…

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…

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.

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….

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,…

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…

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…

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…

Today, for our Season of Stewardship Commitment Sunday, Rev. Cari preached on Luke 20:45 – 21:7. This was an interesting combination of words from Jesus: first, about the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his day; second, about the vulnerability of the faithful to the corruption of the Temple system; and finally, about how it…

Today Rev. Cari picked up from Luke’s Gospel right where she left off last Sunday. The text was another parable, that of the Pharisee & tax collector, at Luke 18:9-16. The thing about parables is that they tend to shake us up a bit… so Rev. Cari told a story on herself, to begin this…