On this Palm Sunday, its easy to identify with the crowd waving palm branches to Jesus as King. At a very practical level, however, Jesus challenges us to follow Him as King by having our palm-waving take the form of extending olive branches (initiating resolution) toward others. (Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14). The conflict resolution we see in Acts 15 challenges us to ask some difficult questions when we find ourselves in conflict with others.

Please note: the sermon takes a comical twist in the beginning, as the congregation pranks Pastor Lyle by all wearing a cutout of his face.

Today we are looking at the practice of hospitality. We will discover that many of us would benefit from a far broader understanding of the practice than we have become accustomed to.

Paul points us to the way of Jesus as the model of hospitality Philippians 2:1-4

This week, we will focus on the practice of Forgiveness. As followers of Jesus, we are going to offend and hurt one another. Gods pathway through these hurtful times starts with forgiveness. To follow Jesus faithfully requires that we forgive others as God has forgiven us.

This week, we will focus on the practice of Authentic Friendship. In calling us to meet together, the writer of Hebrews challenges us to gather not just for corporate worship, but also in contexts that develop authentic relationships (based on reality) where we intentionally walk alongside one another in the deepening journey of faithfully following Jesus.This week, we will focus on the practice of Authentic Friendship. In calling us to meet together, the writer of Hebrews challenges us to gather not just for corporate worship, but also in contexts that develop authentic relationships (based on reality) where we intentionally walk alongside one another in the deepening journey of faithfully following Jesus.

As we continue our focus today on Corporate Worship, we will look more closely at two practices that have long been part of our worship gatherings

This week we will focus on the practice of corporate worship. While church is so much more than a building or an event, we do gather as Gods people at a particular place and time to worship.

We are in a series looking at a number of practices designed to create space for God to transform us in our relationships with Himself, with one another and with our neighbours.

While it is common to view Sabbath as a legalistic religious ritual or as an unnecessary and impractical option, we saw last week that it is much more. God our Creator has woven a rhythm of rest and work into the very fabric of Creation. We arent designed to be machines that run 24/7. Its fascinating to note that in Deuteronomy, God grounds our practice of Sabbath in His act of freeing His people from slavery. Were no longer slaves that have to earn our way before God or our worth in society. Today, well look at the implications of this amazing truth!

In a world that is on 24/7, we can find ourselves quite tired and disoriented. Rather than simply be pulled by these cultural currents, God invites us to recover the practice of Sabbath. As we understand its intention, we begin to see the incredible gift from God that it is.

Today, we continue our focus on the practice of listening prayer. We will hear three members of our pastoral team share out of their understanding and application of this practice.

With all your heart you must trust the LORD

and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road

for you to follow.

- Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV)

We may limit our understanding of prayer to a one-way conversation with God in which we present our list and go on our way. This can often leave us feeling quite dry in our relationship with Him. Today we will explore the practice of listening prayer, which invites us beyond lifting our hearts cry to God to also include a posture of listening for His voice to us.