Pilgrim Church

Always enlightening, entertaining, and sometimes life-changing—four times a year we use our teaching/proclaiming time for live questions. This week, Pastor Shel and Andrés enter a conversation with the questions from the larger group.

Memento Mori is a Latin phrase used to remind you that you will die. It has been used in various ways, even during medieval plagues, to come to terms with death. Paul, at the start of his letter, spoke of being faithful to Jesus' call in facing death. When we follow Jesus' teachings and share Christ, our awareness of death can be transformed into a source of power and life NOW! The power of death is changed in Jesus, for the sake of Jesus and in turn, Jesus transforms us as we face it.

✨ The Shiny Show in our Second Corinthian Series

Spirit-inspired “seeing” of Jesus changes our being. Seeing his glory changes us to be more like him, from “one degree of glory to another”. You can strive or you can see your way into change. When faith moves from a mind-game into an experience we start to be changed. What you see, envision, you become. 

2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:6, 10:5; Romans 1:18-28,8:6-7; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 3:19; Colossians 3:2-4; Hebrews 12:1-2

What threatens our flourishing? What does real freedom look like, and what gives us the power to be free? How does Jesus ground all freedom? What are practices that help us be empowered, confident people? 

The Apostle Paul addresses some issues from those who want to mix-and-match various religious traditions with Jesus, and why this does not work for freedom. A buffet does not grant the freedom it claims. There is a path that gives you power to live a fulfilling life of love—a Jesusy life. 2 Corinthians 3:7-3:18

Matthew 2:1-12 

Why do we worship? Does God need/demand our worship? Is there a “correct” way to worship? Why are the drums so loud? Where are the hymns?  We remember the story of the Magi following the star and making their way to meet Jesus so that they can bow down and worship him. We all worship someone/something. This Sunday, we explore why Christian communities all around the world have decided to worship Jesus for more than 2,000 years.

2021 Advent Series: Good Gifts, Spirit and Fire, Luke 3:16; 11:5-13 When you’re ‘caught up’ in music, games, a movie, dance, or something awe-inspiring, you experience a taste of how God wants to empower you directly, personally, and in/through your body and mind together. These signposts of play and beauty point to the creator who desires that you experience delight. Are you drawn to choose to welcome the power created in your body and mind to grow in love and care for others? Are your relationships taking the form of goodness and truth? This power is the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus real in you; power to live differently, power to preserve under pressure, power to reject choices that destroy love; power to speak words that advance the creational work of God—creating new things and situations where goodness and love grows.

2021 ADVENT SERIES: Good Gifts, Wholeness In Body, Luke 5:12-16; Genesis 2:4, 25, 3:7 Sexual wholeness is not simply about genital sexual relations (and all the debates), but a constellation of affirming actions in our relationships and bodies. We can cultivate healthy practices for our well-being that are part of the very design of being a body and name abusive touch and issues with the absence of touch. Join us as we learn from Rich Villodas and others about being cared for in a tangible way.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021 10:30 AM (in-person + livestream + kids!)

NOTES: https://www.pilgrimchurch.ca/2021-12-12-advent-series-good-gifts-wholeness-in-body.html

2021 ADVENT SERIES: Good Gifts, Naked and Unashamed, Genesis 2:4, 25; 3:7 We are exploring more about the gift of the body, and in particular how the church often ignores our ongoing sexual formation, leaving it up to purity culture or swiping culture. Leaning into teaching from both the Deeply Formed Life, by Rich Villodas, and a bit more from Dr. McBride, we will hopefully learn new ways to think about the gift of sexuality and the body.

This Sunday, we look at the goodness of your body (Your Blessed Body). So often we miss this important and foundational aspect of our God-blessed humanity—having a body! Stewardship of our body starts with recognizing it as a gift. The Spirit of God often speaks to us through our bodies! God gives good gifts. The very act of creating the universe is an act of giving. This Advent/Christmas season, join us for an Advent Series on Good Gifts.​

John 1:14; Gen 1:27; Psalm 139:13(14)-18; 1 Corinthians 6:19 2021 

ADVENT SERIES 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2021, 10:30 AM (in-person + livestream, KIDS!)