In this sermon Pastor Jonathon shares how Advent calls us to lift our gaze to the power of hope and love in the world. Advent teaches us to live a life of anticipation because the Lord is near.

In this second week of Advent, we hear the how John the Baptist began his ministry. Pastor Hannah brings John's preaching into today's world, showing us ways that we can prepare the way of the Lord by helping others to see God's work in the world.

Pastor Michelle takes this morning's message from the Old Testament lesson in Jeremiah, in which we learn the prophesy of the coming of Jesus. We know there is upheaval in the world, and we don't have to look hard to find reasons to be anxious, or ways to feed that anxiety. Pastor Michelle tells us this morning that the prophesy we read in Jeremiah is a reason for hope, and the reason we need to not only look ahead to the redemption of the world, but to help others see that the redemption is coming.

In this sermon Pastor Michelle discusses Jesus's prediction about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. This warning tells us how that when times are difficult it important to no let others lead us astray. When times are difficult we are reminded that these are the birth pangs of God's renewal of the world. We are encouraged to join in God's work of recreating.

Today's gospel lesson is the story I knew as a child as 'The Widow's Mite' - the story of how Jesus watched many give to the Temple treasury out of their abundance to make themselves look good, but he was most taken with the widow who contributed all she had, a few pennies. Pastor Hannah explains that giving of yourself, without expectation of honor, is the kind of giving that that makes the world a better place.

On this All Saints Sunday, we not only celebrate baptisms, but we remember the saints among us who have joined God's eternal church. In Pastor Jonathan's reflection this morning, he talks about the people that have had the most positive effect on us: those who live 'in the now' but spread the joy that is the the coming Kingdom of God.

In this sermon Pastor Hannah invites us to reflect on discipleship and the disciples of Christ who have gone before us. We are reminded of the importance of staying in the Word. Discipleship is a constant living and adapting thing that must be grounded in the foundation of Christ.

In today's gospel, We find James and John requesting positions of honor from Jesus, which angers the rest of the disciples. Pastor Michelle tells us that Jesus explains to his disciples that it is not wrong to seek power and fame, but the real power and honor is afforded to those who serve others. Jesus came not to rule, but to show power made perfect in weakness, by submitting to death on the cross.

In today's gospel, Jesus advises a man who was seeking eternal life to "sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow me." Pastor Jonathan explains what Jesus is telling us - what we possess can be useful to help others, but it is not the key to our happiness. God calls us to be more than the sum of our things.

This morning, Pastor Hannah show us how we can relate to each of the characters in the story of The Prodigal Son. Sometimes, we are the younger son, in need of grace and forgiveness, and we are surprised at the outpouring of generosity from God and each other. Sometimes, unfortunately, we can be the older son, indignant at the blessings give to those who seemingly don't deserve it. And sometimes, we can be the father, joyfully sharing what we have.