“Some may describe familiar works of music as “comfort food”… meaning a piece of music that invites an escape from the joys a challenges of the real world.  The background of Handel’s Messiah and the use of scripture both suggest that this work of music functions not to turn away from the world, but as a call to turn towards to world with hope.”

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. 

In his commentary, Biblical Scholar Don Juel says the following.  “The disciples speak for reasonable people.  They do not expect anything from Jesus.”  In this sermon we wonder in our own time about our definitions of “reasonableness” and how a definition that includes faith in Jesus has an affect on how we think about generosity.

This message comes from Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson is Mark Chapter 6, Verses 30 to 44. 

When you are in a boat far from land, high winds and rough seas can cause worry. Following the national elextion, the seas in which the United States sails seem uncertain too. Pastor Sarah provides modern day context from the nautial world, and applies these lessons to help us identify why we can remain calm, and exactly what our boat actually is. 

The Gospel lesson today is from Mark Chapter 4 Verses 35 to 41. 

All Saints Sunday is a day when we give thanks for people who have gone before. We remember not only that there are those who have died in our lifetimes, but there is also a great cloud of witnesses above, and that we too will be in their ranks soon. We draw on the powerful image of dancing saints to depict the community that those of us still living have with those who have died.

This message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our lesson is from Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 1-2, and the Gospel is from John Chapter 11, Verses 32-44.

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason.

The Lesson comes from Romans Chapter 3, Verses 21-24 and the Gospel is from John Chapter 8, Verses 31-36

This message is brought to us by Pastor Tania. The Gospel is Hebrew Chapter 12, verses 1-2.

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The New Testament lesson is from Romans 12:verses 3-8, and the Old Testament Lesson is from Exodus Chapter 18, verses 13-23.

Pastor Sarah brings us this message. The Gospel lesson is from John 14, verses 27, 30-31.

Joseph is the Old Testament character (and leader) of the week…someone whose life included being thrown into a pit, being sold into slavery, being thrown into jail for a misunderstanding…and yet out of his life experiences and his pain/betrayal/hurt, God stayed with him and used him for good.  Out of your “pits” and pain, God still sees incredible potential in you, and chooses you and uses you to bring about good in our world.

This message is brought to us from Pastor Tania. The scripture reading is from Genesis, Chapter 45 verses 1-12.