Jonathan Chute - "Small Beginnings"

1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13 and Mark 4: 26-32. The gospel for the day includes two of Jesus' briefest parables. Both show us the kingdom of God as something less than we expect. In the first, the kingdom grows up pretty much on its own, without much human help. In the second, Jesus says that the kingdom is like a great... bush. Like us, his hearers were expecting something a little bigger and fancier.

Jonathan Chute - "When God Counts to Three"

Mark 3: 20-30. In this week's gospel, religious leaders suggest that Jesus is doing Satan's work when he conducts a series of healings. This angers Jesus, who responds that they are in danger of going too far - that there are limits to God's forgiveness.

Jonathan Chute - "The Mystery of God"

Isaiah 6: 1-8. A man named Isaiah experiences a vision of God in the Temple - a vision which terrifies him. The Lord needs someone to speak to the people and calls Isaiah into service. He may not have wanted to go, but Isaiah finds himself saying "Here am I, send me!"

John Kwan - "I've Seen This Before"

Acts 2: 1-21. The disciples have gathered for the festival of Pentecost to observe the renewal of their covenant with God. It is at this moment that they receive an amazing and promised gift.

Jonathan Chute - "How Not to be TOO Helpful"

Acts 1: 1-11. Our scripture tells of Jesus' final words to his followers just before he leaves them to go into heaven.

Jonathan Chute - "Them's the Rules"

Acts 10: 44-48. The first Christians did not initially think of including Gentiles in the Christian family, but after seeing in a dream that God had other plans, Peter realizes that to do anything else is to stand in God's way.

Jonathan Chute - "A Place in the Family"

Acts 8: 26-40. This week's cripture reading tells a story of community and hope. One of Jesus' followers meets an Ethopian royal officer returning home after a visit to Jerusalem. As the two men talk along the way, suddenly the Ethiopian asks to be baptized. Though he is far from home, he has found welcome and belonging in the Christian family of faith.

Jonathan Chute - "Following the Shepherd"

John 3: 16-24 and John 10: 11-15. We are encouraged to live out our faith with the courage and compassion of Jesus. The letter known as First John makes the connection between Christ's love for us, and our love for each other.

John Kwan - "Paranormal Activity"

Luke 24: 36-48. Having first appeared to the women at the tomb and then to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus now at last appears to all his gathered disciples. It is in this final appearance that Jesus helps them to understand what he has been teaching as he prepares them to continue his work and ministry.

Jonathan Chute - "Second Thoughts, Second Chances"

John 20: 19-31. John 20: 19-31. It's the Sunday after Easter - time for Jesus' followers to reckon with what the resurrection really means. Our gospel this week describes the appearance of the risen Christ to his disciples.