On this first Sunday of Advent, Walter’s homily focused especially on the Romans 13 passage: Paul’s encouragement for us to wake up because our salvation is near. The opportunities for us to turn from our sleepy distractions and live the life of love that Jesus invites and makes possible are ready and waiting.

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Marilyn extends the wordplay with our new teaching theme as she mingles thoughts from Brene Brown’s latest book with Ephesians 6. The armour that God offers is not about “self-protection.” It enables us to accept God’s protection, so we can be more vulnerably present. You can listen below and view her powerpoint here.

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As we enter into our new teaching theme, Jess invites us to reflect on the current state of the world and the tendency within evangelicalism toward escapist theology. She then underlines the significance of our connection and interdependence with the world and each other, and directs our attention toward role models like Jesus and Dorothy Day, who poured out their lives for the sake of the world. We ended the service by listening to this song by Trevor Hall. You can listen below and view her powerpoint here.

You’re always welcome to subscribe to the SCC  podcasts. (St. Croix Church in Apple Podcasts)

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During our 2nd Breakfast service, Erin O’Neill invited us into a prayer practice of lament and longing for peace. Erin shared a bit about what drew her to start a monthly online prayer vigil for Palestine this year, and introduced us to the birds of gaza project. We then spent time making birds together. If you weren’t with us, this is something you can participate in easily from home as well! The online prayer vigil happens on the 4th Wednesday of the month, and anyone is welcome to join it. You can email Erin at [email protected] for the link. You can listen below and view her powerpoint here.

You’re always welcome to subscribe to the SCC  podcasts. (St. Croix Church in Apple Podcasts)

Keep checking our Facebook group, St. Croix Church, for all the latest updates. We are also on Instagram as stcroixchurch.

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Saints, Souls and Seasons — on All Souls’ Day, Walter talks about how we pass faith on through generations by remembering those who have gone on before us. You can listen below and view his powerpoint here.

You’re always welcome to subscribe to the SCC  podcasts. (St. Croix Church in Apple Podcasts)

Keep checking our Facebook group, St. Croix Church, for all the latest updates. We are also on Instagram as stcroixchurch.

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This Sunday, Jess directed her homily toward blessing and saying goodbye to our beloved Rachael Barham as she and her family prepare for a move and a new season ahead. Themes of beauty, imperfection, interconnectedness, and the divine in all things were woven through the service, as well as much love and gratitude for the many ways Rachael has blessed and shaped our lives and community. You can listen below and view her powerpoint here.

You’re always welcome to subscribe to the SCC  podcasts. (St. Croix Church in Apple Podcasts)

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In her last talk with us as part of our Leadership Collective, Rachael shared on how we integrate being present while seeing our moments as part of a pilgrimage with a path and destination in mind. Along the way, she includes Psalm 84, many alliterative “P”s, and an invitation for Virginia to share some of her journey with cancer treatment. Here is her power point, and you can listen below.

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On our 33rd anniversary, several of us (including guest, Bradley Jersak) shared thoughts on what they’ve appreciated about being a part of SCC. We closed with Ray’s singing of “Kingfishers” (aka “Icarus” or “The Hot Song”). Much love and gratitude was present. You can listen below.

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Walter’s homily tracks the straightforward thread through the morning’s lectionary readings. In order to live the “life that really is life,” we need to turn from our society’s love of money and turn toward the contentment that devotion makes possible.

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Vic Thiessen offered a reflection on the recent film, The Life of Chuck, and all the ways that a series of ‘coincidences’ in his life keep pointing to the deep significance of our connectedness and how God’s role in those connections underlines the meaning of life and death. You can listen below and view his powerpoint here.

You’re always welcome to subscribe to the SCC  podcasts. (St. Croix Church in Apple Podcasts)

Keep checking our Facebook group, St. Croix Church, for all the latest updates. We are also on Instagram as stcroixchurch.

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