An attitude of gratitude is a key part of our praise and thanksgiving. Gratitude lifts us up, like great music; and leads us back to seek more of God's Spirit through Word and worship, through the body and blood of Christ, through our prayers. When we hand over control to God, we know how to live. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 15]

Today we surround five young people as they confirm their faith in public statements. This is the community where we can uplift, encourage, and help each other in our faith journeys. (This service ran too long for a CD, and so is available as two CDs: the first has the 'normal' Sunday worship components, and the second has the five Faith Statements and the Rite of Confirmation separated out. If you order a CD, please clarify in a comment whether you want just CD 1, or the double CD set.) [Blended Band and Organ/Choir - Pentecost 14]

When Jesus said he was the Bread of Life, and his disciples were to eat his body and drink his blood, many walked away. Yet this is the foundation of Holy Communion. Can we approach this with the same joy that Bach addressed in BWV 49 "Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen" (I go forth and seek with longing)? With all the joy of a wedding feast? [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 13]

The fifth in our series of "$0 Days in Community" focuses on how our small groups can be units that serve together, multiplying our efforts. [Organ/choir - Pentecost 12]

It's important that the body of Christ grows together, but this is not always easy. You don't need to be in any group for long to discover people you'd prefer not to get along with! Making this community work requires three things, none of which comes easily: patience, truthfulness, and perhaps above all forgiveness. Fortunately, Christ models each of these for us. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 11]

In proclaiming God's love for foreigners, the Scriptures encourage us not so much to talk about asylum seekers, but to talk to them, and to welcome them in to our homes. We cannot turn them back from our personal lives, because God has not turned us back from His personal life. For all Christians have no permanent residence, and are pursuing our own citizenship claim in the city that is to come, guaranteed by Christ. [Thomas Place - Pentecost 10]

God has brought his church together, inviting us through the doors into life together. Here is where we can learn to grow in love, and to grow in community -- just as Paul encouraged the Ephesians. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 10]

Both the Old Testament and Gospel readings today cover miraculous feeding of large crowds with minimal resources. As we consider our lives in community, are there lessons we can take from these stories, and particularly from Jesus feeding the five thousand? [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 9]

What matters most to you? For many people, it is their children; and for Christian parents, the children's faith journey is very important. This is what draws them closer to what really matters most: Jesus, Son of God. Today's epistle emphasises that Jesus tore down the walls that divide people. One of his goals for us is community: places where the love of neighbour is put into practical effect. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 8]

The prophet Amos was shown a plumb line, a tool for ensuring that buildings are set vertical. God calls us to be plumb lines within society, let God put us right with him, grow us in holiness, and give us his Word to share with those around us. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 7]