Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

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This morning, Dave Blow shared a teaching on the next two Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who mourn..." and "Blessed are the meek...". Jesus is telling us that those who mourn deeply understand the cost of violence and those who grieve the world's pain are less eager to add to it.

Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.

The audio from the clip featuring Amy Grant appears in the recording. If you'd like to see that clip, you can find it here.

Home Church Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's teaching? Was there a word, image, or phrase that stayed with you over the past few days?

2. Read Matthew 5:4-5 and Psalms 37:1-11 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from these passages?

3. What kinds of mourning do you think are being named here (eg, personal, communal, global)?

4. When you hear the word "meek", what reactions or assumptions come up for you? 

5. The sermon described meekness as "strength under control", not passivity. Where have you seen gentleness require courage?

6. How are mourning and meekness connected? How might grieving the world's brokenness shape a nonviolent response to conflict?

7. Anabaptists see nonviolence as a way of following Jesus, not just an ideal. What feels challenging–or perhaps hopeful–about that for you?

8. This week, practice lament. Name before God one place of grief, whether personal or communal, without trying to fix it. Also, practice gentleness. In one tense moment this week, pause and ask: "What would the meekness of Jesus look like here?"

9. Pray with and for one another, our church community, and our world.

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John 1:1-5, 14, 16-18 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

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This week, Dave Blow continues our teaching on the Sermon on the Mount with a dive into the first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." What does this mean, exactly? And how should it affect the way that we live?

Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.

Home Church Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's teaching?

2. When you hear the phrase "poor in spirit", what feelings or images come to mind?

3. Read Matthew 5:3, Luke 18:13-14, Isaiah 57:15, and Psalms 34:18 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from these passages? Can you identify a common theme or message being communicated here?

4, Why do you think Jesus begins the Beatitudes with poverty of spirit rather than
action or morality?

5. The sermon suggested that being poor in spirit is about dependence, not self-
hatred. How does that distinction matter? Where do people often confuse the two?

6. Jesus says, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What does that tell us about who the Kingdom is for?

7. How does self-sufficiency show up in our culture—and in the church?

8. Anabaptist communities have emphasized mutual aid, confession, and shared discernment. How do these practices help form a people who are poor in spirit?

8. What makes it difficult to admit need or weakness in Christian community?

9. This week’s practice is dependence. What is one way you personally resist dependence on God or others? What might letting go look like this week?

10. How can Home Church become a safer place for asking for help, naming doubt, sharing struggle?

11. Pray with and for one another, our church community, and our world.

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Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Psalms 98:1-3 (NIV)

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

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Today, Dave Blow began our first teaching series of 2026, which will be about Christ's Sermon on the Mount, by looking at the Beatitudes and what it means to be "blessed". What does the Kingdom of God look like? What does it mean to be #blessed?

Please find the slide deck for this week's teaching here.

Please find the video clip from Seinfeld here.

Home Church Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's teaching?

2. Read Matthew 5:1-12 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from this passage?

3. When you hear the word “blessed,” what images or assumptions come to mind?

4. How does Jesus’s use of the word differ from those assumptions?

5. Which Beatitude feels most surprising or uncomfortable to you? Why?

6. The sermon suggested that the Beatitudes describe a community, not just individual virtues. How does that change the way you hear these words? What might a “Beatitude-shaped church” look like?

7. Anabaptists emphasize following Jesus as teacher, not just believing in him. What difference does that make when reading the Sermon on the Mount?

8. Why do you think the Sermon on the Mount has often been treated as impossible, optional, or only for a spiritual elite? What happens if we receive it as a way of life instead?

9. Some homework: this week, pay attention to where Jesus’s values clash with the world’s values. Where did you notice that tension? What emotions does it stir in you—resistance, hope, confusion, curiosity?

10. Pray with and for one another, our church community, and our world.

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Instagram: @theharbournewmarket
Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Psalms 18:1-4 (NIV)

I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and I have been saved from my enemies.

The cords of death entangled me;
    the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

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Just a brief clarification from the last post about upcoming events and how to use this podcast feed.

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Merry Christmas, everyone! Dave Blow shared this final Advent reflection at our Christmas Eve service. This will be our last post for 2025. We will be back with new teachings on January 4th. As always, we will be meeting in the Newmarket SilverCity at 10:00AM. All are welcome!

While there will not be any Home Church meeting this week, consider these questions for personal reflection:

1. What stood out to you from this Christmas Eve reflection?

2. Read John 1:1-18 (preferably in multiple translations). What stands out to you from this passage?

3. How can we emulate Jesus, in both small ways and big ways, in order to be lights in the world?

4. Pray for your friends and family, our church community, and our world.

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Website: theharbournewmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]

Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

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