WildWords: Sermons from Wildwood Mennonite Church

What are you waiting for? We know that fear drives blame, greed, racism, addiction, war, and disconnection. And in 2019, we were very afraid - swimming in a fear soup. So how can we manifest God’s vision today? How can we, while we wait in fear of everything happening around us, live God’s vision?

"Metanoia!" We were pleased to have Rev Emily Carr share with us on this second Sunday of Advent.

Advent begins with the cry for help: all is not right with the world, and people are longing for a saviour. Are we listening to their cries? What do we do with all of this pain? Listen to "Where Are You???" from Joe Heikman.

"Mourning Together, in Hope" - Do you know that feeling of being alone in your grief, that you have to “walk this lonesome valley by yourself”? Death and many kinds of significant changes bring feelings of grief. How do we express that grief? What role can rituals fill and what is the value of mourning? In all our questions about life and death, how does faith play a part, and do we, who have hope, grieve differently than others?

There are consequences for what we've done. How do we deal with the harm we've done--to ourselves and to others, in the past and ongoing--in constructive ways?

We need to take responsibility. But this is easier said than done. Why do we get stuck in cycles of harm, why is taking responsibility so difficult? Where can we look for models of authentic, meaningful responsibility-taking?

Oh wow, you've really done it this time! Relax, we all have. So what do we do about what we've done? And would it feel better if we framed this as musical theatre?  "Will you join in our crusade // Who will be strong and stand with me? // Beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?" #lesmiserables  #sorrynotsorry?

This sermon began with a scene from Les Miserables , the 2012 musical movie version. The scene is of the convict Valjean’s encounter with a bishop, who meets Valjean’s act of thievery with kindness and generosity. 

Hope Floats, this we know. (Sorry, we couldn't go the whole series without making that reference at least once!) But does Hope get results? Listen here to find out. (Or does that invitation make you wonder if the only result we're hoping for is your play? Hmmm...) Also, stories from Samson, Gideon, and the Seeds of Peace.

Most of us have known hopelessness at some point in our lives, things feel out of control, it is a reality of living. How confusing are those times? How do we continue? Where does strength for living come from? Where is God in all of this?

Let’s be confused together, but maybe something surprising is hidden in those darker hours.

What do we when Thanksgiving comes before the harvest is in? How can we be grateful when our hopes our not yet realized? Hope & Gratitude, Thanksgiving vs Passover - it's holiday mash-up time at Wildwood!

Who is able to share in the unbounded, universal love of God? How did this understanding come about? And in times of division and polarization, what does it mean for us today? Having celebrated World Communion Sunday, can we learn to see Christ present also at the tables in our homes and communities, and around the world?