Sermons
Not just for weddings
This Sunday’s epistle reading is one of the very best known. Frequently called the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13 is indeed about love. It is also completely appropriate for a wedding, or an anniversary, or lots of other occasions. However, is this the reason Paul wrote it? As both sermons make clear, Paul wrote this letter we call 1 Corinthians to a church facing some difficulties, especially around their understanding…
One body for all of us
It is good to be back. I was hoping to be back last week but the weather was sufficiently threatening to prevent us from going, us in this case being Heather and me. This week was Heather and me as I am still not able to drive, hopefully by next week but I must say it was very nice to have a chauffeur 🙂 This Sunday we spent our time…
Jesus’ baptism
Oh you lucky, lucky people! This Sunday you don’t “have” to listen to me, you get to listen to Heather instead! I suppose this needs some explanation but as the explanation has nothing to do with the usual purpose of this blog I’ll put it down at the bottom so scroll down if you are curious. This Sunday celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. The text for this liturgical year is…
More gifts
Living with two different calendars means we don’t always get what we want on the day we want it but sometimes it does work. January 6 is the Epiphany of the Lord, and this year it fell on a Sunday, so we were able talk about the Epiphany and sing “We three kings” on the actual day! This is very exciting for those of us who worship in liturgical churches….
The gift of Christmas
 I often spend quite a lot of time on sermon titles. They are frequently questions, which I then endeavour to answer in the sermon, and if they aren’t questions they almost always provide direction for me. Every now and then I am very pleased with a sermon title; this Sunday has such a title. We tinkered with the Lectionary texts to “allow” us to light the Christ candle today (neither…
What does love look like?
Merry Christmas! I’ll get to this Sunday’s sermons in a moment or two but first there are a few words I need to say. I have been preaching in various Presbyterian churches for about 23 years. It hasn’t been a full time thing but if I figured it out correctly, I have been a preacher in one Presbyterian church or another in Saskatchewan for 65% of the last 23 years….
Joy and happiness are not the same thing
The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy. What could be more fitting for this season than a Sunday devoted to Joy? Not much to be sure but what images come to mind when someone reminds you “Christmas is the season of joy” or says “Christmas is such a joyous time”? If you are like me you picture kids unwrapping presents or carolers or something like that. There…
Advent – Peace
Let me begin by saying it is good to be back. My time away was wonderful and I am happy to recommend an Atlantic crossing to anyone. It felt odd to begin the church year with the second Sunday in Advent but I have been in this position before so it isn’t completely new. Nor is the general topic of this Sunday. The liturgical year has us talking about peace…
No such thing as a one-sided coin
It struck me about five minutes ago that these are my last sermons in this Liturgical year. I’ll be away from both Knox and St. Mark’s Presbyterian churches until the second Sunday of Advent. Both congregations are in excellent hands so nothing to worry about there but if you come here for the next few weeks, all you’ll see is what is here now. But enough of that, what did…
Servant?
A short word before we get to anything else. This Sunday Knox Presbyterian had the great privilege of witnessing a member joining by confession of faith and four, yes you read that correctly, FOUR baptisms. It made for a delightful service but you will notice quite a lot of extra voices during the sermon. I don’t think you will have any difficulty hearing me but if you do, let me…