Sun. Oct. 31, 2010 (John Klassen)

John Klassen spoke on "Surviving Sin" from Psalm 32:1-7 and Luke 19:1-10. Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 31st, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 24, 2010 (Kevin Hiebert)

Kevin Hiebert used a parable (the Pharisee and the tax collector) and the awe-inspiring miracles of the known universe to encourage us to be humble in our attitude towards God. The Pharisees thought themselves to be beyond reproach, and made a big show of their fasting and prayer so they would be noticed. As religious teachers the Pharisees were rigid and unforgiving. Thievery would have been the sin of the tax collector: artificially inflating the value of the goods. Jesus used this parable to highlight the contrast between the arrogant and prideful who will not be saved by their heartless deeds, and those who admit their failures in true humility and are rewarded with forgiveness. The hymn “How Wondrous Great” provides a sense of humility and praise for God’s incredible creation in the heavens. The connection between our awe-inspiring universe and a deep call to repent is a common theme in biblical poetry. Our response to “fearful and glorious things” should be to praise God. We would do well to recall the publican’s prayer: Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. (HN) Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 24th, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 17, 2010 (Janice Kreider)

Janice Kreider first talked about Amos (8.1-3), which includes a pun on words for "figs" and "the end", words which sounded similar when spoken by people in Northern Israel. Amos was asked, "What do you see", he replied "figs", yet people would have wondered whether he meant 'the end'. Amos suggested that God was also going to withdraw from the people both as a provider and protector, and that there would also be a spiritual withdrawal (8:11) causing a famine of the Word. Luke 10:38 gives the story of Martha and Mary, which also focuses on the importance of the Word. However, this enigmatic story also raises all sorts of questions about hospitality, work and servanthood, and how to balance them with reflection and intellectual/spiritual growth. Jesus acknowledged that Martha had a lot to do, yet he concluded by appearing to criticize her for labouring on his behalf instead of listening to his teaching in her home. The bottom line was that the kingdom of God is what matters most. Was she distracting Jesus from his teaching (kingdom work) by interrupting, or even by publicly putting him in conflict with Mary? But what about that much praised kingdom notion of Servanthood? Was Jesus ungrateful concerning his being fed, likely including a number of his followers? The two passages remind us that if we have a famine of the Word, nothing else really matters. But we must also realize that life, even in the kingdom, somehow requires special balance between working and reflecting. [JEK] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 17th, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 3, 2010 (Christine Broesamle)

Christine Broesamle, launching from Jeremiah 1, drew a large number of parallels between the ancient kingdom of Judah beset on all sides and abandoned by God, and the people of Rwanda of not much more than a decade ago. The slaughter in Rwanda, so thoroughly documented at the time, has progressed little in reconciliation until recently, when finally, returning refugees from the Congo were met not with calls for retribution, but reconciliation. The Rwandese were an oral culture, and this meant than lies held equal weight and power as did truth. This did peaceable neighbours turn into killers within a matter of days or even hours, between clans and groups between whom there is no genetic or cultural difference. Christine showed us a slice of the life and thinking of the people there as they struggle to come to grips not with “an eye for an eye” theology, but the theology of Christ’s forgiveness. Evangelicals are in the forefront of this movement, and Christine served with them until her calling to become a Catholic in 2008. At this time, the importance of bringing the message of reconciliation to the large Catholic majority which had stayed aloof from the process. Through amazing coincidences that Christine attributes directly to God’s leading, the way was opened for her to bring that message to the Catholics at the highest levels of government and church. A lively discussion fleshed out the details of her mission. [AP] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Oct. 10, 2010 (Thanksgiving)

We held our annual Thanksgiving worship service of prayers, singing and communion, for which the chapel was beautifully decorated with all manner of flowers and produce. Many thanks to all who brought things for the service, and to J. Evan Kreider who designed and conducted the service complete with readings and programs for all! NOTE: Although the service was recorded on a CD that is available to be borrowed, no audio file will be posted here.