Blog

Reflecting on the final day of Jesus’s earthly ministry, we recall the sermon of the Most Rev. Michael Curry at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to remember the greatest gift Jesus left us-the power of love.

Focus text: Acts 1:1-11

When people with privilege fail to listen to others, we are getting in the way of God’s justice and healing in the world.

Focus text: John 5:1-9

We hear a story of one Jesus’s most faithful disciples learning that the laws he has followed his whole life no longer apply. What do we gain when we follow a new way? What do we lose?

Focus text: Acts 11:1-18

This week Pastor Dawn encourages us to look closely at Psalm 23 as we broke into pairs to discuss it together. This recording includes the introduction and a summary of the discussions, as well as teaching from Pastor Dawn.

You may also want to explore Psalm 23 with these directions either alone, with a partner, or with a group.

1. Read Psalm 23
2. Share what this psalm means to you. Perhaps it raises a certain memory. Share that if you feel comfortable.
3. You can also try these questions.
   1. How is God described in this psalm?
   2. This psalm names a lot of different settings-the dining room, by a still lake, a dark valley. Where do you find yourself right now? What is the hope God offers in that place? How could that hope be present in your life right now?

This morning, Pastor Dawn announced her resignation and her move to St. John’s Anglican Church, West Toronto. Her announcement was followed by a response by David Berg, our Council Chair, sharing about what to expect in the near future. We have included the announcement here, along with Pastor Dawn’s sermon, which you can find around 13:50. We apologise for the poor audio quality of the sermon.

We reflect on an appearance of Jesus to the disciples and the power of being sent by God into the world.

Pastor Dawn shares the good news of Easter, how we come to believe, and how we mourn the deaths of those killed in Sri Lanka alongside celebration.

Pastor Dawn offers a response to the reading of the Passion, John 18-19, by focussing on the women present through Jesus’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

Pastor Dawn talks about the work of Holy Week and finding meaning as we move towards Easter.

Andrew Blake brings the good news of the beloved parable of the Prodigal Son.

Pastor Dawn engages the assembly in the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.

Lead in worship by Friedrich Brunzema while Pastor Dawn was on vacation, here is the sermon.

While Pastor Dawn and Friedrich were leading worship and preaching at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Scarborough, we welcomed Vicar Miriam Steinbach to lead us in worship. Here is her sermon in English.

While Pastor Dawn and Friedrich were leading worship and preaching at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Scarborough, we welcomed Vicar Miriam Steinbach to lead us in worship. Here is her sermon in German.

Pastor Dawn reflects on how we listen to and speak the truth when truth appears hard to find.

Continuing in the Christmas season, Pastor Dawn reflects on the young Jesus, and his invitation to an adventure.

Pastor Dawn talks about the meaning of the child king of Isaiah for us as we welcome the Messiah.

On “Mary Sunday”, Pastor Dawn places the mother of Jesus in the prophetic tradition.

To begin our service of Lessons and Carols, Pastor Dawn introduces us to the prophet Isaiah, and offers cues for listening to particular themes in the 7 lessons.

*Correction. In her reflection, Pastor Dawn calls Lessons and Carols an ancient custom. It is, in fact, only 100 years old.

Our series on our relationship with our Jewish neighbours continues with one we do not normally call a Hebrew prophet-John the Baptist. Special thanks to Peter Haresnape for his thoughtful sermon sending us out to the margins to join the prophets’ call.

For Advent and Christmas, Pastor Dawn has begun a series, “Our Shared Hope”. Using the Hebrew texts for Advent, we are exploring the hopes we hold in common with our Jewish siblings. This morning, Pastor Dawn introduces the series and expands on the prophet Jeremiah.

Focus text: Jeremiah 33:14-16

On Reign of Christ Sunday we welcomed Agnes Wasuk Petia, National Woman’s Program Coordinator for the South Sudan Council of Churches, as our guest preacher. Agnes was in Toronto for the Women of Courage: Women, Peace and Security gathering with KAIROS Canada. She spoke of the hope and resilience the people of South Sudan find in the promises of God.

Texts: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and Psalm 93 • Revelation 1:4b-8 • John 18:33-37

While the disciples contemplate the “indestructable” temple in Jerusalem, Jesus reminds them, and us, that nothing is permanent and was not meant to be. But what about the things we hold on to, that mean a lot to us? Pastor Dawn reflects on the break-in we experienced in July to consider these things.

Texts: Mark 13:1-8; Hebrews 10:19-25

How does a congregation built by people with a different story of war remember? For the first time, we mark Remembrance Sunday in our own way, remembering the costs of war.

For All Saints Sunday, we learn about saints, and what makes them remarkable.

Text: John 11:32-44

We celebrate our anniversary and look ahead to our mission as we follow Christ on the road to the cross with his disciples.

Text: Mark 10:35-45

This Sunday, our Council Chair, David Berg, shares his story about why and how he chooses to give to First through time, talent, and treasure.

Text Mark 10:17-31

We give thanks for the blessings of this life, and recall why it is important to give thanks every day.

Texts: Psalm 126 and Matthew 25-33

This week Pastor Dawn shares the story of the child and the kingdom of God, as we celebrate another baptism this month.

Pastor Dawn speaks to the life lessons we learn when we are younger, our new outreach and ongoing relationship to Toronto Metropolitan University, the different identities represented and how they strengthen us.

Pastor Dawn leads us through one single verse of scripture, from the Letter of James, inviting us to let the words sink in, reflect on them, and share our thoughts on the verse.

Have you ever been so sure of something but nobody believes you? It can be frustrating beyond belief.

In today’s sermon, Pastor Dawn shares Jesus’s moment of this frustration and trying to tell his disciples who he is.

Pastor Dawn shares the story of Elijah calling on God’s power and the resulting fear and depression that he experiences after, echoing an emotional roller coaster that many people encountering mental health are familiar with. But God wants to feed us, he does not choose death.

How do we form our loves as a response to the love that God has bestowed upon us?

Pastor Dawn shares Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and his encouragement to live as God has invited us.

Pastor Dawn broadens our understanding of love in saying that anger can exist in the same place as love. In the Bible, we read messages about God’s anger but that does not mean God doesn’t love us and is not in opposition to love.

The letter to the Ephesians which is written on behalf of Paul makes the statement that we are loved simply because we are God’s children.

Pastor Dawn talks about home and shares her own story of going back to her hometown of Souris, PEI while looking like a city girl.

Even if being home feels good for people, that doesn’t mean it is perfect. It was the same for Jesus and his disciples, who had very heavy expectations placed on them.

Pastor Dawn talks about the long waiting times we often have to endure and how to have patience and hope with God.

Focus Texts: Lamentations 3:22-33; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

This week Pastor Dawn’s shares a sermon prepared by Bishop Michael Pryse for Synod were he reflects on how we should trust God, as the disciples did.

Focus Text: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 10:25-37

Jordan Smith joins us again as guest preacher in Pastor Dawn’s absence.

The story of David’s anointing as king is used to show how God can choose leaders in the church, and how all of us are called to live a life that shows God to the world.

Focus Text: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13

In the midst of the recent Ontario election and the upcoming Eastern Synod’s election for bishop, the words of 1 Samuel can provide us with guidance on both what qualities to look for in a leader and also what we should be cautious of when choosing new leadership. Jordan Smith preaches in Pastor Dawn’s absence.

Focus Text: 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15

Pastor Dawn talks about keeping sabbath in the suburbs and the different ways in which we can approach sabbath.

How we think about God…matters.

How we talk about God…matters.

How we pray to God…matters.

How we tell others about God…matters.

Join Pastor Dawn in an activity from Trinity Sunday as she talks about why it all matters.

Foucs Text: John 3:1-8

Check out the following links from this sermon: Plus links to www.reclaimingjesus.org and https://youtu.be/oheb3MplSHE

On Pentecost, Pastor Dawn speaks about the Holy Spirit coming down to earth, the breath of God. She leads the following common breathing exercise:

Deep breath

Breathe out all the cares and concerns and anxieties

Breathe in God’s mercies

Breathe out all stress and tension

Breath in God’s life giving love

Focus Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Remembering the words of assurance Jesus gave to us before he rose to be with the Father.

Focus Text: Luke 24:44-53

Pastor Dawn speaks about the core of John’s gospel and the final commandment Jesus gave on the night before he did, to love one another as He has loved us.

After the horrific van attack that shook Toronto, Pastor Dawn speaks on having faith and sharing it in times of tragedy and how important love and our vocation is in times like these.

This sermon features a poem by Anne Michaels, the poet laureate of Toronto.

Listen to our own Scott Weidler and Adrienne Findlay-Jones teach us about imagery, symbols, and some traditions in the church as part of our narrative service.

What about the Crusades?

What about the Holocaust?

What about the Church’s treatment of women and same sex couples?

What about Residential Schools?

Pastor Dawn continues her Easter preaching series.

Authenticity – Doubts and All: April 8, 2018

Pastor Dawn continues our Easter preaching series, From the Garden to the City, by showing us how Thomas and the disciples find common ground through their doubts.

Focus text: John 20:19-31

Easter: April 1, 2018

Pastor Dawn begins our Easter preaching series, From the Garden to the City, about sharing our faith in the media echo chamber of toxic forms of Christianity.

Focus text: John 20:1-18

Good Friday: March 29, 2018

Pastor Dawn brings us to the Cross and confronts our false securities.

Focus text: John 18:1-19:42