Kortright Church

Message: The Test Speaker: Rev. Howard Sullivan Passage: Genesis 22 Every June students, at various levels of education, face their “finals”, a series of tests. Abraham faces a testing as well, and it is often a very contentious account among those who resist the Gospel. In this episode our Interim Moderator, Rev. Howard Sullivan, guides us to a better understanding of this challenging story. Epis...

Message: Waiting to Witness Speaker: Doug Schonberg Passage: Acts 1 This morning we welcome Doug Schonberg to the KPC pulpit. Doug served as an ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church in Canada for 25 years, 22 of them with Chippawa Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls. He currently works with a number of ministries including PAN Missions, which has long had a special place in the heart of...

Founders of the Faith 6: The Birth of Isaac – Allison Pinches – June 11, 2023 Message: The Birth of Isaac Speaker: Allison Pinches Passage: Genesis 21 Sarah Laughed when the visitors foretold that she would give birth in her 90s, and to be fair, who wouldn't. we have all found ourselves in situations we would have previously thought unbelievable . Our investigation of Abraham’s (Abram’s) story...

Message: The Covenant of Circumcision Speaker: Justin Sytsma Passage: Genesis 17 The Covenant of Circumcision. What does it mean? Why just the men? Are women excluded? Is there a Christian equivalent? And why the name change? These questions and other will be addressed as Pastor Justin Sytsma guides us through the next chapter in Abram’s story. Episode 25-022: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church 

Message: Ministry Wisdom from Thessalonica Speaker: Sam Strauss – Liebenzell Mission of Canada Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 On this Pentecost Sunday, we welcome Sam Strauss of Liebenzell Mission, who shares some wisdom to be found on the subject of ministry work in the story of Paul & Silas in Thessalonica. Episode 24-022: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church 

Message: Founders – Part 4: Hagar’s Story Speaker: Justin Sytsma Passage: Genesis 16 Slavery, sexual abuse, and oppression are prominent dynamics in the cultural identity of many people in our culture. So what does it mean when the Founders of our Faith are seen to be guilty of all of these things? This week Justin guides us through the story of Hagar and helps us to understand that God has always...

Message: Founders – Part 3: Abram’s Covenant With God Speaker: Allison Pinches Passage: Genesis 15:1-17 What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than by talking about animal sacrifice? Okay, it’s a bit strange way to start a topic, but this week our Pastor of Vision and Staff Development, Allison Pinches, continues our exploration of Abram’s journey by examining the covenant that God makes with h...

Message: Founders – Part 2: Abram’s Sojourn in Egypt Speaker: Rev. Howard Sullivan Passage: Genesis 12:10-20 Continuing our Founders series, our Interim Moderator, Howard Sullivan, takes us through Abram’s sojourn in Egypt. Why did Abram engage in this deception? Why didn’t Sarai object? Why does God afflict Pharaoh? Most importantly, what can we learn from this story? Episode 23-020: © 2023 Kortr...

Message: Founders – Part 1: The Calling of Abram Speaker: Rev. Howard Sullivan Passage: Genesis 11:27 - 12:9 This week, our Interim Moderator, Rev. Howard Sullivan, launches a new series on the founders of our faith. He begins with the calling of Abram, and the importance of his journey from Haran to Canaan, and the depth of what it means to be blessed. Episode 23-019: © 2023 Kortright Presbyteria...

Message: The Restoration of Peter Speaker: Lindsay Sytsma Passage: Hebrews 21: 15-17 In this episode Lindsay Sytsma continues our examination of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by taking us through the story of Jesus and the disciples having breakfast on the beach. As we look at Peter's restoration, what can we learn about our own walk with Jesus? Episode 23-018: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian...

Message: Hold Fast Speaker: Justin Sytsma Passage: Hebrews 10:19-25 Our Pastor, Alex MacLeod, is moving on at the call of God to another charge. In his farewell message to us he asks us to remember Jesus, to remember who we are in Christ, and to hold fast to the gospel, the good news that by his grace we are called to be his church. Episode 23-017: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church  

Message: An Old Story That Makes Things New Speaker: Justin Sytsma Passage: John 20:1-29 For our Easter Sunday message, Pastor Justin Sytsma shares an old story that has been shared many, many times. But it is a story that continues to make things new. Episode 23-016: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church 

Message: Paying Attention to the Story Speaker: Allison Pinches Passage: John 18:1-13; 19:14-30 For our Good Friday offering, our Director of Discipleship, Allison Pinches invites us to slow down, take some time, set aside our paradigms, and pay attention to the story of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Episode 23-015: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church 

Message: A Kingdom of Faith or Fear? Speaker: Karla Wubbenhorst Passage: II Samuel 5-7; Hebrews 12:14-29 (selected verses) On this Palm Sunday, Rev. Karla Wubbenhorst invites us to consider if our Western culture has made us more risk-sensitive. Does our reliance on government programs, safety regulations, and various form of insurance decrease our capacity to absorb uncertainty and function by fa...

Message: Pioneer Camp Mission Update Speaker: Jacob Morris Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16 As we continue our journey to Holy Week, our Director of Music & Outreach, Justin Sytsma, guides us through a meditation the unity of the body of Christ from Ephesians 4. This is follow3ed by a Pioneer Camp Mission update present by Jacob Morris. Episode 23-013: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church 

Message: Mt. Nemo: Judgement & Mercy Speaker: Rev. Karla Wubbenhorst Passage: Selected Verses from Deuteronomy 19-20 & 31-34 As we continue our journey to Holy Week, a long-time friend of Kortright, Rev. Karla Wubbenhorst, brings us word from the book of Deuteronomy. She examines the story from the end of Moses ministry, focusing on the fact that Moses did not get to see more than just a g...

Message: The Way of Lament Speaker: Alex MacLeod Passage: Psalm 142 In this episode, we begin our journey to Holy Week and to the cross. In scripture, Jesus is referred to as “a man of sorrows — acquainted with grief.” And yet, we seldom consider our own sadness to be part of true Christian life. Many assume that we should simply trust and obey and then we'll be happy in Jesus. So, if we're not ha...

Message: Becoming a Trusted Neighbour Speaker: Justin Sytsma Passage: John 4:1-29, 39-47 In this episode, Justin Sytsma, our Director of Worship & Outreach, takes us through the third phrase of our new Mission Statement “ Becoming a Trusted Neighbour ”. As we examine the story of the Samaritan “woman at the well” in the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel, we consider the question “How do we appro...

Message: Rooted in Christ Speaker: Alex MacLeod Passage: Luke 24:13-35 In this episode, we begin a three-part sermon series about the new KPC mission statement that was recently approved by Session as part of a visioning process undertaken by elders and staff since last spring. The first phrase: "ROOTED IN CHRIST". We'll be exploring what it means for Kortright, and all of us, to be rooted in Jesu...

Politician or Mountain Guide? – Lindsay Sytsma – February 12th, 2023 Message: Politician or Mountain Guide? Speaker: Lindsay Sytsma Passage: Matthew 19:16-26. We often approach Jesus looking for answers, but do we really want to hear what he has to say? In this episode, using the story of the Rich Young Ruler, Lindsay Sytsma, a gifted member of KPC who works with Mission Aviation Fellowship, explo...

Series: Sabbath Message: Pt 4: A Mother's Arms  Speaker: Alex MacLeod Passage: Psalm 131 In this final episode of our Sabbath Series, Alex takes us to the Psalms, poems that guide our emotions and give us a language for prayer. In Psalm 131, a prayerful meditation on rest centres on the image of a young child in its mother's arms, not crying and clamouring for its needs to be met, but complet...

Series: Sabbath Message: Jesus Gives Us Rest from the Storm Speaker: Howard Sullivan Passage: Matthew 14:22 - end In this episode, Pastor Howard Sullivan, a great friend of Kortright, takes us through the storm with Peter, and helps us understand how Jesus rescues us from the storm and gives us rest. Episode 23-005: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church

Message: Come to Me and I will give you Rest Speaker: Alex MacLeod Passage: Matthew 4:17-22 & Matthew 11:28-30 In this episode, we continue to explore the meaning of sabbath and the ways that the Holy Spirit wants to bless us with greater, deeper, fuller, and more satisfying rest. It all comes down to Jesus. In Matthew 11, Jesus offers the invitation: "Come to me all you who are weary and burd...

Series: Sabbath Message: What is Sabbath? Speaker: Alex MacLeod Passage: Genesis 1:31-2:1-3, Mark 2:23-25 & 27-28 This Sunday we start a new series on Sabbath. Sabbath helps to root us in God, to ground our identity in Christ and the gift of his amazing grace, and to enable us to flourish in the unburdened creativity of the Holy Spirit. The book Alex mentions: Tech-Wise Family Everyday: Puttin...

Message: Pandemic Testimonies Speaker: Abi Buckle, Bruce Dunk, Frank Brewster, Annabelle Edward Passage: John 6:68, Ephesians 3:20-21, Matthew 6:25-27 This week, as we prepare for what 2023 will bring, four members of our congregation reflect on the last three years and how the pandemic has affected their walk with God. Episode 2023-02: © 2023 Kortright Presbyterian Church