Cedar Park United

Today we read about Joseph deciding to marry Mary anyway, because of a message from God’s angel in a dream. Worship leader Margrét Kristjanssonow (who was joining us in Quebec from Manitoba, via Zoom) wonders–do we know what’s the right thing to do? Even if we know, maybe we’re afraid. Does it take courage to do the loving thing? Part of the answer may be found in the telling of three stories…  ▶️...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the pink candle, for Joy. We hear Jesus respond to John’s doubts, spoken from the shadows of a prison cell. In our part of the world, the light continues to fade and the nights stretch long. Worship leader Jessica Gauthier invites us to consider that the Good News is this: that life is already breaking in. Joy may be something steadier, stronger, and quiete...

None of us wants to be judged and found wanting. But John the Baptist invites us to turn around and repent.  Our worship leader for this second Sunday in Advent, Rev. Cathy Hamilton, wonders whether judgment could, in fact, be a catalyst for peace?  Could facing judgement bring peace between you and others, and peace within your own heart?  ▶️ Listen to the scripture reading that preceded this ser...

Advent prepares us to welcome God-with-us. Radical Welcome sets the table and lets go of what no longer serves to make space for new possibilities. Depending on how we understand it, service can be an act of worship drenched with hope and gratitude. Today, on this first Sunday in Advent, we hold the theme of hope as we listen to an apocalyptic text. Today, pastoral minister Jessica Gauthier invite...

November 23, 2025 marks 100 years of the church observing the feast day we call “Christ the King” or the “Reign of Christ”. Worship leader Martha Randy—with help from some friends—invites us to see that this reign is nothing like the rule of monarchs, political parties or empires. Instead, it’s what happens when we live out the Way of Jesus…hand in hand in hand. We're grateful to Rev. Dr. Sarah To...

Psalm 98 invites us to sing a new song to the Lord, a song of praise for the marvelous things of all creation. And in Isaiah 65, we are invited to delight in the new thing that God is creating. Can we join as the sea roars, and the rivers clap? Rev. Cathy Hamilton invites us to wonder: can we celebrate as equity, justice and love take hold in God’s new creation?   You can connect with Cedar Park U...

In her reflection on this Remembrance Sunday, pastoral minister Jessica Gauthier invites us to remember the cost of conflict and the fragility of peace. Can we nurture life and beauty, like the poppies that take root in disturbed ground? Can we listen for the song of peace, and sing it bravely above the noise of war and fear? Experience this entire worship on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/...

This week, Rev. Rosemary Lambie invites us to explore the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector in the temple. Jesus, she says, challenges us to think about who we are, and whose we are. Who do we see when we look in the mirror? Whom does God see and how are we reflecting the love of Jesus Christ in our daily lives? You can connect with Cedar Park United here:  ❤️ Find out more about this...

This week, worship leader Ian Fraser, in conversation with Montreal-based  jazz pianist Taurey Butler, explores the relationship between jazz music and spirituality. If Jesus had been a musician, Ian’s pretty sure he would have played jazz. Why? Keep listening to find out… and enjoy Taurey's inspiring musical offering, “What a Wonderful World”* *By Louis Armstrong, Bob Thiele and Weiss livestr...

Last week we gave thanks at Christ’s table in The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving . This week, worship leader Jessica Gauthier reflects that, to be a Thanksgiving People is to let gratitude shape our hearts: to rejoice in all things; to pray with thanksgiving; and to let God’s generosity overflow through us.  Thank you for listening to the Cedar Park United podcast. If it inspired you, or comforted y...

The Season of Creation closes and we step into World Communion Sunday, carrying with us the image of the Tree of Life. Worship leader Jessica Gauthier speaks of how Paul reminds Timothy to guard the good gift of faith, passed down through mother, grandmother, and mentor, and now entrusted to us, to be shared with radical hospitality. It is like fruit from the Tree of Life, like bread broken at Chr...

Today we hear from the Apostle Paul’s first letter to his friend and colleague Timothy.  God calls us to be rich in helping others. In his reflection, lay worship leader Paul Clarke asks, how hard can it be? You can connect with Cedar Park United here:  ❤️ Find out more about this community: https://cedarparkunited.org/ 🧡 Make a donation: https://cedarparkunited.org/donate 💛 Follow us on Instagr...

In Luke 16 a manager is described as “shrewd”. Is this complimenting his discerning wisdom or criticizing his wily ways?  Have we been shrewd in our relationship with creation?" Visiting minister Rev. Cathy Hamilton asks, “have we been shrewd with creation? Thank you for listening to the Cedar Park United podcast. If it inspired you, or comforted you, or even ruffled your feathers in a good w...

In a lovely synchronization to the new Fall season, this episode is a deep dive into the spiritual life of the pastoral minister at Cedar Park, Jessica Gauthier. She is a spiritual care professional, theologian, preacher, friend to plants and people, and accomplished singer. Follow the garden pathway with Jessica and Joanne that leads to a conversation about theology, Christian history, reforming...

The world tree, the tree of wisdom, the tree of life—ancient symbols of creation and renewal. Today, Pastoral Minister Jessica Gauthier invites us to consider the cross as tree: rooted in suffering, rising in hope. How might this ancient image help us glimpse a theology of the cross that is truly good news?   ** Our worship audio is recorded live and this time, we had some slight technical difficu...

Speaking to the gathered congregations of the West Island and Beyond United Churches cluster, Pastoral Minister Jessica Gauthier invites us all to consider how often we are tempted to clutch our time, resources, and energy as if we could have control by holding on tightly. But we can’t take any of it with us... Holy abundance is poured out extravagantly, not hoarded. What if we lived the same way,...

Distilled to essence: Parting words of joy and encouragement from Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones In the week leading up to her last Sunday with the community of Cedar Park United, Rev. Elisabeth met with Ernie Bauer, teacher and member of Cedar Park United, for a beautiful 90-minute conversation about resistant joy, generosity, the Holy Spirit at work, and the role of progressive Christianity in this ve...

Our Trinity Sunday worship was an invitation to wonder at the mystery of God as Love in relationship. Through music and scripture, we listened, sang, and shared in a service shaped by the worship life of those who live at Saint Andrew’s Residence, as they experience it each Sunday afternoon with our Pastoral Minister, Jessica Gauthier. Listen as she shares what “Sundays in the Solarium” are like a...

Welcome to the Cedar Park United Podcast!  In her final sermon as Lead Minister of Cedar Park United, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones invites us to “turn” a sacred text together to encourage us all in our journeys of faith and witness. Which text…? Well, that’s for you to find out as you listen. Her parting message to this community of faith, however, is clear: "God has equipped you. God’s got you....

Today we welcomed new members by affirmation of faith and by child-dedication–what greater affirmation of a faithful future held safe in the hands of God can we have? As Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones put it in her reflection on Lydia, one of the pivotal “matriarchs” of Christian life and witness, these new members are “rich purple cloth to add to the tapestry of this community’s Gospel story.” Listen t...

In holy conversation with Scripture, the Quran, and two women of faith – Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones and Dr. Afra Jalabi – we explore what holy Love looks like when humans embody it for the sake of others; it looks remarkably like compassion and mercy, and it is stronger than hate.   Thank you for listening! You can connect with Cedar Park United here:  🔴 cedarparkunited.org⁠⁠ 🟠 youtube.com/c/Cedar...

The beloved 23rd Psalm helps us to explore God’s shepherding presence through life’s darkest valleys, and across the bridges to a faithful future. As a community about to begin a new chapter as Rev. Elisabeth’s retirement approaches, we’re faced with the question: How will we bridge the gap between this chapter and the next? All the cumulative stories of our faith, found in Scripture and in our ex...

What happens when someone’s unique talents are touched by a Gospel of love, compassion and hope? Listen to today’s conversation between Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones, Pat Mayberry and Heather MacIntosh and be inspired by this “Gospel according to everyone.” Hear the Gospel reading of the conversion of Saul from Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), in the livestream recording . The song Conversation was composed by Pat...

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Easter — Holy Humour Sunday! Rooted in ancient tradition, it’s a day to let Easter joy rise in laughter, music, and surprise. This isn’t silliness for its own sake. It’s a celebration of the outrageous good news: Christ is risen, and joy has the last word. And to this, Candidate Minister Jessica Gauthier brings in the laughter…  Hear the Gospel reading from John 20 and 2...

In this, her last Easter sermon as Lead Minister of Cedar Park United, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones reflects on the 13 different sermons she’s preached on Easter, and how none of those sermons could preach to today. To this Easter, 2025. This year we need resurrection to be real, and specific, and concrete, and tangible, beyond doubt, and particular. This year, we need a resurrection more than ever! H...