Pilgrim Church

Church and State: Navigating a Divided World with Joshua Liem 1 Peter 2:5, 9-20 In a world that feels more politically divided by the day, how are followers of Jesus supposed to respond? The Bible has been used to justify everything from silent submission to radical protest, and the Church's own history is filled with both beautiful and horrifying examples of its engagement with state power. T...

Love Thy City - Neighbours & Enemies with Guest Darren Lof 1 Peter 2:11-12; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:9-21 As exiles in a city notoriously known for loneliness, Jesus calls us to live counter-culturally through radical love - for our neighbours and our enemies. Darren and his wife Crista run a small church in Steveston called Church at the Hub. It has been described as a fresh...

The Idol Economy: When the Gospel Starts a Riot with Joshua Liem Acts 19 When the Gospel spread in Ephesus, it was so disruptive that it threatened the city's entire economy, sparking a full-blown riot. The core issue? Following Jesus meant no longer buying into the local idol industry. This Sunday, we're diving into Acts 19 to ask some pointed questions for us in Vancouver: What happens w...

A Long Obedience To the Den with Joshua Liem Daniel 6 Most of us know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den… but what if the way we pictured it completely missed the point?  This Sunday, we'll revisit this familiar passage to uncover a powerful message for our modern age of burnout, anxiety, and the temptation to just "lie flat." Discover how an ancient story about surviving lions of...

The Table That Defies the Empire with Josh Liem Daniel 1:1-21 In a world of military parades and propaganda, how do we resist empire without becoming what we oppose? This week we explore how Daniel and his friends found a surprising form of resistance - through what they ate. Join us as we learn how a simple meal can become a profound act of allegiance to the peaceful Kingdom of God, shaping us in...

Plant Gardens with Dr. Ed Ng Jeremiah 29:4-7 What does it mean when God gives this word to the Israelites who had been carried away from their homeland? And what does it mean for us now? Dr. Edward Ng is a Registered Psychologist in private practice in Vancouver and is the founder and director of Eastgate Psychological Services. He provides counselling services to individuals and some couples, and...

Hope & Resistance in an Age of Upheaval with Joshua Liem Exodus 1:6-2:10 This week we begin a new sermon series exploring how God's people live faithfully in times of fear, empire, and uncertainty. We start in Exodus 1–2, where courageous women defy Pharaoh and lay the foundation for liberation, echoing the subversive power of Jesus' own birth. In a moment where global powers are shift...

Exploring The Here and Now of Scripture with Guest Speaker Jenn Richards  John 1:1-5 & 14 How do we come to an application of Scripture that is faithful to the text while also being good news for today? How can we assess if an application of a passage of Scripture is good?  This coming Sunday we’ll explore these questions and more. For reflection & discussion: What is one thing that stuck...

Famines, Pharaohs, and Feasting on Christ with Joshua Liem Genesis 47:11-27 This Sunday, we confront the devastating reality of famine—both the physical suffering seen in places like Gaza and the deep spiritual hunger for God's Word in our world. Journeying through Genesis 47 and beyond, we'll explore how empires have historically used hunger and how God calls His people to a different way...

The First Theologian: God Through Hagar’s Eyes with Josh Liem Genesis 16 + 21 This Sunday, we’re exploring the story of Hagar: the first person in Scripture to name God. Through her eyes, we encounter El Roi, the God who sees, even in the midst of suffering, abandonment, and oppression. Join us as we reflect on how this ancient story challenges us to see God more clearly and notice those whom the...

A Jazz Homily: How Old Testament Law Shapes Beautiful Communities with Guest Dr. Mark Glanville Exodus 3:7-12 This jazz-talk uses blues and jazz music explore the biblical law in the Old Testament, unpacking the significance for incarnational churches today. There are parallels between the development of blues and jazz and the development of biblical law: both have their roots in the atrocity of s...

Entertaining Angels?  Exploring Hospitality and the Sin of Sodom with Josh Liem Genesis 18-19 NIV This Sunday, we explore one of scripture’s most haunting and revealing stories—Genesis 18–19. From Abraham’s lavish hospitality to the destruction of Sodom, this tale confronts us with questions of justice, compromise, and how to live as people of love in a world of brokenness. Come reflect on what it...

A Way Forward with Rev. Laura Wiens Genesis 12:1-5 Ever feel like life keeps hitting dead ends? This Sunday, we’ll explore how God reroutes our lives with purpose and hope through the story of Abram and Sarai.

Into the Waters: Easter and Resurrection Hope with Josh Liem Romans 8:18-39 This Easter Sunday is extra special as we celebrate Christ's resurrection AND witness the baptisms of Sean and Phil! Join us as we explore what baptism meant for early Christians who risked everything to follow Jesus.  Why pledge allegiance to Christ?  Discover the costly, unbreakable hope of the resurrection that empo...

Parades, Promises and Possibilities With Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Ross LockhartLuke 19:28-40This Sunday around the world Christians gather to worship God and recall the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This parade is memorable, but it also marks the beginning of an emotional roller coaster for all who know, love and seek to follow Jesus. What might we learn from joining the crowds and shouting...

Babel Babble and Bearing God’s Name with Josh Liem Genesis 11:1-9 This week, we enter the story of the Tower of Babel with fresh eyes—exploring how language can be used to build empire or spread blessing. We'll reflect on God's surprising mercy in scattering humanity, trace the redemptive thread from Babel to Pentecost to Revelation, and consider how Jesus teaches us to bear God's name...

A Life of Sacrifice with Guest Dave Mohr Romans 12:1-2 What does it look like to live a sacrificial kind of life? Really? According to God’s word, true sacrifice involves a lot more than the things we do on the outside, like our words or even our actions. It’s bigger than that, but more accurately it’s deeper than that. This weekend we will be looking at the roots of where a transformed life both...

Water, Blood, and Fire: The Covenant Journey from Noah to Christ with Josh Liem Genesis 9 "What does an ancient covenant after the flood have to do with Jesus—and with us today? This week, we explore Genesis 9 and how its themes of justice, peace, and covenant find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. We’ll also examine how Scripture has been misused to justify injustice, and how Jesus offer...

The Flood and Noah's Ark with Rev. Laura Wiens Genesis 6-8 The story of the Flood and Noah’s Ark is more than just a children’s tale. In a world filled with violence, God called Noah to build a life-saving vessel. Join us this Sunday as we explore Genesis 6-8 and consider what we can learn about God’s character through this portion of Scripture. --- For reflection & discussion: How does Ge...

Guest Sunday with Lawrence Cheung Luke 4:1-13 Join us this Sunday as we welcome back Rev. Cheung. We have been challenged and encouraged from Lawrence's wisdom that comes from walking with people into the last moments of life and those moments of health crisis that remind us of our mortality and eternity. Lawrence Cheung is a certified clinical chaplain working for Mount St. Joseph Hospital. H...

We’ll dive into a  Q&R session  (Questions & Responses) with Josh and Jenny, where we’ll tackle some of the big questions about our current series.

Corruption, Nephilim, and two Lamechs: The Hopeful Path in Wicked Times with Joshua LiemGenesis 4:17-6:5What story are you living in? Genesis 4-6 presents a stark contrast between two family lines—one rooted in violence and vengeance, the other in faith and hope. From Cain to Lamech to the mysterious Nephilim, we’ll explore how these ancient narratives shape our understanding of power, corruption,...

Fleeing Sin, Finding Grace with Rev. Laura Wiens Genesis 4 What do a towering ape statue, a crouching predator, and an unexpected act of grace have in common? They all help us understand a powerful truth from Genesis 4—how sin lurks and how God invites us into His loving embrace. This Sunday, join us as we explore the story of Cain and Abel, uncovering what we should flee from and whom we should r...

Grasping for Godhood with Joshua Liem Genesis 2:25-3:24 In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve grasp for godhood, seeking wisdom and control on their own terms… and the world begins its descent into chaos.  This Sunday, we’ll explore the deception of the serpent, the fall of humanity, and the profound contrast between their grasping and Christ’s humility in Philippians 2. Join us as we uncover the hope hidden...

Discover light in a dark, heavy world: the Myth of Messiah with Guest Speaker Bronwyn Spilsbury “Light” in Genesis-Revelation God shows us the pattern of light in the Bible and invites us to join Jesus on a shining path.  What will it take, and who can find it?  Is it even real?   This Sunday, we’ll look at Light in Scripture.  We’ll find God's pattern and see the path. So that when it's d...