Prince of Peace

This morning, Pastor Jonathan recalls the lesson of patience he learned both from his Uncle John and the agricultural community, a lesson often forgotten in today's urban world. Like the fig tree from today's Gospel lesson, sometimes patience with other people (and ourselves) yields greater rewards than we expect.

Pastor Lorne and Pastor Jonathan sit down for a conversation about how we are called to "choose the truth." Bonus: they play two truths and a lie...can you guess the lie?

This morning, Pastor Lorne shows us how fear of consequences can make up avoid the truths of our lives, whether it involves cookies or more serious issues. Jesus has already set the example for us, by facing the truth of his ministry, and proving that the consequences aren't forever.

Pastors Jonathan and Lorne sit down to discuss the season of Lent and our Journey this year titled "The Choices We Make."

Our wildernesses are the dark and unpredictable places in our lives where we don't have all the answers. This morning, Pastor Jonathan reminds us that the wilderness need not be a scary place - Jesus has been there for us, and we can choose to let Him leads us through.

"You are dust, and to dust you shall return." These words during the imposition of ashes remind us that earthly things will pass awa. Tonight Pastor Lorne reminds us of the words of Jesus from tonight's gospel, that we should hold on instead to "treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes... For where your treasure is, your heart will be also."

Viewing the Jezreel Valley from Mount Tabor, you can understand the valley's great importance strategically, and possibly why most of Jesus' ministry took place there. Today, Pastor Jonathan explains that in a similar way, looking over the valley of our daily lives from the mountain of our faith, we gain perspective. But it's in the valley where the real work is done.

In todays lesson, from 'The Sermon on the Plain,' Jesus teaches his followers to "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..." Pastor Lorne reminds us that this goes against our human instinct, but showing love and compassion to your enemies can lead to peace, both for ourselves and the world.

In today's Gospel ("Blessed are the poor...") we learn that true blessings come in exactly the opposite direction of the world. Pastor Jonathan explains that true blessings come not from our abundance, but from our generosity to others.

In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John to give up control of their lives and follow him. Pastor Lorne reminds us that they way to peace is to give control of our lives to God, much the same way Peter did.

In this installment of the "Choose Love, Choose Peace" sermon series, Pastor Jonathan notes that all too often violence is met with more violence, brutality is met with more brutality, and it never ends well. Choosing peace does not mean avoiding conflict, but instead taking a different path to resolution.

Too often in this world, love and acceptance for one group or person means hating what is not that person or group. Pastor Jonathan reminds us that Jesus taught us that love should not be exclusionary, but for all.

As we start exploring "Choose Love, Choose Peace," Pastor Lorne reminds us that love is not necessarily giant teddy bears and other extravagant displays. Ordinary, everyday actions (such as making a sandwich or washing the dishes), when done for others, can be the most important expressions of love.

Pastor Jonathan reminds us that we are all, in some way, challenged by current situations. We are called by God to look past our own issues and choose to love others and provide them the grace and peace (and understanding) that we so desperately need for ourselves.

Pastor Lorne explores how "Emmanuel", which means "God With Us" is God showing us that we need each other as much as we need God.

Our current world is a harsh place. Tonight Pastor Lorne shares that the appearance of the infant Jesus softened hearts of both the rough and hardened shepherds and the mighty and powerful wise men. In the same way, a small child today can soften the hearts of us all.

What does it mean to love all? How does God call us to draw closer to others? *Bonus: in this episode Pastor Lorne sings :)

Our Advent Conspiracy concludes with Pastor Jonathan challenging us to help those in need. To do this, we don't need to "follow the way the wind blows"; rather, we need to do what God did by sending Jesus among us - God changed the way the wind blows.

Our pastors sit down once again this week to talk about the weekly theme of our Advent Conspiracy while discussing fun and simple ways to give relationally this season.

Pastor Lorne brings the message of John the Baptist up-to-date - "Repent" doesn't mean confession, but to change direction by sharing more of our time and attention with others.

Pastor Lorne and Pastor Jonathan sit down this week to discuss spending habits and the call this season for us all to spend less on what doesn't matter.

Pastor Jonathan shares that, despite the influence of the world, Advent is a season where we should spend less on 'stuff.' Instead, we should be spending more on our relationships and making room for God.

Pastors Jonathan and Lorne sit down to discuss what it means to "worship fully" this Advent season.

Pastor Lorne explains that the Advent season invites us to "Worship Fully." This doesn't necessarily mean that we need to sing louder or pray harder; rather, it means that we should bring our whole selves - our happiness, our sorrows, our joys and our pains - to God.

Pastors Jonathan and Lorne sit down for a conversation about the upcoming sermon series this season: The Advent Conspiracy.