Prince of Peace

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us who is blessed in a passage we know as The Beatitudes. Our pastoral intern Hannah brings this passage into a modern context. She describes people we would normally not think of as blessed - overworked nurses, teachers, people living in areas of violence and oppression who are working for change. Hannah invites us to reflect on who is blessed in your own life.

Today's gospel tells the story of Jesus moving his ministry to Capernaum, a gateway to the the land of the Gentiles. Jesus didn't go alone; on the way he was gathering his disciples to form a community around his teachings. In a similar way, we are embarking on a new mission, as Pastor Lorne has accepted a new call. Change brings uncertainty for all of us, but the strength of community will help u...

Today's gospel recounts the story of Jesus calling Andrew and Peter to follow him. Our guest preacher, seminarian Sarah Moore, shows us that being called to follow Jesus can come in many forms. Jesus doesn't tell us beforehand what following him will be like. Like Andrew and Peter, we are invited to "come and see" what Jesus id doing in the world and how we can be part.

Today, we celebrate not only Jesus' baptism, but the baptisms of four new members of Prince of Peace. Lorne reminds us in his message that baptism is God saying to us "You are my child and I love you," just as he did when John baptized Jesus. Nothing we have done or will do can separate us from God's love.

This morning, in celebration of Christmas, Intern Pastor Hannah reminds us that God chose the most common of all miracles to make himself known among us - childbirth. He became human just like we are, became vulnerable lust liek we are, spoke his first words, took his first steps, maybe even cut his own bangs? In doing so, he allows us to know him, and know his love.

When most of us think of righteousness, we think of moral behavior and thinking. Indeed those whose ministry is about "Righteousness or Damnation" preach exactly that. This morning, Lorne reminds us that true righteousness is the quiet courage to do what's right, as Joseph did in the face of certain ridicule in light of Mary's pregnancy. Righteousness is the gift of grace from God.

Today's gospel lesson tell sthe story of John the Baptist and his introduction to Jesus. Pastor Hannah shares this morning that John's purpose, as gruff as he might have been, was to deliver hope. While John called one group that came to see him "a brood of vipers," his mission was to proclaim the coming of the one who brings unconditional acceptance and forgiveness.

Today's old testament lesson is Isaiah's prophecy of a future of justice and peace for all. In today's gospel, John the Baptist is telling all who will listen to "Wake Up! Repent! The prophecy is about to be fulfilled!" Pastor Jonathan explains that repenting is all about changing our direction, and that the season of advent is our chance to change direction and be the light of peace and justice i...

In today's gospel, Jesus tells his disciples "Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." Today, Pastor Lorne talks about how certain moments in our lives, like an unexpected phone call or health event, serve to "wake us up" to the things that are really important. We should not wait for a wake-up call, but instead live each day with intention.

In 1925, Christ the King Sunday was established in response the the growing nationalism and fascism sweeping the world. Pastor Jonathan explains that these authoritarian movements were directly contrary to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus was not the powerful military leader that the Israelites expected - even when dying on the cross, his words were of forgiveness and peace.

In today's gospel, Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple. Intern Pastor Hannah reminds us that temples are not just buildings, but can be things like relationships and trust. Humans have a tendency to destroy things that they create, sometimes by accident, sometimes intentionally. But, the early church, which was not expected to last past the first century, is evidence that that which Go...

On this All Saints Sunday, we consider that a saint is someone set aside for the kingdom of God. This means that even though we are sinners, we are also saints. Today we hear the Beatitudes from Gospel of Luke, Pastor Jonathan explains that Jesus indicates in this way that God's kingdom is for everyone, including the marginalized of this world.

This morning, Pastor Jonathan notes that our world is constantly changing, being reimagined, being re-formed. Indeed, Covid-19 has taught us how quickly things can change. and that change is often needed to survive. Our challenge as the church is figuring out how to cling to the foundations of our faith while reforming ourselves to meet the needs of a changing world.

In this morning's gospel, Jesus tells the story of two men, one boastful and one humble. Pastor Lorne brings this story into our current world to show how faithfulness comes in embracing our imperfections. Humility not only helps us to connect with God, but with each other.

This morning, Pastor Lorne explains that this morning's gospel lesson about the persistent widow is really a lesson about prayer. When we think of prayer, we usually think of speaking or thinking words, but the parable of the widow shows us that prayer is also about persistent action.

Today's gospel lesson tells the story of the Ten Lepers. In her sermon, Intern Pastor Hannah points out that one of the cured lepers does not follow Jesus' directions, and goes back to thank Jesus. She goes on to show how Jesus sets the example of the grace we experience from God when we don't manage to follow His directions ourselves.

Today, Pastor Lorne interviews Daphnee Charles, Graduate of Universte Quisqueya and the Bridge program of the Tuck Business School. In the interview, we learn firsthand of the current conditions in Haiti, and how the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP) helped Daphnee and others to help themselves and all of Haiti.

This morning, Pastor Jonathan talks about how much fear can be used as a tool to lead and manipulate us. It is a true now as it was in the time of Jesus, when the disciples felt they needed to ask Jesus to "increase our faith" just so they could withstand the fears of the day. Pastor Jonathan reminds us that coming together as a community, sharing our time and talent an resources is what creates t...

Today, Pastor Lorne interprets Jesus' parable of the 'Dishonest Manager.' In the story, a man is dismissed for mismanaging his boss' wealth. Before leaving, the manager forgives part of the debt that people owe his master. Is the man attempting to curry favor among the debtors so that he will have friends when he is no longer employed? Or has he learned the deeper lesson that sharing resources bui...

Today's second lesson finds Paul writing to Philemon, a member of the early Church in Colossae. Paul asks Philemon to forgive his former slave Onesimus of past transgressions, and treat him as an equal. Pastor Jonathan shows us this morning that letting go of the past, especially the anger and hatred we may feel toward others, brings us closer to the Kingdom of God.

When someone give you something, it's in our nature to want to return the favor. In today's gospel, Jesus is at a banquet hosted by the leader of the Pharisees - in those says hosting and attending events like that was the way to elevate your status. However, Jesus teaches that the better way would be to invite to those who can't invite in return. Doing this is half of the essence of God's grace;...

Todays' lessons remind us of the importance of rest, of taking time away. Pastor Jonathan explains this morning that God's intention is not to set up strict rules for work, but to make sure we realize that work is not the only thing. We need time to refresh our spirit and reconnect with each other.

We live in a "win at all costs" culture, where power is seen as the deciding factor. In todays gospel, Jesus tells us "Ask and it will be given to you..." to show us that God wants us to take a different approach, and create a culture of generosity. This morning, Jonathan illustrates for us that a little generosity and compassion goes a long way. Even one person can break the surface tension and s...

Our guest, Pastor Drew from Capital University, teaches us this morning that our vocation, our calling, is one of abundant life in God. Pastor Drew also shows us that when we think of heaven, it's not just a 'someday' thing - heaven can be now, if we live out our vocation of bringing His abundance to everyone. Today.

Pastor Lorne explains this morning why the Gospel of Luke is his favorite: Jesus' teachings in Luke center around generosity. Today's Gospel reading tells the story of "The Rich Fool," and how foolish his focus on his possessions is. Instead, sharing what God has so abundantly given us is not only what Jesus teaches us, but is also infectious, inspiring others to be generous too.