The United Church of Canandaigua

We are called to embrace the disruptive presence of God in our lives as Mary did, willingly submitting ourselves to His purposes despite personal inconvenience or societal judgment. We should actively respond to God's call with obedience and joy, trusting His plan and preparing to participate fully in His promises, as exemplified by Mary's faith-filled affirmation to being part of God's redemptive...

We are called to rejoice in all circumstances, trusting that our joy is rooted not in our present situations but in our eternal relationship with God. God instructs us to respond to life’s challenges with gentleness and to place our anxieties in His care, promising us peace that surpasses all understanding.

The sermon on Philippians 1:3-11, given during Advent, focuses on Paul’s sense of urgency and expectation as he anticipates the return of Christ. The message emphasizes Paul’s confidence that God, who began a good work in the believers at Philippi, will carry it to completion, encouraging the congregation to live with the same expectancy for Christ’s return. The challenge is for the church to grow...

This sermon, focused on the first Sunday of Advent, emphasizes the importance of living with urgency and expectation as we await both the celebration of Christ’s birth and His promised return. Through exploring Luke 21:25-36, the message encourages believers to remain vigilant and not be weighed down by the anxieties of life, but to stand ready for Christ’s ultimate redemption. It calls the congre...

The sermon explores the biblical concept of gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving. Reflecting on Psalm 107 and the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, the message emphasizes the importance of giving thanks for God’s unfailing love and wonderful deeds. In the story of the healed leper who returned to give thanks, the connection between a thankful heart and spiritual healing is highlighted. The call...

As we explore Matthew 22:1-14, we examine the parable of the wedding banquet, illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven through God's open invitation to all, both good and bad. While many initially reject the invitation, the king (representing God) invites everyone to fill the banquet. However, one guest is expelled for not wearing the provided wedding clothes, symbolizing the necessity of genuine transf...

This sermon reflects on the closing scene of Genesis, focusing on the deaths of Jacob and Joseph and the continuation of God's promise to their descendants. Despite their deaths, the story of God’s deliverance and grace is not over, as Joseph expresses hope for the future return to the Promised Land. The sermon highlights that the story of Genesis is only the beginning, with God’s ultimate plan fo...

This sermon explores Genesis 49, where Jacob offers blessings and prophecies for each of his sons before his death. These words reflect the character and actions of Jacob’s sons and point forward to the future of Israel’s tribes, with a particular focus on Judah’s lineage leading to Jesus, the “Lion of Judah.” The sermon emphasizes the importance of legacy, showing how our actions today impact fut...

This sermon explores Genesis 48, where Jacob, defying cultural expectations, blesses his younger grandson Ephraim over the firstborn Manasseh. This act highlights how God's blessings often come in surprising ways that defy human plans, encouraging listeners to trust in God's unexpected guidance and be open to His direction in their lives.

Joseph’s family is provided for during a time of famine, as seen in Genesis 45-46. God, through Pharaoh, ensures that Joseph’s family receives far more than they deserve, illustrating the themes of grace and divine provision. We are challenged to recognize and respond to God’s abundant provision in our own lives, avoiding jealousy and instead embracing gratitude.

In Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, who are initially terrified after having sold him into slavery. He reassures them that their actions were part of God's divine plan to save their family from famine, highlighting themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of leaning in and listening, and reflecting on God's love for...

This sermon explores Joseph's journey through hardship, focusing on his imprisonment and eventual rise to power in Egypt, as detailed in Genesis 41. It emphasizes God's perfect timing, shaping Joseph for his future role despite his prolonged suffering and apparent abandonment. The sermon concludes with a reflection on how believers today can trust in God's timing, depend on His presence, and rely...

The sermon begins with a story about a boy who trusts a shop owner’s larger hands to give him candy, illustrating trust in a greater power. It then discusses Joseph in Genesis 40, who, while in prison, interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker through God’s guidance, not human wisdom. Despite his accurate interpretations, Joseph remains in prison as the cupbearer forgets him, emphasiz...

The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife illustrates the theme of temptation and integrity. Joseph, despite being sold into slavery and later falsely accused, remained faithful to God and resisted temptation, showing that doing the right thing doesn't always yield immediate rewards but ultimately aligns with God's plan. This story reminds us that God is faithful and present with us in all circumsta...

God's story turns to Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. Joseph's brothers' jealousy is exacerbated by Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's dreams of ruling over them. This jealousy leads the brothers to plot against Joseph, initially planning to kill him but ultimately selling him into slavery. The sermon highlights themes of familial dysfunction and God's ability to work through flawed individuals and...

The sermon illustrates the story of Jacob and Esau's reconciliation, emphasizing God's role in softening hearts and promoting forgiveness. Jacob, despite his past wrongdoings, humbles himself before Esau, demonstrating a posture of servanthood and repentance, which is met with unexpected grace and forgiveness from Esau. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own need for humility and reconcil...

Jacob is quite the character. He deceived his brother, gaining a birthright and a blessing. Last week, we saw the tables turned; Jacob was on the other end of deception. This week, we explore a game changing event in Jacob's life. Jacob spends a night wrestling with God. He is forever changed. In the same way, we often struggle to relate to God.

Jacob deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. The narrative emphasizes how, despite their deceitfulness and imperfections, God still works through Jacob and his family, illustrating that God's plans can unfold through flawed individuals. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God's love and choice are not based on human worthiness, but on His grace.

Genesis 24 is the story where Abraham's servant, guided by faith, seeks a wife for Isaac to ensure God's promise to Abraham continues. The sermon highlights the servant's reliance on God for direction, Rebekah's faith in leaving her home, and the divine provision that unfolds. We are encouraged to step out in faith, trust in God's guidance, and continually share stories of His faithfulness.

God called Abraham out of the security of his hometown and promised to make a great nation from his descendants. The only problem was that Abraham was old, and his wife was old and barren. Would God be able to provide a son to this elderly couple? The suggestion was laughable; yet God was faithful to fulfill His promise.

This sermon discusses Abram's journey in Genesis 12:1-8, highlighting faith and obedience. Abram exemplifies trust in God by leaving his homeland and security without knowing the outcome. The sermon underscores that true faith involves following God even in uncertainty.

The sermon, based on Genesis 11:1-8, examines the story of the Tower of Babel as a reflection of humanity's recurring tendency to seek independence from God. It highlights how the people of Babel, motivated by pride and a desire for security, attempted to build a city and a tower to make a name for themselves, contrary to God's command to spread out and fill the earth. The sermon concludes by chal...

As we reflect on the story of Noah from Genesis 6:9-9:17, we see Noah as a righteous man in a corrupt world, unwavering in his obedience to God's commands. Despite the widespread wickedness that led God to regret creating humanity, Noah's faith and adherence to God's instructions provided a glimmer of hope. The sermon highlights how Noah's faithful actions led to the salvation of his family and a...

The story of Noah is familiar to most of us. We remember the ark, the rainbow and the dove. We remember how God rescued in a world of wickedness. However, we seldom reflect on the wickedness of the world in these days. Genesis 6:1-8 describes the days of Noah. We will consider the pre-flood world and explore implications for our culture today.

The story of Adam and Eve is a fascinating account. Living in the glory of Eden, one could not imagine wanting more. Yet they are tricked into thinking that God is holding back. Their story is our story. The Fall describes the nature of evil in our world; the same forces of temptation, deception, disobedience are present in our culture today.