The United Church of Canandaigua

The second chapter of Genesis provides an extended account of God's creation of humans. As we delve into this story, we learn about God's design for men and women. Verses in this chapter are quoted by both Jesus and Paul as they taught about human sexuality. In a world that offers many versions of human sexuality, Genesis 2 points to God's plan and design.

After creating the world, God fashioned a haven for the first humans—a breathtaking environment that met all their needs. As we delve into this narrative, let us long for a return to this idyllic setting. The story of God holds the promise of a future restoration, where we will once again inhabit a similar paradise, as God renews all of creation.

Last week, we covered the first six days of creation. This week, we dedicate our sermon to the seventh day of creation, which holds profound importance and relevance in our culture. On this day, God rests from His work, setting an example for us to follow. The creation story offers a life pattern of rest that is seldom practiced in today's fast-paced world.

How did our world begin? This question is often asked by small children. We long to know the origin of the world in which we live. Scientists have attempted to explain our beginnings with theories of origin. Pagan religions have developed stories throughout the years that explain how our world came to be. We will engage Genesis 1 together to discover what the Bible says about how it all began.

As we conclude the season of Easter, we consider what happens in Acts 2. A lifeless, pathetic, group of confused people are waiting for God to show up. In Acts 2, it happens; the church is empowered, bold, ready to be all that God intended her to be.

In our final sermon on 1 John, we discuss eternal life, or Zoe life. John wants us to understand that this kind of life is only available through belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Moreover, this life, granted by God’s grace, includes the forgiveness of sins and transforms us into new creations living in Christ.

As we continue to discuss true love, John points us to the connection between love and obedience to God’s commands. God’s love is rooted in Him and cannot exist in opposition to His ways. The world around us may confuse us and falsely accuse us of not loving. But as we live in the light of God, we lovingly invite others into this light. This is the most loving way of living possible.

As we continue to explore John’s description of love, we are challenged in our understanding of love. Love begins with God and is only possible as He lives in and through us. If we fail to love, we should reconsider our relationship with God. When Christians read John’s words, they strive to live lives of perfect love that impact the world around them.

John, in his first epistle, defines love as sacrificial acts rooted in a belief in Jesus. In a world that often defines love shallowly as acceptance or kind words, John’s description of true love challenges us to live out God’s love for us. As the Spirit of God lives in us, love becomes the natural outflow.

As we study the third encounter of the Risen Christ in Luke 24, we find a group of faithless, fearful disciples gathered together. Yet, when Jesus appears to them, he brings peace to their strife. He brings clarity to God’s story and their role in it. As we study this encounter, we are reminded of our role as followers of Jesus. We are called to believe, to trust, and to wait on the power of the H...

Jesus' appearance to the disciples turns fear into joy. However, a missing disciple doubts. Jesus does not leave him in his doubt, but returns offering a challenge to all who would follow. "Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27 NIV)

Mark describes the women venturing to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body. To their astonishment, the stone has been rolled away, and an angel informs them of Jesus’ resurrection. However, they leave the tomb fearful and timid. In time, Jesus will transform this group of disciples. Our failures and our fears do not disqualify us from being revolutionized by Jesus.

When Jesus returns from the Transfiguration, he steps into a conflict situation. The disciples and the religious leaders argue while an evil spirit is tormenting a boy. The disciples are failing to bring healing. Jesus acts and moves with the small faith of the boy's father. The challenge is for us to recognize our insufficiency and depend on Jesus to heal and restore.

In Mark 5, we witness two connected miracles in which Jesus reveals His power in hopeless situations, even death. Jesus’ love and compassion overcome the desperate circumstances of our lives. We are called to ‘not fear, but believe’ as we trust in Jesus’ Lordship over all the difficulties of life.

Power to Provide

In Mark 5, we witness two connected miracles in which Jesus reveals His power in hopeless situations, even death. Jesus’ love and compassion overcome the desperate circumstances of our lives. We are called to ‘not fear, but believe’ as we trust in Jesus’ Lordship over all the difficulties of life.

Jesus and his disciples are making their way across the Sea of Galilee at night. While Jesus is sleeping in the hull of the boat, a furious storm begins to toss the boat. The disciples wake Jesus in fear, and he speaks to the storm, causing it to cease. This demonstrates his power over the forces of nature, proving his divinity. We are challenged to trust God in the tumultuous circumstances of our...

Our next miracle to review occurs on the Sabbath day. In dialogue with his accusers, we learn much about the character and authority of Jesus, and what that means for us (and all of his creation) in response to Him. During the sermon, we will also learn more about the nature and purpose of Sabbath.

While Jesus is preaching to a crowd, the roof begins to crumble, and a man is being lowered on a mat. He is paralyzed, and his friends want Jesus to heal him. Jesus' words surprise everyone. Jesus claims to forgive his sins and then proves it by healing him. In doing so, Jesus claims to be God with the authority to heal not only physically but spiritually. Jesus continues to offer forgiveness of s...

It is Transfiguration Sunday. We will explore the powerful image of light. Jesus has come as the light of the world. What does this mean for us? Not only this, but we are told that we are recipients of this light. It is embedded in us and shines out to the dark world around us.

The first day of Jesus' public ministry is a busy day. He moves from place to place, healing and casting out demons. But Jesus withdraws from the crowd only to be sought out by his disciples. Jesus patiently and carefully redirects His disciples as He clarifies His purpose, His mission. Like the disciples, we must be careful to follow Jesus rather than assert our agenda, our plans for ministry.

As Jesus teaches in the Capernaum synagogue, the people are astonished at His words of authority. A demon-possessed man interrupts by identifying Jesus. Jesus' authority moves from teaching to action as he commands the evil spirit to leave. In Mark 1:21-28, we are reminded that Jesus is in charge. And his authority brings salvation and redemption. What will our response be to Jesus? Will we confes...

As we continue in our series through the Gospel of Mark, Jesus begins the work of ministry by calling four disciples. He finds them in their workplace (on a fishing boat) and invites them to join Him. Peter, Andrew, James and John express immense faith to leave their boats and follow Jesus. Are we willing to risk to be a part of God's mission in our world?

Shortly after Jesus's baptism, he travels into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. For 40 days, he eats nothing and battles temptation. As we explore Luke's account of these temptations, we are challenged in our own temptations. Jesus models for us successful resistance to the evil one.

As we begin our study in Mark's Gospel, he takes us to the Judean desert to witness a strangely dressed man baptizing for the forgiveness of sins. Into this context, Jesus comes onto the scene. Jesus' baptism is at the beginning of God's plan to save the world. May we open our hearts and minds to hear the story of Jesus. God steps into our world to rescue and redeem. May we encounter this story in...