South Arm United Church's Podcast

Send us Fan Mail On the cross Jesus quoted these words from Psalm 22, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" Today we look at the Psalm Jesus quoted and reflect on Good Friday.  As the reading is longer than usual, we took time in the middle and at the end to sing a hymn in taize style of repetition and contemplation, "O God, Hear My Prayer". Words & Music copyright Le...

Send us Fan Mail Easter Sunday we brought in 2 special musicians: Sarah Stevenson, Soprano & Ian Cohen, Trumpet. Listen as Sarah uses her angelic voice to share with us, "Now the Green Blade Rises".  Words: J.M.C. Crum Music: French. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477        

Send us Fan Mail What happened? This is the question the disciple asked as he left the empty tomb. It's a good question. What meaning do we take away from Jesus life, death and resurrection? It is Easter Sunday, "He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!". We join with churches around the world this day and celebrate that Jesus has conquered sin and the grave. And because Jesus has conquere...

Send us Fan Mail Isaiah had a message for God's people. Look back to the Exodus and remember that God is your God and you are God's people. Keep your eyes and heart on God. But do not live in the past. And do not rest on your laurels. God is doing a new thing and invites them (and us) to follow.  Today we also welcomed a new Music Minister who did a beautiful job and fit in so well we co...

Send us Fan Mail The Prodigal Son (someone who spends a fortune recklessly) is one of the most well known stories of our faith. This parable is the 3rd in a trilogy of stories about something of great value being lost and found. The first parable in this section of Luke tells of a Good Shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to bring 1 lost sheep back into the fold. The 2nd story tells of a woman who lost a...

Send us Fan Mail Today we say a huge Thank You and send our long time Music Director home with our prayers and wishes for a happy retirement after 23 years of relationship here. This was Ron's final farewell at the end of his last service with us. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477    

Send us Fan Mail A parallel to this scripture is found in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus tells a parable about a homeowner who offers a banquet. When the banquet is prepared the host sends out a worker to gather the invited guests. Each come up with reasons they are too busy to attend. So the homeowner directs the worker to gather the outcast from the streets and the alleyways. Bring all who were initi...

Send us Fan Mail This Sunday The United Church of Canada looks ahead to March 14th (3.14) and we call that, PIE Day as a play on words for pythagorean theorum (pi). In The United Church that term has come to be used for a Gospel of Inclusion that is Public, Intentional & Explicit (PIE) in welcoming the outcast into the church, particularly the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Today's lectionary pass...

Send us Fan Mail When the Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod is out to kill him, Jesus replies, "Tell that fox for me I am casting out demons today, tomorrow and the next day will be on my way." The ways of the world are not God's ways and God does not answer to any earthly ruler. Jesus is going about God's work on the way to Jerusalem and will not be stopped or sidetracked by the...

Send us Fan Mail This service took place on 02 March 2025 which in the church calendar is "Transfiguration Sunday." Jesus took 3 disciples up a mountain to pray. There Moses and Elijah appear in glory and Jesus appearance is alight. Moses & Elijah talk to Jesus about his coming crucifixion, his 'exodus' from Jerusalem. Simon Peter wants to set up tabernacles to Moses, Elija...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a piece of bread or cracker along with some grape juice and join us from wherever you tune in as we celebrate The Lord's Supper together. All are welcome at this table of Grace, Mercy, Redemption and ultimately, Love. 

Send us Fan Mail Today's lectionary passage seems to speak right into the heart of our world at this time; the call to "trust in the Lord" at all times and places while the wicked seem to prosper. Remember the wise counsel of the prophet Micah (6:8) to "...Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God." We are the light bearers, the hands and feet of Christ in the worl...

Send us Fan Mail Today we look at the prophet Jeremiah's message that amid trying times in the world, those connected to The Source will fair better than those without God. Those who rely on humankind and the things of this world and turn away from God will be like a shrub in the desert. Those who are connected to God on the other hand will find that while a drought happens, they still bear f...

Send us Fan Mail After 23 years with South Arm United Church, our beloved Music Minister, Ron Stevenson is retiring. While he will still be helping us out until the end of March, today we planned a retirement party and send-off for him. As part of the service, our Ministry & Personnel (Human Resources team) expressed their gratitude and Ron was presented with a book of well wishes from each pe...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a cracker or piece of bread and some juice and join us virtually as we gather together around God's table to remember how Jesus called his followers to "do this in remembrance of me." 

Send us Fan Mail 509 is the hymn number in Voices United based on this passage, "Here I am Lord/I the Lord of Sea and Sky". Today we talk about Empire, the temporary nature of world rulers vs. God's eternal rule and wonder how we might be vulnerable before God and each other. We speak of confession and forgiveness and wonder how the church might be a place of vulnerability, confessi...

Send us Fan Mail Today we welcomed guest speaker Lynda Dickson who is finishing her studies to be a Diaconal Minister in The United Church of Canada. Diaconal Minister's are particularly called to focus on the church in the world beyond Sunday service. Hear about her recent visit to The United States down around the Texas-Mexico boarder and the humanitarian work happening on the ground there....

Send us Fan Mail Each person has God-given talents and abilities with which to serve God. No gift is better than any other. They are all needed and all useful for God's service within the church and in the world. Something magnificent happens when each of us bring our talents and abilities to the table and combine all our gifts. Alone we can do wonderful things but together, something exponen...

Send us Fan Mail "Christmastide" is the season that lasts from Christmas Day to Epiphany. Today we mark the end of that season, Epiphany. Epiphany is the day the Magi finally get to see the baby Jesus and present their gifts before the King of Kings. These wise men were astrologers and dream interpreters. Mystics we might call them. And the God of the universe spoke their language, leadi...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a piece of Bread or a cracker and some grape juice and join us as we gather at Jesus' table where all are welcome! On the night before he was to be betrayed, Jesus gathered his followers in the upper room at shared this sacred meal with them. He commanded them to 'do this is remembrance of me'. And so, on the 1st Sunday of each month, we do. We do share of the...

Send us Fan Mail This Very special podcast episode we present to you our entire Christmas Eve service (sermon begins at the 52:10 mark). Along with our Christmas Eve worship, we enjoyed the South Arm surprise singers and the extraordinary guest piano skills of Miri Lee. With Miri Lee on piano all night long, Ron was able to accompany on the organ throughout so that we were spoiled with a church fu...

Send us Fan Mail Dear Listener, Please turn the volume up for the Sermon.  In the excitement of the day when beloved, retired South Arm Minister The Rev. Gary Gaudin and his beautiful wife Peggy came to pay tribute to our retiring Music Minister Ron plus the Pageant energy, it seems our Minister Lauren forgot to turn on her lapel microphone for the sermon. So, you are picking up the sound from the...

Send us Fan Mail Advent Week 3. Nothing is impossible for God!  Music between the scripture and sermon "There Was a Child in Galilee/Dreaming Mary" (More Voices Hymnal #134). Words & Music: Janet Gadeski, 2005. Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477   

Send us Fan Mail Listen in as Jean-Ann, Julie & Trish gather the young folks in our midst and tells us a story that engages the theme of the week - On the Way to Bethlehem - Joy.

Send us Fan Mail Advent Week 4: Love. For the 3rd Sunday in a row we hear of an awesome angel visitation. This time, the angel visits shepherds watching their flocks by night. They are told of the Christ child and instructed to go see the Holy One who quite unexpectedly, is found as a humble babe wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.   Music between the scripture and sermon "The Snow Lay...