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Jul3Sun
God is a mother
A sermon on Isaiah 66 July 3, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
But perhaps the most compelling passage which helps us understand that God is not just male is located in the first chapter of the Bible, in Genesis.
(Gen 1:27) So God created humankind in his image,
male and female he created them.”
So despite the fact that God is referred to here in the masculine,
If men and women are created in God’s image,
then God must include both genders in God’s essence,
or in other words, God is non-binary,
or perhaps bi-gendered.
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Jun27Mon
Fornication and love
A sermon for LGBTQ2SIA+ Sunday June 27, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
Condemnation of same-gendered sexual activity as fornication
has been standard fare in homophobic discourses for a long time.
However, according to one scholar, the listing of “fornication, impurity and licentiousness are not condemning sexual orientation or queer sexualities per se. Rather they are referring to acts of “hostility, anger and hate” and the way in which we “use people as things” instead of respecting other people.” (Cheng)
In other words, what a lot of the listed activities have in common
is selfish abuse and disregard for the humanity of the other,
rather than mutuality, respect and love.
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May29Sun
Pray! Be one!
A sermon for Confirmation Sunday (May 29, 2022) May 29, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
As I read our Gospel text relating Jesus’ prayer on the eve
of his trial and death,
I picture Jesus on his knees,
or perhaps better with arms wide outstretched looking up to heaven,
maybe like the painting we have of Jesus ascending
on our upper chancel back wall.
If it were like in a movie,
there...
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May22Sun
Stand up!
A sermon for May 22 (Easter 6) May 22, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
God’s gifts are true gifts,
no matter how undeserving we are.
God’s gifts come with no conditions, and are freely bestowed.
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Apr24Sun
Peace be with you!
A sermon for the Sunday after Easter Sunday April 24, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
When we are on our knees, and praying: “Jesus, help me!”,
we are asking for Jesus to come to us, show his presence to us, comfort us,
and stand with us in our hour of despair.
Jesus may show us his scars too,
to demonstrate that he knows our pain, and understands our suffering,
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Good Friday
The Passion of Our Lord according to the Gospel of John
What events and life circumstances have impacted you most in your life?
Often we hear people say:
I remember where I was here when …..
People often remember vividly where they were and who they were with when a major event occurs, both good and not so good.
...
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Apr10Sun
A time of trial (Luke 23)
A sermon for Palm Sunday/ Sunday of the Passion April 10, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
It’s almost as if you get a sense of whiplash, the focus is shifting so quickly. But in a way the speed at which events change mirrors that final week of Jesus’s life.For three years, Jesus’ ministry proceeded, with its ups and its downs, some highlights, some conflicts, but overall relatively peaceful and without major incident.
But suddenly, in Jesus’ last week, his 150th week of his divine ministry, every day is a major event, as the showdown in Jerusalem at the Great Feast of the Passover comes to a head.
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Apr3Sun
Regarded as rubbish (Philippians 3)
A sermon for Lent 5 April 3, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
Anything no matter how good, can be a replacement for God if it’s what we trust or rely on most.
A god can be something that we’re proud of.
Who is your god, is it your net worth, your spouse,
your kids, cottage or job?
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Mar27Sun
Reconciled through resurrection
A sermon on 2 Corinthians 5 March 27, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-HelmerPaul is alerting us to a paradigm shift,
a complete change in worldview that occurs in Christians.
What’s old is now new,
It’s like the old model is exchanged for the new model.
It’s a miracle really.
The Christian life is like starting over, turning over a new leaf,
A bright new morning, fresh with new possibilities.
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Mar20Sun
Come to the waters
A sermon on Isaiah 55 March 20, 2022 by Sebastian Meadows-Helmer- Filed Under:
- Pr. Sebastian
So what is this divine water that God promises?
What is this offer from Jesus, the ever-flowing fountain?
God promises divine compassion,
A gift of love and life.
God promises to refresh us, to provide an Oasis, a Sanctuary for our souls.
God pledges us rest and he will remove our burdens.
We can let it go, release our load into the tender, merciful arms of our God.
God calls us by our name, and calls us God’s child.
We are granted a glimpse of hope,
Of Everlasting life, an assurance that death is not the end,
That trauma is not the end,
that exhaustion is not the end.