Introduction: 

This morning, there are three parts to my reflection. The first is based on the scripture narratives of today, and the overarching narratives of our faith life. The second part is comprised of words of hope, prayer and lament for you. The third part is an audio clip from some of our children here at St. Matthews.  ...

Good morning, children of God! 

I hope you are all managing okay in the safety of your house. 

 

What have you been doing? Have you built some tents? Doing crafts? Writing messages on the sidewalks? Playing with lego?  I hope you are helping with chores. Some of your Sunday school teachers have been sewing masks. 

 

...

Dear St. Matthews family and our wider community,

 

This week the World Health Organization declared the Coronovirus to be a pandemic.  Covid - 19 has now come closer to home and we feel it is now our responsibility to take greater precautions as recommended by Health Canada .

 

Your Pastoral Team and Board of Directors wrestled...

Both the Gospel and our sending hymn - Bless Now, O God, the Journey intrigue me. For my sermon, I’d like the two to have a conversation. 

Bless now, O God the journey that all your people make, the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take. The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round, then leads beside...

 

The children’s message and sermon were combined today for the Intergenerational Worship experience. 

 

In the Gospel today we hear,

 

You are the salt of the earth. 

You are light of the world.  

 

Jesus was gathered on the hillside beside the Sea of Galilee. Many people were gathered with him. They...

 

Introduction 
 

There is no shortage of controversy in the world today.   

Controversy, hideous, heart breaking and historical. 

 

Controversy sells and we are consumers. Tabloid headlines of news that isn’t really news. Creating controversy where there really is none.

 

In the day to day,...

 

Introduction 

Let’s play a classic little game. 

Brothers and sisters look behind you.

I’m ready. Come and find me…

 

Playing is an important part of life. Relationships develop and transform through play.  Not only is it  essential for children’s development. People of all ages grow...

Merry Christmas to you, on this the Second Sunday of Christmas. 

 

The birth narratives of manger and child, shepherds and sheep, angels and holy family, star and stable, have echoed throughout song and scripture for these 12 days; imprinted into our imaginations once again. 

 

Today, on this last day of Christmas...

Christmas Eve A 2019  

Wherever you are on the journey, you are welcome here. 

Here, yes here, you are welcome: 

In this place where community gathers. Where we take pause. 

In this place where life is born among us and for us. 

In this place where God gathers us in to make all things new.

And it all begins with a baby....

This repentance that John proclaimed, and Jesus fine tuned, writes Westerhoff. “Is as much to lament our sins or be sorry for what we've done or left undone; as it is to have faith, to perceive life and our lives in a new way.”