Author: standrews

Conversation with the Nations Trinity Rev. Wayne Stretch June 4, 2023 Trinity In the scriptures these past weeks, we’ve been reading Luke’s description of the early days of the church that has been called a Christian Camelot – a marvellous harmony of souls beloved by others and demonstrating the impact of the resurrection in their… Continue reading Conversations with the Nations

Encourage! Pentecost Pastor Mitch Coggin May 28, 2023 Pentecost A Last week, I was in Montreal at Presbyterian College to teach at the 2nd annual Encouragement Conference. The conference invited pastoral leaders to focus on encouragement and renewal through worship and reflection. The conference was held in conjunction with graduation week. How fitting that former… Continue reading Encourage!

Patience, Powers and Prayers Easter Dirk Ryneveld May 21, 2023 Easter A I received a phone call recently from our interim moderator, Wayne Stretch, asking if I was available to lead the service this morning. At the end of our conversation he casually said, “by the way it is “Ascension Sunday”, but that I did… Continue reading Patience, Power and Prayers

Love in Action Pentecost Pastor Mitch Coggin May 14, 2023 Easter A In John 14, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” How do we love God? What are Jesus’ commandments? How do you act when you love someone? Consider something or someone that you love like your grandchild. You want to spend… Continue reading Love in Action

Knowing Whose We Are Easter Pastor Mitch Coggin May 7, 2023 Easter 5A I invite you to consider that who we were in the past is not who we are now or who we might be in the future. And, where we were in the past or where we are now, and is not where… Continue reading Knowing Whose We Are

The Faith We Live Easter Pastor Mitch Coggin April 30, 2023 Easter 4A Our scripture is found in the 23rd Psalm, a passage you know well. No matter what translation of this scripture you know, it is a scripture about hope. We most often hear this Psalm read at a funeral. However, Psalm 23 is… Continue reading The Faith We Live

The Walk to Emamaus Pentecost Rev. Wayne Stretch April 23, 2023 Easter The walk to Emmaus is the culmination of the scriptural account of the first day of the resurrection. Luke’s account of the first day of the resurrection begins with women who had come to the tomb with spices to prepare the body of… Continue reading The Walk To Emmaus

Hallelujah! Easter Pastor Mitch Coggin Abril 16, 2023 Easter A Hallelujah! Our first hymn has multiple versions. The tune and lyrics in our Presbyterian hymnal is close to the hymn Charles Wesley wrote in 1739. However, this is not the version I grew up singing, and perhaps that is true for you, too. Charles Wesley… Continue reading Hallelujah!

The Human Side of the Resurrection Easter Pastor Mitch Coggin April 9, 2023 Easter A Our Lenten study focused on the book and movie, Chocolat, the story of a French village controlled by traditions that repress carnal nature and emphasize penance for our human failings. The mayor controls the townspeople including the new priest, Pere… Continue reading The Human Side of the Resurrection

What Does The Lord Need Palm Sunday Pastor Mitch Coggin April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday A This is a long week in our faith. Palm or Passion Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. We begin Jesus’ dangerous journey to Jerusalem. The liturgy of the Palms and the Liturgy of the Passion occupy the same… Continue reading What does the Lord need?