2nd Sunday in Lent - February 24, 2013

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[00:01:17]  First Reading - Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
[00:03:17]  Second Reading - Philippians 3:17-4:1
[00:04:26]  Gospel Reading - Luke 13:31-35
[00:05:43]  Sermon - Rev. Donald Grey
[00:23:47]  Blessing and Dismissal

Questions for reflection on the sermon:
  1. Do you believe that there is a personal force (that is not physical) that tries to influence people into doing evil?
  2. What was it that made the temptations evil?
  3. Why was the temptation important in relation to what Jesus was about to do?
  4. What does obedience to God mean to you? And how does it relate to this passage?
  5. How does Jesus’ way of responding to temptation relate to your way of dealing with temptation?
Disciple Steps
Here are small steps to take one more step in your walk with Jesus:
  • Shoot silent prayers of blessing on those you pass in the street, and the cars around you on the road.
  • Make a point to pray for someone you don’t usually pray for, but who is a part of your everyday life.
  • Read Matthew Ch 5-7 each day and try to practice what is says. At the end of the day name what you practiced.
    Location: 8420 145 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5R 3X1, Canada

    1st Sunday in Lent - February 17, 2013

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    [00:00:46]  First Reading - Deuteronomy 26:1-11
    [00:03:34]  Second Reading - Romans 10:8b-13
    [00:04:40]  Gospel Reading - Luke 4:1-13
    [00:06:30]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
    [00:25:13]  Blessing and Dismissal

    Questions for reflection on Deuteronomy 26:1-11
    1. Why do the people need to continuously be reminded of the events of the past?
    2. Do you find it easy to be thankful? Do you think being thankful is taught in our culture?
    3. Why do the people give in the response to God’s blessing?
    4. When you think back into your past do you think mostly of things you are thankful for?
    Disciple Steps - Lent
    Ask yourself, in light of what Christ has done for me:
    • What have I done for Christ?
    • What am I doing for Christ?
    • What ought I do for Christ?
    What is Lent?
    “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for spring, when the days lengthen.  The season of Lent finds its origins in the practice of early converts to Christianity spending time (often 3 years) in preparation for baptism at Easter. In the early church this was a radical commitment because conversion could mean torture or death in a time of persecution. They wanted to be sure that the faith they were being baptized into was worth risking their lives for. The weeks before Easter became an especially intense time of prayer, fasting, study, and renunciation of sin, in preparation for their new lives as Christians. In modern times Lent has become a time of renewed commitment and self-discipline. Many give up certain foods and luxuries in remembrance of how much Christ gave up for us. Many also dedicate more time to prayer, study, or acts of charity and generosity. It is a time of spiritual spring cleaning. “Lent is the period in which, learning to abstain from adoring at the shrine of the self, we come to see beyond the divinity we have made of ourselves to the divine will for all the world.”
    –Joan Chittister

    Location: 8420 145 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5R 3X1, Canada

    Transfiguration Sunday - February 10, 2013

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    [00:00:44]  First Reading - Exodus 34:29-35
    [00:02:02]  Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
    [00:03:52]  Gospel Reading - Luke 9:28-36
    [00:05:21]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
    [00:24:25]  Blessing and Dismissal

    Questions for reflection on the sermon:
    1. Can you recall an encounter with Jesus that made you feel like you had to act? How are you transfigured when Jesus reveals himself to you?
    2. There are a few ways to interpret the Transfiguration of Jesus. For example, it reveals his heavenly self; it points to his future resurrection; and it says something about Jesus’ relationship with the Law and the prophets. What reading of this event is the most powerful for you?
    3. Why was this a private event? What might have happened if this happened in the temple in the midst of crowds?
    Disciple Steps
    Here are some small and simple steps you can take to live out your faith in your daily life:
    • Make a point of looking for evidence of God in your day-to-day life.
    • Attempt to do one small think each day to show God's love to those around you.
    • Consider opening your day by inviting God int it first thing in the morning.
    • Where do you need God's help in your day-today life?
      Location: 8420 145 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5R 3X1, Canada

      4th Sunday after the Epiphany - February 03, 2013

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      [00:00:40]  First Reading - Jeremiah 1:4-10
      [00:01:50]  Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
      [00:04:01]  Gospel Reading - Luke 4:21-30
      [00:05:29]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
      [00:25:55]  Blessing and Dismissal

      Questions for reflection on the sermon:
      1. Read 1 Corinthians 13 replacing the word "love" with you name. What parts are you comfortable saying? What parts make you feel uncomfortable? How might you work to become ore confortable with this exercise?
      2. Paul names some amazing spiritual actions, but places love above them all. Why?
      3. How would you define "love"? How does your definition fir with the reading?
        Location: 8420 145 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5R 3X1, Canada
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