The Reign of Christ - November 24, 2013

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The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.

[00:01:31]  First Reading - Jeremiah 23:1-6
[00:03:18]  Second Reading - Colossians 1:11-20
[00:05:33]  Gospel Reading - Luke 23:33-43
[00:07:09]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
[00:27:41]  Blessing and Dismissal

Questions for reflection on Christ the King:
  1. What comes to mind when you think of a king?
  2. Does Jesus' words have the power of a king's words in your life?
  3. Are there areas of your life where you feel Christ isn't king? What would it mean to turn these parts of your life over to Christ?
  4. How is Christ being king over our lives good news?

    26th Sunday after Pentecost - November 17, 2013

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    The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.

    [00:01:20]  First Reading - Isaiah 65:17-25
    [00:04:16]  Second Reading - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
    [00:05:54]  Gospel Reading - Luke 21:5-19
    [00:07:42]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
    [00:28:51]  Blessing and Dismissal

    Questions for Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13:
    1. Why would Paul ask the Thessalonian Christians to keep away from those who were idle and not living according to the teaching? What is Paul concerned about?
    2. What is the place of effort in the Christian life? Does God owe us if we work hard? Why do it if we aren’t earning something for ourselves?
    3. Reflect on your own effort towards your family, friends, neighborhood, and church. Is God calling you to more effort? Perhaps God is calling you to less effort? How can you achieve a godly balance?  
    Revised Common Lectionary Commentary (Link)
    Isaiah 65:17-25  The people of Israel have prayed that God will reveal himself to them as he did in olden times. God has answered: “I was ready to be sought out” but no one sought my help. Israel was disobedient and self-centred, but God will preserve a faithful line that he will choose.
    2 Thessalonians 3:6-13  We come to the concluding section of this letter – one which counsels against expecting Christ to come again soon. It seems that some in the community have ceased to work and to spread the word of God.
    Luke 21:5-19  We come to the end of Jesus’ teaching in the Temple. His prediction of its destruction came true about forty years later. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to tell his followers of the ordeals they will need to endure. Perseverance will be rewarded.

      Confirmation/Remembrance - November 10, 2013

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      The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.

      [00:00:56]  First Reading - Haggai 1:15b-2:9
      [00:02:54]  Second Reading - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17
      [00:05:09]  Gospel Reading - Luke 20:27-38
      [00:06:46]  Sermon - The Rt. Rev. Jane Alexander
      [00:24:13]  Blessing and Dismissal

      Revised Common Lectionary Commentary
      Haggai 2:1-9
      Some Jews have returned from exile in Babylon. While the foundations of the new Temple were laid in 536 BC, little more was done on it for fourteen years. Then, prompted by an oracle from God delivered by the prophet Haggai, work on it began in earnest.

      2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17
      In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul has stated that, when Christ comes again, both the faithful who have died and those who are still alive will come together to live eternally. But now we read in 2 Thessalonians that certain events will happen before Christ comes to launch a new era.

      Luke 20:27-38
      The Sadducees were among those who sought to trap Jesus into contravening the Law as he taught daily in the Temple. They did not believe in the resurrection because they found no mention of it in the first five books of the Bible.

      www.sttimothy-edm.ca

      Feast of All Saints - November 03, 2013

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      The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.

      [00:01:11]  First Reading - Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
      [00:02:38]  Second Reading - Ephesians 1:11-23
      [00:04:55]  Gospel Reading - Luke 6:20-36
      [00:07:17]  Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
      [00:25:10]  Blessing and Dismissal

      Questions for reflection on All Saints Day:
      1. Who has been a saint in your life by showing you God's reality and truth?
      2. Is being a saint one of your goals? Why or why not?
      3. Do you have a favorite saint from history that you look up to? If you don't, consider learning more about St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Merton, Mother Theresa, St. Patrick, St. David of Wales, St. Columba, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Anthony, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Hilda, Maximilien Kolbe, St. Teresa of Avila,  William Wilberforce.