As we learn to follow Jesus, not everyone in our life is excited by our change. How should we think about this? Why does God seem to let our life have these difficult experiences? Today’s passage looks back to the past as well as the future to help us understand today.

The folks Peter is writing to are experiencing hardship and social exclusion as a result of becoming Christians. How are they to respond? Do they fight the government? Do they prove their views to their neighbours? What should they focus on? Today’s passage gives them guidance… guidance which also helps us as we navigate living in this world.

Today we consider the contribution Simeon and Anna made to our understanding of the Christmas story. We might be familiar with their words of blessing. If they were not present, what might we miss that is important for us to consider today.

Today’s podcast is a portion of our Christmas Eve service. We ponder what the birth of Jesus, the one who would become both saviour and king, says to an empire that is flexing its power and claiming to do what is best for you. We invite you to remember the story of the birth of Jesus with us.

This mornings message was delivered when the tensions from the States were first beginning in Canada. Our country was beginning to feel politically threatened. This was not un-similar to the land of Judah when great prophecies about Jesus were given. Let’s consider what those messages where about in light of how we feel in our world today.

Welcome to the start of this Advent series! As we read these stories in the Bible, the scents and sensations that were present are something that we can't experience solely by reading. Scents can evoke emotion, memory, and meanings. So as we discuss this year's theme of kingship, let's explore the symbolism carried by the scents on the air when the king finally came.

Claiming that God needs to save us can sound offensive… I should be enough as I am! But what if I’m not enough? What about when I don't feel strong enough to tackle a hard situation? or if I realize God protected me from something I couldn’t handle? In today’s passage we see the good side of when we are not enough… because that is when God pours out so many blessings all we can do is offer praise. Let’s join our services and consider today’s message.

As you walk with Jesus and try to follow him in your days, it is not uncommon to feel like more and more, you fit into society less and less. Sometimes you just don’t want to participate; other times people might exclude you. How are we to think about this experience? What is the best way to respond? Let’s consider what the book of First Peter says to encourage Christians who experience being excluded.