Check here for print copies of the weekly sermons & sermon series.

Note:  Audio recordings for many of these sermons can be found by clicking on "Listen Online" on the home page.

 

We Are What We Pray - Lent - Easter 2019

During the season of Lent & Easter, we are going to focus on the role of prayer in our lives as Christians. Martin Luther, who began the Protestant reformation, was a person of prayer.  He once said: 

      To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. 

          Martin Luther

 We will explore how prayer shapes our lives, what prayer really does, and how to pray in many different ways.  Join in the Lenten journey of prayer.

 

March 31 - Pray for Healing - it works, but maybe not in the way you think! March_31_2019.pdf

March 24 - The Lord's Prayer - Rev. Susan & Rev. David have a dialogue based on The Lord's Prayer. This is adapted from an online version (various authors).  No print copy available; listen to the audio by clicking on "Listen Online" on the homepage.

March 17 - Help! Thanks! Wow! - Three portions for our prayers March_17_2019_Lent_2.pdf

We highly recommend the book "Help, Thanks, Wow" by Anne Lamott, (Penguin, 2012) from which we borrowed this theme and title.

March 10 - Why was Jesus always going off by himself to pray? March_10_2019_Lent_1.pdf

 

Called to be the Church - Winter 2019

We choose to be part of the church; but God has already chosen us, called us and named us. We have a task to do, gifts to offer our world.  We are called to be Love and Light and Hope.  In these weeks before Lent, we explore our call to be the church.

March 3 - Living with Great Boldness and Hope -March_3_2019_sermon.pdf

February 24 - Conversation between Rev. Susan & Rev. David about living with gratitude: no print copy, listen to the audio by clicking on "Listen Online" on the homepage.

February 17 - To be Christian is to be radically inclusive and radically generous. February_17_2019.pdf

February 10 - Seeing ourselves as God sees us! February_10_2019.pdf

February 3 - It's Not About the Goats (or the afterlife) - Understanding Who are are as the family and disciples of Jesus February_3_2019_.pdf

January 27 - A Conversation about Values - Compassion, Diversity, Respect & Courage - no print copy, listen to the audio by clicking on "Listen Online" on the homepage.

January 20 - It's All About Relationship January_20_2019.pdf

January 13 - Understanding the Gift of Baptism January_13_2019.pdf

January 6 - Why Make Such a Journey? Learnings from the Three Wiseones  January_6_2019.pdf

 

Why We Are a Church - Fall 2018

This fall we are inviting each of us to think about why we choose to be part of a church community.  Why are we together as a church?

December 30 - Jesus as a boy - guest worship leader: Celia Penman -- listen online 

December 24 - Christmas Eve - A Divine Invitation! Christmas_Eve_2018.pdf

December 23 - It Takes Jesus! Why we celebrate his birth! December_23_2018_Advent_4.pdf

December 16 - Hope - What is it? Where do we find it? We need it! December_16_2018_Advent_III.pdf

December 9 - Celebrating the 200th Birthday of Silent Night  Christmas_Childrens_Worship_2018.pdf

December 2 - Investing in God's Economy brings joy! December_2_2018_Advent_I_.pdf

November 25 - Living the Way of Jesus; Having the Faith of Jesus -  Christians are seen as judgmental and hypocrites.  It is time we changed that view. November_25_2018.pdf

November 18 - Susan & David & Maya have a conversation about what Joy really is all about. Listen online.

November 11 - On Communion & Remembrance - listen online

November 4 - We don't have to read the Bible literally, or reject it as fantasy. When we take it seriously, there is so much wisdom and wonder to help us live faithfully. November_4_2018.pdf

October 28 - Scripture is the foundation of our faith. It is inspired by God, but written and interpreted by fallible human beings. It is essential to our lives of faith; and essential that we study it and wrestle with it. October_28_2018.pdf

October 21 -  Our society is losing the language of virtues: kindness, gratitude, and compassion - we must reclaim and use these words:    October_21_2018.pdf

October 14 -  Rev. Susan & Rev. David had a conversation about why each of them have chosen to follow the Way of Jesus, and why they believe Jesus chooses each of us.  No print copy.  Listen online from the home page of this website.

October 7 -  The Gift & Necessity of Gratitude   October_7_2018.pdf

September 30 -  When is a Building not a Building? When it's a church!  September_30_2018.pdf

September 23 - Rev. Susan & Rev. David in conversation about  Tears & Soft Hearts - and how worship helps us keep soft hearts filled with compassion & makes room for our tears. Listen Online - from home page of this website.

September 16 - Rev. Susan shares: The World Needs Us September_16_2018.pdf

September 9 - Rev. David shares: Church is Essential for our Well-Being September_9_2018.pdf

 

Summer 2018

We invite you to listen to the recordings (podcasts found under Listen Online on home page) of the sermons for July and August 2018.  There are not print copies for many of the Sundays.

 

September 2 - The Purpose of Work - A Labour Day Reflection - September_2_2018.pdf

August 26 - Embracing the Unexpected Presence of God - August_26_2018.pdf

August 19 - Rev. David: It's what you do that counts, not what you believe August_19_2018.pdf

August 12 - Rev. Susan: Climate Change, Divisive Politics -- We Desperately Need a New Vision for our World August_12_2018.pdf

August 5 - Rev. David: It's not the Miracle that Counts - It's the Message August_5_2018.pdf

July 29 - Rev. Susan on why we need the church community - to encourage and support us.

July 8, 15 & 22 - Guest speaker: Bob Gibennus - on suffering, sharing his own experiences and relating them to the book of Job

July 1 - Guest speaker: Celia Penman - on generously using our gifts for the good of all

 

Daring Hope in Turbulent Times

will be our worship theme for the Spring of 2018. We will talk about how we live as people of hope in the face of all the challenges that we see in the world around us. There are things that keep us awake at night…. let’s talk in faith!

June 24: Daring Hope: A Letter from God led by the children & youth Hope_is_-_June_24_2018.pdf

 

June 17: Daring Hope: The Gift of Community June_17_2018_sermon.pdf

June 10: Daring Hope: The Gift of Gratitude  June_10_2018_sermon.pdf

June 3: Daring Hope in an Age of Logic  June_3_2018_sermon.pdf

May 27: Daring Hope in Cynical Times May_27_2018_sermon.pdf

May 20: Daring Hope: Is God’s Spirit Moving in the 21^st Century?May_20_2018_Pentecost.pdf  

May 13: Daring Hope in a Changing Culture May_13_2018.pdf 

May 6: Daring Hope in a Changing Climate May_6_2018_sermon.pdf 

April 29: Daring Hope in the Midst of Doubt April_29_2018_sermon.pdf

April 22: Daring Hope & Risking Faith April_22_2018_sermon.pdf

April 15: Daring Hope: True Courage (guest preacher: Terry Potter) April_15_2018_sermon.pdf

 

 

Why Bother with Faith, God, Church, Jesus, and the Bible?

In 2018, in North America, to be a Christian, a follower of the Way of Jesus, is a choice we make.  There are so many other activities and possibilities that call for our attention, so why do we bother?  What do we make of being a church, reading the Bible, and choosing to follow the Way of Jesus?  This winter, leading up to Easter (on April 1st), we'll be exploring these questions.

 

April 8: Let the Easter Blessings Shine! April_8_2018_sermon.pdf

April 1: Easter Sunday: Choosing Resurrection April_1_2018.pdf

March 25: Palm Sunday "Love Letters from God" (no print or recording available)

March 18: Choosing to be a Disciple of Jesus: March_18_2018.pdf

March 11: Choosing to Worship. Worship brings us back to who we are and Whose we are.  Taking time to worship brings us back to gratitude, to wonder, to hope. We are made to worship; it's in our DNA. March_4_2018_sermon.pdf

March 4: Choosing the Bible. It is an old book, the Bible. The setting of its stories go back to the beginning of time.  The first parts of the Bible were put in written form about 700 BCE.  Nothing new has been added since 383 AD.  So why do we read it? Why do we take it seriously, but not literally?  There is a good reason! It's our family story and inspiration as followers of Jesus.

March_4_2018_sermon.pdf

February 25: Choosing to Pray. What can we expect of prayer? Is prayer about having our prayers answered or is it something else? February_25_2018.pdf

February 18: Choosing Lent: What is the purpose of the season of Lent? Why do we mark it as followers of Jesus? February_18_2018.pdf 

February 11: Choosing The United Church of Canada. Are we just a wishy-washy enterprise? NO! We believe firmly in living the compassion that was shown to us by Jesus.  We have an important voice to offer within Christianity today. 

Sermon: February_11_2018.pdf         

Powerpoint to go with sermon:What_is_the_United_Church.pdf 

More about the United Church: United_Church_-_who_are_we.pdf 

February 4: Choosing Church. The church gets accused of being judgmental and hypocritical, but there is a good reason to belong to church. It is worth it! February_4_2018.pdf

January 28: Choosing Jesus. Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago.  His ministry lasted only 3 years. But we continue to follow his teaching, live the Way he taught, and have experiences of his presence.  January_28_2018.pdf

January 21: Choosing God is not about having the right beliefs, but about being open to the relationship and discovering God in both the Bible and in science and in people and in the world. 

Please note: there is no print copy.  A recording is available under "Listen Online"

January 14: Choosing Faith: What is faith? Do I have it? Why would I need it? January_14_2018.pdf 

 

What Time is it, Followers of Jesus?  Time to reflect on time!

This fall we are looking at time from a faith perspective.  We follow time on a clock, but sometimes time seems to go so fast and other times it goes so slow.  Ecclesiates 3:1-8 tells us that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."  We will be using the book, "Sabbath Pause" by Terry Chapman, as a basis for reflecting on time, and how we approach time as followers of the Way of Jesus.  Feeling frazzled - come spend some time with us at High River United, as we reflect on time!

 

December 24 - Why we bother with Christmas!  (7:00 pm service) Christmas_Eve_2017_7_pm.pdf

Note: no print copy of 9:00 pm service. There is a podcast of both 7 pm & 9 pm sermons.

December 17 - Joy is much better than happiness. December_17_2017.pdf

December 10 - There is no print copy or recording.  The children & youth lead in worship.

December 3 - Our congregation's mission as a beacon of hope December_3_2017__Advent_I.pdf

November 26 - Time to believe in God (& the mystery behind science) - a conversation between Rev. David & Rev. Susan - Please note: there is no print copy.  A recording is available under "Listen Online"

November 19 - Sabbath, not just a day off - a day for enjoying God November_19_2017.pdf

November 12 - Play saves our souls November_12_2017.pdf

November 5 - Sabbath creates room for the imagination November_5_2017.pdf

October 29 -  (no print copy) listen to our Guest, David Armour on the podcast.

October 22 - What is Our Purpose in Life? October_22_2017.pdf

October 15 - The Energizer Bunny October_15_2017.pdf

October 8 - Practices that help us find peace & stillness October_8_2017.pdf

October 1 -  Meeting God (& ourselves) in the stillness October_1_2017.pdf

September 24 - Do you have time for this dinner invitation? September_24_2017_sermon.pdf

September 17 - Rules create Freedom - understanding Sabbath. September_17_2017_sermon.pdf

September 10 - no print copy - listen to the conversation, about seeing time from a faithful perspective, between Susan & David - A recording is available under "Listen Online"

 

Summer 2017

September 3 - Thinking like a 1st Century Greek mystic September_3_2017_sermon.pdf

August 27 - The need for nourishment (or what happens when you don't water a plant) August_27_2017_sermon.pdf

August 20 - Our responsibility to come alongside God's vision August_20_2017_sermon.pdf

August 13 - No print copy available

August 6 - Being Salt & Light - what does it really mean?  August_6_2017_sermon.pdf

 

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? - Spring 2017

We'll be hearing stories about Jesus eating meals with a variety of people.  We'll also be talking about how to make neighbours of other faiths feel welcome at our tables.  How can we be good hosts and loving neighbours, as Jesus calls us to be?

Note: The outline of basic information about each faith group that is being printed weekly in our bulletins at church will be posted here in pdf form once I have completed all faith groups.  Susan

 

July 2 - Seeking Truth & Reconciliation - an interview is posted under "Listen Online"

June 25 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? The children led in worship.  Here is a copy of the conversations they shared: June_25_2017_narration.pdf

June 18 - The Importance, as Christians, of Truth & Reconciliation with the First People's of Canada Please note: there is no print copy.  A recording is available under "Listen Online"

June 11 - Memories or Reality - Jesus is known in the breaking of bread  June_11_2017_sermon.pdf

June 4 - God's Mighty Wind changes & transforms June_4_2017_sermon.pdf

May 21 - Implementing God's Salvation - Being Made Whole May_21_2017_sermon.pdf

May 14 - No Disney Princesses or NHL all-stars in honoured places at Jesus' table May_14_2017_sermon.pdf

May 7 - Food (& other resources) are better when shared May_7_2017_sermon.pdf

April 30 - If you're judging,  you are not loving!   April_30_2017.pdf

 

What I Believe as a Follower of the Way of Jesus

(and member of the United Church of Canada)

April 23 - guest preacher

April 16 - Easter Sunday - We believe in Resurrection April_16_2017_Easter.pdf 

April 9 - Palm Sunday - Children lead the service - Palm_Sunday_Conversations.pdf

April 2 - A Conversation with Neighbours - of all faiths and sizes  April_2_2017_sermon.pdf

March 26 - What does the United Church believe?  Can you believe anything and still belong to the United Church? Sermon: March_26_2017.pdf    Pamphlet: United_Church_-_who_are_we.pdf 

March 19 - Following the Way of Jesus, Being Born Again & Salvation

Rev. Susan & Rev. David converse what it means to them to follow the Way of Jesus day by day, and the compelling nature of Jesus' command to love God, neighbour, stranger & enemies.         (no print copy - listen to audio recording. Go to Home page and click on box: Listen Online)

March 12 - Teach us to Pray March_12_2017.pdf

March 5 - The Cross - A Declaration of God's Amazing Love March_5_2017_sermon.pdf

February 26 - How Strong is Your Faith? How Fragile is Your Faith? February_26_2017.pdf

February 19 - We Believe in the Spirit: The Energy of our Faith

February 12 - We Believe in Jesus: A Revolution of Love February_12_2017.pdf

February 5 - We Believe in Jesus: Rev. Susan & Rev. David converse about their experiences of the presence of Jesus and their understandings of who Jesus was and is.

(no print copy - listen to audio recording. Go to Home page and click on box: Listen Online)

January 29 - We Believe in God: On a Journey with God

January_29_2017.pdf
January 22 - We Believe in God: Does God control everything or do we have free will? 

January_22_2017.pdf

January 15 - We Believe in God: Rev. Susan & Rev. David converse about their experiences of God

(no print copy - listen to audio recording. Go to Home page and click on box: Listen Online)

January 8 - "Baptism: A Comfort for Parents & Challenge to the Congregation"  January_8_2017_sermon.pdf

 

Advent Conversations 2016

Advent 4 - Radical Love & Daring Joy December_18_2016_Radical_Love-Daring_Joy.pdf

Advent 3 - Daring Joy - the children offered their Christmas play

Advent 2 - Risking Peace December_4_2016_Peace.pdf 

Advent 1- Fierce Hope - what does hope look like? November_27_2016_Advent_I.pdf

 

This is What Faith Looks Like (Fall 2016)

Note: a 10 minute video clip from the Animate Study Series was watched prior to each of these messages. These messages will still make sense without watching it.  Yet, if you'd like to watch the video, come by the church and watch the clips here.  Unfortunately, we do not have permission to post the clips online.

 

Choices: Living Joyfully November_20_2016.pdf

Sacraments: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: November_13_2016_sermon.pdf

The Bible: A tradition bigger than our worries & fears November_6_2016_sermon.pdf

Prayer:  We need to pray & tune ourselves to God October_30_2016_sermon.pdf

Service 2: Falling in Love with God; Giving in love to your Church October_23_2016.pdf

Service 1: When we live like royalty, how do we notice the needs around? October_16_2016_sermon.pdf

Worship 2: Faith rooted and tested in a tradition of thousands of years. October_9_2016_sermon.pdf

Worship 1: We all need a higher power. In God, we find our sense of worth. October_2_2016_sermon.pdf

Community 2 - "I keep coming back to church because it is where I learn and grow and am loved." September_25_2016_sermon.pdf

Community 1 -  "I am because we are." Christians need community. September_18_2016.pdf

The View from the Ark: What Is Faith Now that We've Landed? Invitation_from_the_Ark_2016.pdf

 

We Make the Road by Walking (2015-2016)

A year long exploration of the Bible and our faith journey

based on Brian D. McLaren's Book, "We Make the Road by Walking" (Jericho Books 2014)

 

In the End is a Beginning August_28_2016_sermon.pdf

Spirit of Life: Life after Death August_21_2016_Sermon.pdf

The Spirit of Holiness - No more Hellfire & Punishment August_14_2016.pdf

The Spirit of Power - Difficult Conversations: I Beg to Differ July_10_2016.pdf

The Spirit Conspiracy July_3_2016_sermon.pdf

Spirit of Service June_26_2016_sermon.pdf

 

"The Girl with the Violin" - noticing God around us - June 19, 2016

(no printed sermon, the children presented a play during the serivce.)

 

Spirit of Love: Loving Self  June_12_2016.pdf

Spirit of Love: Loving Neighbour June_5_2016_sermon.pdf

Spirit of Love: Loving GodMay_29_2016_sermon.pdf

 

Moving with the Spirit May_22_2016_sermon.pdf

The Spirit is Moving (Pentecost) May_15_2016.pdf

 

Whatever the Hardship, Rise Up!  May_8_2016_sermon.pdf

An Uprising of Stewardship May_1_2016_Sermon.pdf

An Uprising of Partnership April_24_2016_sermon.pdf

Message by Oh Misun, our Korean theological student April_17_Misun_sermon_2.pdf

An Uprising of Fellowship & Discipleship April_10_2016_sermon.pdf

 

We Are Part of Something Much Bigger than Grief & Fear March_27_2016_Easter_sermon.pdf

Good Friday - Everything Must Change - Good_Friday_2016_bulletin.pdf

Maundy Thursday - A Table. A Basin. Some Food. Some Friends - Maundy_Thursday_2016_bulletin.pdf

Palm Sunday - Two Parades & a Peace March:Palm_Sunday_-_March_20_2016_bulletin.pdf

(The children & youth led the service. There was no sermon, but the bulletin tells the story)

 

The Choice is Yours March_13_2016.pdf   

Why We Worry; Why We Judge.  March_6_2016_Sermon.pdf

Dealing with Difficult Scriptures: A Path to Aliveness  February_28_2016_sermon.pdf

Your Secret Life: February_21_2016_sermon.pdf

A New Identity: February_14_2016_sermon.pdf

Remembering the Saints - our loved ones who have passed away February_7_2016_candlelighting.pdf

Jesus, Violence & Power January_31_2016.pdf

Jesus & Hell January_24_2016_sermon.pdf

Jesus' Dream is not the American Dream January_17_2016_sermon.pdf

Jesus offers what no one else can - January_10_2016_sermon.pdf

 

Epiphany - January 3 

Time to Let Your Light Shine -  Christmas_Eve_2015.pdf

Finding Rest in the Mystery of Christmas - Advent 4 -December_20_2015.pdf

A Messy Christmas - Advent 3 - worship led by the children & youth

Women on the Edge - what to do with Virgin Birth? - Advent 2   December_6_2015_sermon.pdf

Promised Land, Promised Time - a message of Hope - Advent 1 November_29_2015_sermon.pdf

 

The Great Conversation November_22_2015_sermon.pdf

From Ugliness, Beauty Emerges November_15_2015_sermon.pdf 

November 8th - no sermon to share - celebration of Susan & David's 20th year with the congregation

Rivalry or Reconciliation  November_1_2015.pdf

It's Not Too Late October_25_2015.pdf

Plotting Goodness - A Blessing Project!  October_18_2015_sermon.pdf

In Over Our Heads October_11_2015_sermon.pdf

The Drama of Desire  October_4_2015_sermon.pdf

A World of Meaning September_27_2015.pdf

Being Human September_20_2015_sermon.pdf

Awe & Wonder September_13_2015_sermon.pdf

 

The Lord's Prayer - Teach Us to Pray

Exploring the Lord's Prayer June_28_2015_sermon.pdf 

Walking and Running Our Prayers July_5_2015_sermon.pdf

Using Prayer Beads as a Path of Prayer  July_12_2015_sermon.pdf

The Path of Celtic Prayer  July_19_2015_sermon.pdf

 

It Takes a Village

"This is How We Follow Jesus" bookmark Romans_12_bookmark.pdf

It Takes a Village of Faith April_19_2015_sermon.pdf

It Takes a Village of Prayer  April_26_2015_sermon.pdf  

It Takes an Intergenerational Village May_10_2015_sermon.pdf 

It Takes an Adaptable & Grounded Village May_17_2015.pdf

It Takes a Spirit-filled Village of Disciples May_24_2015_Pentecost.pdf

It Takes a Village of Laughter, Tears & Friendship May_31_2015_sermon.pdf

It Takes a Village with a Story to Tell - 90th Anniversary of the United Church June_7_2015_sermon.pdf

It Takes a Village which Respects all People and all Faiths June_14_2015.pdf

It takes a Village (service led by children & youth) It_Takes_a_Village_of_Faith.pdf

 

Holy Week & Easter

Easter Sunday: Seeing Easter Hope in Our Own Lives April_5_2015_Easter_sermon.pdf

Good Friday: Carrying Death in Our Bodies April_3_2015_Good_Friday.pdf

 

The Wisdom of the Parables - Winter 2015

Parables: A Handbook for Living the Way of Jesus March_22_2015_sermon.pdf

Parables about Seeking Justice and Resisting Evil March_15_2015_sermon.pdf

Parables about Loving and Serving Others March_8_2015_sermon.pdf

Parables about Living together in creation March_1_2015_sermon.pdf

Parables about Weddings & Feasts February_22_2015.pdf

Parables about Open & Closed Doors February_15_2015_Sermon.pdf

Parables about Wages & Investment February_8_2015_sermon.pdf

Parables from Everyday: Nature & Household  February_1 2015_sermon.pdf

The Lost & Found Parables January_25_2015_sermon.pdf

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager - how to read parables of Jesus January_18_2015_sermon.pdf

 

Resting in God - Advent -Christmas - Epiphany 2014 - 15

God Is More Powerful than Floods and Disaster  January_11_2015_sermon.pdf

Resting in the Healing Power of Light January_4_2015_sermon.pdf

I Rest in God's Love (a hymn)  I_Rest_In_Gods_Love_words.pdf

Christmas Eve 2014 - Resting at the Manger Christmas_2014.pdf

What Does It Mean to Rest in God and Release Worry & Anxiety November_30_2014_sermon.pdf

 

Mending Our Relationship with Creation

Nothing in Creation, Even a Flood, Can Separate Us from God's Love November_23_2014_sermon.pdf

The Promise and Possibility of Springtime November_16_2014.pdf

Soil - Earth: The Ground of our Being: November_9_2014.pdf

The Wisdom of the Bees:  Ask the Animals to Teach you: November_2_2014.pdf

The Highwood: Living with a River that gives both life & destruction: October_26_2014.pdf

I look to the Mountains to know God October_19_2014.pdf

Stop, Sit, Breathe, Give Thanks October_12_2014.pdf

Re-Dedication of our Building for our Mission & Ministry as a Congregation October_5_2014_bulletin.pdf

                                                 (Note: this is a copy of the service. There is not a print copy of sermon.)

What to Do When the Winters of our Lives Hit with an Unwelcome Blast ? September_28_2014.pdf

Gathering In! Letting Go! Sharing in Gratitude! Now It's Autumn September_21_2014.pdf

For Everything There Is A Season - Now It's Summer!  September_14_2014.pdf

 

Summer Sermons

When we don't know what to believe August_24_2014.pdf

Faith community anchors us in life August_31_2014_Sermon.pdf

 

Superhero Sundays Sermon Series

Heroes: Drew in "Despicable Me", Good Samaritan, Christopher Reeves  May_4_2014.pdf

The Incredibles: working as a family  May_11_2014.pdf

Samson  May_18_2014.pdf 

Wounded Heroes: Joseph and Mary, Tommy Douglas, Rogue  May_25_2014.pdf 

Hero Excuses : Iron Man, Moses, Nelson Mandela  June_1_2014.pdf

Inner Bigness: Elsa and Anna, Harriet Tubman, the Disciples  June_8_2014.pdf

This Little Light of Mine! : Spiderman, Queen Esther, Aung San Suu Kyi  June_15_2014.pdf

Carpe Diem  June_29_2014.pdf