Preparing for Sunday: Prepare the Way
The appearance of John the Baptist tells us that we have reached the Second Sunday of Advent. John arrives as a voice out of the wilderness, proclaiming that we need to repent and to prepare for the one who will come after him. It's a shocking message, delivered by...
Preparing for Sunday: If
Sometimes the biggest words are the smallest. Big words might convey a complicated thought or idea, but little words often contain a depth and range of meaning. This Sunday we will look at the little word 'if' and consider the implications that this word had on the...
Preparing for Sunday: We Remember
This Sunday we will observe Remembrance Sunday. Traditionally, this is done on the Sunday before Remembrance Day. It is an opportunity to remember those who served in the Canadian Forces, for the sacrifice that they made on our behalf. Though we stand a century...
Preparing for Sunday: Opposites
They say that opposites attract. In our parable for this coming Sunday the Tax Collector may want to have the Pharisee's pious religious observance. However, I am not sure that the Pharisee is comfortable with the Tax Collectors honesty and humility before God. Let's...
Preparing for Sunday: Prayer
Prayer is a challenging aspect of Christian devotional life. Challenging because it can often feel like a one way conversation. We don't benefit from an active voice from God responding directly to our prayers in the same way that a spouse, child, parent or friend...
Preparing for Sunday: Gratitude
How do we express gratitude and thanksgiving? This Sunday we look at a story from Luke's gospel that teaches us about gratitude and thanksgiving. The story is of ten lepers who are healed by Jesus, however only one returns to say 'thank you.' In response Jesus tells...
Preparing for Sunday: Some Sayings of Jesus
On Sunday we turn our attention to Luke 17. A section of the Bible which the NRSV sub-titles 'Some Saying of Jesus and which the Good News Translation breaks into three sections: 'Sin, Faith and A Servant's Duty.' Are these verses in Luke's gospel just some sayings of...
Preparing for Sunday: A Name
What's in a name? A name means a great many things. It is what we are called, how we identify ourselves. Parents bestow names on their children which they hope will have meaning or perhaps to honour parents. I have seen family rifts develop because grand-parents...
Preparing for Sunday: The Cost
When we think about what something costs, we usually equate that to price. What is the sticker price of an item and can we afford it? Routine items are generally affordable for most people. It is when we begin to consider items outside of our normal purchases that the...
Preparing for Sunday: Blessings
In our gospel lesson today Jesus tells the host of a party that by inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind he will be blessed. As I have reflected on this passage this week I have asked myself a series of questions what does it mean to be blessed? What...
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cobourg is part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The congregation was established in 1833 and continues to serve the community.