Practicing Forgiveness
Practicing Forgiveness Today we continue our look at Matthew 18 and the subject of forgiveness. Peter asks Jesus how many times we must forgive and some of us make not like the answer! Jesus replies 77 times! If you've ever been wronged in a serious way, forgiving...
Why Do We Forgive?
Why Do We Forgive? Our passages today focus on reconciliation, the hard work of forgiveness. It might not look that way at first glance, as the passages have more finger pointing in them than words of forgiveness. However, if you dig deeper you will find that the...
Contemplative by Catastrophe
It is with great delight that I introduce the Rev. Dr. Kristine O'Brien. Kristine serves as the Director at Crieff Hills - Retreat & Conference Centre, which is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Crieff Hills holds a special place in my heart as I...
Who Do You Say that I Am?
Who Do You Say that I Am? Where things happen in scripture is often as important as what happens or what is said. Today we are presented with a well known passage from Matthew's gospel. We know and remember this passage as it is where Peter declares that Jesus is,...
What Concerns God
What Concerns God Our passage from Matthew's gospel covers a few topics and at first glance does not appear to related. However, when we dig a little deeper we find that there is a connection and it tells us something rather profound, yet beautifully simple, about...
What’s so Bad About Being in the Boat?
What's so Bad About Being in the Boat? The story of Jesus walking on water is well known. It has been reproduced in art, spoofed in movies and used a measuring stick for our faithfullness. Why did you doubt is what Jesus asks Peter when he begins to sink. But would...
Operating from a Place of Grief
Operating from a Place of Grief The gospel lesson from Matthew is a well known piece of scritpure. It recounts the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle of Jesus to be featured in all four gospels. We know the highlights of the story well. The people came to hear...
The Hiddenness of the Kingdom
The Hiddenness of the Kingdom Today we have a flurry of small parables from Jesus, all of which speak about the Kingdom of Heaven. Over the past few weeks Jesus has been feeding us images and ideas about what God's kingdom will look and feel like. As we conclude this...
Wheat and Weeds
Wheat and Weeds I titled this sermon in a rush and with an utter lack of creativity borrowed from the parable that is the subject matter. Given more time, which I seemingly have gained, I would title this sermon 'What to do with the Dandelions?' It's a good question...
Good Soil
Good Soil In the Parable of the Sower Jesus talks about seeds and how they are scattered on the soil. The question that presents itself from us is where do we put our focus? On the seeds or the soil? Scripture: Psalm 65: 9-13 and Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23I am not a...
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.