Called to Account
The prophet Micah had stern words for the people of Israel and Judah. In our passage today Micah provides a warning about being complacent in the face of material gain, when others are suffering. It is a major call to the way we live our lives and where we place our...
Prayer of Concern
Because you, God, love the world, Because in Christ you walked it, We dare to pray. To connect the words of ancient scripture To the life of the world today; To let the urgent summons of Jesus Surpass our reticence to respond. To awaken the minds of those in power To...
500th Anniversary of the Reformation
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. A time of great change and upheaval in the church. It is interesting to note that Martin Luther never intended to start a new church or to break away from the Roman Catholic Church. He simply wanted to have a...
Garments of Grace
Sometimes we worry about what to wear. As a young person at church I often wondered if other frowned upon my relaxed appearance during worship. Reading the Parable of the Wedding Feast, we might think that God is overly concerned about how we dress. However, when we...
How is the Vineyard?
The Parable of the Tenants provides us with easy targets to point our fingers at. Whether it be the Chief Priests or the elders from the temple or perhaps even the Israelite's themselves. The targets are easy in light of the ending we know is in store for Jesus. This...
Challenged by God
The question regarding the authority of Jesus has as much to do with the answer as it does with the reasons to ask the question. His authority comes from heaven, this is clear to us as modern readers and it was clear to the chief priests and elders even if they didn't...
A Highland Prayer
In my devotionals this week I came across the following reading: In Highland tradition God is regarded both in Himself and in His Three Persons as a Chief and Ard Righ, with personal tied to His people. It is after the manner of a chieftain, of a hero, or of a prince...
God’s Grace for All
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is one that is often difficult to swallow. There is an inherent sense of unfairness to the parable that we have difficulty dealing with. North American society and culture is one which prides itself on hard work to earn a...
A Prayer on Grieving
Into my grieving I weave the strength of the Father. Into my grieving I weave the compassion of the Son. Into my grieving I weave the comfort of the Spirit. Into my grieving I receive the presence of the Three in One. Into my anger I invite the patience of the Father....
Forgiveness is Second Nature for Christians
In his memorable sermon “The Gospel as Hyperbole,” Fred Craddock points out that Jesus most assuredly had a way with words and with exaggeration as a way to get his points across. When it comes to conveying the sheer size of the gospel and of faith, Jesus refused to...
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.