The Children’s Story Time “The Little Lanterns There once was a village where every child carried a small lantern. The lanterns didn’t shine very brightly on their own—just a tiny glow. One evening, the children gathered in the village square. Some had had a hard day. Some felt sad. Some felt grumpy, and some felt lonely. A wise elder said, “Let’s bring our lanterns together.” So the children stood close—two or three at a time—holding their lanterns side by side. And something wonderful happened: the light grew brighter. Not because the lanterns changed, but because they were together. The elder…

As life does, it sometimes gets in the way. Here is part of my service from September 6th with my sermon. The children’s story will follow on another post.   Opening Prayer (Unison) Holy and gracious God, You meet us in the ordinary rhythms of our days—in conversations, in quiet moments, in the work of our hands, and in the needs of our neighbours. As we gather today, open our hearts to Your presence. Where we are restless, grant peace. Where we are discouraged, kindle hope. Where we are comfortable, stir courage. Where we are uncertain, offer wisdom. Shape us…

Matthew: 13:31-33, 44-52 The Five Parables: mustard seed, yeast, treasure, pearls and net. If you’ve ever planted a garden, baked bread, found something precious, or sorted through a messy drawer, you already understand the parables Jesus tells today. Jesus doesn’t describe the kingdom of heaven with grand temples, armies, or thrones. He describes it with small things, ordinary things, everyday things. Things you can hold in your hand. Because the kingdom of heaven is not far away. It is near. It is here. It is growing, often quietly, often unnoticed, right in the middle of ordinary life. Today Jesus gives…

Call to Worship (Responsive) Rev. Lorie: People of God, come with open hearts and expectant spirits. All: In the warmth of summer days and the quiet of ordinary moments, the Holy One meets us with steadfast love. Rev. Lorie: When our strength feels small, God’s mercy is wide. When our hope flickers, Christ’s light endures. All: When our paths twist and turn, the Spirit guides our steps. Rev. Lorie: Let us gather to listen, to learn, to be renewed. All: Let us worship the Living God, who calls us, equips us, and sends us in love. Amen. Opening Prayer (Unison)…

God’s Love is Unconditional When we talk about God’s love, we must understand that it is unconditional. God’s love isn’t based on our actions or our worthiness. It is a commitment from Him that remains unshaken despite our shortcomings. This love can be a beautiful foundation for our faith, and we are called to embrace it wholeheartedly. No matter how many times we falter or stray from the path, God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms and a heart full of love. As His children, we find comfort and strength in knowing that His love for us…

My friend Donna Baverstock, god love her. She puts out these messages to her church in Toronto. I asked if I could share these with everyone here…she gave me permission, so I will be posting these as well along with my Sunday messages.   Genesis 1:1 & 3 KJV 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. God declares, “Let there be light,” separating light from darkness, which signifies His power to bring order from chaos and His presence illuminating creation Bible Hub+1 Isiah 60:1 KJV “Arise, shine; for your light has…

This is a few days late, but the message never gets old.   Opening Prayer (Unison) Holy and gracious God. You gather us in this moment, calling us to pause, breathe, and remember Your presence. When our days feel hurried, You offer rest. When our spirits feel dry, You pour out living water. When we feel uncertain, You steady our steps. Open our hearts to Your Word today. Let Your Spirit stir in us—renewing what is tired, healing what is wounded, and awakening what is possible. Make us ready to love, to serve, and to grow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.…

I want to tell you a story about a little seed. One day, a farmer tossed a handful of seeds into the air. One tiny seed landed on a hard path. “Oh no,” said the seed, “I can’t grow here!” Birds came and gobbled up the seeds nearby, and the little seed felt scared. Then—whoosh!!—the wind picked it up and carried it to some rocky ground. “Maybe I can grow here!” the seed said. It sprouted quickly, but the sun got hot, and the seedling wilted. “This is too hard,” it whispered. Another breeze came and carried it into a…

Opening Prayer (Unison) Holy and gracious God, You gather us in this moment with a love that has no ending and a mercy that meets us exactly where we are. Open our hearts to Your presence. Quiet the noise within us so we may hear Your Spirit’s whisper. Strengthen us to follow the way of Christ with courage, compassion, and joy. May this time of worship renew our hope, deepen our faith, and draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Prayer of Confession (Unison) (from the Church of Scotland) We come before You aware…

The Little Team That Could One day, Jesus looked around and saw so many people who needed help; people who were really sad, people who were sick, people who felt left out, and people who didn’t know God loved them. Jesus’ heart felt full of love for them. So he called his friends, the twelve disciples, and said, “I’m sending you out to help. You can do what I do: heal, care, share, and love.” The disciples looked at each other. Some of them probably thought, “Us? Really? We’re not ready!” However, it’s a bit like this: There was once…