South Arm United Church's Podcast
Sharing sermons from South Arm United Church in Richmond, BC Canada. We are an open, welcoming community of faith who love God & the world.
Episodes
162 episodes
A Day to Remember - Part 2
Enjoy this full edition of a very special service honouring the stories and living history of our church. South Arm began in 1906. That's a lot of great history, ministers and families who have worshipped and served here! Many of our current me...
The Cost of Discipleship Matthew 10:24-39
Jesus calls the 12 together and empowers them with his authority to go out and do the ministry he himself had done: proclaim good news, heal the sick, cast out demons, make lepers well and raise the dead. They are to go from place to place wher...
Is Anything Too Wonderful for God? (No!) Genesis 18:1-15 & 21:1-7
In their old age, well past the natural child-bearing years, word comes to Abraham that his wife Sarah will give birth to their first child. In the natural this is preposterous for a senior well beyond menopause and child-bearing years to imagi...
A Day to Remember - Part 1
This year South Arm United Church is engaged in a Visioning process to seek God's guidance on whom we are called to be and how we might better open our doors to serve our neighbours (and the world). As part of that visioning we want to honour t...
A Weird & True Story Acts 2:1-21
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. Pentecost (meaning "50" is 50 days from Passover). And Pentecost happens under very specific circumstances. People pilgrimaged to Jerusalem from all...
That They May Be One John 17:1-11
Today we get to hear Jesus offer a prayer to the One he called Father. This prayer from the heart asks that we may be one in unity with God and God's call on our lives, as the Trinity is in their own, 3-in-1 relationship.
The Spirit of Truth John 14:15-21
Last week we looked at the passage immediately before this one. Jesus had shared with his followers 2 central teachings: (1) that to see Jesus is to see the One he called Father and (2) that the way to where he is going is to follow him. He is ...
To Know & Be Known John 14:1-14
I am glad to live in a time when we have Google Maps. That technology which helps us get places, able to speak directions to us and knowing up-to-date delays and the best route is quite incredible. But when The Way is with you, you do not need ...
Community Acts 2:42-47
The church is a different kind of community from many in the world. Where else but around Jesus do we find people of all different languages, nations, identities, ages, socioeconomic statuses etc gathering in one place with someone so major in ...
I Can See Luke 24:13-35
We see with more than just our eyes. Our heart, our ears, our sense of smell and touch all play a part in how we come to really see people and know they truly are. On the road to Emmaus, 2 disciples are walking when suddenly Jesus joins them po...
Resurrection in Community 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
This recording is from the Sunday after Easter and Reverend Lauren was away. A wonderful retired United Church Minister, Rev. Brian Thorpe filled in. Enjoy this message!
The Good News Is: Alive in the World Matthew 28:1-10
It's Easter Sunday and He is Risen! Celebrate Easter Sunday and Communion/Eucharist with us as we mark that Jesus arose in the world and conquered the powers of sin and the grave/death. And, Jesus Way is still alive in the world today - through...
The Good News Is: Revealed Through Non-Violence Luke 22:47-53, Luke 23:33-38,44-46
Good Friday. Today we follow Jesus and his journey to the Cross and look at how our inclinations as people and as a society lean towards violence, while Jesus Way is the Way of Peace and Forgiveness - even to his accusers!
Palm Sunday: The Good News is Inspiring Us to Act Mark 11:1-11
Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt which marks Palm Sunday and the entrance to Holy Week appears in all 4 Gospels. Each Gospel writer tells the story a little differently. This year we focus on Mark's account. But what does that mea...
The Good News Is: Rooted in Jutice, Mercy & Faithfulness John 8:2-11, Matt.23:23
Continuing in our Good News series we examine the story of the woman accused of adultery who is brought into the temple for judgement. Faith leaders confront Jesus and ask what should be done with her. The scene reads like a set up. But Jesus f...
The Good News Is: Protection and Care for the Vulnerable Matt.19:13-15, Deut.24:17-22
We continue in our "Good News" Lenten series this week acknowledging the systemic injustices that exist in our world, how Jesus meets people on the margins with compassion and love and calls us to love to do likewise. We acknowledge the rhythms...
The Good New Is: Together the Impossible Is Possible Mark 6:32-44 & Eph. 3:20-21
Continuing in our Lenten "Good News" series, we look today at Mark's account of "The Feeding of the 5,000". Jesus sent out the disciples (here called Apostles for the first time which means, 'sent ones') to do as he has done - teach, encourage ...
The Good News Is Great Love for God and Neighbour Luke 7:36-50 and Matt. 25:35-40
There are times when God's word is so good I who love to preach (Rev. Lauren) just want to sit down, be quiet and let God speak. This Sunday was one of those times. Someone asked if I could put the big point of the message up front and in this ...
The Good News is So Good it Catches Us by Surprise John 2:1-11, Matt.13:31-32
First Sunday of Lent. We are following a series created by 'A Sanctified Art' entitled, "Tell Me Something Good". Each week the sermon title begins with the words, "The Good News is...". Today we find Jesus at a wedding party where he will perf...
Mountaintop Witness Matthew 17:1-9
The banners in the church turn to white for this service as we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday. This is from the last Sunday of Epiphany/Ordinary Time before the Lent season begins next week. In Matthew 16 the religious elite ask Jesus for a s...
About Fasting & Not About Fasting At All Isaiah 58:1-12
God gives a word to the prophet Isaiah to deliver to God's people, you fast and act holy in vain when you don't live as my people the rest of the week. Is it good to fast? Yes, absolutely. Is it good to worship? Yes, absolutely. Is it good to b...
The Way of Christ Looks Foolishness to the World 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
United Church Growth Animator, Rev. Scott Reynolds was with us all weekend. On Saturday he lead our Seeking God's Vision team on a Retreat to begin imagining where God is calling us to serve and grow as a community. Sund...
Why Did Jesus Come? Isaiah 51:1-3 and Psalm 147:3
This Sunday we had a special Guest Preacher, Jeannie Van Zandt. Jeannie is a student at Vancouver School of Theology (VST) where she is completing a Master's of Public and Pastoral Leadership towards being a Hospital Chaplain. Today she lead ou...