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
156 episodes
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...
Koinonia 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Having spent a good amount of time in Corinth, Paul has established relationships and has encouraged the home churches there. He gets reports that things have gone sideways a bit and sits down with a fellow leader, Sosthenes, to pen this letter...
Baptism Matthew 3:13-17
In Matthew 3 we find John the Baptist in the wilderness cleansing people of their sins (ways that do not align with God's best for our lives and turning towards God with humbled hearts). This is a call John takes seriously and lives out beautif...
Fear Doesn't Stop Us Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18
Fear doesn't stop us. This recording is from 04 January 2026, the Sunday closest to Epiphany (the day we celebrate the wise men reaching the holy family and paying homage to Jesus with their worship and precious gifts). On the road to Jesus the...
Good News Is Louder Than Fear Luke 2:1-20
The news headlines we read and the top stories on TV and Radio news that seem to get the most attention tend to be negative. But in a world with lots to get us down and be concerned about, there are also plenty of Good News stories as well. The...
When You're Afraid, Give Me Your Hand Matthew 1:18-25 & Isaiah 41:5-10
There are lots of moments in life both joyful and difficult where reaching out for someone's hand is of great comfort. In our service today we hear the call to reach out for God's hand for our comfort and strength and then to reach our hand out...
Daring to Hope (Blue Christmas Service) Isaiah 54:10-14
Christmastide and the Holiday season can be fraught with memories of years past, loved ones we miss, loneliness, stress and an manner of struggles. The human experience is not all sunshine and rainbows. We hold both the hope, peace, joy and lov...
Even In Our Fear, We Are Called Forward Luke 1:26-39, Jeremiah 1:4-10
Today we look at the story of the angel's anunciation to Mary that she is to be with child and this child is of God. While we may never have an angel visitation and hear those words, "do not be afraid" we are reminded that God calls us to walk ...
When We're Running Out of Hope, God is at Work. Matthew 11:1-11 and Isaiah 43:19-21
Advent 2 (Peace) Are you The One who is to come? Or, is there another? John the Baptist asks these 2 pivotal, important questions from prison he wishes to have resolved with Jesus. In our day and time we might expect a simple 'Yes' or 'No' resp...