The Annunciation, Luke 1:26-38, prepared by Joe Ellis, Dec. 20, 2020
What do you think it was about Mary that led the angel Gabriel to greet her with the Words, “Greetings you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you!” What was it about Mary? Its not like she was some important religious person, she wasn’t some rich philanthropist, she wasn’t even some well-meaning political figure with a lot of affluence. She wasn’t any of those people who might’ve said, “Ah yes, Gabriel, I’ve been expecting that you would visit someone like me.” Mary wa
The Messiah, Elijah, the Prophet and the Voice, John 1:19-28, prepared by Joe Ellis, Dec. 13, 2020
So here we encounter John the baptist. We meet him in John’s Gospel a few verses earlier with these words: “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him all might believe.” It’s a mysterious introduction. Luke tells us that John the baptist will have the spirit and power of Elijah. Matthew and Mark tell us that he was dressed just like Elijah, wearing camel’s hair coat and a leather belt. John’s
Sermon on Mark 1:1-8 prepared by Michelle Ellis, Dec. 6, 2020
Last year I went to visit Vancouver, where I lived for three years while I went to a school called Regent College to study to be a pastor. While visiting, I hopped on the bus and on my bus ride, all kinds of memories came washing over me. I passed the coffee shop where I sat with my dad when he and my mom brought me to Vancouver. I remembered the excitement and fear I felt in beginning something new. I remembered bus rides with my housemates, the excitement of meeting new peo
