Jesus’ promise never fades:
Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Where is the Peace that Jesus gave us?

Imagine for a moment, our safe, quiet communities in Grey and Bruce counties have been transported half way around the world and dropped right into the Middle East. And just for the sake of conversation, let’s say we are now in Syria.

Our cities are not safe or quiet any more, but torn by an internal civil war. Families have lost relatives when the government or somebody used chemical weapons on innocent civilians. The dead are buried, but the pain lives on.

I have just posted my story and message for December 9, Advent 2: Peace.  The story is a true story about a young Trinidadian woman who has been doing amazing things for peace since she was 13.  For more on her story, start with Wikipedia and Choc'late Allen.  The message looks at internal and external issues around peace.

2012 12 09 Peace from Our Hearts Luke 21:25-36

Story:

I have posted my message for next Sunday in a blog.  I have several starting points including the Book of Ruth for a message on the eventual failure of the use of violence and love as leading the way to what persists.

Here is my message for November 11, 2012.

Love Leads the Way (Book of Ruth)

Here is my preliminary draft of my story and sermon for Sunday, Oct 28.  It is one of my longest.

October 28, 2012: Truth and Peace (Job)

Story: John Newton

The World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel is coming soon, and there are now two full services and additional worship ideas created by United Church folks available, as well as links to other ideas for May 27-June 3.  

This is also Annual Meeting time for a number of Conferences--these could be good ready-to-go resources for those doing pulpit supply! 

A sermon preached at Central United Church, Windsor on December 4, 2011

Scripture Text: Isaiah 40:1-11,  Mark 1:1-8

Mark begins his gospel with words from the prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah hears a voice: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” The prophet announces that God is about to do something new.  Their captivity is over.  They are going home.