St. Peter's Fireside: Recent Episodes
St. Peter's Fireside
Exuberant worship bookends Psalm 29; the heavenly beings and the temple worshippers both cry out “Glory!” to God. In the middle 7 verses, we discover the reason for their worship: a mighty thunderstorm!Come Sunday and find out what this storm says about God and his heart to bless his people.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/XO6SHVWVqZE
Join us this Sunday as we continue in the season of Ordinary Time together. This morning will be a Family Service, meaning all our congregation will be together! We will also be having a morning Prayer Service, and our friend Shannon will be sharing her sermon!Why is memory so important for the people of God? This week in our series on Summer in the Psalms, the writer of Psalm 78 shows us why remembering the faithfulness of God is essential and how forgetting leads to disaster. You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/f3uDCHBnPMk
We have begun our new series, Summer in the Psalms. This week we’ll look at a chunk of Psalm 119, which is essentially a love letter to God’s Law. Why does the psalmist feel so strongly about statutes? Come and see!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/4CJetCf8jSA
We have begun our new series, Summer in the Psalms. Over the next 8–10 weeks, we will be immersing ourselves in the Church's ancient prayer book, inviting it to expand our imagination of prayer.This week, we find ourselves in a psalm that will guide us in how to pray when we’re in trouble!
We have begun our new series, Summer in the Psalms. Over the next 8–10 weeks, we will be immersing ourselves in the Church's ancient prayer book, inviting it to expand our imagination of prayer.This week, we find ourselves in a psalm written for the celebration of the harvest. Yet before this prayer gives thanks to God for abundant crops, it reflects on the praise God deserves and our need for forgiveness. As we examine this psalm, we will see God's incredible faithfulness, wrestle with the nature of praise, and begin to see how the Psalms point us to Jesus.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/5okE_0V5UWs
Prayer can be one of the greatest joys of the Christian life, and yet one of its greatest struggles. Many of us long to pray more consistently and more deeply, but find ourselves unsure of what to say, feeling like we lack the words to express ourselves to God.This Sunday, we begin our summer series in the Psalms, the prayer book of Scripture. We will explore how these beautiful poems of worship, praise and lament teach us the vocabulary of prayer and invite us to come to God in all seasons.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ObN4YUFTlVs
This Sunday we continue on in Matthew 10, as Jesus prepares his disciples for what they can expect as his representatives in the world. Jesus’ words this week are challenging, difficult, and jarring. How should we read them? Read Matthew 10:34-42 to prepare.Watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/Dreof1cvYlg
In Matthew 10, Jesus calls his apostles to himself and then sends them out with the authority to carry out his work in Israel. But they don’t know what they’re signing up for! In our Gospel reading this week, the Lord begins to prepare them for what discipleship to Jesus will look like. Working through Matthew 10:16-33, this Sunday we’ll reflect on the Commission of Discipleship, the Cost of Discipleship, the Course of Discipleship, and finally the Comfort of Discipleship. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/RigJDxH8Gv0
As we witness baby Olivia being baptized into the covenant family of God, the text for the sermon is Exodus 19:1--8. God brings a motley clan of persons recently freed from slavery in Egypt to himself at Mount Sinai and makes them his people, in fulfillment of his covenant promise to Abraham. God calls them to listen to his voice and be his special possession, blessed to be a blessing, reflecting his character into the world as a light to all the nations.We'll consider how despite things going disastrously wrong after this good beginning, God brings forth from his prototype people, the most special person of all. In Him God brings us to himself as his new people from every nation, tribe, language, and people group. We'll look at what it means that we are God's special possession today--not special as the world defines it, but a special kind of special that is all gift. A gift that grows the more we give it away.
We will mark the beginning of the long stretch of “Time after Pentecost,” wherein the Church calls us to the slow and steady growth in Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual growth is symbolized by the colour green.We will look at the calling of Matthew from the 9th chapter of his Gospel. For a rabbi to call a tax collector to be his disciple is like a street hockey captain choosing the worst player to be his first pick. But we will see that choosing people like Matthew (and us!) is the very reason Jesus came. Come and see!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/4xEhcAop0Os
Trinity Sunday can sound like a theology exam, but at its heart it's the most personal truth in the universe: that before anything was made, God was already love. He still is and that love flows out to us. Join us this Sunday as we find out what difference that makes.Watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/UP5BNnGV4mI
After Easter and Christmas, the Day of Pentecost is the most important Holy Day of the Christian Year. Without the Holy Spirit, nothing that Christ has accomplished would be available to us. The Spirit takes what is of Jesus, and delivers it to us.In our sermon this week, we will look at how each reading shows how the Holy Spirit brings order to all things. He brings order to creation, to the nations, to the Church, and to our souls.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/JJWJHw0jZoM
Along with celebrating the baptisms of Oscar and Lucy, we will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. In the creed, we confess that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. What does it mean that Jesus “ascended into heaven”? Where and what is heaven? Where did he go? And what does it mean that he “sat down at the right hand of the Father?” Was he tired? Does God the Father even have hands? The answers to these child-like but excellent questions turn out to have huge ramifications for our faith and life in Jesus. Come and see!
In Acts 17, Paul enters Athens, a city filled with idols, competing beliefs, and rival philosophies, and from within that culture points people toward the God they do not yet know. Rather than condemning from a distance, he listens, engages, and speaks with both courage and gentleness. This Sunday, Phil will explore Paul’s model for evangelism and invite us to consider how we might faithfully witness to Christ in our own cultural moment.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ut_xfEO0PYA
This Sunday, our apprentice Jude will be preaching (for his first time at St. Pete's!) we are looking at the first fourteen verses of John 14, which includes one of Jesus’ most famous declarations: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (14:6). We’ll explore what this meant for the disciples and what it means for us today!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/dh2BlgX3Nnk
Easter is the inauguration of a new creation and a new people, with new ways of relating to one another as the People of God. But we still live in a fallen world, and the Kingdom of God isn’t fully realized. How are Christians to relate to the world, including the governing authorities? Our reading from 1 Peter 2:13-25 speaks to this very question. Join us as we explore themes of authority and freedom from a biblical perspective.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/OujUUfydeaw
Our senior apprentice, Xue Ting, will be leading us through Acts 2:14, 36-37! Join us for “Marks of an Easter People,” where we’ll look at how to live out transformed lives in community as people who have experienced, identified with, and belong to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/cvE2p0DuJfM
What does the resurrection really mean? This Sunday, we explore two teachings from Peter: one is the first recorded post-resurrection sermon, and the other was written decades later to Christian exiles scattered across the world. Together, these teachings reveal a God who acts in history, a risen King who reigns, and a living hope that changes everything. We will see that the resurrection isn’t merely about what happened to Jesus, it’s about what happens to us: new birth, enduring hope, and faith refined through every trial.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/dclzIPttGdI
We will look at how we answer that question, the danger of merely following the crowd, and what Jesus himself reveals about who He is.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/gsmiBCqrWmY
This Sunday we will look at the wonderful story of Jesus healing the man born blind from John 9. Why does Jesus spit on the ground? Why don’t the blind man’s neighbours recognize him after he is healed? Why do the Pharisees throw him out of the synagogue, and what does it all have to do with us? Come and “see”!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/8o4uqXxyRhc
This week's sermon will include a discussion of one of the hot-button topics in the church and wider society today.In Romans 1, Paul lays out how we collectively exchanged the worship of God for the worship of idols. Because of this, God “gave us over” to all manner of impurities. The list Paul gives of our impurities is long, but we must admit that he includes homosexual acts as a chief example. How are we to approach this? We might experience same-sex attraction ourselves, but even if we don’t, we all have loved ones who do.In her wisdom, the Church pairs Romans 1 with John chapter 4 and the account of the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman, like all of us, has experienced relational and sexual brokenness as a result of our collective sin. Having had five husbands and currently living with one who is not her husband, we might say that she is “maritally irregular” in her society.We will explore how Jesus treats her, and us. Come and see.You can view the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/CVRckFN1oWg
Join us this Sunday as we journey through the season of Lent together.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ebqoe5HyHGU
You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/_c0ehjpYeTULent is the perfect time to review and renew our rule of life (also known as Rhythm for Life at St. Pete’s). A rule of life is simply a means of intentionally organizing our life around practices or disciplines that invite the Holy Spirit to help us grow into Christlikeness. In other words, it's a personal plan for discipleship. The disciplines are not a means of belonging to Jesus; they are tools to offer the Spirit that we might become more like the One to whom we already belong.A key feature of the Christian disciplines is that in order for them to bear spiritual fruit, they are undertaken in secret. There are many spiritual disciplines, but most of them fall under Jesus’ teaching on prayer, fasting, and giving (see Matthew 6).Prayer may include the daily office (Daily Office or St. Pete’s version), spontaneous prayer, meditating on Scripture, lectio divina, silence, solitude, and journaling.Fasting may include abstaining from food on certain days, certain meals, specific foods, media, entertainment, and work (keeping sabbath).Giving may include tithing, giving to those in need, donating to outwards partners like Jacob’s Well, serving, volunteering, practicing hospitality, and various forms of stewardship.If you would like accompaniment in reviewing and renewing your personal rule of life, please do reach out to one of the clergy.
As we stand on the threshold between Epiphany and Lent, we will focus on Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. In this letter, Paul makes a bold claim: everything he once counted as spiritual success — his pedigree, performance, and religious passion — he now calls loss compared to one thing: knowing Christ.What if the greatest obstacle to knowing Jesus isn’t failure, but quiet confidence in our own goodness? What if the Christian life isn’t about impressing God, but releasing our grip on achievement and learning to receive?This Sunday, we explore what stands in the way of intimacy with Christ, how we encounter him in both resurrection power and suffering love, and why Lent is an invitation, not to earn more, but to cling more closely to the One who already holds us.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/jQdK4xFNUA0
Each year, every church in our Diocese is encouraged to keep the second-to-last Sunday in Epiphany as “World Mission Sunday.” The whole Season of Epiphany is dedicated to Christ as the Light to the nations, but on this Sunday especially, we are encouraged to reflect on Jesus’ great commission to his Church to make disciples of all nations.Our sermon this week will reflect on Matthew 9:35-38, wherein Jesus encourages his disciples, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”Looking forward to praying with you!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/WS59JUtma5s
Long ago, before the co-option of Advent by commercialism, the celebration of the Incarnation - God the Son come to us in flesh and blood - began on Christmas Eve and lasted 40 days until the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also called Candlemas.As Grady introduced to us last year, we will again consider the story of the divine appointment at the temple in Jerusalem of the infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with two faithful senior citizens, Simeon and Anna. They have waited a long time for this day, and immediately recognize and speak forth that God is fulfilling his Old Covenant promises in the coming of this child who will inaugurate the New Covenant in his blood. You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/wnHAazhbfZ4
We will be reading about how Jesus begins his public ministry by preaching. His first sermon is this: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”What does it mean to repent?What is the Kingdom of Heaven?What does it mean that the Kingdom of Heaven is “at hand?”Come and see!You can veiw the full service: https://youtube.com/live/2nEyq781aGA
Our Gospel reading for this Sunday unfolds as a drama of names. Jesus is called by several different names by those around him, lamb of God, the one who was before, Rabbi and Messiah. People can’t seem to decide what to call him. Then, Jesus turns the tables. He looks at a man named Simon and gives him a new name—one that reshapes his future and gives him a new sense of purpose.As we explore this passage together, I want to pay close attention to the names Jesus is given and what they teach us about who he truly is. After exploring these names, I want to wrestle with why Jesus changes Simon’s name, and what that moment might say—not only about Simon—but about you and me as well.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/qAA7-uImj8w--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
We’ll be looking at St Matthew’s account (we’re out of Luke!) of the Baptism of Jesus. Matthew is the only gospel that gives us the little discussion between John the Baptist and Jesus before the baptism happens. John wants to stop it, and we can understand why. Why should the sinless Jesus undergo a baptism of repentance? It doesn’t seem appropriate. Jesus’ answer is that “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”What does this mean, and what does it have to do with us? Come and ponder this question. Alongside the Baptism of Jesus, we will also joyfully celebrate the baptism of Judah Treschow.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/LM75QsxhbZk--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
Join us back at Robson Square this Sunday for the Second Sunday of Christmas, and our celebration of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/8Asr3b61p3g --We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
This Sunday, on the 4th Sunday of Advent, we finally get to anticipate Christmas! We’ll look at Isaiah’s famous prophecy: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14). We’ll begin by reading this text literally, in its original context. I think we’ll find that this will leave us unsatisfied. This will lead us to the question: What is the Old Testament for Christians? The answer is incredibly exciting! I’m looking forward to encountering Christ with you this Sunday as he opens to us the Scriptures and as we recognize him in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24).You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/KfAUbz-xclQ
This Sunday, our apprentice Xue Ting will be preaching as we continue our Advent journey in the book of Isaiah, this time in chapter 35. We journey from the desolation of exile, into the everlasting joy of redemption. We look at movements from barrenness to flourishing, our weakness to God's deliverance, and from spiritual exile to spiritual homecoming. We're looking forward to worshipping together on Sunday! You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/94z27Gas4HM
This Sunday, we continue our Advent journey in the Book of Isaiah, this time in chapter 11. This chapter reveals much about the Messiah. He is a “Sprout from a Stump,” Spirit-saturated, the Just Judge, the Corrector of Creation, the Eliminator of Evil, and the Flag for All Folk. Our Messiah is glorious in his multifaceted splendour! Looking forward to worshipping Him with you on Sunday!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ksidBmbpWY0
If I had to pick a book of the Bible to represent the spirit of Advent, it would be Isaiah. This Sunday, we will begin a new series called “Advent in Isaiah.” We begin this week with Isaiah 2:1-5 and the striking image of the mountain of the house of the Lord being raised above all other mountains, drawing all nations to itself. We will also light Advent candles and sing one or two Advent favourites! I can’t wait. Come, Lord Jesus!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/jhwasJjolRQ
king who would come to save them. This should be a comforting and hopeful message within the context of our own (trying) times! Looking forward to seeing you there.You can view the full sermon here https://youtube.com/live/fwgGHgwOD5M
Believe it or not, we are nearing the end of the Liturgical Calendar (The Christian Year begins in Advent). In this season, sometimes nicknamed “Kingdomtide,” the readings are challenging. They speak of the political, environmental, economic, religious, and social upheavals that will occur before the return of the Lord. What is the Christian response to these upheavals? Do we do everything we can to try to avoid and escape troubles? Do we capitulate to the World and cooperate with its machinations? Or is there another way? Come and see!You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/RLisH6-k-TM
This Sunday, we continue our journey through Paul’s second letter to the young pastor Timothy. In this passage, Paul turns from instructing Timothy to reflecting on his own circumstances. Imprisoned and awaiting a trial he knows may end in death, Paul looks back on his ministry, updates Timothy on fellow workers, asks for some simple comforts, and shares his deep sense of loneliness. We see Paul at his most human and vulnerable—aware that Christ is with him, yet still feeling the ache of abandonment. As we look at this portrait of Paul, we will see a life of faith lived in light of the gospel, we will witness a glimpse of reconciliation, and we will see how Paul is not as alone as he feels.You can view the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/AWHxBiL4jkA
This Sunday, we return to the lectionary to guide our preaching until Advent. We’ll focus our preaching on the epistle reading 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to a young pastor who feels in over his head — a feeling many of us know well. But Paul’s words to Timothy aren’t just for pastors; they’re for anyone who is trying to live faithfully when life feels uncertain. Join us as we hear Paul’s encouragement and exhortation to stay rooted in the gospel, cling to Scripture, and keep going when following Jesus gets hard.View the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/9sZF8KVZhUk
On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we’ll be asking the questions:For what are we to be thankful?How are we to express our thanks?Seemingly simple Sunday School questions with Sunday School answers, but our text from Deuteronomy 8 reveals that there are layers of richness and complexity here that we can explore.You can view the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/DVZeNVcuoiE
This Fall season, we’ll begin a new four-part sermon series on mission. Join in the final sermon in this series.You can view the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/aEvewb_Eo2A
This Fall season, we’ll begin a new four-part sermon series on mission. This Sunday we look at the second great task of the Church: evangelization. What is the good news, and how can we share it both individually and corporately? Come and see!
Looking at the call of Matthew who was simply sitting down at his tax booth when he had a life changing encounter with Jesus. We will look at what Jesus called him to and what that means for all of us who also seek to respond to His call too.You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/q-8bEGNa4Zg
Last week, Grady began a four-week series on the mission of the church. He ended by mentioning there are “Three great tasks” the church is to do: Worship God, Evangelize & Give Ourselves in Charity. This week, Phill will be exploring that first great task, Worship God.Why is worship the first task of the church? What does it mean to worship? And why does Sunday so often feel different from the rest of the week? It has brought Phill great joy to explore this task, and he is so excited to invite you into what he has learned.You can view the full service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUUFE_jH_e4
This Sunday as we kick off the Fall season, we’ll begin a new four-part sermon series on mission. This message will lay a theological foundation for the subsequent three, so try to make it if you can! Looking forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.
This Sunday, we come to the end of Hebrews, as well as the end of our series Letters to the Church. The writer of Hebrews in the application points of his sermon-come-letter speaks to living a life of persevering faith in the face of persecution and being an outsider. Early Christians took an oath to each other to live true to this 'Outsider's Pact' for God's glory and the sake of the world that desperately needs Jesus. We'll consider what this means for us today. See you Sunday ... and in the meantime, stay gold.
This week’s passage — Hebrews 12:1–14 — offers us two striking and deeply pastoral images: A runner pressing on with perseverance, and God as a disciplining parent. These aren’t just helpful metaphors — they are invitations to reframe how we see our hardship and suffering. Rather than signs of failure, these moments may actually be where God is most at work, shaping us for the race ahead.We will wrestle with the significance of the great cloud of witnesses, imagine what it means to fix our eyes on Jesus, explore the theology of Concurrence and be be invited to see God's hand at work in all parts of our lives. It is sure to be an exciting Sunday, and we hope to share it with you.
What is faith? This is the question we’ll be tackling this Sunday as we jump into the Letter to the Hebrews.
Last week in Paul's letter to the Colossians we heard that Christ is all sufficient! In him we are freed from the disqualifying strictures of legalism, false spirituality, and asceticism that incite spiritual pride and divide the body of Christ. This week in our final sermon in Colossians (3:5--17) we talk about what through the gospel we are freed for: to nurture our new life in Christ both individually and collectively. Thank you Jesus!Read Colossians 3:5–17 to prepare.
This Sunday we will look a little deeper into the so-called “Colossian Heresy.” What were the “hollow and deceptive philosophies” threatening the church in Colossae, how did Paul address them, and where do we see them in our world today? Come and see!
This Sunday we have the privilege of reading one of the most Christ-exalting passages in all of Scripture. What does the “Christ Hymn” of Colossians teach us about Jesus, and what does it mean for our faith?
This Sunday, we begin the second letter in our Summer series. As we turn to the opening of Colossians, we encounter a markedly different tone from our previous study. Whereas Paul wrote to the Galatians with strong critique and a defense against false teaching, Colossians opens with joy, gratitude, and encouragement.Most significantly, this introduction draws us into Paul’s heartfelt prayers for the church—prayers offered as the community continues to grow in faith and maturity. Through them, we discover the marks of a healthy church and are invited to deepen our own and love of knowledge of God.
Join us as we continue in our summer series, Letters to the church, journeying through the Lectionary Epistle readings, along the way we will journey through Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews and a brief stop in Philemon.
Join us as we continue in our summer series, Letters to the church, journeying through the Lectionary Epistle readings, along the way we will journey through Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews and a brief stop in Philemon.
We are beginning our summer series, Letters to the church, journeying through the Lectionary Epistle readings, along the way we will journey through Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews and a brief stop in Philemon.This week, we begin by exploring why Paul is so concerned about the Gentiles’ genitals, our forefathers’ foreskins, and does salvation hinges on whether we have skin in the game. If you are confused about why this is the case, I encourage you to read Galatians 1-3 in advance of Sunday.
This Sunday is known as “Trinity Sunday.” Now that the Holy Spirit has been poured out at Pentecost, God has been revealed as One God in Three Persons.
This Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost - a day we remember how powerfully the Holy Spirit was "poured out" on the early church. But Pentecost is much more than a commemoration - it's an invitation!This Sunday, we'll learn about one of the most enduring prayers of the church, "Come, Holy Spirit," and explore how we might join with this prayer in our lives as individuals, families, and a church. To help us respond post-sermon, we'll hear an ancient song, and we'll also make room for people to be anointed with oil and receive a prayer of blessing. "Come, Holy Spirit"! Consider bringing someone along with you who feels "thirsty" for God right now.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the book of Revelation. Join us Sunday as Marion concludes our Eastertide Apocalypse series speaking on the last words of Revelation (which are also the last words of the Bible!) in a sermon called Last Words for the Last Days.
This Sunday we reach the climax of the Book of Revelation. In our texts this week, God is making all things new. We will read of a New Heavens and a New Earth, together with the New Jerusalem coming down to earth from heaven. Read Revelation 21 & 22 to prepare.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in Revelation. This Sunday, we’ll be getting two (short) sermons for the price of one. Continuing in our “Eastertide Apocalypse” series, Grady will preach out of Revelation 6 & 7. Then, before we celebrate baptisms, Grady will do a little teaching on why we baptize infants at St Pete’s and why we ask that folks be baptized before receiving Communion.
Last week, Grady kicked off our 7-week series through the book of Revelation. If you haven't yet listened to his sermon, I encourage you to go and listen to it before this coming Sunday. This Sunday, we will continue our journey through this strange book by diving into Revelation 5, where we will explore the meaning of the strange sealed scroll, we will look at the significance of the tears of the prophet, and wrestle with whether we should see Jesus as a conquering lion or slain lamb.
This Sunday, Hosea will preach about the (ugly) beauty of our crucified King and invite us into the paradoxical glory of the Holy Week.
For St Paul, the greatest thing in human existence is knowing Christ. What does this mean practically in our experience? Come and see this Sunday as we look at Phil 3:7-16.
This Sunday we’ll be looking at the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. Where are you in this parable? Where is Jesus? Come and see!
This coming Sunday, Xue Ting will be preaching on repentance, judgment, and God’s goodness. We’ll look at the parable of the fig tree which shows us God’s nature.
This coming Sunday, Sarah will preached on Genesis 15:1–18. In the second week of Lent, we'll jump back to the Old Testament and look at the covenant God made with Abraham. What does this promise of offspring and land relate to us? Come and find out!
On this First Sunday of Lent we’ll be looking at the Temptation of Jesus in the desert. What does it mean for him, and what does it mean for us? Come and see!
In the church calendar, the second last Sunday of Epiphany is set aside for what has become known as World Mission Sunday. It is a day when we are reminded that the church has been sent to all people and all nations. On Sunday Phill will explore what Christ came to do, what the church has been sent to do and the mistakes we make along the way. Phill encourages you to read the passages in advance! and bring a highlighter as he explores the beauty of Hebrew poetry.
We are so excited to host our second Artizo Service this coming Sunday at St. Peters. Our ministry apprentice Sungtaek Kim will be preaching for us from Jeremiah 17:5–10!What's Artizo? Artizo equips young leaders for gospel ministry through an intensive hands-on 2 year apprenticeship program. We partner with Artizo as one of many Training Base Churches.Artizo's Director of Training Ben Roberts will be visiting us this Sunday. He'll be sharing more with us about Artizo, what it means for us to be a training base church, and how to help support Artizo in its' mission to equip future ministers to faithfully teach and preach God's word and entrust it to others.Learn more at Artizo.org You can view the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/FZJD8hrZ17c
This week we’ll be looking at the calling of the first disciples and the miraculous catch of fish from Luke chapter 5. The miraculous catch can be read as a parable for the Church’s mission. What does the parable teach us? Come and see!
Join us this Sunday as we continue our journey through the Lectionary. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22).This Sunday just happens to be special day in the Church year. 40 days after Christmas, the Church celebrates an event called the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. What is the significance of this event for the Body of Christ today? Come and see!
As the season of Epiphany rolls on, our gospel passage this week gives us another opportunity to behold the glory of Jesus. We'll hear how Jesus returned to his hometown to preach a potent gospel sermon. His sermon boldly revealed who he was, and what his mission and ministry would be all about. But could his hearers receive his message? Can we today?
We are continuing our journey through the season of Epiphany, a season where we look at the many ways that Christ revealed himself to the world. This Sunday we will explore the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana—turning water into wine. The miracle of turning water into wine is often seen as a curious or simple act, maybe even a party trick, yet it holds deep theological significance, pointing us toward the cross and the sacrificial love of JesusThis week we will be invited to look towards Jesus and be transformed in the process.
This Sunday we celebrate Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ’s divinity to the nations. In our first reading, the Prophet Isaiah exhorts God’s people saying, “Arise! Shine!” (Isa 60:1).What does it mean for God’s people to “shine,” and what happens when they do? Come and see.You can view the whole service here: https://youtube.com/live/ERBNkmCqjvs
Join us this Sunday! As we enter the third week of Advent, our attention shifts from the final coming of Christ to his presence in our life here and now and in our readings for this Sunday, we see that Christ's presence invites two seemingly contradicting responses: Rejoicing and repenting. This Sunday, we will explore Paul's radical claim to rejoice always and Johns's call to bear fruit in line with Repentance. We'll wrestle with what these two postures mean, and how they are meant to be lived out together.
Join us this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent. The second week of Advent has traditionally been the time to reflect on God’s judgment. The final judgment can feel like a scary thing, so why do we hope for it to come? This Sunday, from Malachi 2:17–3:5, Hosea will explain why God’s advent as a Judge is good news, both for Christians and for the world.
This week our readings remind us of the future Coming of the Son of Man in power and great glory. What will be the signs of his coming, and how are Christians called to respond?
This week marks the penultimate Sunday in the Lectionary cycle, as the Christian year draws to a close. Our scripture readings turn our focus toward the ultimate questions of life: Heaven, Hell, Death, and Judgment. Yet, these texts are not merely concerned with the fate of the world or the mysteries of the afterlife. Rather, they are intended to equip us for the present—helping us navigate life in the "now" and persevere through hardship with hope and endurance.As we reflect on Hebrews 10:31-39, we will be reminded of the power of God's hand, encouraged by the joy of salvation, and challenged to embrace our true identity in Christ. These words are not just a vision of what is to come; they are a call to live with strength and faithfulness in the midst of all that we face today
Join us this Sunday as Grady preaches on Job 19:21-27 and John 11:21-27 for Remembrance Sunday.In churches across Canada and in many parts of the world, this Sunday will be observed as "Remembrance Sunday." This is not a glorification of war. On the contrary, on Remembrance Sunday we grieve the casualties of war, we pray for all those currently affected by war, and we pray that the Prince of Peace will put an end to war forever.The November observances of All Saints', All Souls', and Remembrance Sunday all focus our attention on those who have died in Christ. Given this theme, we thought it would be appropriate to do some clear teaching on the Christian understanding of death. This Sunday, through a survey of Old and New Testaments, Grady will aim to answer questions like: what happens when we die? What is the state of those who are with the Lord? What is our ultimate hope as Christians?Join us this Sunday as Grady preaches on Job 19:21-27 and John 11:21-27 for Remembrance Sunday.In churches across Canada and in many parts of the world, this Sunday will be observed as "Remembrance Sunday." This is not a glorification of war. On the contrary, on Remembrance Sunday we grieve the casualties of war, we pray for all those currently affected by war, and we pray that the Prince of Peace will put an end to war forever.The November observances of All Saints', All Souls', and Remembrance Sunday all focus our attention on those who have died in Christ. Given this theme, we thought it would be appropriate to do some clear teaching on the Christian understanding of death. This Sunday, through a survey of Old and New Testaments, Grady will aim to answer questions like: what happens when we die? What is the state of those who are with the Lord? What is our ultimate hope as Christians?Join us this Sunday as Grady preaches on Job 19:21-27 and John 11:21-27 for Remembrance Sunday.In churches across Canada and in many parts of the world, this Sunday will be observed as "Remembrance Sunday." This is not a glorification of war. On the contrary, on Remembrance Sunday we grieve the casualties of war, we pray for all those currently affected by war, and we pray that the Prince of Peace will put an end to war forever.The November observances of All Saints', All Souls', and Remembrance Sunday all focus our attention on those who have died in Christ. Given this theme, we thought it would be appropriate to do some clear teaching on the Christian understanding of death. This Sunday, through a survey of Old and New Testaments, Grady will aim to answer questions like: what happens when we die? What is the state of those who are with the Lord? What is our ultimate hope as Christians?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our reading of the lectionary. This Sunday, we heard Jeff preach from Revelation 7:9-17.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our reading of the Lectionary from Isaiah 59. Through our discussions with one another and hearing from you, the pastoral team has discerned an opportunity to highlight the corporate nature of our Sunday worship. To that end, this Sunday will be a little different than normal in the following ways:We will be inviting everyone to sit more closely together in one area of the meeting space (this will be explained on Sunday).Grady will be giving some “real time” teaching during the service about how our liturgy emphasizes the corporate nature of worship.The sermon will be interactive! You are encouraged to bring your Bible, and if you like, something to write with.Immediately following the blessing and dismissal, there will be an opportunity to ask questions about our corporate Sunday worship. Just come on down to the front of the stage.You can watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/B-u7WCDtmFg
This Sunday through our Gospel reading we will explore what Christian maturity looks like, and we will be invited to grow into it both individually and as a church.Read Mark 10:35–45 to prepare.
Join us this Sunday as Marion preaches from the Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 8. In it Moses' is giving his charge to the children of those whom God delivered in the Exodus out of slavery in Egypt. After 40 years of wilderness wandering almost all the parents are gone, but their children are on the shore of the Jordan River poised to cross over into the Promised Land. Moses' message to them is: Remember the LORD God our Maker. The LORD God is their Maker in that he has made them his people in the land of adversity. But as they transition to the land of prosperity, Moses warns them and gives them things to do so they do not forget the LORD and cease to be his people. There is much in Moses' charge that speaks also to us as the people of God today.
This Sunday, we come to one of Phill's favourite stories in the Old Testament. Jacob, known to be a bit of a charlatan and swindler, is on the run for his life for stealing from his brother Esau, when he dreams of a staircase reaching down from Heaven to Earth. This dream forever changes Jacobs’s life, opening him up to a new reality in which this world is filled with God’s presence. But this isn’t the last time we hear of this staircase hundreds of years later, Jesus makes a striking claim about himself, which only makes sense once we have understood what happened to Jacob on a dark night in the middle of nowhere. This Sunday, we will look at who Jacob is and why he received this dream, what the dream means, how Jesus is a staircase, and what this means for us today.
Thank you for joining us this Sunday for Grady's Institution Service. In the Anglican tradition, the Bishop (Biblical "Overseer") holds spiritual oversight as the chief Pastor for all the churches in his area. From earliest times, the Bishop has delegated spiritual authority to ministers who lead local Congregations like St Pete's. The "Institution of a Rector" is the service at which this delegation officially happens and the Rector is installed.
This week Grady preaches from the Gospel of Matthew as we return to the Lectionary (a schedule of readings that the Prayer Book appoints for every Sunday of the year). Normally this would include four readings (OT, Psalm, Epistle & Gospel) but we've thought it best to stick with our current practice of two readings with a Psalm. Our first reading will generally be taken from the Old Testament (something a few of you have requested- great idea!), and the Gospel will pick up in Mark. Each week the preacher will be free to preach from any selection or combination of readings.Scripture Readings for Sunday, September 8thIsaiah 35:4–7aPsalm 146Mark 7:31–37You can watch the entire service here: https://youtube.com/live/GSnQ97t4-hM
This week Phill will explore The Last Supper and wrestle with the question, why did Jesus give us a meal to explain the Cross? Why didn't he just teach us what it was supposed to mean? To answer this question we will explore the disciple's actions around the Last Supper, looking at Judas' betrayal, the disciple's prideful outburst and Peter's denial. Phill will also have a memory challenge for the kids which will help us think of the communion meal in a whole new way.
This week, Hosea preached on Luke 24:13-53 about how to see and recognize Jesus in our Christian life and worship. The disciples looked at Jesus in front of their eyes, but couldn't recognize him. But Jesus opens their spiritual eyes, so that He would be recognized in the opening of the Scriptures, in the breaking of bread, and as the crucified Lord. Like the disciples, when our eyes are opened to recognize Christ's presence in the Bible, in Communion, and on the cross, we will truly become His witnesses.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Grady preaches from Luke 24 and suggests that Luke is not only giving us a sequence of events; he’s showing how Jesus is preparing his disciples for a new way of knowing him after the resurrection and ascension.
Watch this Sunday as we continue our series in the Gospel of Luke. This Sunday, Grady preaches on Luke’s account of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. He focuses in on the verse about the curtain of the temple being torn in two. What is this curtain, and what is the meaning of it being torn?
This week Jeff preaches from Luke 22. This passage documents the early hours of Good Friday. The "cup" that Christ prayed might pass from him, he now lifts to his lips and begins to drink. As he is mocked, beaten, and interrogated, Luke highlights the innocence of Christ. Why is his innocence significant, and why is it good news for us?
We continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Phill preaches from Luke 21:5-38 and explores how Jesus role as prophet reveals to us the providence of God and invites us to live differently when it feels like the end of the world.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Richard preaches from Luke 20:27-21:4 and explores how God doesn’t want our performance, instead he wants our participation.You can view the entire service here: https://youtube.com/live/Rmy8-RN4EmU
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Phill preaches from Luke 20:1-26 and explores another exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders. In this exchange we get to listen in on a conversation that is very relevant for our culture and world today, a conversation about Power, Authority and Taxes. You can view the entire service here: https://youtube.com/live/F07b743o8Tg
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Deacon Marion preaches from Luke 19.28-48 and explores the image of Jesus as the Weeping Messiah.You can watch the full service here https://youtu.be/MNCRBKDQIsI--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Grady preaches from Luke 19:1-27 and we follow Jesus through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. The crowds ask him whether the fullness of the Kingdom of God would appear when he gets there. In classic Jesus fashion, he doesn’t say “yes” or “no.” He tells the Parable of the Ten Minas, and it’s a bit of a doozy!--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Grady preaches from Luke 18:31-42 on the theme of sight. Only the blind man sees Jesus for who he really is. Only Jesus sees the blind man for who he really is. And this mutual seeing causes the crowd to see the truth of Jesus and glorify God.
On this Trinity Sunday Grady preaches from John 3:1-16 on the works of each Persons of the Trinity in our life in God.--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
On this Pentecost Sunday Grady preaches from Acts 2:1-11 and John 14:8-17 on "Pentecost: Help, Presence and truth of Jesus"--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person! --St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
On this Ascension Sunday Hosea Sheen preaches from Acts 1:15-26 and John 17:11-19 on "Why we Celebrate the Ascension."Hosea is one of our Ministry Apprentices training for Christian ministry through the Artizio Institute. Learn more about Artizo here: https://www.artizo.org/Worship in-person with us on Sunday mornings at 10am in Vancouver, BC. More at: https://www.stpetersfireside.org/
Phill Pearson preaches from Acts 11:19-30 and John 15:9-17 looking at the early church and how it grew.
On the Fifth Sunday of Easter Grady Buhler preaches from Acts 8:26-40 on Philip's approach to sharing the gospel.--We gather on Sundays at 10am Pacific Time online and in-person at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson) in Vancouver, BC. If you're able, we invite you to come visit us in-person!Learn more at https://www.stpetersfireside.org--St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. St. Peter’s Fireside exists to Discover the Goodness of God together. We believe that Jesus is alive and bringing new life into us and this city. As a church, we are formed by his goodness, and seek to share that goodness to serve each other, our neighbours and our city.Want to learn more? Visit us at https://www.stpetersfireside.org
This Good Shepherd Sunday Grady Buhler reflects on Psalm 23 and how Jesus meets us in the "valley of the shadow of death"
Sarah Jeong preaches from Acts 4:5-14 and Luke 24:36-49. These passages demonstrate that when we continue the ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostles in witnessing the name of Jesus Christ our sole purpose will be making the name of Jesus Christ as visible and tangible to those who do not yet know His name or power.
The stories of the early church that we read in Acts are not merely a history or biography of the early church, but a work of theology: the story of how God is at work through the church.In this sermon Phill Pearson preaches from Acts 3:12-26 and John 20:19-31 looking for the stories below the stories and an understanding of the purpose of the church today.
Easter is the day of Alleluias, which just means "Praise the Lord!" The good news of Easter is that all people can be made alive in Christ, who died and rose again."Christ being raised from the dead will never die again. Death no longer has dominion over him!"Easter is not just a celebration of Christ's resurrection, but also a celebration of our resurrection in Christ.
The crowds are celebrating on the road with palm branches waving, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Then, just five days later, the crowds are crying out, "Crucify him!"Why do the readings for today move from Palm Sunday to Good Friday so quickly? We need to see that Palm Sunday is a prelude to Good Friday – they are inextricably linked: you can't have one and not the other. In this sermon, Phill Pearson preaches from Mark 11:1-11 and Mark 15:1-39 and explores how Palm Sunday leads to Good Friday and how they are inextricably linked.
Grady Buhler preaches from Hebrews 5:1-10 and John 6:1-15. Considering the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, we look at how Saint John wants us to read and interpret this story.
To the Apostle Paul, being alive means being close to the very source of life, God. Life is intimate proximity to God; death is separation from God. Today's sermon on John 12:20-36 and Ephesians 2:1-10 looks at the purpose for Jesus' life, death and resurrection, as well as how those events invite us into a new way of life.
In today's gospel (John 2:13-22) we read St. John's account of what is known as the "Cleansing of the Temple." Like so many passages in John's gospel, this passage contains layers of meaning. Jesus is fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and also speaks of himself as the meeting place between humans and God.
Grady Buhler preaches from Romans 8:31-39 and Mark 8:31-38 on following Jesus for who Jesus is, rather than for what he gives us.
Rob Collis preaches from Mark 1.9-13 looking at Jesus' baptism and temptation in the wilderness. We're invited to consider our own experience with temptation – and what baptism means for us as we walk through the wilderness.
This week Phill Pearson preaches from 2 Peter 1.13-21 and Mark 9.2-9, and explores the story of the Transfiguration. Throughout the Bible, people encountered God at the top of the mountain; but when Jesus went up with his disciples, they discovered that God was already beside them. As Phill unpacks the significance of this realization for us, he invites us to behold Jesus for ourselves, and by gazing upon him, to be transformed into his image.
“What is the mission of the Church in the world?” This World Mission Sunday Grady Buhler preaches from Revelation 7:9-17 and Matthew 28:16-20 and explores how Jesus gave a very precise answer to the question of what the Mission of the Church in the world is.
As we continue in the season of Epiphany, this week Grady Buhler preaches from 1 Corinthians 8.1-13 and Mark 1.21-28, and explores the significance of how Jesus taught with his own authority, and why it matters that all authority belongs to Jesus.
As we continue in the season of Epiphany, this week Rob Collis preaches from Mark 1.14-20, and explores the encounter Jesus had with his first disciples when he called them to follow him. There are three parts to this encounter: calling, following, and becoming. Looking at each of these in turn, he helps us to how, just as Jesus calls the disciples come and follow him, and promised to transform them by his power and presence working within them, so too is he calling each of us. The question becomes: Will we give him our ear to listen to what he has to say?
This week Phill Pearson preaches from 1 Samuel 3.1-20 and John 1.43-51, and as he looks at the two epiphany moments in these stories as people hear the God speaking, he explores the responses people have to hearing the word of the Lord.
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the season of Epiphany! This week Grady Buhler preaches from Ephesians 3.1-13 & Matthew 2.1-12. Following the journey of the magi when they came to visit and worship Jesus as a baby, he identifies four moments in their journey which serve as a map for our own growth in the Christian life, as we seek to hear for ourselves how Jesus is calling us to himself.
This Chistmans Eve, Grady Buhler preaches from Luke 2:1-20, and unpacks the significance for how God came to us in the form of a baby, and how Jesus comes to be our Lord.
This week Grady Buhler preaches from 1 Thessalonians 5.12-28 and John 3.22-30, and as he unpacks Paul's instructions to rejoice always, he explores the questions: What is Christian joy? And how do we begin to cultivate it? He begins by helping us to see that joy is in some way related to grace, and is ultimately experienced through the recognition of grace; from there he looks at Paul's instructions to the Thessalonians, and encourages us to fan into flame the gift of joy in our own lives.
This week Rob preaches from 2 Peter 3.8-15, and explores how we can read and understand challenging passages of scripture. Using the collect for the Second Sunday of Advent, he encourages us to follow the pattern: hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest to read any passage of scripture, and shows us how to do that using 2 Peter.
Advent is a season of waiting as we prepare for Jesus to come -- both as he came first as a baby, and as he comes to us now, but more importantly, Advent prepares us for when Jesus will come again as judge and king. This week Grady Buhler preaches from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37, and explains what it means that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.
This week Phill Pearson preaches from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, and explains why the church celebrates Christ the King Sunday, and also what it means for Christ to be king.
This week Grady Buhler preaches from Acts 8:14-17, and as he explains the significance of confirmation and the laying on of hands, he helps us to see the embodied nature of the Christian faith.
Join us this Sunday as we welcome our new lead pastor, Grady Buhler! This week, Grady preaches from Matthew 25.1-13, and invites us to be filled with Jesus' healing presence.
This Sunday we celebrate our 10 year anniversary! This week Rob Collis preaches from Psalm 126, and invites us into the journey of the Psalms of Ascent, which pilgrims used to sing together as they traveled to Jerusalem. As we explore and recall this journey of faith together, he invites us to consider the what, where, and when of our own journey, and to rediscover God's goodness for ourselves, no matter what season we find ourselves in.
This week Rob Collis preaches from Luke 17.20-37. In this passage, the Pharisees and the Disciples keep asking Jesus about the Kingdom of God, and Jesus keeps answering them – but he’s answering the question they would be asking, if only they knew what he knew. As Rob explores this passage, he tried to cut through some of the noise and confusion around this conversation, so that we can actually hear what Jesus is saying about the Kingdom of God.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 17.1-19, and as he explores Jesus' teachings on Sin, Faith and Duty, he invites us into a life marked by forgiveness.
This week Rob Collis preaches from Luke 16.19-31. As he unpacks Jesus' parable about the rich man and Lazarus, he explores the question: in light of the kingdom of heaven, what does it mean to not waste our lives?
This week Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 16.1-17, and as helps us understand Jesus' parable of the dishonest and shrewd manager, he invites us to see that we are stewards of the kingdom of heaven, and we're called to make friends for that kingdom.
This week Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 15.11-31, and as he unpacks the story of the prodigal son, he invites us to consider what is stopping us from entering into the Father's heart?
This week we're excited to have Shannon preach for us from Luke 15.1-10. As she unpacks Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, she invites us to discover the delight God has towards us in Christ, and to experience afresh the joy of being found.
This week Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 14.25-35, and unpacks Jesus' teaching about what it means to follow him. He helps us see that everything in life requires something of us - everything has a cost to it - and Jesus wants us to make sure we know up front.
This week we take a break from our Luke series as Rob Collis preaches from Ezekiel 47.1-12. As he unpacks the end of Ezekiel's vision, he explores the significance of two of the things Ezekiel glimpsed, the temple and the river, and invites us to experience the living water of God's presence in our own lives.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, we're excited to have Colton Welpton preach for us from Luke 14:15-23, as he explores Jesus's parable about the Great Banquet, and what this means for us when it comes to hospitality.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Rob Collis preaches from Luke 14.7-14, and unpacks a dinner conversation Jesus had with some leading religious figures in his day. While everyone around the table were watching to see what Jesus would do, he also had his eyes on them; and as he saw them, he saw their hearts, and invited them to see themselves in a different way.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, we're excited to welcome back guest preacher Ross Lockhart, as he preaches from Luke 13.31-35.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 13.22-30, where Jesus was asked, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Lloyd helps us to understand Jesus' answer, and how the door to the kingdom of heaven is narrow, but the feast is wide.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week we're delighted to welcome back guest preacher Ross Lockhart, as he preaches from Luke 13:18-21, and helps us to see the surprising way God brings his kingdom to earth.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 13.10-17 & 14.1-6, and invites us to discover and receive the gift of Sabbath.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Rob Collis preaches from Luke 13.1-9, and explores the difficult conversation Jesus when tragedies occur and towers fall down, and his call to repentance.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 12.49-59, and explores what Jesus means when he says he has not come to bring peace, but division.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 12.35-48, and explores Jesus' teaching about being watchful and ready for the master's return.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 12.13-34, and as he explores Jesus' teaching on money and possessions, he invites us to take stock of where our own treasure is, and to offer it back to God.
In 2020, we started a journeying through the Gospel of Luke. After a long pause, we're picking back up in our study through Luke! This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 12.1-12, and explores the five commands of Jesus about what we should fear, and how God's love meets us in our fear.
Join us this Sunday as Richard Sandlin preaches from the letter to Philemon. As he unpacks the significance of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ together, Richard invites us to consider the implications of how we are to treat and interact with everyone around us.
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Trinity Sunday. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from John 1:1-14 and John 17:20-26 and invites us to encounter the mystery, beauty, and necessity of the Trinity, so that we might know God more truly and love him more dearly.
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, and wrap up our series, The Work of the People. As we conclude our season of talking about worship and liturgy, Lloyd Lee preaches from Acts 2:1-12 and Psalm 67 and invites us to see how our worship prepares us to be sent out by the power of the Holy Spirit to live as God's people in our world.Want to learn more about liturgy? Visit www.stpf.ca/liturgy-main to learn more!
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, The Work of the People. As we spend time talking about worship and liturgy, Rob Collis preaches from 1 Corinthians 11.17-34 and explains why we take time in our worship service to prepare to take communion, and how the act of taking communion unites us together in the body of Christ.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, The Work of the People. As we spend time talking about worship and liturgy, Phill Pearson preaches from 1 John 1:5-10 and Psalm 32, and explains how, through the practice of confession, our worship leads to become a people shaped and formed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, The Work of the People. As we spend time talking about worship and liturgy, Rob Collis preaches from 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 as he unpacks how our practices of worship lead us into faithful responses of generosity to God's work in our lives.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our new series, The Work of the People. As we spend time talking about worship and liturgy, Phill Pearson preaches from Romans 10.8-15 and Hebrews 11.1-3 as he unpacks the relationship between our worship and what we believe.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our new series, The Work of the People. As we spend time talking about worship and liturgy, we're excited to be joined this morning by Grady Buhler, who is the lead pastor at St. Timothy's Anglican Church in North Vancouver. This week, Grady preaches from Ephesians 2.13-22 as he explains how the liturgy prepares our hearts to worship God.
Join us this Sunday as we begin our new series, The Work of the People. As we begin a season talking about worship and liturgy, Rob Collis preaches from John 4.4-26. As he unpacks the conversation Jesus had beside a well, he helps us to hear Jesus' invitation to come and quench the yearning of our hearts through worship.
Jesus Christ is risen from the dead: Alleluia! Join us this Easter Sunday as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from John 20 and invites us to pay attention to the scars on Jesus' hands, and to see how, because of his resurrected scars, everything has changed.
Join us this week as we celebrate Palm Sunday! As we enter into Holy Week, Phill Pearson preaches from Mark 11.1-11 and invites us to join the King on the road as Jesus began his journey to the cross.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Welcome To Our Heart. As we spend some time returning to our church's values, we're excited to have Carrie Schuliger preach from Philippians 4.1-23, and to share with us about our value of the Joy of Salvation.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Welcome To Our Heart. As we spend some time returning to our church's values, Rob Collis preaches from Philippians 3.7-21, and shares with us about our value of Integrated Faith.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Welcome To Our Heart. As we spend some time returning to our church's values, Phill Pearson preaches from Philippians 4.4-9, and shares with us about our value of Default to Prayer.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Welcome To Our Heart. As we spend some time returning to our church's values, Lloyd Lee preaches from Philippians 2.19-30, and shares with us about our value of Interdependence.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Welcome To Our Heart. As we spend some time returning to our church's values, we're excited to have Bishop Dan Gifford preach from Philippians 3.12-21, and to share with us about our value of Under Authority.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent: a time of penitence, fasting, and prayer, as Christians prepare for Easter, and the great joy of the resurrection. Today, Rob Collis preaches from Ecclesiastes 3.26-22, and reminds us that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. In the Bible, ashes are used as a sign of sorrow and repentance. But as we are marked with the ashes in sign of the cross, we are reminded of the life we share in Jesus Christ, and it is in this sure hope that we begin our journey into Lent.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey through Philippians, and our sub-series Stumbling Towards Grace. Today Phill Pearson preaches from Philippians 2.1-11. As he unpacks how Jesus poured out his love for us upon the cross, he invites us to see that our way forward is in pursuit of the cross, and in being transformed into the likeness of Christ by his outpouring of love.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our journey in Philippians in our sub-series, Stumbling Through Grace. Today, Rob Collis preaches from Philippians 1.27-30, and invites us to take a deep breath to rest and take comfort in the good news of Jesus as we stumble together towards grace, knowing that, as we do, we are untied together in the Holy Spirit, and the light of Christ will shine through us as we shine like stars in the sky.
Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series going through Philippians, and our sub-series Stumbling Towards Grace. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Philippians 1.1-14, and invites us to see that Jesus is still at work in our midst, and he will bring to completion the good work that he has started in us.
Join us this Sunday as we say farewell to the Sterne family. Today we remember all the wonderful ways God has been at work in our community and in the lives of Alastair and Julia since the founding of our church, and our dear friends Preston Gordon and Roger Revell join us to bless them as they follow Christ's call into the next season of their lives. Roger preaches from Romans 8.18-28, and invites us to see and know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him - the ones being called according to his purpose.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Lessons Along The Way. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Hebrews 13.8 and John 10.11, and invites us to see that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Lessons Along The Way. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Genesis 18.1-15 and Mark 8.22-26, and invites us to discover the beauty of seeing people with the eyes of Jesus, and seeing how we are more sinful than we could ever imagine, but also more beloved than we could ever dare to hope.
Happy New Year! Join us this Sunday as we start our new series Lessons Along the Way. This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Psalm 27, and take us on the journey of how St. Peter's Fireside became a place that exists for people to discover the goodness of God with us.
Join us this Sunday as we conclude our Advent series: Voices in the Darkness. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Matthew 12:14-21, and explores three questions: Who is God saying Jesus is? What will Jesus do? And how is Jesus going to do it?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our Advent series: Voices in the Darkness. This week, Richard Sandlin preaches from Luke 1.46-55, and invites us to join with Mary in her song of joy at the news that Jesus is coming.
Join us this Sunday as we continue our Advent series: Voices in the Darkness. This week, Rob Collis preaches from Matthew 3.1-12, and invites us to hear the voice of John the Baptist as he calls us to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus.
Join us this Sunday as we begin our new Advent series: Voices in the Darkness. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Isaiah 9.1-7, and as he shows us Isaiah's explicit and implicit hope for God to come, he invites us to join with the prophets in the longing and hope for God to come and rescue us, and our world.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week we're excited to welcome back guest preacher Carrie Schuliger. Carrie preaches from John 4.1-42, and invites us to see how Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well reveals that encountering his love frees us from shame, and leads us out to share his love with others.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week Phill Pearson preaches from Luke 24.13-35. As he unpacks the story of the road to Emmaus, he invites us to consider the spiritual practice of preaching, and how we are all called to preach the good news about Jesus.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week Rob Collis preaches from John 21.1-19. As he unpacks the story of Peter at the fireside, he invites us to join Peter and Jesus beside the fire, and to consider the spiritual practice of remembering.
Join us this Sunday for our Family Service! As we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness Phill Pearson preaches from 1 Corinthians 11.17-26 and John 13.1-10, and invites us to discover the goodness of God through the spiritual practice of communion.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Rob Collis preaches from Revelation 8.1-5, and invites us to discover the goodness of God through the spiritual practice of prayer. https://youtu.be/ZcdnyCp2-Io
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Revelation 1.9-20. As he unpacks the wild vision of John's revelation, he invites us to see the nearness of Jesus, and to discover the goodness of God through the presence of Jesus Christ.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Exodus 20.8-11, and invites us to discover the goodness of God through experiencing the spiritual practice of Sabbath. As we practice Sabbath, he shows us that it forms and shapes us, almost like an act of resistance, so that others can receive the gift of rest and dignity through us.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Matthew 3.13-4.11. As he explores the story of Jesus' baptism, he invites us to consider what it means for God to call us his beloved.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Rob Collis preaches from 1 Chronicles 17, and explores how King David encountered the goodness of God through the prophet Nathan, and what this reveals to us about God's goodness towards us.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our new series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, David Robinson preaches from John 20.11-18, and invites us into the story of when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection. As he helps us see the real Mary from the Bible, he shows us that Mary's encounter with Jesus is a second Genesis, and paved the way for a long line of witnesses who have told us we, too, can experience the goodness of God for ourselves.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our new series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Exodus 13.17-14.29, and invites us into the story of how God encountered Moses and led him and the people of Israel out of slavery. As he explores the way God was leading Moses and the people of Israel, he invites us to consider the ways God is leading each of us, and to encounter the goodness of God as he leads us.
Join us this Sunday as we start our new series, Encounters of Goodness. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Genesis 28.10-22, and invites us into the story of Jacob's encounter with God in Bethel, and to discover the surprising presence of God with us.
Before Jesus ever went to the cross, he spent time with his disciples, preparing them for the time when he would no longer be with them. As we continue in our series in Luke, we're again joined by Bishop Dan Gifford, who preaches from Luke 11.53-12.3. He shows us how Jesus was revealing the hearts of his disciples and the people around him to heal them and renew them, and invites us to consider the state of our own hearts before God, too.
Prayer is often described as simply having a conversation with God. But it can often feel more difficult than that. As we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke, guest preacher Ross Lockhart preaches from Luke 11.1-13 and helps us to learn how to be in the presence of God.
Bishop Dan Gifford preaches from Luke 11.1-13 looking at what Jesus taught on how we should pray, what we should pray, and why we should pray.
In Luke's Gospel, we learn about two sisters who invited Jesus to come have dinner. But tensions rose between them as Mary sat at Jesus' feet while Martha rushed around, getting everything ready. This Sunday, our guest preacher Carrie Schuliger invites us into this story from Luke 10.38-42, and asks us to slow down to receive the generous hospitality of God for us, and enter into his welcome.
In Luke's Gospel, we read about a lawyer who put Jesus to the test. He wanted to challenge Jesus, and test if he was a credible religious teacher. But in replying, Jesus challenged him. As we continue in our series in Luke, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 10:25-37 and invites us to hear Jesus' challenge to the lawyer -- to stop justifying ourselves in our own eyes, and instead receive the gift of eternal life. https://youtu.be/-IGWGTiQSPI
We continue our series through the Gospel of Luke. Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 9.37-50 on how Jesus reshapes, reedems, and reframes us.
Why do Christians feel the need to share their faith? Am I supposed to share my faith with other people? How can I share my faith without offending people? Shouldn't I leave it to people who are trained?
Phill Pearson explores these questions as he preaches from Luke 10:1-24 and examines what gives us motivation to share our faith.
Jesus is leading a new Exodus: deliverance out of everything that enslaves us and keeps us from sharing in the life and love of Jesus. In this sermon, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 9:51-62 and asks ,"What does it look like to follow Jesus the Messiah into a New Exodus?"
In Luke 9.37-45 and Mark 9.14-31 the same story is recorded: a man comes to Jesus asking him to help heal his son. The gospel of Mark records him saying to Jesus "if you can do anything." Jesus calls him out for his lack of belief and the father replies, "I believe, help me overcome my unbelief."
Alastair Sterne preaches from these passages and identifies this father's statement as the crux of sincere faith. We can turn to God with the smallest bit of faith and God will not disappoint us.
Alastair Sterne continues our series in the Gospel of Luke, preaching from Luke 9:27-36 on listening to Jesus.
Watch the full service on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/QH0f7nmSX2I
The Gospel of Luke is a carefully written narrative to help us answer the question, "Who is this Jesus of Nazareth?" This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 9:27-36. In this passage, the core question behind the gospel rises to the surface. Jesus turns to his disciples and says to them, point blank, "Who do you say I am?"
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Matthew 28:16-20 and explores how, as people of the gospel, we are disciples of Jesus, and our discipleship takes place wherever we are.
Join us this Pentecost Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! As we celebrate Pentecost, Alastair Sterne preaches from Ephesians 2.19-22, and explores what it means for us as Christians to be set apart as God's holy temple on earth.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Rob Collis preaches from John 13.34-35 and Colossians 3.9-17, and explores what it means for us to follow Jesus together, with one another, empowered by the love and strength of Jesus in us.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Isaiah 55.1-3 and 1 Corinthians 10.14-17, and explores how we, as the people of God, are bound together through Word and Sacrament.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Colossians 1.15-20 and Ephesians 3.14-21, and unpacks for us the heart of spiritual formation: that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from 1 Corinthians 12.1-31, and shares about how the church, as the body of Christ, is made up of many members. He explains that each of us, as members of Christ's body, belongs to God, and, in turn, every gift belongs to God.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Colossians 1:15-20 and Ephesians 1:15-23, and explores what it means for Jesus to be the head of the body, the Church, and what this means for us and our own bodies, since we are a part of his body.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from John 3.1-18, and invites us to see how salvation is God's work of rescuing us and remaking us into His Kingdom people, through baptism of water, the Spirit, and faith.
Join us this Easter as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from 1 Corinthians 15 and Luke 24 and invites us to behold the resurrected Christ!
Join us this Good Friday as Preston Gordon preaches about the day Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! As we enter into Holy Week, Lloyd Lee preaches for us from Colossians 1.15-23, and explains how we have been reconciled from alienation -- reconciled to God, by God, for the sake of the world.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Jeremiah 31.31-34 and Matthew 26.26-29, and explores what this shows us about the New Covenant.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Galatians 2.11-21 about Justification, and explains how our pursuit of being justified by others will ensnare us in a form of bondage, but when we pursue our justification from God, we find freedom.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Ephesians 2.1-10 as he unpacks grace, boasting, and faith.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Isaiah 25.6-9 and Matthew 22.1-14 and he shares with us about the Kingdom of God.
Join us this Sunday as we start a new series called Brick & Mortar! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Ezra 3.8-13. Recounting how the ancient Israelites returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, he consider the different emotional experiences which arose from rebuilding their home and worshipping community, and invites us to hold space together for our own emotions in the midst of rebuilding our lives and our church from the pandemic.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten Season. To help you enter into Lent well, Richard Sandlin preaches for us from Matthew 6.1-21, and invites us to keep a holy Lent by abstaining from those things in our life that are pushing us to the sides of our own life.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 9.1-22, and explores the question: Who Is Jesus?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 8.40-56. As he unpacks the story of how Jesus heals a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, and raises a little girl to life, he asks how we can trust in Jesus to care for us, and invites us to see and receive Jesus' tenacity, timing, and touch.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 8.26-39, and invites us to see and know the radical mercy of Jesus shown in his encounter with a demon-possessed man.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 8.22-25. As he unpacks the events of Jesus calming a storm, he invites us to see Jesus with the sacred fear of the disciples, and to hear Jesus' invitation to follow and obey him.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 8.1-21, and explores what it means to hear Jesus speak, and for his word to be planted in good soil.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 7.36-50. As he unpacks an interaction Jesus had around a dinner table, he invites us to explore what Jesus is like.
Join us this Sunday as we welcome our guest preacher, Carrie Schuliger. This week, Carrie preaches from Luke 5.17-26, and invites us into the practice of Ignatian imaginative prayer to inhabit the passage, and encounter Jesus through it.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 7.18-35 – as he explores how John the Baptist struggled to make sense of Jesus, he invites us to consider the roles of doubt, rejection, and friendship.
As we start the new year, we are returning to our series in the Gospel of Luke! This Sunday, Rob Collis preaches from Luke 7.1-17, and invites us to see that Jesus is the Lord of Life, who approaches us with his gift of life.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our Advent series, Farewell! This week, guest preacher Ross Lockhart preaches from John 16:25-33 and unpacks the great comfort and hope that this broken world does not have the final say.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our Advent series, Farewell! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from John 16.16-24, and explores how the discomfort, troubles, and sorrows of this world will ultimately be transformed into comfort, delight, and joy.
Join us as we continue in our Advent series, Farewell! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from John 14:18-31, and explores the comfort of experiencing the warmth of our better and lasting home before we arrive.
Join us as we start our new series for Advent: Farewell! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from John 14.1-7, and considers the hope of a better and lasting home, intimately prepared for us by Jesus in the presence of our Father.
This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 6.46-49, and unpacks Jesus' parable about building a house on the rock. He invites us to see Jesus is not content for people to simply believe in what he says; Jesus is intent on us doing what he says.
Join us this week as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, we welcome Alastair Sterne back from his sabbatical! Alastair preaches from Luke 6.43-45, and explores our hearts, the heart of Jesus, and the remedy for our hearts.
Join us this week as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 6.37-42. As he unpacks what Jesus taught about judging others and taking the log out of our own eye, he invites us to see Jesus' vision for a whole new way of relating with each other.
Join us this week as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 6.27-36, and unpacks what Jesus meant when he told us to love our enemies.
This week Rob Collis preaches from Philippians 3.17-4.1, and explores the question: How do we stand firm in our faith?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 6.17-23, and invites us to consider who they are that Jesus calls "blessed."
Join us this week as we welcome our guest preacher, David Robinson! This week, David preaches from John 15.9-27, and invites us to consider what it means to be friends with Jesus.
David is a member of St. Peter's Fireside, and is a is Post-Doctoral Fellow in Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics at Regent College.
Join us this week as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 6.1-11, and invites us to ask the Lord or rest to lead us to the rest that only he can give.
Join us this week as we continue in our series going through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 5.33-39, where we see the religious leaders of Jesus' day making a big deal about how he and his disciples didn't keep all the religious fasts. Preston invites us to see how Jesus not only challenges the gloomy spirituality of the religious leaders, but also points to the delight God has in his children.
Join us this week as we return to our series going through the Gospel of Luke! This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 5.27-32, as he unpacks Jesus' words to Levi to "Follow me," he invites us to hear Jesus say the same words to us, and to experience the touch of Jesus' contagious holiness.
Join us this week as we return to UBC Robson Square! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from John 21.1-19. Pointing to how the world around us keeps changing as such a breakneck speed, Preston reminds us that the most important things don’t change - and Jesus and his kingdom are the most important things of all, and they will never change.
Join us this week as our guest preacher, Richard Sandlin, preaches from Psalm 111:10, and explores what it means for the fear of the Lord to be the beginning of wisdom. As he takes us on a journey about wisdom, he shows us how Christ is the end of wisdom.
We are excited to have Richard preach this week at St. Pete's! Richard has been accepted for ordination as a deacon with our denomination, and we look forward to providing opportunities like this for him to serve our community as he has done for many years. We know he can chat and lecture with his eyes closed; now we look forward to hearing him preach at St. Pete's!
Join us this week for a special confirmation service as we are joined by Bishop Trevor Walters, who preaches from Luke 10.1-12, and invites us to consider the destination Jesus is calling us to journey towards with him, and to join with him in building his kingdom.
We are excited to have Bishop Trevor with us at St. Pete's this week! Trevor Walters is our Bishop here in Western Canada, and will be here for our Confirmation service in August. He has a heart for churches like ours seeking God's kingdom to come in our cities as it is in heaven, and will be retiring at the end of this year.
Join us this week as our guest preacher, Ross Lockhart, preaches from Ephesians 4.11-13. As he shares with us about the spiritual gifts that Christ offers us, he explores what these gifts are all for in the first place, and invites us to see how they lead to us growth in spiritual maturity into the full stature of Christ.
We are excited to welcome Ross to St. Pete's this week! Ross is an academic at several academic institutions in Vancouver, teaching and authoring on overlapping areas of leadership, mission, doctrine, and culture. He frequently contributes to a blog that aspires to do "Good Theology for Regular People", and supporting local churches like ours.
Join us this week as our guest preacher, Paul Treschow, preaches from 2 Corinthians 5.17-21, and helps us to see how God invites us to participate in reconciling all things to himself.
Join us this week as our guest preacher, Carrie Schuliger, preaches from Matthew 11.28-30, and invites us to experience and return to Jesus' rest, because he is gentle and lowly at heart.
We are excited to welcome Carrie to St. Pete's this week! Carrie is a spiritual director here in Vancouver and recently led a summer group on contemplative prayer practices. She seeks to join others on their journeys with God through hospitality, simplicity, and contemplative practices.
Join us this week as we finish up our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Phill Pearson preaches from Exodus 33.1-23, and invites us to explore God's uncharacteristic nature.
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Exodus 32.1-14, and he invites us to think about how we think about God.
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Exodus 20.1-21, and he invites us to see how God loved us even before he gave us his commands.
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Exodus 19.1-25. As he looks at how the people of God drew near to Mount Sinai, he explores the question, What does it mean to be people surrendered to a Holy God?
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Exodus 16.1-36, and he invites us to see how God provided manna in the wilderness for his people.
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Rob Collis preaches from Exodus 15.22-27 & Exodus 17.1-7, and explores the question: How does God respond to us when we stop trusting in his goodness?
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week, Preston preaches from Exodus 15.1-21. As he walks us through the song the people of Israel sang after passing through the Red Sea, he helps us to see that we lift up our hearts in the wilderness because we were created to do so.
Join us this week as we continue in our summer series, Wilderness. This week Lloyd Lee preaches from Exodus 14.1-31. As he recounts how God parted the Red Sea when the people of Israel left Egypt, he invites us to see how God intervenes amidst fear, and despite fear, to save.
Join us this Sunday as we start our new summer series, Wilderness. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Exodus 13.1-22, and helps us to see that when we're in the wilderness we are sustained by the burning memory of God's love for us.
Join us this week for Trinity Sunday. This week, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 3.21-22, and invites us to see the clearest picture of the Trinity we could ever find.
Join us this week for Pentecost Sunday! This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Acts 2.1-21, and explores how the Holy Spirit makes a way for a truer and richer spirituality.
Join us as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. The week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 5.17-26, and considers how Jesus healed a paralytic.
Join us this week as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 5.1-11, and invites us to consider the spiritual pattern of transformation.
Join us this week a we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 4.42-44 and 5:12-16, and examines how Jesus withdrew to desolate places to spend time with the Father, and his interaction with a man who had leprosy.
Join us this week as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke. This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 4.16-41
Join us this week as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 4.14-30. Looking at the start of Jesus' ministry, he invites us to see how Jesus' identity translates into his mission—the why of Jesus.
Join us this week for the second week of Easter! This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from John 20.24-29, and has us consider how Thomas encountered the risen Christ.
Join us this Easter Sunday as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection! This week Alastair Sterne invites us to consider Jesus' three questions as we finish our journey with Simon Peter.
Join us this Good Friday as we continue in our week at the fireside and remember the story leading up to when Jesus went to the cross. As we continue in the journey of Simon Peter, Rob Collis preaches from John 18.15-27 and considers why we should sorrowful and thankful because of the cross.
Join us this Palm Sunday as we begin a week at the fireside, as we remember the story leading up to when Jesus went to the cross. This week Lloyd Lee preaches about Peter's three statements
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 4.1-13 and considers Jesus' third temptation.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 4.1-13 and considers Jesus' second temptation.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 4.1-13, and considers Jesus' first temptation, and the significance of knowing who we are in the face of temptation.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke. This week Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 3.23-38, and considers Jesus' genealogy, and the significance of our identity in the face of temptation.
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 3.21-22. He invites us to consider the significance of Jesus' baptism, and the importance of our identity in the face of temptation.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten Season. Lent is a time where we ponder our mortality, brokenness, and sinfulness. We do this to be freshly reminded of our need for God's redemption.
Lent prepares us for Easter by making us deeply mindful of the need for Jesus to save us. Because of this, Lent is known as a period of "bright sadness."
Just as the dark days of winter give way to the increased sunniness of spring, so too does the mess of our condition as broken people give way to something new and beautiful in Jesus.
To help you enter into Lent well, we are having an Ash Wednesday worship service. This online service will be contemplative in nature, and we will devote time to song, prayer, and a reflection on the purpose and promise of keeping Lent.
As we continue in our series through the Gospel of Luke, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 3.1-20 and considers the expectation of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist was meant to prepare the way for the Lord. But how did he do that? People journeyed long and far across the wilderness to see him. So what did he say once they finally arrived?
As we continue in our series in Luke’s Gospel, Lloyd Lee preaches from Luke 3.7-14. As he looks at John the Baptist’s ministry, he invites us to consider John’s mission, manner, and message, and how this message of repentance is preparing the way for the good news about Jesus.
John had grown up, and had moved off into the wilderness – but not a wilderness filled with forests and mountains, but of barren deserts. There, in the desert, the word of God came to John. It was in the wilderness that John began to prepare the way.
As we continue in our series in the Luke’s Gospel, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 3.1-20. As he looks at John the Baptist’s ministry, he invites us to see how the wilderness fostered John’s ministry of preparation, and helps us see how God is at work preparing people for himself today.
Why does it matter that Jesus came as a human? Why did God need to come and walk among us? The fact that God became human is one of the most important beliefs in the Christian faith.
As we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke, Lloyd Lee has us pause to consider the humanity of Jesus. Looking at Luke 2.6-7, 21, 40, 50-52, he invites us to consider the wonder of how, in the person of Jesus Christ, God became human, and he helps us to see how, in meeting us in our humanity, Jesus reveals what it means to be fully human, and saves us to live a fully human life.
If you could name the one thing that you are about, what would it be? As we continue in our series in Luke, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 2.41-52, where we see Jesus, at the age of twelve, articulate his identity and purpose in one concise statement. By unpacking Jesus’ one thing, Preston helps us to help us to consider how we can live each day resting in God’s love.
They had been waiting all their lives for God to move. Worshiping in the temple day and night, Simeon and Anna had spent their entire lives waiting on the promises of God. And their waiting was not wasted or in vain.
As we continue in our series in Luke, Alastair Sterne explains how Jesus comes to reveal our hearts, and how a life spent waiting on the promises of God is never a wasted life.
On a quiet night, when shepherds were fighting to stay awake as they watched over their sheep, their understanding and lived experience of reality seismically shifted when an angel appeared to them. At the start of this new year, we return our series in the Gospel of Luke as Rob Collis preaches from Luke 2.1-21, and helps us to hear the good news of the angels.
Roughly 2000 years ago, a town crier arrived in a small backwater town named Nazareth. An envoy of Rome, he unrolled his scroll and pronounced the decree of the Emperor – on that day, at the sound of those words, everyone’s life was put on hold.
This Christmas Eve, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 2.1-7, and shows us how the measures in place for our collective well-being during this pandemic can help us to experience and engage with the true story of how Jesus came into the world.
In the fourth week of Advent we light the candle of love. We are people redeemed and sustained by God’s unfailing love. As we receive this love from Christ, his love in us, by the power of his Spirit, spills over to light a dark world.
On the last Sunday before Christmas, Alastair Sterne preaches from John 1.1-9, and invites us to reflect upon light and darkness. As he draws our attention to the darkness in our own lives and in the world around us, he helps us see that the true light is coming into the world, and Jesus will shine brighter still.
In the third week of Advent we light the candle of joy. In the midst of a weary world, God has planted the seed of joy in our hearts. Our vision for the future, our hope for coming peace promised through Christ’s return, causes this joy to grow and flourish and spill over to bring beauty to the world around us.
As we continue in Advent, Rob Collis takes us on a journey through Genesis, Acts, and Revelation, and invites us to consider the three trees that emerge in the salvation story of Scripture. He helps us see the starring role these trees play in explaining how God is at work in the world, and how they help us make sense of the season of Advent.
In the second week of Advent we light the candle of peace. But our world is not peaceful – it’s full of conflict, shattered relationships, and discord. How can we delight in peace when our world and our lives are so broken?
As we continue in Advent, Preston Gordon preaches from Matthew 2.1-23. As he considers the brutal account of Herod’s atrocities, he explores why Matthew would choose to include this as he told us about Jesus coming into the world. He helps us see that God is active even in the darkest of times, and God can handle the darkness of the night.
In the first week of Advent we light the candle of hope, and dare to express our longing for peace, for healing, and the well-being of all creation. We long for Jesus’ return so desperately because we recognize that all is not right with the world—we live in a world of difficulty and darkness, of pain and hardship, of affliction and tears.
As we enter the season of Advent, Lloyd Lee preaches from Isaiah 64.1-12 and Psalm 80. He grounds us in the heritage of the Christian calendar, and as we start our journey into the hope of Christ’s coming, he invites us to begin with the practice of lament.
The New Testament is politically surprising. Ancient political leaders wielded their power in messy and brutal ways as they sought to civilize the world, build cities, and even declare themselves gods. But Luke’s gospel makes it clear that this wasn’t how God chose to work in his world.
As we continue in our series in the Gospel of Luke, Alastair Sterne takes us on a tour of some of the ancient leaders in Jesus’ day, and invites us to think about them in light of Christ the King.
Zechariah hadn't been able to speak for nine months - but suddenly his lips were opened and he could speak! Not having been able to speak for so long, what would he finally say?
As we continue in our series in Luke 1.67-80, Preston Gordon invites us to consider Zechariah's words, and helps unpack the story which is giving him so much hope.
It’s been nine months since Zechariah went into the temple. Now as Elizabeth gives birth to their son, it’s time to give him a name. The neighbours and family want to name him after his father, but Elizabeth wants to call him John. Everyone turns to Zechariah to see what he thinks – and how he responds amazes them all!
As we continue in our series in Luke 1.57-66, Lloyd Lee explores how we can open our hands to God in surrender to his love, and how God’s hands will never let us go.
In response to the news of what God was getting ready to do, Mary burst into song! But the news she heard wasn’t normal news – so why would she burst into a song?
As we continue in our series in Luke 1.46-56, Alastair Sterne considers how Mary’s song shows us how she cultivated her faith, and invites us to sing with Mary.
After her visit from Gabriel, Mary rushed to see Elizabeth. But before she could even take off her shoes and coat to tell her about what the angel said, Elizabeth burst into song! But how could Elizabeth already know that Mary is pregnant?
As we continue in our Luke series in Luke 1.39-56, Lloyd Lee considers the role of the Holy Spirit, and invites us to see ourselves within the five-act drama of Scripture.
Six months after Gabriel first appeared in the temple, God summoned him again for a very different assignment. This time, he was delivering a message to a young woman in a small town out in the countryside - and his news was unlike any other.
As we continue in our series in Luke, Preston Gordon preaches from Luke 1.26-38 and invites us into the story of how Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, and the news he delivered to her about what God was about to do.
Luke’s gospel begins with Elizabeth: a woman who was stigmatized because she was barren. In the ancient world not having children was a sign of someone who God had overlooked. And is where Luke’s gospel starts. This is the gospel for the stigmatized, the barren, the supposedly overlooked.
As we continue in our series in Luke, Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 1.5-25, and considers how the Gospel speaks to those who are hurting, and feeling overlooked by God.
Zechariah had waited on God for his whole life. He had waited with his wife, Elizabeth, praying for a child. He had waited with all of Israel, praying for God to move. And after a lifetime of waiting, an angel appeared.
As we continue in our series in Luke, Lloyd Lee preaches through Luke 1.5-25, and considers what it looks like for us to wait faithfully on God.
The four gospels in the New Testament are the primary source of information we have about who Jesus was and what he did. But what exactly is a gospel, and why can we trust it?
As we continue in our series going through the Gospel of Luke, Rob Collis considers the nature of Luke’s Gospel, the claim that Luke “carefully investigated everything from the beginning,” and why we can trust his account about Jesus.
Luke's Gospel is addressed to Theophilus. Who was he? And why did he ask Luke to write him a whole gospel?
As we continue in our new series going through the Luke's Gospel, Alastair Sterne considers what we know about Theophilus, and how his desire to explore the claims about Jesus can inform how we live today.
Luke wrote 25% of the New Testament! But who was Luke?
As we launch our new series going through the Luke's Gospel, Alastair Sterne considers who the details of Luke's life, and why the Gospel of Luke is exactly what we need at a time like this.
What does Psalm 133 tell us about Christian life together? How do we make sense of that during a pandemic?
Associate Pastor Preston Gordon speaks on Christian unity and community life together during the pandemic, beyond our normal gathering for Sunday worship.
"We must be this holy priesthood: praying over one another, confessing to one another, sharing God’s life with one another, in a pandemic where dwelling together in physical unity is harder than ever. We need small cells to come together – even if in threes or fours, or virtually, to own our priestly role."
St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. www.stpf.ca
What is the kingdom of heaven like? In Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus told two parables to answer this question: The Parable of the Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl.
In this sermon guest preacher Phill considers the similarities and differences between these two parables, the paradoxes in the passage, and what they tell us about the kingdom of heaven.
St. Peter's Fireside is a church in Vancouver, BC. Our vision is simple: Jesus is alive and renewing everything—our city, its people, even us—and we get to be part it! To learn more, visit us at www.stpf.ca.
Worshipping God together is an essential mark of the church. In this sermon Alastair Sterne preaches from Psalm 122 and considers how we should relate to technology as it becomes a part of our worship experience.
If you've disengaged from online worship because the virtual experience just fosters a deeper sense of disconnection and it's painful or you just don't like it, it's okay. We understand. We know meeting online isn't ideal.
We need the presence of other Christians - even if it's a digital presence for the time being. Alastair explores this topic and how we can flourish in this sermon.
Learn more about St. Peter's Fireside at www.stpf.ca
This week we explore the topic of contentment, as Alastair Sterne preaches from Philippians 4.10-20
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Psalm 46 and Luke 5.12-16 on the topic of solitude and being in the presence of God.
This week Thea preaches on Matthew 14:22-33, the story of Jesus walking on water. In this passage we'll look at: Jesus' presence, Peter's response, and Jesus' response to Peter.
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Luke 7:36-50 on what Jesus teaches us about hospitality and forgiveness.
This week Lloyd Lee concludes our series through the book of Ecclesiastes, preaching from Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.
This week Lloyd Lee preaches from Ecclesiastes 11.7-12.8 as we continue in our series going through the book of Ecclesiastes
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Ecclesiastes 11.1-6 as we continue in our series going through the book of Ecclesiastes.
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from Ecclesiastes 9.13-10.20 as we continue in our series through the book of Ecclesiastes.
This week Preston Gordon preaches from Ecclesiastes 9.1-12, as we return to our series going through the book of Ecclesiastes.
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from John 15:1 as we conclude our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
This week Rob Collis preaches from John 14.6 as we continue in our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
This week Phill preaches from John 8.48-59 as we continue in our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
This week Lloyd Lee preaches from John 10.14, as we continue in our series, When Jesus Speaks
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from John 10.9, as we continue in our series, When Jesus Speaks
This week Thea preaches from John 8.12 as we continue in our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
This week Preston Gordon preaches from John 6.35 as we continue in our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
This week Alastair Sterne preaches from John 11.25 as we launch our Easter series, When Jesus Speaks.
On this Good Friday Lloyd Lee preaches from Mark 15.33-39, and leads us to reflect upon those six hours that changed the world.
Join us as we continue in our series through the book of Ecclesiastes. This week, Lloyd Lee takes us through Ecclesiastes 7.15-29.
It is easy to waste our lives in covetousness and the pursuit of abundance, instead we should waste our lives in becoming rich toward God
The gospel is good news about how we are saved by the immeasurable riches of God's grace
The book of Ruth is a eucatastrophe ('good catastrophe') in which we discover how God brings redemption and life even through death.
God shows us that suffering will end, so we can endure through suffering until the end.
The writing on the wall points us to our need for mercy and grace, and God delights in lavishing mercy and grace upon us.
God has given us the promise of his kingdom, so we can become a peaceful presence in exile.
Despite all appearances, God is in control and he gives us what we need to be faithful in exile.
The practice of "being with the least" is connecting with Christ in our shared poverty.
In this sermon, we reflect upon the story of St. Peter's Fireside and how we hope it will shape us as a community in the heart of the city.
Our lives can express that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the good news is that even if we fail: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus is alive. Listen as Pastor Alastair Sterne considers the two ways of responding to this news: from the ground up, or from Christ with us.
We're called to behold and contemplate Christ's glory in our inner most being. Our most authentic self is the parts of us gripped and renewed by Jesus.
This sermon was delivered for a special ordination service at St. Peter's Fireside. Our pastor, Alastair Sterne, reflected on the call of Abraham and drew out principles that apply to all us, but particularly for Preston Gordon who was ordained as a deacon.
God has promised us a new and living way and invites us to walk into it together in faith hope and love.
Because God fulfills his promises, we can rejoice and magnify the Lord, and live in the joy of God’s faithfulness.
What is it like to live not in the sketches and shadows of God, but in God’s very presence?
In this sermon, pastor Alastair explores the question: Why is Jesus exactly the priest we need?
In one of the most unsettling passages in Hebrews, pastor Alastair asks us the question, "What is the anchor of your soul?"
Our associate pastor Preston Gordon challenged us with this profound truth: we bear one another’s burdens because we have a burden-bearing God.
This week in our Hebrews series, the focus of the letter shifts. The author now picks up the theme alluded to several times already: Jesus is our great high priest. This week, pastor Alastair Sterne asks the question, "Why must we attach ourselves to Jesus as our great high priest?"
This week in our series in Hebrews, pastor Alastair works through Hebrews 3.7-4.13, he asks: How can we escape from restlessness into rest?
This week in our Hebrews series, Breanna Bowker explores Hebrews 3.1-6 and considers why the author compares Jesus to Moses. We discover that Jesus shares with us who he is.
In this week of our series in Hebrews, pastor Alastair walks us through Hebrews 2.5-18 and asks the question: Why is Jesus our greatest source of comfort?
This week pastor Alastair explores the first call to action in the book of Hebrews. The question is: why should we pay even closer to Jesus?
In Hebrews 1.4-14, the author begins to shows how pieces of the Old Testament come together to speak as a whole about Jesus. In this sermon, pastor Alastair asks the question, "Why do we need to know that Jesus is greater than angels?"
In the first week of our new series in Hebrews, pastor Alastair Sterne explores Hebrews 1.1-4. In this passage, the author of Hebrews challenges us to consider who Jesus is: he is either the God of the universe, or he is not.
In this sermon, pastor Alastair Sterne shares the story behind the name St. Peter's Fireside and invites us to participate in creating gracious spaces.
The story of David and Goliath is often portrayed as the underdog winning the victory and an inspiration for us to go fight our battles. Yet this passage is meant to get us asking a different set of questions: Who are you living for? Whose name are you trying to build? And most importantly: What does it mean to be a person after God's own heart?
How did King David descend from being a man after God's own heart to committing adultery and murder?
Our hearts are restless until they rest in God. What we deeply yearn for is not to “live life to the full,” but to live fully for God.
When Israel requests a King, we discover that God walks the path of rejection to bring about our salvation.
How do we become prophets of joy? In the last sermon in this series, Pastor Alastair explores how only the Holy Spirit can make us into prophets of joy.
What if we could know that we are loved, delighted in, and rejoiced over at all times? How would this impact our joy?
We're promised everlasting joy that we can taste here and now, but what posture must we take to receive it?
Why does the good news of salvation make our feet beautiful? Why do people, cities, nations, and all of creation burst out in song over this news?
In our new series, Prophets of Joy, we are exploring the theme of joy in the book of Isaiah. In this sermon, Pastor Alastair Sterne considers how joy is lost, and how it is restored through lament.
Our study of Mark's gospel concludes with the Easter declaration: the tomb is empty, Christ is empty. But why did Mark end his gospel with the silence of three women? Why didn't they immediately proclaim the resurrection? And what does the resurrection tell us about who Jesus is?
Who is Jesus? This is this fundamental question of Palm Sunday. Listen as Pastor Roger Revell reflects upon the audacious claim that Jesus made about himself: I am.
In this passage, we discover that Jesus silently triumphs over all the powers — visible and invisible — to liberate us and set us free.
Even though we betray him and fall away, Jesus sets the most extravagant table for us. We only need to take a seat.
What do you keep your sights fixed on? Do you focus on the here and now, do you only see what is? We worship the God of the way things were and the way things will one day be, and this changes how we live in the here and now.
Listen as Pastor Roger Revell explains how the resurrection changes how we approach our resources, especially our money.
In this series, A Different Kind of Life, Pastor Roger explores what it means to live into the power of the resurrection. In this sermon, he explores how the present of Jesus in us changes how we approach our time, and especially our work.
When it comes to goodness and peace, what our culture offers partially God offers completely.
This week, Pastor Roger Revell reminds us that Jesus is coming back: which means there is waking up that's going to happen, and some waking up that needs to happen.
God’s will for us is to become more like Christ with our bodies and with our time, so that the world can see his beauty through us.
As we fight the good fight of faith, we do so knowing that the victory is already won. In the meantime, God has given us people, joy, and prayer for us to persevere for the long haul.
When we recognize the gift of the gospel for what it really is, it changes how we relate to each other. We become a people of integrity and a family of deep affection.
In the first week of our series in 1 Thessalonians, Pastor Alastair explores one big idea: when we are gripped by the love and joy of the gospel, we become an example and a witness to those around us and to our city.
In the next instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, and our last sermon of the year, Alastair Sterne explores the life of King Josiah. Josiah's reign was said in scripture to be the best of all the kings of Israel, but mercy was still required.
In the next instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, Roger Revell explores the story of King Hezekiah. He was a good king, which is a far cry from the others, but he wasn't good enough.
In the next instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, Roger Revell explores the idea that some gain sight and others are blinded so that everyone can see.
We are continuing our series entitled Shadowlands in which we're exploring the books of 1 and 2 Kings. This week, Roger Revell walks us through the story of Naaman, his healing, and what truths we can uncover for our own lives.
In the next instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne tackles the often perplexing text of Mark 13 and explores the big idea that the church needs to stay awake.
In the next instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the big idea that there is no pretense with Jesus.
We are three years old! Over the past three years of ministry at St. Peter's Fireside, God has given us the task of building up. Building up for what you say? Joy. But more specifically the joy of God's salvation. Listen in as Alastair Sterne explores the big idea that we delight in the Lord as he delights in us.
In this instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the big idea that Jesus is our solid ground in an unstable world.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the big idea that Jesus turns our shame into celebration.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores fig trees, the temple, and the big idea that Jesus moves mountains for us to be with God.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Roger Revell explores what it means for Jesus to be king, and what that kingship looks like if we submit to it.
In this instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the question that Jesus asks both his disciples James and John, and blind Bartimaeus: "What do you want me to do for you?" Some answers to this question are better than others.
In the next instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne unpacks Mark's passage about divorce. As usual in the gospels, Jesus' words are often used as images of a deeper reality, and help us understand God's view of us, and his plan for our lives.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, we come across a conflicted man approaching Jesus with an honest prayer: "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" How can belief and unbelief exist together, and what does this mean for our lives? Listen and find out.
In the next instalment of our series exploring the Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the big idea that we cannot truly see who Jesus is unless we listen to what he says.
In Mark Part III we take a shift from Mark's question "Who is Jesus?" Halfway through his gospel, Mark makes a shift from explaining who Jesus is, to explaining what Jesus came to do. In this instalment, Alastair Sterne posits the big idea that when we confess who Jesus is, we also confess who we have to be to follow him.
In the final instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, Roger Revell guides us through the last bit of King Ahab's life in order to help us see that God's mercy is unmatched.
In the next instalment of our series called Shadowlands, we're continuing to explore how despite the shadows cast on Israel by each of their kings, God is still in control of His story. Roger Revell walks us through a moment in 1 Kings where the prophet Elijah runs...give a listen to find out why!
In the latest instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, Roger Revell continues to walk us through the kingly accounts of 1 Kings. This time, however, a prophet by the name of Elijah comes on the scene. Why does Scripture give this account? Give this sermon a listen to find out!
In this instalment of our series entitled Shadowlands, Preston Gordon explores the kingship of Rehoboam, and what it means to hear and listen to the Father's voice.
In the third instalment of our summer series entitled Shadowlands, Roger Revell concludes the story of King Solomon by exploring grace and God's faithfulness in the midst of a king gone bad.
In the second instalment of our series in the books of Kings called Shadowlands, Roger Revell unpacks what it looks like for King Solomon to follow God's wisdom.
We're beginning a new Summer series entitled Shadowlands. We'll be exploring the Kings of the Old Testament, and learning from both their wise decisions and their mistakes. In our first instalment, Roger Revel lays out the background of the books of Kings (Kings 1 and Kings 2), and unpacks what wisdom looked like for David and his son Solomon.
In the last installment in Part Two of our series, The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores Mark 8.1-26. Here's the big idea: Jesus Christ is here to supply the spiritual needs of the whole world, of all of us, because he's God. But this brings a pressing question: Do we understand this?
In the latest installment of our series, The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores Mark 7.24-37. Here's the big idea: The crumbs Jesus leaves under the table aren’t sparse, but abundant. The question we have to ask ourselves is, “Are we willing to find our place under the table to eat them?”
In the latest installment of our series, The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores Mark 7.14-23. Here's the big idea: The darkness in the world actually starts in our hearts. Only Jesus can cleanse us from the inside out.
In the latest installment of our series, The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores Mark 7.1-13. Here's the big idea: The authority Jesus has over Scripture is trustworthy, because he uses it not to burden or crush us, but to free us.
In the latest installment of our series The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the infamous passage when Jesus walks on water. But this passage isn't a rescue story, it's an epiphany. The big idea: Jesus didn't just come to save us from the storms, but to save us from our hardness of heart.
In the latest instalment of our series The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne walks us through the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, and helps us understand that we all have some sort of hunger in our lives, and it's Jesus who can satiate it.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne helps us understand what it means to follow Jesus. In short, it means that if we're truly with Jesus, we will be sent out. What does this mean in our context? Listen and find out!
Who is the Holy Spirit? Is it some kind of feeling or nebulous presence? On this Pentecost Sunday, Roger Revell helps us understand the Holy Spirit as a person in the Trinity, and the work that the Holy Spirit does within the Trinity, and in our own lives.
As we continue exploring the Gospel of Mark, we often come across passages difficult to digest. In this instalment, Alastair Sterne unpacks why Jesus wasn't able to do mighty works in his hometown. Faith, doubt, and unbelief are all on the table, but what do each of them mean?
In this week's instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne walks us through the story of Jairus and the bleeding woman in Mark 5. In this story, the big idea we come across is that death is not the end for us, rather seeing Jesus face to face is where we will find ourselves.
In the latest instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores what happens when Jesus heals a demon possessed man. Why did Jesus do this? Could it be that the thought of a world where He can't have us breaks His heart? Listen and see!
In this instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores the story of Jesus calming the storm. Ultimately the story is a story of faith. Where is your faith?
We're continuing our series entitled the Gospel of Mark where we explore who Jesus is, and what His kingdom looks like. In this instalment, Roger Revell looks at an agrarian passage in Mark's Gospel to see that seeds are indeed powerful creations, and God's kingdom is the harvest of such seeds.
We're diving back into the Gospel of Mark after some time away. This week, Alastair Sterne explores the parable of the sower, the power of a seed, and what all this means for our hearts and souls.
Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to cling to him, but this statement can speak to us now. If this is true, why do Christians hold onto Jesus? In this Easter sermon, Alastair Sterne explores the idea that it isn't that we cling to Jesus, it's that the resurrection takes a hold of us.
In the final week of our series entitled Making Change, Roger Revell walks us through some tough words found in Malachi 3. What does it mean to rob God, and why does it matter if we do?
In the second week of our series entitled Making Change, Roger Revell explores the idea of radical generosity, and how our lives can be turned upside down (in a good way)by living it out.
Welcome to the first instalment in our series entitled Making Change. This series is designed to help us think about our finances and the role they play in helping others see the beauty of the Gospel. To start, Roger Revell explores the deep hold money can have on our lives, and how a paradigm shift may be in order.
In the last instalment of our series entitled Brick and Mortar, Alastair Sterne explores what the Church really is. The irony is that the Church isn't brick and mortar, it's flesh and blood. Give this message a listen, and find out what Paul's letter to the Ephesians has to say about the Church.
In the third instalment of our series entitled Brick and Mortar, Alastair Sterne explores the idea that scripture is God-breathed. What does this even mean? If scripture is indeed God-breathed, what does that mean about how we should treat it? Give this sermon a listen find out!
In the second week of our series entitled Brick and Mortar, Alastair Sterne explores the next brick in our faith: the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do, and how do we know Him?
Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality and sinfulness contrasted against the beauty of Jesus. Preston Gordon walks us through Christ's temptation in the wilderness, and the poignancy of being sinful, but having hope because Easter is around the corner.
Welcome to our new series entitled Brick and Mortar. In this first sermon, Amanda Russell-Jones explores the passage of the wise and foolish builders, and helps us understand why Jesus is the only foundation worth building our lives upon.
In the final instalment of our series entitled Making Sense of Jesus, Roger Revell walks us through why hearing is often overlooked by our culture, but is crucial to our lives as believers.
In this latest instalment of our series entitled Making Sense of Jesus, Alastair Sterne tackles the sense of smell. What does it mean to be the fragrance of Christ, and what does it smell like to others?
In the next instalment of our series entitled Making Sense of Jesus, Alastair Sterne helps us understand the significance and meaning of Baptism and why it is so important to remember our participation in this sacrament.
In our second instalment of the series Making Sense of Jesus, Alastair Sterne helps us make sense of the sacrament of communion, and explains exactly what it means in the light of who Jesus is.
Tune into the first instalment of our new series entitled Making Sense of Jesus. It's often difficult to make sense of who Jesus is, but He made Himself known to us and wants to be understood. What does it mean to see Jesus, and what happens when we do?
In the last instalment of our Advent series called Light Into Darkness, Alastair Sterne walks us through an unpopular thought that the window of opportunity for salvation will close. However, it is open for the taking now.
In the third week of Advent, Pastor Roger Revell explores one big idea: living in the light doesn’t just warm you up, it changes you. Listen as he explores how the light of Christ transforms and changes our lives.
In the second week of our Advent series, Light Into Darkness, Shannon Parrott explores how God so loved the world but we so loved the darkness. However, the good news is that Jesus loves us more than we love the darkness: he hasn't come to condemn, but to save.
In the first sermon in our Advent series, Light Into Darkness, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores how Jesus, our true light, shines into the darkness, and will shine brighter still.
Has Jesus lost his mind? Listen in to Alastair Sterne's latest sermon in our series The Gospel of Mark. Alastair takes us through what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit really is, and teaches us about the multiple accusations Jesus encountered.
We had a special treat this past Sunday. Bishop Stephen Leung joined us and taught us about what cross-cultural ministry looked like in the New Testament church, and who the guiding force in this early ministry was. The answer is simple, yet profound.
In the next instalment of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne helps us understand that the Church is not a movement. The Church is an agent of the movement that Jesus started, and the only way to remain a part of this movement is to remain with Him.
Following Jesus is hard, but it's not complicated. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Listen in on this instalment of our Gospel of Mark series as Alastair Sterne explains how the Sabbath is meant to be for those who follow Jesus.
Check out the next instalment in our series The Gospel of Mark. In this sermon, Roger Revell helps us understand how Jesus is the ultimate example of commitment and love.
Listen in to the latest sermon from our series entitled The Gospel of Mark. In this sermon, Alastair Sterne explores the depths of Jesus' grace, how scandalous it was for His time, and what it means for us.
As we continue to dive into the Gospel of Mark, we're finding that Jesus' authority goes way beyond healing physical needs. Listen in as Alastair Sterne helps us understand what Jesus saw as humanity's deepest need.
Listen in to this week's instalment of our series on the Gospel of Mark. Alastair Sterne helps us understand why desolate places aren't always negative spaces. They were actually quite important to the ministry of Jesus.
In the third week of our series entitled The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne explores what it means to be called by Jesus into a life that follows His ways.
We're in the second week of our brand new series The Gospel of Mark. This week Alastair Sterne takes us through the second half of Mark's prologue, and explains what the doctrine of the Trinity is, what it means about Jesus, what it should mean to us.
In part one of our new series The Gospel of Mark, Alastair Sterne unpacks who Mark says Jesus is, and how Jesus' ministry affects some of the current cultural narratives.
In the final week of our series entitled "Weaklings," Alastair Sterne explains how weakness can be considered a gift from the Lord, and how Paul's famous thorn in his side may be such a gift.
In our third week exploring the fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians, Alida Oegema explains how weakness should be encouraging to the Christian because it better describes the reality of our lives. Christianity isn't the "utopian outlier." It is messy, yet filled with hope.
In our next instalment of Weaklings, Roger Revell takes us through 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 to explore what it means to carry the message of Christ from a place of weakness.
In the first week of our new series entitled Weaklings, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores how our greatest weakness is our greatest strength.
In this final instalment of our series on the Psalms, Roger Revell explores Psalm 27 to glean truth about our confidence in Christ and the hope that He gives us.
In this next instalment of our series on the Psalms, Alida Oegema takes us through Psalm 63. She explores what it means to see our circumstances in the light of who God is and what He has done for us.
Are you okay with asking for help? In this week of our Psalms series, Roger Revell dives into Psalm 59 to help us understand that it is indeed okay to cry out when life seems overwhelming.
What does it take to love others and seek justice? Maybe it isn't loving or serving more. In the first sermon of our new sermon series, Psalms, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Psalm 67. In this Psalm we find out that loving others and seeking justice is counter-intuitive. How so? We "behold" and then pour out.
In the last week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Luke 10.25-37. In this passage we discover that hospitality has everything to do with salvation. We shouldn't ask "Who is my neighbour?" but "To whom must I become a neighbour?"
Unfortunately the sermon from this week was not recorded. The transcript is available at stpetersfireside.org/transcripts/touf-jn252015.pdf
In the nineth week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Genesis 18.1-15. In this passage we discover the importance of being present and willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of welcoming strangers.
We apologize, the introduction to this sermon was not recorded. The manuscript is below:
In our series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, we’ve been looking at the vastness of God’s welcoming grace. The guests at his table are diverse and unique. We’ve been listening to some of their stories that we might learn more and more about the depths of God’s grace and how we might become people who welcome others as Christ has welcomed us.
Today I want to look at a more practical, but-not-so-normal instruction found in the Scriptures. Hebrews Chapter 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
This seems a pretty straight forward instruction. Show hospitality to strangers, welcome them, because they might be angels! This is clear enough. Yet it’s pretty peculiar. Most of us don’t walk around in our day to day lives with a sense that the supernatural is intersecting with the natural. What are we supposed to glean from this instruction in Hebrews?
There is a lot more to this command than simply being nice to strangers solely because there might be more to them than meets the eye. It’s likely the author of Hebrews has a more notable example of this happening in mind.
Genesis Chapter 18. Abraham welcomes three strangers into his presence and home. They turn out to be messengers sent from God, who speak the very words of God himself. It’s a powerful story full of irony and humor and confusion.
Today we’re going to grab a seat beside Abraham at God’s table. What will he have to teach us about extending God’s welcoming grace?
Welcoming strangers requires being present. It requires an interruptible spirit. It requires a sense that there is nothing ordinary about the here-and-now. But this sort of posture isn’t a natural disposition in us. It is birthed out of God’s welcoming grace.
In the eighth week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Acts 9. In this passage we learn that loving our enemies isn't just an idea, it's a practice; and it's a practice that can only take place when we recognize that we too have been enemies.
In the seventh week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through 2 Kings 5. Naaman's encounter with the prophet Elisha. We see that no amount of power or strength can earn us a seat at God's table. The way into the kingdom of God is through weakness, not strength.
In celebration of Pentecost, Pastor Alastair preached on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-11. In this passage, we discover the power which gave birth to the early church: The Holy Spirit. If Pentecost didn't happen, the church is just a social club. But if Pentecost truly happened (and it did), the church is the body of Christ and is invited to play a part in making Jesus known for the sake of the nations.
In the sixth week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Roger Revell at 1 Kings 17. The prophet Elijah's time with the widow of Zarephath teaches us that God's hospitality is most profound and life changing in mutual human weakness.
In the fifth week of the series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at 1 Samuel 25. Abigail intervenes between the foolishness of her husband, Nabal, and the reckless anger of King David. In doing show, she shows us how messy hospitality can be here and now and how we need someone to intervene for us.
In the fourth week of our series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Luke 7:36-50. In this scandalous scene, Jesus dines with Simon the Pharisee and a prostitute. In it, he asks Simon, "Do you see this woman?" How we see her determines how we see God welcoming others.
In the second week of the series Bishop Trevor Walters looks at hospitality through the story of two quarreling sisters: Mary and Martha. He looks at the surprising display of hospitality that Jesus shows Mary by allowing her to sit with his other disciples and listen to his teachings. Through this he demonstrates that hospitality is not about the details and the finest food and drink, but rather about offering ourselves to our guests.
In the third week of the series Michael Chase walks us through the story of Solomon Welcoming the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem. He uses Jesus' reading of the Solomon and Sheba story to expound both the way in which Jesus lays out the table for us and the way we are to approach it. He also shows that like Solomon's display of hospitality, ours too are imperfect. Yet we take refuge in the fact that God still used Solomon and he continues to use us to make himself known in the world.
In the first week of our series, The Table Of Undeserving Friends, Pastor Alastair looks at how King David extended a radical, unprecedented, breathtaking welcome to Mephibosheth. He asks the question, "What drove David to do this?" and in the same way we have to ask ourselves "What should drive us to exhibit the same welcoming arms in our own lives?"
In this Easter Sunday sermon, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Thomas' encounter with the risen Lord. His experience captures the climax and lunacy of Easter, and in it we discover that what we think we need to believe in Jesus may not be what we actually need.
In this Good Friday sermon, Pastor Roger Revell dwells on why Jesus had to die and how it reveals to us the great cost of sin.
In this sermon Pastor Michael Chase shows us why Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey is such a significant event. It was the way he chose to show the world that he was the king they had been waiting for. But a very specific kind of King - a king of peace. He examines the various reactions to Jesus' 'Triumphal Entry' and why it's so important that we don't miss who Jesus is revealing himself to be.
In the last week of our series in Jonah, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Jonah 4:1-11. Jonah isn't about a whale, it's about a plant. Under the unpredictable plant, Jonah explodes with anger at God. In this passage, we discover that Jonah can't live with grace. But we also see that Jonah can't live without grace either. Why is grace so difficult for Jonah to accept? Why is grace so difficult for us to accept too?
In the fourth week of our series in Jonah, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Jonah 3:1-10. Jonah finally walks in God’s calling and heads to Ninevah. And in his footsteps we discover that our primarily calling is always to God himself. But the people and place God calls us to play an important part in our calling to follow God.
In the third week of our series in Jonah, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Jonah 1:17-2:10. When Jonah can descend no further from God, he finally prays. But while his prayer looks good on the surface, it is rife with problems. Jonah's prayer forces us to consider how we pray, and why God still answers our prayers even when our hearts and words are a mess.
In the second week of our series in Jonah, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Jonah 1:4-16. In this passage, he explores how Jonah would prefer death over living with a fuller picture of who God is. We too have to confront how we settle for smaller versions of God, even if it's to our own demise.
In the first week of our series in Jonah, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Jonah 1:1-3. In this passage, he explores Jonah's almost allergic reaction to the call of God. In the same way, we too flee from God's call to go to the city.
The Lenten season is often misunderstood. People say "It's empty ritual" or they question it's origins and say "It's not in Scripture!" But if we meaningfully engage in the season of Lent, God can use it to help us become more fully the people of Easter.
In the third and final week of our series, Love Money, Pastor Roger looks at 1 Timothy 6:11-16. In this passage, we encounter an invitation to unload and share wealth rather than grasp and accumulate it. We also find an outline for the right pursuit of money, the joy-filled possibilities for wealth, and the true source of wealth found in relationship with Christ.
In the second week of our series, Love Money, Pastor Alastair looks at 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17-19. This is one of the few passages in all of Scripture that offers a corrective for the rich. While being rich can be problematic, it's also an opportunity to demonstrate God's richness and generosity.
In the first week of our series Love/Money, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at 1 Timothy 6:6-10. Why would you spend your life pursuing money when it can’t even bring you contentment and it can’t prepare you for life on the other side of death? You might gain some wealth but with wealth alone you gain discontentment. But if you pursue Christ, it’s great gain. You may or may not gain some material wealth here and now, but you will gain an contentment that is imperishable.
In the fourth and final week of our series in Jude, Pastor Mike Chase explores the final two verse of Jude's letter, the doxology. After Jude's emphasis on the necessity of keeping ourselves in the love of God, he moves to praising God for the fact that he only he can truly keep us from stumbling. Not only is the doxology a beautiful piece of writing but it sums up the essence of salvation.
In the third week of our series in Jude, Listen as Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Jude 20-23. In this passage he explores what life as the Beloved looks like: it's a life with the beloved and for the sake of others.
In the second week of our series in Jude, Listen as Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Jude 5-19. In this difficult text, he looks at the practices and ways of the ungodly and their end: hell. But he also looks at how the response of the Beloved should reflect the merciful response of Christ who went to the cross for the ungodly.
Jude understood that every day we face pressures from within the world, within the church, and within our own souls which press against our faith. He writes to remind the church, past and present, that we must “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Listen as Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Jude 1-4 and explains what it means for us to contend for our faith today.
On Christmas Eve Pastor Alastair explored Zechariah 2:10-13. Listen as he talks about how Advent is a time for singing and rejoicing, but Christmas is a time for awe and silence.
In the last week of our Advent series on the Parable of The Prodigal Son, Alida Oegema walks us through the eldest son's response to his father's radical welcoming of his brother. In it she explores how Jesus redefines who needs grace: not just those who have broken all the rules, but also those who have kept them.
In the third week of our Advent series on the Parable of The Prodigal Son, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through the younger son's return to his father. The father's reception of his son is stunning and astounding, and the way in which he receives his son is a picture of how God the Father is willing to receive us.
In the second week of our Advent series on the Parable of The Prodigal Son, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through the younger son coming to his senses. He looks at his rehearsal and how it teaches us to surrender our own hearts to God.
In the first week of our Advent series on the Parable of The Prodigal Son, Pastor Michael Chase walks us through why this is both a brilliant story for Advent. Not only does it help us understand why Jesus is so important, but also how we are to prepare our hearts to celebrate his coming. He focuses on the first part of parable, showing both the extravagance of the father's love and the depth of his son's rejection of him.
In the final sermon of this nine week series on Hebrews 11, Pastor Roger walks us through the challenging, sobering, but hope-rooted words of Hebrews 11.32-40. He shows how faith always has outworkings in human history. Sometimes it involves victory; at other times, it requires loss and deprivation. Only faith with Christ as its object can find endurance and courage amidst the losses that are sometimes part of following Jesus. Such faith is not absent of hope. It looks towards ultimate triumph, waiting with expectation for a 'better, heavenly city' (Hebrews 11.16).
In the eighth week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Hebrews 11:31. In it he shows how Rahab welcomed others as she believed God would welcome her. And in this way, she looked forward to Jesus, who extends not only kindness for kindness, but God's welcome to those who could never deserve it.
In the seventh week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Michael Chase walks us through Hebrews 11:23-28. In it he shows how Moses, when faced with the power of Pharaoh, chose to rest in the power of God. However, in the end we see that God's power is most perfectly displayed in his willingness to take on powerlessness in the form of the cross.
In the sixth week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Genesis 22:1-14. In it he looks at the testing of faith, God's provision, and our own testing.
In the fifth week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Michael Chase walks us through Hebrews 11:8-16. In it he looks at how faith drives us into exile, what faith looks like in the midst of exile, and the sort of faith that carries us through exile into the promises of God.
In the fourth week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Hebrews 11.7. In it he asks the question "How can we endure the judgment of God?" He looks at Noah's unseen event, our unseen event, and the faith that endures.
In the third week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Hebrews 11.5-6. In it he asks the question "How can we please God?" He explores what Enoch's faith has to tell us about the pleasure of God, pleasing God, and the joy of Christ.
In the second week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks us through Hebrews 11.4 and Genesis 4.1-16. In it he asks the question "Why does God require faith?" He considers the faith of Abel, the anger of Cain, and how Abel still speaks to us today.
In the first week of our nine week series, Cloud Of Witnesses, Pastor Michael Chase walks us through Hebrews 11.1-3. In it he asks the question "What is faith?" He considers how faith relates to reason, our whole lives, and ultimately to Jesus.
In the last week of our three week series, Calling Failing Grace, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through John 21:1-19. He explores the aftermath of failure, the return to failure, and the grace that changes everything.
In the first week of our three week series, Calling Failing Grace, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Luke 22:31-34 and Luke 22:52-62. He explores the denial of failure, the reality of failure, and the role of failure in our faith.
In the first week of our three week series, Calling Failing Grace, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Luke 5:1-11. He explores how God always call us beyond ourselves, what God's calling does in us, and where God's calling leads us.
In the last week of our five week series, Talking About How We Talk About Jesus, Stephen Mulder walks through Acts 16:5-11. He explores how God is sovereign even over our salvation. God's sovereignty, however, does not lead us to apathy but is actually our deepest motivator for sharing our faith.
In the fourth week of our five week series, Talking About How We Talk About Jesus, Alida Oegema walks through Acts 8:26-40. She explores how talking about Jesus is only possible because of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads us and prepares others. It's a lot like learning how to dance.
In the third week of our five week series, Talking About How We Talk About Jesus, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Matthew 28:16-20. He talks about how when we invite people to "come and see" or when we "go and tell" people about the gospel, we're actually fulfilling Jesus' command to "go and make disciples."
In the second week of our five week series, Talking About How We Talk About Jesus, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Mark 5:1-20. He explores how Jesus is the only one who can transform a life and how we're called to go tell people of our encounters of his mercy.
In the first week of our five week series, Talking About How We Talk About Jesus, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through John 1:43-51. He explores how Jesus invites people into encounters with him. As we follow his example, we invite people to come and see Jesus through Scripture and prophesy.
In the second week of our three week series on the Psalm, Michael Chase looks at a Psalm of Reorientation - Psalm 103. He explains that the Psalm begins with the "self summoning the self to praise" and then goes on to show the basis of that praise: God's transformative, generous and covenantal way with us.
In this sermon on Psalm 88, Roger Revell discusses the reality of frustration, sorrow, anger and disorientation in Christian life. Psalm 88, along with other lament psalms, give us permission to speak freely before God. The fact that Jesus Christ, too, knows the misery of such psalms becomes the source of hope in such moments of despair.
In the eleventh and final week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Mike Chase walks through Philippians 4:10-23 in which Paul finally turns to say 'thank you' for the gift the Philippians sent him. But his 'thank you' looks nothing like what we would expect. Instead, he uses this final section of the letter to teach them about the true meaning of friendship, contentment and generosity.
Pastor Roger unpacks Paul's exhortation to Christians to experience inner tranquility, joy, and gratitude. But how do we find relief from the anxiety and worry that plagues us? By making sure that we root our sense of well-being in God's presence and promises. This is a sometimes subversive undertaking. But its one that leads to peace which surpasses understanding.
Unfortunately the sermon from the eight week of our series in Philippians did not record. We hope you enjoy this rendition of the theme song from the Lion King instead.
In the eighth week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Philippians 3:1-15, one of the most intimate and personal passages in all of Paul's letters. Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus as our Lord, we can count everything as a loss as we press on to gaining him.
In the seventh week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Philippians 2:19-30, which can seem like an odd passage at first. It’s just updates about people Paul is sending the Philippians way. But there’s more to it. It’s a passage about how we actually step closer to Jesus by stepping towards people who make him desirable and plausible to us.
In the sixth week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Philippians 2:12-18. In this passage, Paul reminds the Philippians that the God who began a good work in their lives will bring it to completion, but between now and then he is working in and through us. Listen as Alastair unpacks how God invites us to participate in his ongoing work of salvation in our lives, and the work that we can do so that the gospel shines through our lives.
In the fifth week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne walks through Philippians 2:1-11. At this point in the letter Paul is still hashing out what it looks like to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, and so he recites the story that governs and shapes the life of the church. Listen as Alastair unpacks how stories define us, and how the story of the gospel has the power to birth humility in us.
In the fourth week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Mike Chase walks through Philippians 1:27-30. At this point in the letter Paul turns to talk about the Philippian's situation, encouraging them to live as worthy citizens of the gospel. Listen as Mike unpacks what Paul means by this and shows why suffering for the sake of the gospel is ultimately a gift.
In the third week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Mike Chase explores Philippians 1:18a-26. In this section of the letter Paul takes up the question of life and death. Listen as Mike shows why we ought to prefer death to life, why should ultimately choose life, and how that sort of posture is even possible.
In the second week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Philippians 1:12-18a. Listen as he explains how God advances the gospel in us, through us, with us and even despite us.
In the first week of our ten week series in Philippians, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Philippians 1:1-11. Because of the stunning totality of the gospel we have a joy bigger than ourselves. Listen as he looks at the joy of the gospel, our struggle with joy, and the ongoing joy of the gospel.
Most people say “The resurrection is a myth!” That's even what Jesus' own followers said to a group of women who first said the resurrection happened. "They're making it up! Don't listen to them!" Why can't Christians let the resurrection go? Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at the eye-witness testimony of the empty tomb, how we respond to it, and why Christians can't let the resurrection go.
This week Pastor Mike Chase us through the last section of the book of Malachi. He shows us that our ability to stand before God on the day of judgment requires three things: God's long and selective memory, our returning to him in both fear and promise, and Christ's reversal. Because in the end, God became the one who was despised and rejected in order that he might make us his treasured possession.
This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Malachi 3:7-12. This commonly misunderstood passage on tithing helps us answer the question, "Why does God want our money?" Pastor Alastair looks at the curse of our wallet-shaped hearts and how God reshapes our hearts through giving to be more like His generous heart.
This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Malachi 2:7-3:6. God says explicitly, “I do not change.” His love towards his people is unchanging. Yet it doesn’t alway seem that way does it? Sometimes it seems God has changed, and sometimes we want God to change. Listen as Pastor Alastair explains why do we want God to change, the bad news of a God who doesn’t change, and the good news of a God who doesn’t change.
This week Pastor Michael Chase deals with a topic very close to God's heart: Marriage and divorce. He shares about God’s vision for marriage as a picture of His faithfulness to his people, and therefore why divorce is so devastating. However, it is not only a sermon for those who are married, because everyone, no matter what stage or mode of life they are at, is affected by marriage. And finally he shows how the one true source and foundation of marriage is Christ; the faithful bridegroom who died to unite himself with his adulterous bride.
In the third week of our seven week series in Malachi, Roger Revell unpacks Malachi 2.1-9. This is a difficult and even jarring passage. Listen as Roger explores God's expectations for his priests and discusses Malachi's sharp criticisms against them. Some of the same problems exist in the church today. In spite of all such failures, God's grace is at work. This is why he sent his son, Jesus, to be the true and perfect priest to his people.
In the second week of our seven week series in Malachi, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Malachi 1:6-14. Listen as he explains how the sacrifices we make for God reflect how we see ourselves and how we see God.
As we celebrate Ash Wednesday, Pastor Michael Chase speaks to us about what is at the heart of the season of Lent: a yielding of self to God. We are all deeply affected by sin, not only in how it breaks our relationship with God, but also because of the toll it takes on our bodies. Psalm 32 is a fitting text for Lent because it invites us to experience restored intimacy with God and shows us what that actually looks like.
Next to the kingdom of God, Jesus speaks about money more than any other topic. What Jesus teaches about money has huge implications for our lives. This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Luke 12:22-34. Jesus teaches us that where we put our treasure our hearts will be. When we invest ourselves and our stuff into the world, we will worry. But when we invest into the kingdom of God, we find a greater return than we could ever expect.
Next to the kingdom of God, Jesus speaks about money more than any other topic. What Jesus teaches about money has huge implications for our lives. This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Luke 12:13-21. In it we see that there is more to life than our stuff. But when we make life about our stuff, we always want more stuff and we damage our lives, our relationships, and most of all our relationship with God. There is more to life, there is true riches but it's not found in our stuff at all.
Next to the kingdom of God, Jesus speaks about money more than any other topic. What Jesus teaches about money has huge implications for our lives. This week, Pastor Michael Chase looks at Luke 18:35-19:10. In it we see that repentance is always costly. True repentance makes money a peripheral reality in our lives, but just because money moves to the periphery it doesn't mean that how we deal with it is unimportant.
Next to the kingdom of God, Jesus speaks about money more than any other topic. What Jesus teaches about money has huge implications for our lives. This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne looks at Luke 18:18-30. In it we see the themes of the kingdom of God and money colliding. The economy of God does not operate like the economies of our world.
Everything that Jesus did and taught comes under the umbrella of the "Kingdom of God." In the last week of our series, The Kingdom, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Luke 14:12-24 and explores how the kingdom is best described as a banquet full of celebration and joy. In looking at this text, we learn what the kingdom is not like, what it is like, and what it's like to sit at the table of undeserving friends.
Everything that Jesus did and taught comes under the umbrella of the "Kingdom of God." In the second week of our series, The Kingdom, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Luke 11:26-30 and explores the way into the kingdom by looking at the challenge, the place, and the power of the kingdom.
Everything that Jesus did and taught comes under the umbrella of the "Kingdom of God." In the first week of our series, The Kingdom, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Luke 13:18-21 and asks the question that Jesus asks, "What is the kingdom of God like?"
For our Christmas Eve we held a joint service with Artisan Church. Pastor Nelson Boschman looked at the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20. He showed us how through the birth of Jesus, God looks at each of us—no matter who we are— and says "Lights please." We all get invited to be a part of the Christmas story.
As we enter into a new year, Pastor Alastair Sterne shares his vision and hope for our community. He calls us to faithfulness and to pray that God would take his Word and apply it to our minds that we not grow shallow, our hearts that we not grow cold, and our feet—that we would not just be hearers of his Word but doers also.
During Advent, we remember the birth of Jesus and we also expectantly wait for his return. As we live in this middle space, we are looking at Luke's account of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. We will see how God prepared people for Jesus’ birth and how we can prepare ourselves for his return. 2. This week, Pastor Michael Chase looks at Zechariah's song in Luke 1:57-80 and shows us how it answers the questions Luke keeps asking in the first chapter of his gospel and that we too should be asking at Christmas: "Who is this Jesus and what difference does he make?"
During Advent, we remember the birth of Jesus and we also expectantly wait for his return. As we live in this middle space, we are looking at Luke's account of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. We will see how God prepared people for Jesus’ birth and how we can prepare ourselves for his return. This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Luke 1:26-38 and shows us how God's graces defies expectations. Grace shows up in unexpected places and people. Grace shows up in unexpected ways, and it sweeps us up in God's story of renewal in ways we would not expect.
During Advent, we remember the birth of Jesus and we also expectantly wait for his return. As we live in this middle space, we are looking at Luke's account of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. We will see how God prepared people for Jesus’ birth and how we can prepare ourselves for his return. This week, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Luke 1:5-25 and shows us how in a world full of barrenness, we can give way to doubt or hope. But either way, God is faithful and nothing can get in the way of his promises.
Our inaugural sermon series, Marked By Charcoal, examines what the Apostle Peter's life like after he encountered Jesus at the charcoal fireside. At the first fireside scene, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. At the second fireside scene, Jesus restores their relationship. In this series, we explore four scenes from Peter's life in the book of Acts, and we see what life looks like after grace. In the last sermon of this series, Pastor Michael Chase takes us through Galatians 2:11-16 and Acts 15:1-11 and explores how Peter compromised the gospel and the role of community in restoring him to the truth of the gospel.
Our inaugural sermon series, Marked By Charcoal, examines what the Apostle Peter's life like after he encountered Jesus at the charcoal fireside. At the first fireside scene, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. At the second fireside scene, Jesus restores their relationship. In this series, we explore four scenes from Peter's life in the book of Acts, and we see what life looks like after grace. In this sermon, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Acts 12 and explores how Peter's life was marked by the the impossible becoming possible because God is the type of God who rescues. We see that God may or may not rescue us here-and-now, but that God ultimately rescues us from death and gives us unending life in his unending love.
Our inaugural sermon series, Marked By Charcoal, examines what the Apostle Peter's life like after he encountered Jesus at the charcoal fireside. At the first fireside scene, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. At the second fireside scene, Jesus restores their relationship. In this series, we explore four scenes from Peter's life in the book of Acts, and we see what life looks like after grace. In this sermon, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Acts 4 and explores how Peter's life was marked by the Holy Spirit who transforms who he is and what he does in the world.
Our inaugural sermon series, Marked By Charcoal, examines what the Apostle Peter's life like after he encountered Jesus at the charcoal fireside. At the first fireside scene, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. At the second fireside scene, Jesus restores their relationship. In this series, we explore four scenes from Peter's life in the book of Acts, and we see what life looks like after grace. In this sermon, Pastor Alastair Sterne takes us through Acts 3 and explores how Peter's life was marked by Jesus being at the center of what God is doing in the world, the center of history, and the center of his own life.
In our sermon series All Things New, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores the vision of St. Peter's Fireside: Joining God in the spiritual, social, and cultural renewal of our city. In this sermon he talks about God's beautiful vision for cultural renewal and how we join him in this sort of renewal here and now.
In our sermon series All Things New, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores the vision of St. Peter's Fireside: Joining God in the spiritual, social, and cultural renewal of our city. In this sermon he talks about how lasting social renewal flows from true spiritual renewal.
In our sermon series All Things New, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores the vision of St. Peter's Fireside: Joining God in the spiritual, social, and cultural renewal of our city. In this sermon he talks about spiritual renewal being the foundation of all other forms of renewal. We join God in spiritual renewal when we see God rightly, when we see ourselves rightly, and when we encounter the grace between these two realities.
In the first week of our seven week series in Malachi, Pastor Alastair Sterne explores Malachi 1:1-5. Listen as he talks about how the people of God began to question God's love in such a way that it led to accusations and false conclusions about who God is. Yet God in his love engaged all the tough questions and doubts because God wants his people to not only understand his love intellectually, but to experience and know it in their lives.