Elevation Sermons: Recent Episodes
Elevation Church
Elevation is a young, vibrant church where students, families, and people of all ages gather to celebrate God and the journey of life. Come journey with us!
This Sunday we open up our nine-part series on one of the most difficult books of the Old Testament.
Devon explores how the uncomfortable and abstract nature of Ecclesiastes is intentionally present, and also an essential aspect of the teaching of this book.
The Youth took over our regular Sunday gathering!
This week, our Youth commandeered over pretty much the whole service, including the welcome and greetings, worship, communion, announcements, kids dismissal, and teaching.
Tessa (and Parker) spoke about Jesus as the embodiment of God living a life to the fullest through humility and surrender, capturing the essence of Philippians 2:5-11.
This Sunday, we’re continuing our 2-week ‘Church as a Common Collective’ series with a look at how God can bring beauty out of brokenness. Join us as Mel, Shane, and Sophie each share their personal stories about God’s providence in times of despair.
Please note that this week's message contains sensitive content, including discussions on health crises, homophobia, loss, and miscarriage.
This week, join us as we explore the theme of God’s miraculous intervention throughout the Old Testament and its profound connection to Pentecost. Together, we’ll ponder the intriguing question: Why does goodness often seems chaotic in this world?
Understanding our own belovedness transforms us, and in doing so transforms our understanding of others. When we see others through the eyes of Jesus’ love we realize that even our enemies are beloved. But belovedness does not mean we lack boundaries, but instead belovedness calls us into transformed living.
This week, Brian will be rounding off the current series with his topic on how Belovedness Transforms Enemies. He will be looking at the story of Paul and Ananias, with scripture taken from Acts 9:9-19 and Galatians 1:15-20.
As we continue our series on Belovedness, Cathleen will guide us through “Breaking the Binary of Belovedness.” We’ll explore how everyone, from the prodigal to the powerful, from the marginalized to the magnified, is deeply cherished. Join us as we embark on a journey beyond the constraints of binary thinking to recognizing, celebrating and embracing the belovedness of all, paving the way for individual and communal healing.
This Sunday we will begin a sermon series on Belovedness. Mark Dettweiler will speak about the positive changes that arise as we embrace God’s love for us and live each day as His beloved.
In the accounts of the Resurrection recorded in the varied Gospels a strange theme occurs: when Jesus shows up after the his resurrection even the people who knew Him most intimately fail to recognize Him! Join us this Easter morning as we look at these puzzling stories and unpack the ways that we too can fail to recognize Jesus and the work of Resurrection in own lives.
Join us on Palm Sunday as we explore repentance as a radical reimagining of a better world beyond our current constructs. Discover how the crowds lining the streets on Palm Sunday struggled to envision a better way, and how Jesus’ entrance was inviting both them and us to imagine and partner with Him in ushering in the new KINdom.
As we continue in our series on repentance and repair, we will look at the Galatian church to see how fear often prevents us from living out the full freedom of following Jesus.
This week we will continue to dig into our Repentance and Repair series as we walk through the season of Lent. We will be spending some time exploring what it looks like to approach the practices of repentance and repair communally, as well as sharing the Eucharist together as a community.
This past Sunday, Devon Wagler invited us to explore repentance in light of hidden injustices in our midst, and around the world. We explored a practice of communal grace united with our repentance, and discussed modes of repair in our lives. If you missed it or would like to hear it again, head on over to our podcast.
This past Sunday, we started our lent season with a look at the series themed 'Repentance and Repair'.
If you missed out, join teaching team member Brian Pengelly on our podcast as he helps us explore the theme, leaning on the scripture from Matthew 12:1-8.
This week we turn our focus to the third aspect of our vision: reimagined church. Join Mel Burke and Steve Coupland as they explore this idea together.
We are entering into a three week conversation on our vision of open hands, diverse voices, and reimagined church.
This week we will explore the idea of “open hands” as a practice leading to liberation, a deeper connection with God and a more compassionate and connected humanity. Join Cathleen Getchell as she starts this series off.
This Sunday, we turn our attention toward the Epiphany, as we continue to explore some of the details of the biblical narrative surrounding the coming of Christ. Brian Pengelly will be sharing with us, and we hope that you are able to join us as we begin this new year together!
On this, the last Sunday of 2023, we turn our attention to the incarnation, considering the implications of this theologically rich activity of God.
This week in Advent we’re continuing in our series, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’; diving deeper into the hope that Jesus brings when He comes, and how that still rings true today.
This Sunday is the start of the new Church year, which begins in the season of Advent. For our three Sunday’s of Advent (Dec 3, 10, and 17), we will locating ourselves in a series we’re calling Come Lord Jesus.
As Advent anticipates Christmas, so to will each of our Sunday’s urge us in anticipation of the coming of Christ in our lives.
We begin this Sunday with a look at the landscape of darkness with ‘Christ is Coming’.
We’re concluding our “Through the Lens of Jesus” series this week.
We’ll be spending time looking at some of the ways that the lens of Jesus invites us to both consider and reorient our lives to the upside down nature of the Kin-dom.
This week, we continue our series on looking at scripture through the lens of Jesus. Devon explores how Christ’s focus on peacemaking may inform our approach to scripture as a whole.
This Sunday we continue in our series “Reading the Bible Through the Lens of Jesus” with Cathleen inviting us to consider that our journey with Jesus encourages a shift from a posture of certainty to one of curiosity.
This Sunday we continue in our series of reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus with Mark Dettweiler speaking.
We will turn to a familiar story in John 8, considering the shift from judgment to grace that we see in Jesus.
This week we will continue our series about learning to read the Bible through the Jesus-centred lens, with a deeper dive into Lectio Divina.
What is lectio divina? Lectio = word; divina = sacred
What does it mean to read scripture through the lens of Jesus? Or that Jesus is the one through whom we read scripture?
Join us this week as we wade into the waters of this important conversation.
This week we continue our series on metaphors for our church as we return to the metaphor of an open table.
Brian Pengelly will be bringing us back to the idea of a table big enough that we can always add another chair and everyone feels at home and is welcome.
We will also be re-examining 1 Corinthians 11 and how the text was about making everyone included, rather than making sure only the worthy got to take part.
This week we will continue our three-part series looking at metaphors for the church. We will explore the theme of textiles as we consider the ways that the Church is like a woven tapestry – full of beauty, diversity, and engaged in the work of mending and repair.
Evolving Faith podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TjGbGZSaPoCMwFV3tXas8
This week we began to look at the first of three different metaphors for the church as we consider our identity moving forward. What if we saw ourselves through the lens of an ecological metaphor, like a forest garden, as a community of cultivation, interdependence, rootedness, and vibrant justice?
“When you lack the verdancy of justice, your soul is dry, totally without tender goodness, totally without illuminating virtue.”-Hildegard of Bingen
This week, we will wrap up our current series on the theology and practice of foot-washing by leaning into the practice. Our service will feature some more contemplative elements.
During the discussion time in the gym, there will be an opportunity for anyone interested to practice foot-washing (or hand-washing as an alternative) outside in the courtyard. This is an invitation, and everyone can make the choice to participate or not as they feel comfortable.
In our second week looking at the theology and practice of foot washing, we will be looking at the particular story of Jesus washing the feet of Judas.
What does it mean to love and serve those that are different than us, or that we might consider as our enemies? How do we bear with one another even if we are so markedly different at times?
This Sunday we're exploring another sacrament of the Church: footwashing. This ancient practice finds its origin in the story of Jesus who modelled servant leadership to his friends and followers who often asked questions about their own importance.
While we won’t actively be practicing footwashing this week, we’ll instead be looking at the virtue of humility that undergirds this practice.
Episode noted by Steve during today's talk: March 5, 2023 - Postures of the People - Awe and Adoration
We are continuing our Deep and Wide series this week, exploring the length, width, height, and depth of God’s love.
We are excited to have Patricia Layng speak on the depth of God’s love for us.
We are continuing our Deep and Wide series this week, exploring the length, width, height, and depth of God’s love.
We are excited to have Jonathon Sawatzky speak on the width of God’s love for us.
We are diving into our four-part Deep and Wide series starting this week, exploring the length, width, height, and depth of God's love.
This Sunday we are excited to have Cathleen Getchell speak on the length of God's love for us.
This week, we will be talking about about how we know and experience God as an introduction to our July series: Deep and Wide. We’ll be exploring a few ideas as we navigate the mystery of knowing and experiencing the love of God who is vast and beyond us, and closer than the air we breathe.
This Sunday, we will turn our attention to the ancient practice of baptism. Why do we do it and what meaning does it carry for us as individuals and as a community? We will explore three main aspects of baptism.
It's Pentecost Sunday. It's the birth of the Church and the end of the Easter season.
We'll be wrapping up this Tabled series by pulling together some developing themes around the Eucharist table. If God is the host, then the table is not ours; it is Christ's. And if the character of God is one of generosity and an open embrace, then everyone is invited to come and eat.
Stemming from this, we'll consider the question, 'what actually happens at the table?' What is this communion meal about, and how can we open ourselves up to receive more than bread and wine?
We continue in our series called Tabled. This week we turn our focus to the peacemaking power of food. At the centre of this idea is sharing food together, and yet, we can broadly sketch out a great number of injustices - historical and present day - that surround and surface from food.
This Sunday we will map out some of the ways justice is lacking when it comes to food before we pivot toward peacemaking.
This Sunday we will be continuing our Tabled series by taking some time to explore the meaning and significance found when we gather around the Eucharist Table. What does this invitation to come, receive and remember mean for us today? In what ways does our approach to the Eucharist table reflect our calling to follow Christ in extending an open table to all?
Our kids will be staying with us for the service and so our shortened sermon around this theme will be crafted with them in mind as well. Kids of all ages will also be invited to receive and participate in communion together with the adults.
This Sunday, in the second week of our Tabled series, we move from the feast itself to the act of invitation.
Who gets invited?
Who’s banquet feast is it anyway?
We will turn to a parable in Luke 14 as we consider invitation, welcome, and belonging.
Fasting and feasting.
Jesus gets questioned about why his followers are more prone to feasting than fasting. Feasting is a thread that runs through the whole of the biblical story, from cover to cover, bursting with feasts of all kinds throughout. What would it look like if we were a community marked by feasting?
What are some of our modern ideas about feasting? Can feasting be bad? We’ll attempt to look at a few of these questions together before we carry on the conversation around discussion tables.
He is Risen! We are wrapping up our series Postures of the People on Easter Sunday with a look at three postures we see in the risen Christ. The art featured in the slides for Sunday comes from Mexican artist Bernardo Ramonfaur. You can find more of his work at https://bernardoramonfaur.com/
During the season of Lent we have been digging into a series we have called “The Postures of the People” - spending time reflecting on some of the postures found in the life of Jesus, as well as those who walked with him on earth. This week Devon Wagler will share a message of blessing others.
This week, we'll be exploring the posture of protection as we take some time to discuss the ways that we can develop a culture and community of protection especially for the more vulnerable among us.
As we continue in this Lenten season considering the postures of the people, we turn to the story of Lazarus. We will consider the posture of vulnerability in community that we find toward the end of John 11.
We will join together this week to celebrate the second Sunday of Lent. Melissa is carrying on with the “Postures of the People” theme with this week’s sermon titled ‘Awe and Adoration”.
On the first Sunday of lent, we turn to a story of walking on water. Jesus walks on the waves and meets his weary friends and followers in morning light, amid crashing waves. Peter is invited out onto the waves. As we consider the Postures of the People, we turn our attention to Peter’s posture as one who had the courage to risk.
This Sunday, we partook in a fishbowl conversation!
A fishbowl conversation is a form of dialogue that can be used when discussing topics within large groups. A number of chairs are arranged in an inner circle. This is the fishbowl. The advantage of a fishbowl is that it allows the entire group to participate in a conversation.
This week, Christie Penner Worden joins us as a guest speaker. Christie is the North American Director for RaiseUP Faith (The platform that produces the OneStory Curriculum that we use here at Elevation). With a focus on equipping and coaching, resourcing and training, Christie is a strategic leader who is passionate about discipling children, empowering leaders and providing effective support to those who love and serve today’s kids.
Christie will bring a fresh and broad perspective as she teaches from her own experience and expertise, helping us to imagine what inviting our Elevation kids into genuine faith and community could look like!
In our second week sitting with the crossing over story found in Joshua, we consider the role of endings and starts, as well as the importance of beginnings. We will look at Joshua 4 and the practice of markers in communal remembrance
Join us for the next three Sundays as we turn our attention to some 'crossing over' stories found in Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.
Change management experts speak of 'boundary events' as those that mark our journey and help us move from one reality into a new one. As a church, we find ourselves on the cusp of a significant boundary event with the addition of a transition team to our leadership community.
This week we consider the stories of giants and grasshoppers found in Numbers 13.
We are entering the season of Epiphany this week. It’s a season of revelation, illumination, and light breaking in. It’s a season that invites us to consider the myriad ways God reveals the Divine to us, through us, and in us.
This week we’ll focus in on the story of Jesus’ baptism found in Matthew 3.
Happy New Year Elevation!
As we find ourselves in the season of Christmas, we are reminded that this is a season of light breaking in. It's the arrival of the Light of the world. Today we consider the light breaking in as beauty. We are invited to wake up and arise, to pay attention to the light, to orient our lives around beauty, and then join God in the co-creation of the beautiful in our midst.
This Sunday we are looking at one of the ways that Jesus describes the Kingdom of God in Luke 13. What could it mean to say that the the Kingdom of Heaven is like leven? How has the kingdom shown up in our lives as a slow kind of fermenting transformation?
It seems the wilderness might be our new fixed address for the church in Canada. For some this might be a cause for lament, for others, it's a chance to reimagine. If there are no tips, tricks, or techniques that can relieve us of this wilderness experience, how shall we live? What can we do as communities of faith who want to follow Jesus? What does humane faith look like as we seek to love God and our neighbors? How might the body of Christ live out its vocation in the wind-whipped depths of the wild?
Everywhere you look there are signs the religious landscape in Canada has changed. The most recent Statistics Canada numbers on religion Canada gives us quantifiable proof, it seems we might be headed for a wilderness experience as the church in Canada. What does that mean for those of us committed to following Jesus? Could this moment, "our for such a time as this" in the wilderness be all bad? Is it possible it might be Jesus himself calling us out into the wild?
For the month of October, we’re moving our focus into the neighbourhood. In this last of three weeks, we will consider the pace of Jesus, the idea of proximity, and how we can make small shifts toward greater presence in the life of our community.
For the month of October, we’re moving our focus into the neighbourhood. In this second of three weeks, we will consider the spiritual practice of hospitality, building upon this possible way forward through Neighbours groups.
To start our "Into the Neighbourhood" series, we'd like to take a look back at the formation of our Neighbours groups, what our hopes for these groups were at the time they were launched and where we find ourselves today.
In this first of three weeks, we will consider the story of the Good Samaritan, engage the question ‘who is my neighbour’, and lay out a possible way forward through Neighbours groups.
The cry of the people in the story of 1 Samuel 8 is for a king. “We want a king.” We’ll be spending two weeks looking at this story, reflecting on the church’s impulse to want a leader at the top to rule, to lead, and to make decisions for us.
On September 18 we will consider the story and it’s implications for the church.
Then on September 25 we will have a fishbowl conversation reflecting on this theme together.
At the outset of our Summer in Psalms series, Christin led us into Psalm 82 and a consideration of how God is like the picture we see in the Circle of Security: bigger, stronger, kinder, and wiser. This week we turn to two Psalms, Psalm 130 and Psalm 131, considering once again the Circle of Security attachment theory framework as a model for faith and community. The first Psalm paints a picture of exploration, the depths, and calling out for God, while the second Psalm paints a picture of safe hands to welcome us home.
In our Summer in Psalms series we now turn to a psalm of disorientation in Psalm 137. Containing one of the ugliest verses in scripture, this psalm offers us a raw emotional response, as well as a lingering question that resonates with us today: how shall we sing the Lord’s song in this strange place?
This week, Melodie will invite us to turn our attention to the well-known Psalm 23. As we explore what it means for us that God is our shepherd, we pray that you’ll experience an invitation to be grounded in who God is and to sit with the knowledge that God’s goodness and unfailing love pursue us always.
We're looking at Psalm 85 in our Summer in Psalms series. This Psalm is a Psalm of new orientation, moving us toward a picture of goodness and shalom.
In the continuation of our Summer in Psalms, Steve opens up Psalm 46 for us. These three stanzas are jam-packed with goodness for us, and they offer us a timely reminder: stop fighting and trust; be still in the awareness that God shows up in times of trouble.
We're spending the summer in the Psalms.. Join Christin in a dive into Psalm 82, considering the heavenly dominion of God, the Circle of Security theory, and how our God is bigger, stronger, kinder, and wiser. Our prayer is that it's a good word for your soul, no matter what season of life you're in. Note: due to the internet and cellular outage this week, we were unable to pre-record this video, so we recorded it live.
We continue in our series on the Disruptive Spirit in Acts 2, this time turning our focus to the ways the Holy Spirit disrupts a culture of exclusion. If God is a wall-breaker, breaking down the barriers that get in the way of our relationship with God and with one another, are we joining Him in breaking down walls or are we building them up?
In our second week looking at the Disruptive Spirit, we turn to Acts 2 and Ezekiel 37. The Holy Spirit confronts and disrupts a culture of death.
It's Pentecost Sunday. For the month of June we'll be looking at the holy disruption of a Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes as wind and violent storm in Acts 2, and we see a pattern of wind and storm all throughout the book of Acts. Perhaps we're guilty of putting the Spirit in a box, or believing the Spirit is only ever like a gentle breeze. God shows up like a disrupting wind in our culture, in our communities, and in our lives.
We've been locating ourselves in the wilderness for the month of May, looking at the stories in Exodus 15-17 as we embark on a journey of transition and change together. In this last Sunday of the series, Christin invites us see the ways in which God is present with us.
In our second week of locating ourselves in this season of change, join Steve as we turn to the story in Exodus 16 of longing for Egypt. We'll be exploring the purgative way, recognizing that this season is both gift and grief, and asking reflective questions of what it is God is calling us to bring with us, and what it is we are being asked to let go of.
This month, we start a new series themed 'Locating Ourselves in a Season of Change'. This week's sermon is titled, 'Crossing Over' with the scripture coming from Exodus 15.
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
On this Easter Sunday, Christin speaks to us through her sermon titled, 'A Tale of Two Gardens'.
This week, we look forward to hearing from the newest member of our Pastoral Team, Steve Coupland. The key verses are Psalm 1:1-3 and Matthew 13: 1-9.
Through this journey of Lent, we've been sitting with the passages from the Revised Common Lectionary. We encourage you to read along, and we look forward to digging deeper into Psalm 126 as we hear from Christin Taylor this week.
On this, the fourth Sunday of Lent, guest speaker Mark Dettweiler continues our journey through the Common Lectionary.
This week, we look forward to hearing from Devon Wagler, who is newer to our Elevation community. He will be continuing our Lenten series through the Lectionary.
This first Sunday of Lent we are dipping into Luke's gospel to talk about the significance of the temptation of Jesus. Ron Kroeker will be leading us in this conversation.
This week, guest speaker Erv Wiens speaks to us about how Jesus calls ordinary people, including us, to be his followers.
This week, guest speaker Erv Wiens speaks to us about how Jesus prepares for his ministry with natural and very human practices.
Once a week or so, our collective worlds intersect at the Elevation worship service and we hear this invitation in the call to worship: “Imagine a world infused with the presence of God”. This week, Mark Dettweiler spends some time reflecting on these words.
This week, we are looking forward to worshipping together and hearing from Susan Fish as she shares from Psalm 19. Susan will be using readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
We're looking forward to gathering together from our homes once again on Sunday morning! In the second of a two-week series themed 'Why Church?', Christin Taylor is speaking on about the Greek term 'Koinonia'.
In the first of a two-week series themed 'Why Church?', Christin Taylor is speaking on about the Greek term 'Ekklesia'.
It's hard to believe we are approaching the fourth Sunday of Advent. This week we look at the theme 'Gratitude' as we move forward from 'Anticipation'. The story is unfolding quickly now, as we move toward the arrival of the infant Jesus. The Light of the World. And in these darkest days of the year, we need that Light!
As we move from Preparation toward Anticipation on this Advent journey, may we be open and attentive to God's movement in our lives and in the world.
A fitting preparation for Advent is to focus on the reality that Christ, as the Word, came to the world to effect a new creation in those who receive him.
As we move into Advent, we want to recognize the season of transition we are in as a community. We know that there are a variety of emotions and feelings, and we want to recognize those, but we also feel that moving forward through Advent can be a really hopeful and redemptive experience for us, especially this year. The word Advent means ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’. It’s a gentle season, a season of slowing down and paying attention. A season of yearning. We are longing and yearning for what is to come.
The scripture reading is taken from Psalm 147: 1-5, 8-9.
We're on week 4 of a 4-week series, Brandon is looking forward to teaching one final series: It's All About Jesus. He's spending some time painting what he hopes will be a compelling portrait of Jesus as a reminder of what this life of faith is really all about. This week's focus comes from John 1:1-4, 14 and 19:1-3
We're on week 3 of a 4-week series, Brandon is looking forward to teaching one final series: It's All About Jesus. He's spending some time painting what he hopes will be a compelling portrait of Jesus as a reminder of what this life of faith is really all about. This week's focus comes from Luke 9:18-25
We're on week 2 of a 4-week series, Brandon is looking forward to teaching one final series as our pastor: It's All About Jesus. He's spending some time painting what he hopes will be a compelling portrait of Jesus as a reminder of what this life of faith is really all about. This week's focus comes from Mark 2:1-12.
Over the next four weeks, Brandon is looking forward to teaching one final series as our pastor: It's All About Jesus. He's going to spend some time painting what he hopes will be a compelling portrait of Jesus as a reminder of what this life of faith is really all about.
This season of change is bound to present our Elevation community with both new opportunities and new challenges. Now, more than ever, it’s important to root ourselves in Jesus, inviting God to give us what we need most as we seek to be faithful witnesses in the world.
This season of change is bound to present our Elevation community with both new opportunities and new challenges. Now, more than ever, it’s important to root ourselves in Jesus, inviting God to give us what we need most as we seek to be faithful witnesses in the world.
Series: Now, More Than Ever
Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50
This season of change is bound to present our Elevation community with both new opportunities and new challenges. Now, more than ever, it’s important to root ourselves in Jesus, inviting God to give us what we need most as we seek to be faithful witnesses in the world.
Series: Now, More Than Ever
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
This season of change is bound to present our Elevation community with both new opportunities and new challenges. Now, more than ever, it’s important to root ourselves in Jesus, inviting God to give us what we need most as we seek to be faithful witnesses in the world.
Series: Now, More Than Ever
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
This season of change is bound to present our Elevation community with both new opportunities and new challenges. Now, more than ever, it’s important to root ourselves in Jesus, inviting God to give us what we need most as we seek to be faithful witnesses in the world.
Series: Now, More Than Ever
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9
Who among us would be willing to pack up everything we know and move away to an unknown destination? And if your father was the one who suggested such a journey, what would you think of him? At times, faith invites us to leave the familiar and trade in our security for something other and maybe even better.
Series: By Faith
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12
We are just the latest in a long line of men, women, and children who have set out on a trusting way of life rooted in God’s promises. And like most everyone who has come before us, we too, can expect to struggle with some very real questions along the way.
What does it mean for a person to have faith? That’s a good question, but maybe an even better—and perhaps more honest—question would be, What do we do when we both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour?
Series: By Faith
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5; Hebrews 11:1-3
The Bible is a collection of ancient texts written in languages that are inaccessible to most readers today. Add to this the cultural distance that continues to widen between ourselves and original audiences and we have a real challenge in front of us. How can we approach the Bible in a way that gets us as close as possible to what its original authors intended?
Generally speaking, reading the Bible is a good idea. But almost as soon as we crack open its pages (or open an app!) we’re faced with very real questions about what we’re reading: Where did this come from? Who wrote this? What does it mean to say this book is ‘inspired’? Answering these and other important questions is the first step to learning how to read the Bible for all it’s worth.
Scripture: Romans 8:1-17
Series: How to Read The Bible
After searching for meaning and purpose in life, the Teacher in Ecclesiastes ran into a wall when he considered that every one of us dies in the end. The wisest of the wise struggled to make sense of what it means to live a good life when death awaits us all, so what hope do we have when we, too, consider our mortality?
Series: Everything is Meaningless
Scripture: Eccl.9:1-4, 7-9a
In the familiar words of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The notion that everything has its time and place can be comforting, but it can also be concerning, especially when it comes to those aspects of life we try to avoid.
Series: Everything is Meaningless
Scripture: Eccl.3:1-8
Perhaps the way to discovering a meaningful and fulfilling life is through wisdom and understanding—the more we know, the better off we’ll be. In many ways this makes sense, but as the Teacher in Ecclesiastes discovered, sometimes knowledge brings its own challenges.
Scripture: Eccl.1:12-18
Series: Everything is Meaningless
Stuff, stuff, and more stuff. When it comes to finding meaning in life, we are constantly promised that just a little more of this or a little more of that will do the trick. But when the Teacher in Ecclesiastes spared no expense and denied himself nothing a man could desire, what was the result?
Series: Everything is Meaningless
Scripture: Eccl.2:1-6, 7b-8a, 9-11
The author of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes wrestles with some of life’s deeper conundrums, wondering if, in the end, everything we do only amounts to ‘chasing after the wind.’ What is the value of our daily work when it often brings us so much stress? How can we find meaning in the midst of our labour?
Series: Everything is Meaningless
Scripture: Eccl.1:1-4; 2:17b-23
Jesus chose the local nobody, Mary, as the first witness to the resurrection, and followed that up by sending out his band of unbelieving disciples with the task of spreading the good news. Even if we can’t exactly “go out” ourselves these days, we can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with joy and let that joy seep out through the cracks into a world in desperate need of some good news!
Scripture: Mark 16:1-20
Politics can be divisive. How’s that for an understatement? We’ve all seen it, and many of us are even part of it: aligning with parties, taking sides in debates, all the while vilifying our opponents. But if people who claim to be followers of Jesus land on both sides of every political issue and wind up in every party, how on earth do we sort things out? Can we sort things out?
Series: The Very Good Gospel
Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22
In the midst of a global pandemic, 2020 became a year that will also go down in history as a year of awakening to a call for racial justice. Our invitation is to take a good look at our own community and our own lives and invite the Holy Spirit to bend us toward God’s vision for a more just world.
Series: The Very Good Gospel
Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-22
Our human story begins with a man and a woman working together to care for the world that God had created, but the paradise of Eden didn’t last for long and history tells the long, unfortunate story of a breakdown in this blessed alliance. Can we be part of writing a better story as we live and worship and serve alongside one another as men and women who jointly reflect the image of God?
Series: The Very Good Gospel
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28; Mark 15:37-41
We begin a new year by considering the kind of good news that is good news for all of creation. Environmental causes will come and go, so when the fads fade, and as fear-driven responses lose their grip, what inspiration will we have to continue to care?
Series: The Very Good Gospel
Scripture: Genesis 1 (selected verses)
On this fourth week of Advent we invite you to listen, meditate, and reflect on the theme of love.
Scripture: Isaiah 43: 1-3; Matthew 1: 18-25
"What Love?" Written by Christin Taylor
“Christmas Alleluia” written by Chris Tomlin and Jonas Myrin © 2015 © Capitol CMG Paragon, S. D. G. Publishing, Sixsteps Songs, Worship Together Music, and Remaining portion is unaffiliated CCLI Song # 7050431 -- CCLI License # 2410465
Scripture Read by Linda McDonald
Music Performed and Produced by Brennan Connolly, Sarah Flatt, Jordan Hunsberger, Melissa Burke, Katie Mak-Fan, David Mak-Fan
On this third week of Advent, we invite you to listen, meditate and reflect on the theme of Joy.
Scripture: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1: 46-55
"Joy" written and read by Rachel Watson
"O Come O Come Emmanuel" written by by John Mason Neale and Kurtis Parks
Scripture read by Ron Kroeker
Music performed and produced by Sarah Flatt, Maiya Flatt, Melissa Burke and David Mak-Fan
The second week of Advent invites us to reflect on the theme of “peace”—not only the kind that we long for in our individual lives, but the kind that needs to be spread around our world as a whole. But where does peace come from and how can we avoid losing it so easily?
Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38
Series: Advent 2020
On this second week of Advent, we invite you to listen, meditate and reflect on the theme of Peace.
"The Peace That We Feel In Our Hearts" - Written by Elsa Jayne
Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38
"Seven Ways To Feel Like Everything Is Going To Be Okay" - Written by Graeme Ruck
Performed and Produced By Elsa Jayne and Graeme Ruck
It’s a longstanding tradition in the Christian faith to encourage a gradual build-up of anticipation leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The first theme of the Advent season is “hope,” reminding us that, regardless of how thick the fog of the present may be, we can always look forward to a day when the skies will clear, knowing that God is with us in it all.
From our Advent series.
Isaiah 2:1-5; Luke 1:5-17
On this first week of Advent, we invite you to listen, meditate and reflect on the theme of Hope.
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5; Luke 1:5-17
"Hope" written by Susan Fish
"Behold" written by Taylor Leonhardt
© Black MTN Music and Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing(Integrity Music [DC Cook]))
Music performed and produced by Dave Mak-Fan, Katie Mak-Fan and Melissa Burke
It’s challenging enough trying to understand what is happening in the world today, let alone anticipating what the future has in store. But regardless of how the Book of Revelation is interpreted, Jesus’ final recorded words remind us that his invitation of faith extends to the end of our lives and beyond.
Series: Famous Last Words
Revelation 22:12-17
Series: Famous Last Words
The opening chapters of Revelation feature a series of letters that Jesus asked John to send on his behalf to a handful of first-century churches. Would you want to receive a letter like that? And what do you expect Jesus might say to a church like ours, to people like you and I?
Revelation 3:14-22
The Book of Revelation is perhaps best known for its depiction of strange and exotic creatures engaged in an epic battle between good and evil. But tucked within its pages are the last recorded words of Jesus, reminding us of who he is, what he’s doing, and what he is yet to do.
Series: Famous Last Words
Scripture: Revelation 1:1-3, 5b-8
Series: Reconstructing Faith Part 3 of 3
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
As the walls of Jerusalem are completed, the people gather together in the public square to rediscover what it means to be a community of God’s people. A reading of the Book of the Law brings the crowd to tears—a reminder of the sources of inspiration that will propel our own community forward in life and faith
October 11
Nehemiah 2:11-18
News about the destruction of Jerusalem weighed heavily on Nehemiah, but he didn’t let the story end there. If you’ve experienced a crumbling of your faith, it’s bound to feel devastating, but there is always an opportunity to rebuild what has been lost, and just maybe in a healthier and more lasting way.
Series: Reconstructing Faith
Nehemiah 1:1-4, 11; 2:1-3
What happens when your faith starts to come apart at the seams—when old ways of thinking, believing, and living suddenly don’t seem to work anymore? The experience can be daunting, but if we allow it, this ‘crumbling’ can actually lead to the re-building of a healthy life of faith. When we first meet Nehemiah, we find someone whose city is literally lying in ruins—a fitting companion for anyone whose faith has experienced some crumbling of its own.
We're doing something a little bit different this week and we are excited to share this conversation with you!
We sat down (on Zoom) with Drew Brown, a social justice and mental health advocate as well as a musical artist and producer from Milton, ON, to talk about what it might look like to embody the kind of justice that God is calling us to.
We ended the service by sharing Drew's latest release, a song and spoken word called, "Calm". You can find this song, as well as other releases by following his work under the label "Hymns for the Architect". (Find on spotify here)
Breaking Bread
1 Corinthians 11:17-26
When Jesus gathered his closest followers together one last time before his death, he used the symbolism of breaking apart a loaf of bread to illustrate that his body would be broken for them. But it wasn’t supposed to become a religious exercise so much as an everyday way for us to remember Christ, and to remember him together. At a time when sharing a meal is discouraged, how else can we remember him together?
Six Months Later
In the middle of March 2020, everything changed. Decades from now, people will learn about the events of this year much like we learn about events from previous generations. But for now, we’re still living it! As our Elevation community enters a fall like no other, let’s pause to reflect on where we’ve been over the last six months and what we should make of it all.
Romans 8:18-25
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Nine: A Desire to have Peace of Mind
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Ruth 1:1-14
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Eight: A Desire to Protect Yourself
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Judges 16:23-30
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Seven: A Desire to Be Satisfied
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Lamentations 3:1-18
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Six: A Desire to Be Supported
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Genesis 40:1-23
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Five: A Desire to Be Competent
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Four: A Desire to Be Yourself
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Exodus 3:1-14
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Three: A Desire to Feel Valuable
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
1 Kings 19:1-8
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
Two: A Desire to Feel Loved
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Genesis 16:1-13
Series: Nine Stories of Fear and Desire
One: A Desire to be Good
The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types that describes how understanding our basic fears and desires can aid our personal growth. In this series, we will use this model as a jumping-off point as we explore nine corresponding stories in the Bible that can help us understand how we move in the world and what God wants to reveal to us along the way.
Isaiah 6:1-8
Series: Christ and our Crises
The Crisis of Disillusionment
We all walk through life with a set of expectations about how the world ought to work. This can leave us sorely disappointed when the world fails to live up to its billing, as it’s bound to do. But the same can be said for ourselves—such high hopes! so much promise!—and then we find ourselves spinning when not even we can manage to keep things on track.
John 21:1-17
Series: Christ and our Crises
The Crisis of Doubt
What can we learn about doubt from the life of the apostle Thomas? When do our doubts become paralyzing rather than productive?
John 20:24-29
Series: Christ and Our Crises
The Crisis of Loss
One of the common experiences we’re all having these days is an accumulation of loss. Whether it’s hugging loved ones, leaving home to go to work, or even watching sports on TV, all of the ‘little losses’ in our lives are building up. And that’s to say nothing of the more significant losses we face in life—but there, too, we can expect to encounter Christ in the midst of our crisis.
John 20:11-18
Series: Christ and our Crises
The Crisis of Death
What we believe about death tends to inform how we experience the death of people in our lives, how we face our own death, and how we live in the meantime. As we observe the way that Jesus responded in the face of his own approaching death, we’re reminded that Christ comes to us in all of our crises—even death.
John 20:11-18
Series: At the Feet of Our Spiritual Mothers
Mother Teresa
While Christian faith certainly involves believing, at the end of the day it needs to be lived out. This month, we’ll consider how three women from different eras and different parts of the world applied the way of Jesus in the circumstances of their lives, raising important questions about how we will do the same in our own.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Series: At the Feet of Our Spiritual Mothers
Harriet Tubman
While Christian faith certainly involves believing, at the end of the day it needs to be lived out. This month, we’ll consider how three women from different eras and different parts of the world applied the way of Jesus in the circumstances of their lives, raising important questions about how we will do the same in our own.
Philemon :1, 8-10, 12-16a
Series: At the Feet of Our Spiritual Mothers
Julian of Norwich
While Christian faith certainly involves believing, at the end of the day it needs to be lived out. This month, we’ll consider how three women from different eras and different parts of the world applied the way of Jesus in the circumstances of their lives, raising important questions about how we will do the same in our own.
Psalm 136
Series: A Christian Vision for Healthy Relationships and Sexuality
Expressing our Sexuality
Our sexuality is an important part of who we are. It’s also something most of us prefer to avoid talking about, especially in church! But as we take the risk of exploring this spicy topic, we uncover a positive vision of sex that will help us honour our bodies and those of the people around us. [Note: This message is rated ‘PG’]
Song of Songs 7:1-8a
Forming Healthy Relationships
We can experience true community in a variety of places, including families, friendships, and in committed relationships such as Christian marriage. It is in our life-giving relationships with one another that we most clearly reflect the image of God.
Genesis 2:4-7, 15-22
Now What?
On the other side of Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples went from cowering behind locked doors to proclaiming good news in the streets! Something about their encounter with Jesus transformed their fear and catapulted them out into the world around them, and there’s a hint in Peter’s words that we should expect the same...
John 20:19-22; Acts 2:14a, 22-24, 36-39
Easter Sunday - April 12, 2020
Jesus chose the local nobody, Mary, as the first witness to the resurrection, and followed that up by sending out his band of unbelieving disciples with the task of spreading the good news. Even if we can’t exactly “go out” ourselves these days, we can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with joy and let that joy seep out through the cracks into a world in desperate need of some good news!
Mark 16:1-20
Take a few minutes on this Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, to reflect on what it means to sit in the "in between". Christin Taylor will share a piece that she has written, as well as walk us through a Lectio Divina practice, and we will end with a song that invites us to reflect on what it means to hold on to hope, even when it feels like all hope has been buried in the grave.
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1
Song: Buried in the Grave by All Sons and Daughters
Palm Sunday
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem was a sign to the crowds that God was with them and was at work redeeming their broken world. But it wasn’t only a sign for the people who first lined those streets with branches in their hands; it was a sign that God would one day respond to our prayers and come to us, as well.
Mark 11:1-10
Series: Lent 2020 - Responding to the Good News
Some Fell on Good Soil
For all of the ways a seed can fail to take root, there is always the possibility that what’s lying dormant inside will explode into new life! When Jesus encounters a blind man at the side of the road, we witness a miraculous kind of new life that continues to be available to us today.
Mark 10:46-52
Series: Lent 2020 - Responding to the Good News
"Some Fell Among Thorns"
As Jesus reminds us in the parable of the sower, and has his disciples exemplify in their clamouring for positions, a lot of weeds can come into our lives and choke out the good news that has been planted in us. During this time of lent, and season of isolation many of us will have to wrestle with new weeds, but hopefully can find time to realize that many of life's worries are on pause- and there is room to bear fruit in our lives even now.
Mark 9:33-35; 10:35-45
Series: Lent 2020 - Responding to the Good News
Some Fell on Rocky Places
One of life’s more challenging lessons is that not every good beginning has a happy ending. When the storms of life start crashing around us, it can be easy to lose our grip on the good news we’ve been given. This was every bit as true for the first followers of Jesus as it is for us today.
Mark 4:35-41
Series: Lent 2020 - Responding to the Good News
Some Fell Along the Path
For some people, even the best news of all can be received in a negative way. This morning's reading features two instances where some incredibly good news resulted in religious bickering. Let's take a look at some of the 'birds' that threaten to steal away our joy.
Mark 2:1-17
Series: Lent 2020 - Responding to the Good News
Scattering the Seed
Jesus often used parables to help his audience grasp the deeper truths he wanted to share. On this First Sunday of Lent, we’ll be introduced to one of his classics - a parable that helps us grow in our understanding of the different ways people respond to the good news of Jesus.
Mark 4:1-20
Series: Level Two Prayers
Now, Add 1/4 Cup of Fasting
At the core of a healthy life of faith is a relationship with God, who created us to love and be loved. In prayer, we make ourselves available to God and we invite God into the flow of our lives. But what happens if our prayers are growing stale or if they're disappearing altogether?
Matthew 4:1-4; 9:14-15
Series: Level Two Prayers
Prayer and Presence
At the core of a healthy life of faith is a relationship with God, who created us to love and be loved. In prayer, we make ourselves available to God and we invite God into the flow of our lives. But what happens if our prayers are growing stale or if they're disappearing altogether?
Matthew 26:36-44
Series: Level Two Prayers
Postures and Practices
At the core of a healthy life of faith is a relationship with God, who created us to love and be loved. In prayer, we make ourselves available to God and we invite God into the flow of our lives. But what happens if our prayers are growing stale or if they're disappearing altogether?
Matthew 6:5-13
Series: Level Two Prayers
Beyond the Basics
At the core of a healthy life of faith is a relationship with God, who created us to love and be loved. In prayer, we make ourselves available to God and we invite God into the flow of our lives. But what happens if our prayers are growing stale or if they're disappearing altogether?
2 Chronicles 7:11-16
Series: Here's What We See
A Diverse Community
At the start of a new year, Elevation's leadership would like to help paint a picture of what our community could look like down the road. We'll be unpacking four opportunities that, once embraced, will lead us into a season of healthy growth and maturity. While this isn't quite a "five-year plan," we definitely want to start building some five-year momentum!
Genesis 24:1-4; Acts 11:1-10, 18
Series: Here's What We See
A Renewed Spiritual Vitality
At the start of a new year, Elevation's leadership would like to help paint a picture of what our community could look like down the road. We'll be unpacking four opportunities that, once embraced, will lead us into a season of healthy growth and maturity. While this isn't quite a "five-year-plan," we definitely want to start building some five-year momentum!
Luke 7:36-39, 44-50
Series: Here's What We See
A Culture of Invitation
At the start of a new year, Elevation's leadership would like to help paint a picture of what our community could look like down the road. We'll be unpacking four opportunities that, once embraced, will lead us into a season of healthy growth and maturity. While this isn't quite a "five-year-plan," we definitely want to start building some five-year momentum!
2 Corinthians 5:11a, 14-20
Series: Here's What We See
"A Place to Call Home"
At the start of a new year, Elevation's leadership would like to help paint a picture of what our community could look like down the road. We'll be unpacking four opportunities that, once embraced, will lead us into a season of healthy growth and maturity. While this isn't quite a "five-year-plan," we definitely want to start building some five-year momentum!
2 Corinthians 5:1-9
Advent Three: Walking Humbly
Advent is a time we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus' birth has endless implications for humanity but perhaps the most significant is his introduction of the coming Kingdom of God. During the four weeks of Advent, we will focus on this slow kingdom coming. This week we look at humility as a key ingredient of that kingdom.
Luke 2:1-7; Philippians 2:5-7
Advent Two: Loving Mercy
Advent is a time we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus' birth has endless implications for humanity but perhaps the most significant is his introduction of the coming Kingdom of God. During the four weeks of Advent, we will focus on this slow kingdom coming. This week we look at mercy as a key ingredient of that kingdom.
Luke 1:39-55; 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Advent One: Doing Justice
Advent is a time we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus' birth has endless implications for humanity, but perhaps the most significant is his introduction of the coming Kingdom of God. During the four weeks of Advent, we will focus on this slow Kingdom coming. And we begin this week with justice as a key ingredient of that kingdom.
Micah 6:1-8
Series: Old School Bible Fights
Title: Foreskin vs No Foreskin
Today, few of us could even imagine getting into an argument about the spiritual value of circumcision, but for the Early Church, this was the hottest of all hot topics. We can learn a lot from these first followers of Jesus as we pay attention to how they wrestled with what it meant for them to honour God.
Acts 15:1-11
Series: Old School Bible Fights
Title: Right vs Wrong
Job was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. And yet, despite all of this, his life fell apart in an instant. In this ancient story, we get to listen in on a group of friends arguing back and forth with one another as they sought out an explanation for Job’s sudden misfortunes.
Job 1:1-22
Series: Old School Bible Fights
God vs King
The nation of Israel wanted to be like all of the nations around them. They didn't want to follow God's lead; they wanted a flesh-and-blood king. The argument between Samuel and the people might have been short-lived, but the consequences reverberated for generations to come.
1 Samuel 8:1-22a
Series: Old School Bible Fights
Fruit vs Fat
In the early chapters of Genesis, our origin story, we find ourselves a classic sibling rivalry. You've got Abel tending his flocks and Cain working the soil, but when they come to present their respective offerings to the Lord, things go sideways very quickly.
Genesis 4:1-16
Series: Things Jesus Didn't Say
"Max Out Your RRSP Contributions"
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had a lot to say about how his followers should orient their lives, but sometimes we mix in our own aspirations with his words, which is bound to make a mess of things. Let’s see if we can’t figure out which is which and keep ourselves moving in the right direction.
Matthew 6:19-34
Series: Things Jesus Didn't Say
"Post Only Your Best Photos"
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had a lot to say about how his followers should orient their lives, but sometimes we mix in our own aspirations with his words, which is bound to make a mess of things. Let’s see if we can’t figure out which is which and keep ourselves moving in the right direction.
Matthew 6:1-18
Series: Things Jesus Didn't Say
"Look Out For Number One"
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had a lot to say about how his followers should orient their lives, but sometimes we mix in our own aspirations with his words, which is bound to make a mess of things. Let’s see if we can’t figure out which is which and keep ourselves moving in the right direction.
Matthew 5:21-48
Series: Things Jesus Didn't Say
"Life Should Be Easy"
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had a lot to say about how his followers should orient their lives, but sometimes we mix in our own aspirations with his words, which is bound to make a mess of things. Let’s see if we can’t figure out which is which and keep ourselves moving in the right direction.
Matthew 5:1-20
Series: Welcome to Elevation
Imagining the Kingdom
People come to church for different reasons, but regardless of why we walk through the doors, we are all invited to stand together and imagine a world infused with the presence of God. What does that world look like, and how can we learn to live so that this world of ours begins to look more like the one we imagine?
Acts 1:1-14
Series: Welcome to Elevation
A Restlessness in Your Soul
Luke 8:22-32
Why do people continue to walk through the doors of a church? For some, it’s a restlessness in the soul that pushes them to seek out help, support, or guidance from a community of faith. What about you? When life is overwhelming or disappointing, could the church be a place of refuge? Could you find peace and hope here?
Series: Welcome to Elevation
Longing for Community
Luke 8:1-3; Acts 2:42-47
Why do people continue to walk through the doors of a church? For some, it’s a longing for community that inspires them to find others who they can journey alongside through all of life’s ups and downs. What about you? What do you hope to receive from (and what do you hope to give to) the people sitting around you?
Why do people continue to walk through the doors of a church? For some, it’s a spiritual curiosity that draws them to one of the few places where questions about the meaning of life are welcomed and where faith is still encouraged. What about you? What questions do you have? What answers are you waiting for?
Luke 19:1-10
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
2 Kings 22-23 (Excerpts)
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
Luke 16:1-18
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
2 Samuel 9:1-11
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
Esther 2:21-3:6
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
Philemon 1:1-25
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
Exodus 1:6-21
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
2 Samuel 21:1-14
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
2 Kings 4:38-44
Series: Reading Between the Lines
The Bible is filled with so many great stories, so why does one tend to get so much air play (think: David and Goliath) while another would make even the most faithful church attender check the pages of their Bible to make sure it was really there? Well, we’re going to flip the script this summer and give a few of these lesser-known stories some serious air play!
Numbers 27:1-11
Understanding how you’re ‘wired’ is a key component of living a healthy and balanced life. As informed as you may be about the physical, social, and financial spheres of life, you can still feel lost if you don’t know the person God has uniquely created you to be.
Romans 12:2-8
Money is one of those things we rarely talk about and yet it plays such a significant role in our day-to-day lives. But maybe talking about it is what we need to avoid letting its role become either too significant or not significant enough.
2 Corinthians 8:1-12
This week, we will look at friendships and the power they hold in our spiritual lives. As Thomas Merton writes: "We are members one of another and everything that is given to one member is given for the whole body." We will study this principle in the story of a paralyzed man whose friends' faith led Jesus to heal him.
Mark 2:1-12
It’s easy to think about our spiritual life as being completely separate from our physical life, but that’s just not the case. To live by faith is to live faithfully in these bodies we’ve been given, with their beauty and their flaws, with their strength and their weakness. “Therefore honour God with your body.”
Acts 27:1-2a, 13-20, 27-29, 33-44
Brandon SpeakingIn an airline emergency, we’re told that we need to secure our own oxygen mask before helping those around us. That’s not a bad way to approach life as a whole, unless by taking care of ourselves we forget about our fellow ‘passengers’ altogether. What can we do to avoid slipping into self-serving patterns?
Philippians 2:1-11
There’s no way around it: sometimes life is just plain difficult. And yet even so, the Bible presents us with images of those who are in the depths of despair rising up and soaring victoriously. Are we somehow excluded from this kind of blessing, or can that be our story, too?
Isaiah 40:1-2, 27-31
Some of Joshua’s most well-known words often serve as both a declaration of faith and a piece of kitschy home decor at the same time. But the context in which they were first uttered was as real as it gets, and if we let them, these words will continue to present us with a choice and a challenge for ourselves and the people we love.
Joshua 24:1-15
As important as Paul’s advice about avoiding worry is for the well-being of our souls, it can be difficult to actually live it out when life overwhelms us. But as long as we keep God involved in our circumstances, the peace we long for won’t be far away.
Philippians 4:4-8
Series: Verses You Should Memorize (And Why)
Certain passages in the Bible are familiar to us because, over the years, they have been stitched into decorative pillows and turned into inspirational posters. But just because something is familiar doesn’t mean that we understand it. Let’s take some time to dig a little deeper into these verses – who knows, we might end up doing some cross-stitching of our own!
Jeremiah 29:4-14
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 5:17-26
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 5:1-11
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 4:14-30
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 4:1-13
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 3:1-6, 15-18, 21-23a
Series: Lent - Foreshadowing the Cross
In the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by following in the footsteps of Jesus. The gospels are filled with powerful and uplifting stories, and yet right from the very start, Jesus’ life was pointed toward the Cross. Let’s start at the beginning of his journey and pay attention to what we might not have noticed before.
Luke 2:21-40
A Long Winter's Night
By the time February rolls around, most of us are just about sick of winter. But the short days and cold nights linger, and for many people, this can be the most difficult month of the year. A life of faith requires us to press on through all seasons, so let’s spend some time learning how to pray, even when it’s the last thing we feel like doing.
Psalm 55
A Long Winter's Night
By the time February rolls around, most of us are just about sick of winter. But the short days and cold nights linger, and for many people, this can be the most difficult month of the year. A life of faith requires us to press on through all seasons, so let’s spend some time learning how to pray, even when it’s the last thing we feel like doing.
Psalm 51:1-17
A Long Winter's Night
By the time February rolls around, most of us are just about sick of winter. But the short days and cold nights linger, and for many people, this can be the most difficult month of the year. A life of faith requires us to press on through all seasons, so let’s spend some time learning how to pray, even when it’s the last thing we feel like doing.
Lamentations 5:1-22
A Long Winter's Night
By the time February rolls around, most of us are just about sick of winter. But the short days and cold nights linger, and for many people, this can be the most difficult month of the year. A life of faith requires us to press on through all seasons, so let’s spend some time learning how to pray, even when it’s the last thing we feel like doing.
Lamentations 3:1-33
When Jesus talked about God, he spoke with intimacy and familiarity, calling God his Father. This riled the Jewish leaders of his day, and in some ways, it continues to create discomfort, with questions being asked about why we're attributing gender to God at all.
Matthew 6:25-26, 31-33; 7:7-11; John 5:17-18
The unfolding narrative of God's redemptive work among the Hebrew people introduces us to the many names that were attributed to God over the years. Might these ancient labels have something to say to us as we long for God to act in our own day?
Isaiah 45:18-25
In ancient Middle Eastern culture, to access the power of a god, you had to know their name. When Moses asks God for his name, Moses is asking for a way to access God’s power. But what power does God reveal to Moses when he uses the name, “I Am that I Am”? We will learn about this name together and reflect on the power of I Am.
Genesis 12:1-4; Exodus 3:1-14
What better place to start off a new year than at the very beginning. The opening scene of the Bible introduces us to its main character – God. But what do we know about this God character anyway? And might the things we learn about God help us get to know ourselves better?
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Series: Advent 2018
The arrival of December brings with it all things Christmas: the cheery decorations, the cheesy music, and everything in between. But in the church, we try to take things at a slower pace, not rushing through to the main event quite yet. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, and of letting the anticipation build slowly until all heaven breaks through on Christmas Day!
John 1:1-14
Series: Advent 2018
The arrival of December brings with it all things Christmas: the cheery decorations, the cheesy music, and everything in between. But in the church, we try to take things at a slower pace, not rushing through to the main event quite yet. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, and of letting the anticipation build slowly until all heaven breaks through on Christmas Day!
Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 1:26-38
Series: Advent 2018
The arrival of December brings with it all things Christmas: the cheery decorations, the cheesy music, and everything in between. But in the church, we try to take things at a slower pace, not rushing through to the main event quite yet. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, and of letting the anticipation build slowly until all heaven breaks through on Christmas Day!
Mark 1:1-8
Series: Advent 2018
The arrival of December brings with it all things Christmas: the cheery decorations, the cheesy music, and everything in between. But in the church, we try to take things at a slower pace, not rushing through to the main event quite yet. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, and of letting the anticipation build slowly until all heaven breaks through on Christmas Day!
Matthew 1:1-17
Series: Living Leviticus
If you’ve ever tried to read the Bible from cover to cover, chances are you got bogged down in Leviticus and gave up entirely. Don’t feel bad - you’re not alone. But even though the lively narrative of Genesis and Exodus shifts to a book full of repetition and rules, there is plenty of contemporary value to be mined from these ancient pages.
Leviticus 26:3-20
Series: Living Leviticus
If you’ve ever tried to read the Bible from cover to cover, chances are you got bogged down in Leviticus and gave up entirely. Don’t feel bad - you’re not alone. But even though the lively narrative of Genesis and Exodus shifts to a book full of repetition and rules, there is plenty of contemporary value to be mined from these ancient pages.
Series: Living Leviticus
If you’ve ever tried to read the Bible from cover to cover, chances are you got bogged down in Leviticus and gave up entirely. Don’t feel bad - you’re not alone. But even though the lively narrative of Genesis and Exodus shifts to a book full of repetition and rules, there is plenty of contemporary value to be mined from these ancient pages.
Leviticus 6:1-7, 19:1-2, 9-18
Series: Living Leviticus
If you’ve ever tried to read the Bible from cover to cover, chances are you got bogged down in Leviticus and gave up entirely. Don’t feel bad - you’re not alone. But even though the lively narrative of Genesis and Exodus shifts to a book full of repetition and rules, there is plenty of contemporary value to be mined from these ancient pages.
Leviticus 1:1-9
With the rush of daily life, it can be challenging to remember that out beyond the comfort of our own community is a world filled with people just like us, many of them struggling to get by. Nikki and TK will be sharing with us about the seeds of hope that they are sowing in one region of Africa, providing a glimpse into how God is at work abroad and inviting us to see ourselves as God’s partners in loving our global neighbours well.
Psalm 121; John 17:18
The Bible speaks frequently to both equality and economics, but it sure can seem like they are two very different things- detached from our life of faith. This week we will explore how economic practices are a sacred witness of God's will for our communities and churches and ultimately the world. If we would just be willing to talk about it, and not get so defensive....
Deut 15:1-11, 1 John 3:16-24
Racism, sexism, ageism...and the list goes on. There are so many ways we can pass judgment on others to maintain a measure of control. But in a world of increasing polarization, the gospel challenges our propensity to classify ‘the other’ and invites us instead to an acknowledgment of our shared humanity and our common need for God.
Matthew 15:21-38
In many ways, our childhood is something we seek to leave behind as we pass through the waters of adolescence and enter into the fullness of adulthood. But a healthy understanding of our identity in Christ invites us to see ourselves as children of a loving Father. How ready are you to once again embrace the role of a child?
Romans 8:1-2, 12-17
It goes without saying that we don’t like to think of ourselves as being slaves to anyone or anything. (We prefer our freedom and autonomy, thank you very much!) But what if being enslaved to one thing was the key to being set free from something else that threatened to damage your very soul? Would you be willing to wear those chains?
Romans 6:1-18
Paul delivers some pretty harsh news to the church in Rome: “There is no one who does good, not even one.” And yet that’s not the end of the story - far from it. The distance between God and ourselves has been bridged in Christ, and we are now invited to live by faith in a world marked by God’s extravagant love for us.
Romans 3:10-12, 21-24; 5:1-11
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
Isaiah 61
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
John 1:1-14; Jude :3-4
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
Daniel 3:1-18; Luke 6:27-28
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
Matthew 10:5-10
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 2:12-16a
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day. Revelation 2:8-10
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
John 3:1-17
In the words of the Psalmist, “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” This summer, we will explore the lives of men and women throughout history who allowed their Christian faith to shape the way they lived in significant ways, and who continue to impact and inspire people to this day.
Exodus 3:1-6; Judges 2:10-11
Picking up on a conversation our church has been engaged in over the past number of months, we will continue to explore the intersection of same-sex attraction and Christian faith. What have we been learning and what will our shared future look like at Elevation?
Mark 2:23-3:6; Romans 13:8-10
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
Luke 10:25-37
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
Psalm 148; Colossians 1:15-20
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
2 Samuel 22:1-7, 17-20
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
Acts 1:1-5; 2:1-6, 12, 14a, 16-18
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
1 Kings 6:1, 11-16, 37-38; Matthew 24:1-2
Series: Our Place in the World
Over the long history of God’s interactions with His people, there are countless examples of how specific places have been used to provide guidance in life and faith. Looking back at these stories will not only remind us of how God has used ‘place’
in the past, but will open our eyes to how He might still be using it today.
Series: The People ~~Who Drive Us Crazy~~ We Love
What does our faith have to say about the most important relationships in our lives? If we’re going to be honest, the people we’re closest to are often the same people who, on certain days, threaten our sanity.
So a little help would be nice. Is there any wisdom out there for how we can love these people well? Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:15-17
Series: The People ~~Who Drive Us Crazy~~ We Love
What does our faith have to say about the most important relationships in our lives? If we’re going to be honest, the people we’re closest to are often the same people who, on certain days, threaten our sanity.
So a little help would be nice. Is there any wisdom out there for how we can love these people well?
Matthew 19:1-12
Series: The People ~~Who Drive Us Crazy~~ We Love
What does our faith have to say about the most important relationships in our lives? If we’re going to be honest, the people we’re closest to are often the same people who, on certain days, threaten our sanity.
So a little help would be nice. Is there any wisdom out there for how we can love these people well?
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13; Colossians 3:22-24
Series: The People ~~Who Drive Us Crazy~~ We Love
What does our faith have to say about the most important relationships in our lives? If we’re going to be honest, the people we’re closest to are often the same people who, on certain days, threaten our sanity.
So a little help would be nice. Is there any wisdom out there for how we can love these people well?
1 Samuel 20:1-4, 16-19, 24-31
An empty tomb raises more questions than it answers: How do the events of the first Easter Sunday continue to offer hope to our world today? What is the connection between ‘believing’ and living life to its fullest?
John 20:19-31
Of all the experiences a human being goes through, placing the body of someone you love into the ground must be just about the most difficult. This is precisely the predicament that two of Jesus’ closest friends faced when their brother fell ill. How would he respond in their moment of need? How does he respond in ours?
John 11:1-37
As Jesus continued on his journey to the Cross, he stopped and healed a man who was born blind. Even after such a miracle, though, the man was still left seeking. But as Jesus would later tell him, it’s the one who thinks they can see clearly who is actually blind. What did he mean by that?
John 9:1-12
For all of our efforts to present Jesus as worthy of being followed, sometimes it seems like he was actually trying to turn people away - and it worked. So what do we do when we discover that the good news isn’t what we thought it would be? How do we keep moving forward when we’re offended by what Jesus has to say?
John 6:35-60
A lifetime of feeling excluded can lead to a hardening of the spirit, to the point where you cannot even imagine being accepted for who you are. In an unexpected place, Jesus found someone with a long list of reasons she didn’t belong, so he offered her what she couldn’t find anywhere else: himself.
John 4:1-26
To be a Christian requires to live in the world of faith. For some that is a deal-breaking condition because they require things to be more concrete and definable. Are thinking and feeling able to be reconciled? How do fact and faith intersect when it comes to believing in Jesus Christ?
John 3:1-17
The intersection of same-gender attraction and Christian faith is right up there among the most complex and controversial topics that a church can engage in. With this in mind, we will spend some time exploring this theme on Sunday morning as an introduction to a broader conversation that will take place in the weeks and months to come.
John 6:16-21
Nearly everywhere we look, sex finds a way to nudge itself into our line of sight. But for all of its excess - and for the admittedly significant role it plays in our lives - sex is actually something we don’t talk about a whole lot in church. Well, now we are.
Song of Songs 5:9-16
Christian faith is meant to be lived out in the full stream of the culture that surrounds it. As we wrap up our series on listening, we'll consider the importance of listening to voices from outside of our church community, and the blessing that follows when we do so.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Almost as soon as the first century church got off the ground, there was disagreement. Are you surprised? So how did these early followers of Jesus discern God's will for them when there were opposing ideas on the table, and how might we learn from their experience?
Acts 15:1-12; 22-35
Many of us have lost the art of listening. We might get a passing grade when it comes to our hearing, but listening is another thing altogether. How can we become the kind of people who are "quick to listen"?