Advent: 2021: Recent Episodes
CVI Resources at Vancouver School of Theology
Before the Nativity Celebration of Christmas Day, Advent refers to the holy season of the Christian church, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Created in partnership with The Vancouver School of Theology's Initiative for Congregational Vitality, The New Westminster Ministerial group present the Advent 2021 podcast, a collection of weekly connective sermons, devotionals and prayers to guide you through the beauty of the advent season. This production acknowledges with much gratitude that the land on which this podcast was recorded, created and produced is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of Musqueam and Squamish. We are grateful to the Coast Salish peoples whose land we learn, study and create every day. Join us as we explore this advent season.
Maundy Thursday begins the Three Days (or Triduum), remembering the new commandment that Christ gave us in word and deed as he taught us how to love one another, washing our feet as a servant. We also celebrate the Lord’s Supper, remembering the meal Christ shared with his disciples before his death.
Our final presenter is The Reverend Bradly Childs.
Rev Bradly Childs is an author and senior pastor of Fairview Presbyterian Church and Interim Moderator for Knox Presbyterian. Brad was raised in a small Amish community in Kansas, but today is the minister at Fairview Presbyterian Church in Vancouver. He sits on the board of both Presbyterian College, Montreal, and McGill’s Montreal School of Theology. He lives with his wife Tracy and their three children, and is working on a humour book of short stories.
Visit Fairviews Website: https://www.fairviewchurch.ca
Read some of Rev. Bradly Child's work here: https://www.christiancourier.ca/author/brad-childs/
This week's devotional is presented by St. Adian's Presbyterian Church in New Westminster, and our speaker is its pastor, The Reverend Laurie Mckay. The Reverend McKay is the project leader of 'Don't Go Hungry,' a Feeding Community.
About Don't Go Hungry:
We want to spread our message of hope and compassion. We believe that a single action can make a difference in the community and that collective action can impact the world.
Our program is for anyone in New Westminster and Burnaby who needs food support.
Some might work mid-week full-time and cannot access other food support programs that operate on weekdays. Others may be unemployed or underemployed and trying to make their dollars stretch. Many have never needed this type of support before. But food support may help pay rent or allow other bills to be paid.
Together we can help lighten the load, if only for a little while.
https://www.dontgohungry.ca
Todays speaker is Pastor Marlys Moen of **Mount Zion Lutheran Church
https://www.mtzionlutheran.ca
About Mount Zion Lutheran Church:**
The Church is 'the people of God'. Our focus at Mount Zion is on the love and grace of Jesus Christ and how we can live out that love and grace with friends, neighbours and people new to our lives.
Our Sunday Service begins at 10:00 am. There is coffee afterwards and we would love you to join us in the lower hall for coffee, tea or juice and some conversation.
Here’s a little more of what to expect on Sunday mornings:
Our service uses a variety of worship styles including liturgy, drama and congregation involvement to provide an engaging and relevant way to learn about God. There is a Children’s Time, readings from God’s Word and a variety of music including both contemporary and old favourite hymns. And, of course, there is a biblically based message that can help you experience God's hope and inspiration for your everyday life.
- If you are wondering what you should wear – there is no dress code – just wear what makes you comfortable! We are more concerned about what is going on inside of you than what you are wearing. Our church has a "come as you are" atmosphere. Some are more dressed up and others are more casual.
- If you have kids you should check out Sunday School. We have something for your children from pre-school to grade 8. Our highly trained and very caring volunteers are there to ensure your child is safe and that they learn about who God is in age appropriate ways.
- For more information about who we are, please check out the "What We Believe" section of the website.
Retired Vancouver School of Theology Hebrew Bible professor, The Rev. Dr. PatDutcher-Walls, guides us through the Advent Season with selected readings of the Old Testament.
These twice a week lessons will uplift you, inform you and carry you through this Advent Season
Today's speaker is the deacon of Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in New Westminster: Deacon Carole Neilson.
About Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in New Westminster
GATHER
We gather people into life-giving community. Worship is the most visible and public way we gather people together, but Holy Trinity Cathedral gathers people in other ways as well.
We provide our neighbours with a gathering place for community groups, for new-comers to Canada to learn English, and for other groups to grow closer together.
In a metropolitan area where isolation is experienced by many, we create community.
TRANSFORM
We transform people into agents of God’s love.
This transformation comes through baptism and eucharist and prayer.
This transformation comes through children who discover the wonder of God’s world and through our care for those who are in need.
In a society where many people feel powerless, we transform lives.
SEND
We send people forth to participate in God’s mission of renewal and reconciliation.
Whether through our outreach or through our own sharing of the good news in our homes, our workplaces, our neighbourhoods and our world, God works with you to accomplish God’s purposes. In a world where challenges abound, we send out co-workers with God.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holytrinitycathedralnewwest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HTCNewWest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/htcnewwest
Today's pastor is the Rev. Blair Odney lead minister of Queens Church in New Westminster.
Visit Queens Church on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueensAveUC/