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Sermon: Struggling With Believing May 24, 2020 |
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New Elders- Jeff, Kevin and Lisa |
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A Mid-Week Message from Rev. Dean August 5th - A Retro Moment
On Sunday afternoon and evening Coral spent time going through our closets in search of some of our outfits and items from the 1990s. Apparently, RETRO has come back into style recently amongst teenagers. Coral has the right parents when it comes to RETRO since both Nadine and I are in our fifties. Yes, our closet still has outfits from the 1990s and late 1980s.
At first Coral focused her attention solely on Nadine. It was interesting seeing Coral put on some of her dress jackets from the 1990s. After she put on one of her red jackets Coral looked in the mirror and said, I look like Hillary Clinton in this jacket. If Coral was wearing dress pants at the time, she would have looked like Hillary.
After we got back from visiting the Rev. Mother Sunday night, Coral went back upstairs in search of more RETRO clothes. I was downstairs watching the Leafs lose to Columbus, but I could hear a bit of laughing and giggling going on as Coral was looking through our clothes. Later that night I heard Coral yell, Wow Dad, I did not know you had this sweater. I looked and there was Coral wearing a University of Michigan sweater that I had not worn in years. It looked good on her. Next thing I heard her telling me was, It is mine now Dad, thanks. My loss was her gain but if it saves me buying her a new sweater for school in the fall then it is my gain as well. Read more
A Musical Moment by Amy July 31st - Standing on the Promises
Standing on the Promises is an old familiar hymn, sung by many people over the years. It was written in 1886 by Russell Carter who was a star athlete, excellent student, teacher, coach, minister, physician, musician, and songwriter. Wow! What responsibilities!! But that was not all. When he was 30 years old his heart began to fail him, and death was almost imminent. Although he had been a Christian most of his life, he realized that only God could provide healing, both physical and spiritual. After praying for his own complete submission to God, vowing to live a life of service, God began to heal Carter. He began to realize the promises in the word of God were not just for Bible times; they were for him in his own life. He lived another 49 years!
Now, I am praying that we do not have COVID-19 until 2059, but we will need to stand on the very same promises from God. In my devotions, I read that biblical-time soldiers in battle had their sandals equipped with special spikes in them to help them stand more steadily. We need to have our feet firmly planted in the promises from the Word of God. As we fight depression or isolation, or long checkout line annoyances, let the words of this song come back and bring you peace. Stand firm, keep loving, stay safe.
A Mid-Week Message from Rev. Dean July 29th - Grieving Change
As soon as Jesus heard the news, He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone (Matthew 14: 13).
In a normal year much of my grief right now would have to do with the Toronto Maple Leafs having gone another year without winning the Stanley Cup. This has been no normal year for any of us as a result of COVID-19. Throughout the past four months I have found myself grieving at times as a result of the many changes brought on by the pandemic:
1. As I mentioned in an earlier mid-week message, I have grieved at times for the losses my daughter has experienced with a cancelled basketball season, no class year-end trip and a delayed Grade 8 graduation. 2. I am grieving the fact that we cannot get away this summer for a vacation that we look forward to each year. 3. I grieve when I hear that certain stores are closing as a result of COVID-19 and begin to think of all their employees without work. 4. I grieved recently for a family I did a funeral for feeling guilty that they could not have more people to celebrate the life of their mom. 5. I grieved after our recent session meeting knowing that when we do reopen some of you may not be able to return until a later date.
This pandemic has brought about so many changes and as a result caused us to experience losses in our lives. It is natural for us to grieve whenever we experience loss in our lives. It is important for us to acknowledge our grief in these moments. Jesus did when He experienced losses in His life. Read more
A Musical Moment by Amy July 24th - A Harmonica Medley
I lived in Brantford pretty much all of my life. I knew where Mt. Pleasant was - right at the end of Mt. Pleasant Street coming from Brantford. I did not know too much about the history of the village, but always liked the drive into the countryside. Small communities have always intrigued me with the friendliness, quick smiles and hand waves as you drive by. June 2009 added a new dimension to my spiritual journey when I was invited to become the Music Director for Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, beginning July 26. Upon my arrival to the church in this new capacity, I met wonderful people, who always greeted me with a genuine smile, a firm handshake and eventually, a sincere hug.
One such couple sat in the back pew of the sanctuary, and I grew to know Bert and Janet Dungavell for their love, encouragement, and appreciation of my musical efforts. Read more
A Mid-Week Message from Rev. Dean July 22nd - Having a Home
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at Gods right hand (Colossians 3: 1).
As I write this message, the Toronto Blue Jays are still looking for a place in which to play their home games for this shortened season starting on Friday. It was this past weekend when the federal government made the decision not to allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play their regular season games at the Rogers Centre. According to their general manager Ross Atkins, the Jays have five plans in the works as to where they will play their home games.
It must be hard for the players as they packed their bags and left Toronto to play two exhibition games in Boston before starting their regular season in Tampa Bay. For this 60-game season these players will be: - living out of their suitcases each day, - not able to look forward to heading home after a road trip like they could in other seasons, - not able to have the advantage of playing in their home ballpark where they are familiar with the bounces that come off the turf, sight lines and lighting, - unable to have their families to return home to after each home game. Read more
A Mid-Week Message from Rev. Dean July 16th - Hearing and Listening as a Child Does
Our family was listening to Premier Doug Ford make an announcement at his press conference on Monday that parts of Ontario will now be allowed to reopen under Phase 3. After explaining how Phase 3 works and what can reopen in this stage, the Premier than took questions from the media.
A reporter from Toronto acknowledged that he was confused as to whether the City of Toronto would have to wait four more weeks before they could move into Phase 3. Both the Premier and the Minister of Heath had explained a few minutes earlier that the Chief Medical Officer of Health likes to see a 4-week period of testing and numbers before making a decision about which areas of the Province are safe to reopen. The communities allowed to reopen this Friday have gone through the 4-week period and areas like Toronto that were delayed by a week before entering Phase 2 would likely not be allowed to move into Phase 3 until the following week. Read more
A Musical Moment by Amy July 15th - Another Double-Bill
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Weather: Sunny, hot and becoming humid. Equipment on hand: Desktop computer, Bible, devotional book and a bottle of water. Ah! This is the start of my day. I clicked on my computer and I logged in. I had several emails but there were 3 emails and 1 text message from church and choir friends, all checking in. I have not seen some of these folks for 4 whole months, due to Covid-19, but the notes brought tears to my eyes. And of course, songs to my mind.
In the early 1970s Lean on Me writer Bill Withers penned the words, So just call me brother, when you need a hand. We all need somebody to lean on. How wonderful to know that God has placed people in our lives that we can see, call, write and with whom we can be in contact . Read more A Mid-Week Message from Rev. Dean July 8th - Wanting Consistency Again
But the Lords plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken (Psalm 33:11).
Three of the major sports leagues are preparing to restart their seasons after shutting down due to COVID-19. The NHL, the NBA and Major League Baseball are all preparing to return soon. The athletes will be returning under different circumstances than what they are used to. For instance, when NHL players return and enter into the bubble of one of the two hub cities, they will have to adapt to these new realities: - Daily testing for the virus, - Being prohibited from giving handshakes, high fives or fist bumps, - Not reusing towels, - After games they cannot use the spa or sauna to soak sore muscles, - When they return to the hotel, they must use their elbow or knuckle to push the elevator button, - Once the doors to the elevator close there is no talking allowed. Read more A Musical Moment by Amy
July 7th- A Double-Bill
My Jesus Knows Just What I Need
As I mentioned in my earlier Moment this week, this has been a time of change, differences, frustration, trial, and error. I have been working from home since mid-March. In fact, as I sit at my computer to compose this anecdote, I have been unable to remotely log in to my work computer. Annoying. Disruptive. Interrupting my schedule. However, this is not the first time that this has happened in the past few weeks and it seems to be quite arbitrary. It was fine yesterday, but not today. No rhyme or reason.
And then? Music hit me. In fact, two pieces immediately popped into my head. Both are songs that I have heard sung by my dad as I was growing up, but little did I realize how much I needed to hear them today. Read more A Musical Moment by Amy July 6th - God is Good (All the Time)
It takes about 13 weeks for a new habit to form, whether it be good or bad. We are now in the 16th week of COVID-19 and we as a society are adjusting to the use of masks, gloves and social distancing. Perhaps we are even having groceries and deliveries purchased online for curbside pick-up or porch deliveries. As a society, we have adjusted. Have we liked all the changes? Probably not, but we are managing. Now that Phase 2 is melding into Phase 3 of Ontario re-opening we are cautiously optimistic that we are flattening the curve. What I have realized, though, is that in the unsteadiness and unsurety of the past few months, God is good. He has not changed. He has remained steady throughout the whole ordeal. COVID-19 did not surprise Him. Let us relish in the fact that God is good - all the time. All the time - think about that - all the time - God is good. Praise Him! Stay safe. Music by Chris Vandertuin
More: Mid-Week Messages More: Musical Moments |
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Sermon: Not Just Statistics, But People! May 10, 2020 |
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Sermon: A Similar Season May 17, 2020 |
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Sermon: Walking in Faith Amalgamation Sunday May 31, 2020 |
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Knox and Mt. Pleasant Churches |
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Sermon: Being in Prison June 7, 2020 |
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Sermon: Jesus Broke Down Walls of Prejudice June 14, 2020 |
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Sermon: What Makes It Great! June 28, 2020 |
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Sermon: He Is Still There July 5, 2020 |
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Sermon: It Was By Faith July 12, 2020 |
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Sermon: Keep Moving Forward July 19, 2020 |
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Sermon: Science is not Perfect, But God Is July 26, 2020 |
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Sermon: When We Think of One Another August 2, 2020 |
