The Shadow Side of Faith

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2014.02.16 - Prayer 2014 - Leshia Knopf

The Shadow Side of Faith

Habakkuk, Romans 8

Leshia Knopf shares an honest and reflective sermon on suffering, lament, trust, and being angry with God. Leshia is a part of the Eucharist Church “Preaching Guild”, a student of theology at McMaster Divinity College, and has spent the last few months driving her mother back and forth to her cancer appointments.

Suffice to say, this is not an intellectual exercise.

Leshia draws from the (little preached on) prophet Habakkuk to present a way of wrestling with God that is both faithful and raw.

Jeff Wynands also lead us in songs of lament, including a remixed version of Psalm 137.

The music starts at 32 minutes.

The lyrics to the song are below:

If I sing it wouldn’t mean a thing

If I dance it wouldn’t prove a chance

If I shout it wouldn’t lift the doubt

But I will if just to trust

We sit in endless sorrow at this river of defeat

We hang our songs in sadness on this tree of memory

Our joys are shapeless shadows these foreign city streets

We’ve fallen prey to mockers and their morbid mockeries

These hands surrender function and this heart it stutters beats

Were I to forget mount Zion my lips would surely seize

The wreck and rubble of a promise now dust upon our feet

We pray the same for the infant of these wretched godless deeds

If I sing it wouldn’t mean a thing

If I dance it wouldn’t prove a chance

If I shout it wouldn’t lift the doubt

But I will if just to trust…

Your will is enough oh God

Father this city’s cursed but you bless it with your name

Oh son this home is exile but you make it all the same

Pray and Breathe

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2014.02.09 - Prayer 2014 - Jill Weber

Pray and Breathe

Click here to listen (right click and “save link as…” to download)

Jill Weber, of the Greater Ontario House of Prayer, joined us to talk about prayer, breathing, and simple everyday disciplines for ordinary disciples!

Her teaching is designed to include moments of pause and prayer, so please don’t rush through it, and feel free to take part in the activities… even if you’re doing the dishes or driving or cleaning!They don’t require you to close your eyes or anything.

There is also a gorgeous banjo/loud voiced hymn at the one hour mark.

COLOSSIANS REMIXED - RECONCILIATION + RECEPTION

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2013.10.06 - COLOSSIANS REMIXED - Stephen Edwards

RECONCILIATION + RECEPTION

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Colossians 1:21-23

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. 

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Targum written and read by Sandy Reynolds

Liturgy: Why We Gather and Why It Matters - Prayer

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2012.10.14 - Pastor Abraham - Liturgy: Why We Gather and Why It Matters

Prayer

Matthew 21, Ezekiel 22, Acts 12, Acts 16, Mark 11

Something amazing happens when you cross cultures and allow God to speak in a whole new voice.

Pastor Abraham is our brother from the Congo. He prays a lot and says “oooh brother… itisgoooood” - he also laughs and lot and brings a seriously convicting and encouraging word.

His word to us on prayer shook the whole congregation, and filled us with a desire to be people who stand in the gap.

Music starts 54 minutes in.