The Other Questions & The Story of Karam Kitchen

This week: a sermon in two parts.

First we hear the story of Karam Kitchen, a catering company made up of Syrian Refugees, who are able to sell their food in Canada because of local churches.

Then Jill and Kevin answer a few final questions on prayer.

Learn more about Karam Kitchen here: http://www.karamkitchen.com/

"What's Up With Healing Prayer?"

So here's a follow up to last week: if prayer really, truly makes space for God's action in the world, what's up with healing prayer?

Does God heal? How does God heal? Do you need faith? How much faith? Why doesn't God just heal everyone right away? All good questions. Jill and Kevin share some reflections from scripture and their own stories. 

"Does Prayer Change Us or God's Actions?"

Today's sermon is about the big one: why pray? What's the point if children still die, and hurricanes still swallow up cities, genocide ruins worlds, and refugee's have to flee their homes.

Is God good but weak, or all powerful and evil? Because how can he both be good and all powerful?

I (Kevin) haven't wrestled with a sermon like this in... years probably. But after a five year journey I feel like I have something important to share about prayer and what it means to believe "history belongs to the intercessors."

"How Can We Pray When We Are Angry and Grieving?"

How can we pray when we are grieving or angry? Because there is a lot to be grieved and angry about.

Jill and Kevin tag team "bring your anger to church" Sunday.

After the sermon we spent time writing out prayers of anger and grief. There were a lot of them and they were very honest. Later in the service we painted the sign of the cross over the prayers; a reminder of Christ's presence with us in suffering, and our standing with one another in the mess.