Affirming

The 2nd Sunday after Christmas | Beginning with a God who pitches tents | Rev. Emily Gordon

January 12, 2020

I am looking forward to 2020 at Leaside United! Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes with Kieran’s arrival and the rest of my leave. It has been lovely to have the time getting used to my expanded family, but I’m enjoying connecting again with the work and worship of our congregation. 

This Sunday we continue with the season of Christmas (yes, it doesn’t actually end until Monday – despite the appearance of Valentine’s Day chocolates!) We’ll take the opportunity to sing a few more Christmas carols, and a new LUC sung blessing. The choir will sing the beautiful Alleluia Introit, beginning our service with a sense of wonder and beauty. This week we’ll also have our first “Spiritual Sparks” insert that you can take home for further reflection, or to share with someone else.  

In my sermon “Beginning with a God who pitches tents” I’ll think about the questions: What kind of beginning is the birth of that little baby Jesus? Where are we pitching tents and where is God? 

Rev. Emily Gordon 

Work cell: 647-303-6709 | Email: emily@leasideunited.org

Like to read the scripture ahead? This Sunday’s reading is: John 1:1-18 

The First Sunday after Christmas – Rev. Warren McDougall

January 2, 2020

This Sunday will, sadly, be my last Sunday giving leadership in worship at Leaside United Church. Two years ago, when I was first with you, I enjoyed our time together immensely. This time around has been even better; I knew the major players this time, some of the history, and – most importantly – where the dead bodies are buried! Thank you so much for the wonderful time we’ve had together again.

After all of the rich and full services of Advent and Christmas – the Christmas Tea, Carols by Candlelight, the Pageant, the Longest Night service and two Christmas Eve services – this Sunday will be definitely “low key”. As I’ve said to Matt, after the excesses of rich food and too much wine over the holidays, all I want to eat is toast and peanut butter! Well, this Sunday’s service is a “toast and peanut butter service” – low key, quieter, more…well “ordinary” somehow. And that’s just fine with me.

We don’t usually acknowledge “saints” in the United Church, but December 26th is St. Stephen’s Day, which gives us the opportunity to explore this interesting follower of Jesus (who most of us only hear about in the Christmas Carol “Good King Wenceslas”). The reading from Acts is a bit gruesome for the Sunday after Christmas, but context is everything, as they say (well, I say it all the time!), and there are some important lessons to be learned from this man and this story.

I know that many will still be in holiday mode, and I may not see you on Sunday. To those who are planning to be there – see you then! To those who are not – it’s been a blast!

Happy New Year!

Rev. Warren McDougall

Like to read the scripture ahead? If you like to look at the scripture reading ahead of time, this Sunday’s reading is: Acts 6:1-8, Acts 7:54-60