• Immanence, Transcendence, Question Mark — Aaron Thiessen
    Oct 29 2024

    On October 27, 2024, Aaron combined the prog rock album "Question Mark," the lectionary passage (1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:27-30, 41-43), and reflections on the paradox of God immanence and transcendence.

    Note: for the sake of copyright, we have edited out the musical excerpts that were shared on Sunday. If you want to get deeper sense for the music, we encourage you to listen to Neal Morse's 2005 album "Question Mark" for yourself—best done in one continuous sitting, if you can!

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    17 mins
  • From the Archives — Through the Eyes of God — Edgar French
    Oct 23 2024

    Occassionally, River East doesn't have a traditional sermon to record on a given Sunday; maybe we had a potluck, storytelling, or just a service of singing. In those instances, we'll upload a sermon "From the Archives"—a sermon from the past that either stands out in our memories, or is relevant to our particular moment.

    This sermon does both. It was originally offered on March 27, 2022, by RECer Edgar French, who coordinates the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Manitoba. At the time, River East was exploring the virtue of Humility, one of the seven Sacred or Grandfather teachings of the Anishinaabe, embodied by the wolf. Edgar's words on 1 Corinthians 5:16-21 were memorable, and dovetail well with our focus on God-centred storytelling in a complex world.

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    21 mins
  • The World is About to Turn — Mary Anne Isaak
    Oct 15 2024

    On October 13, Mary Anne explored Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20, 2:1-10. On the way, we learned how the British National Anthem evolved over time, and concluded with some singing ourselves!

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    19 mins
  • Chariots, Elephants, and the Golden Calf — Aaron Thiessen
    Oct 8 2024

    On October 6, Aaron tackled the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32:1-14, sprinkling in some insights from Plato, Jonathan Haidt, and a strange prayer from the Babylonian Talmud.

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    20 mins
  • Reconciliation: New Meanings in Things I Thought I Understood — Tobi Jolly
    Oct 2 2024

    On September 29—the Sunday before the Nataional Day of Truth and Reconcilliation—guest preacher Tobi Jolly reflected on current Indigenous realities while also exploring texts regarding the Passover (Exodus 12:1-13, 13:1-8).

    Tobi is a community worker who spent the last several years working with Indigenous people, families and communities experiencing trauma. She says: "I am learning how to hold both my Christianity and Indigeneity together, with some moments of clarity and inspiration, along with some steep and uncomfortable learning curves....Reconciliation for me is figuring out how to find new meanings in many things I thought I understood."

    You can learn more about Tobi here.

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    14 mins
  • From Loss, Renewal — Mary Anne Isaak
    Sep 25 2024

    On September 22, 2024, Mary Anne highlighted a pattern of exile and exultation found throughout the story of Joseph: Genesis 37:3-8 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21.

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    20 mins
  • Shield of Faith, Shield of Doubt — Aaron Thiessen
    Sep 24 2024

    On September 15, Aaron used Genesis 15:1-6 and the story of Abram under the stars to reflect on prayer .

    Note: this is actually re-recording, as the mic dropped out a few times on the original Sunday.

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    20 mins
  • Blessing and Call — Mary Anne Isaak
    Sep 20 2024

    On September 8, 2024, Mary Anne kicked off our year with the narrative lectionary, offering this sermon on Genesis 2:4-7, 15-17; 3:1-8.

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    14 mins