Ralph Connor Memorial United Church

The Little White Church on Main Street, Canmore, Alberta

Holy Spirit

Sermon: Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022 – Acts 2: 1-21

At Pentecost we see evidence that diversity and unity can coexist.  At the first Christian Pentecost, two different groups gathered with Holy intent in Jerusalem, at the same time: the followers of Jesus, mostly from Galilee, anticipating the gift of the Spirit; and Jewish people from around the Mediterranean who had come for the festival of Shavuot.  Soon the Spirit was there as wind, as tongues of fire and as a variety of tongues being spoken and understood.  There was …

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the Cenacle in Jerusalem

Sermon: Pentecost Sunday, May 23 2021 – Acts 2: 1-21

Today we remember the first Christian Pentecost, an event that happened in Jerusalem.  At the time of this recording, a truce has been declared in Gaza and East Jerusalem, and we pause for a moment to pray for peace in that place. Watch at https://youtu.be/qJn5iQlYaT8     Download PDF:Sermon_23May2021_Pentecost I am an unabashed fan of Pentecost, to the point of saying this:  if the festival of Pentecost did not already exist, I think someone would need to invent it.  For when …

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Sermon: May 16, 2021 – Psalm 1

You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. (Psalm 1:3, The Voice translation) Watch: https://youtu.be/QHHf0GMZ5JU     Download PDF at Sermon_16May2021_final Today’s scripture reading, Psalm 1, presents us with this beautiful mental picture of a tree planted by flowing waters.  It contrasts those who choose to be nourished by God’s refreshing waters– those planted or, in some translations, “transplanted” so that …

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Sermon: June 7, 2020 – Ephesians 4: 1-16

In this week when the United Church of Canada reaches the 95-year milestone, my wonderings have gone to what it means to be United, and how we can view unity, not just as practical and efficient, but as an aspect of who we are in Christ. YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/hEqynq64MBI Click here  for a PDF of this Sermon First, a few quick notes regarding this particular form of unity – what it is and what it is not.  There are some related words, …

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Sermon: Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020 – Acts 2: 1-21

JOIN US ONLINE FOR COMMUNION this Pentecost Sunday: Pentecost Sunday, is widely regarded as the birthday of the Church, so today’s message starts with the not-very-liturgical words, Happy Birthday!   We won’t be having cake, but later in the service as we share in a socially-distanced communion service, we will have bread and wine or whatever celebrative beverage suits the occasion for you – and I hope that the mood of celebration permeates this time of worship.  This week, our focus …

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