Sermons preached at Jubilee United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
Rev. Seli spends time on the second Sunday in Lent to share a peculiar story of Gideon and the miracle of the fleece (Judges 6:28-40) -is this meant to be a children's story or is there something in here for us, as well? Norm wanders through the story with a few detours in the his family life (and maybe yours).
Rev. Seli felt like dusting off an old sermon, after all, this has got to be his 30th time preaching the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness. But after an almost Spring walk and a talk with Jesus in an orange toque, he might have made another choice. Some imaginative wondering about privilege, temptation and Lent. (Luke 4: 1-13)
Rev. Norm Seli and Jason Meyers preach together and consider the story of "glowing" Moses (Exodus 34:29-35), Paul's admonishing to set aside our veils and reveal our hope (2Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2) as well as Luke's telling of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36), as they wonder what this story means and how it might help us see the world.
Jason Meyers shares some of the journey of his life and faith as he engages with Jesus' command that we should love our enemies (Luke 6:27 ff). Who are our enemies and how are we supposed to engage with them? Why are they our enemies and what is Jesus hoping for? A wonderful and vulnerable look into one person's faith that just might have an impact on yours.
Rev. Norm Seli spends some time wondering about Luke's version of Jesus' beatitudes (Luke 6:17-26). How come "Blessed are the poor" needs to be followed by "Woe to you who are rich"? -is it a threat? Is it doom and gloom? The picture will make sense, once you get into the sermon. Probably.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about Isaiah's call to be a prophet and his prophecy of exile (Isaiah 6:1-13) as well as Jesus' calling the young fishers to follow him (Luke 5:1-11). If we're heading into really bad times is there any point in trying?? And is it possible to read scripture sarcastically?
In the midst of freezing rain, family and friends gathered to celebrate, grieve and remember the wonderful giving life of Doris Hearst.
Rev. Norm Seli threw away his notes today and in light of the Gospel of Jesus being run out of town (Luke 4:21-30) confessed he does not have a stable relationship with Jesus.
This was not contrived, but actually created extemporaneously (he made it all up) - and it reveals some blind spots, a great deal of privilege, but also some truth and hope.
Jason Meyers engages with the story of Ezrah reading the Torah at the Water Gate (Nehemiah 8:1ff) and more fully with Jesus reading the Torah in his home town (Luke 4:14-21) and wonders about faith, truth, robots and living in the 21st century.
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the story of Simon the Magus (Magician/Healer) and his attempt to buy the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-24). How do we come to embrace the Holy Spirit in 2019? Is there a trick? Is there a price? Listen and see what you think....
