Sermon 22 May 2022 (Easter 6)

What is a church? A deeper understanding by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  What is a local church? There are many ways used in Scripture to describe what a church is and what it is called to do. But in practical terms, how – in our day and the culture in which find ourselves – how do we live out what the living Word and the Holy Spirit call us to be?

Lectionary:  Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:1-2,22-27; John 14:23-29

Referenced Scriptures: Acts 16:13; Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 15:8-9; Isaiah 29:13; John 14:15; Isaiah 61:1-4; Acts 2:40-47; James 1:22; Romans 12:1-8

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrwgxk4Ic9PXP-U3P?e=1Zf9VI

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrwmfcHtQdpQ_dZNW?e=L7Vc17

Sermon 15 May 2022 (Easter 5)

You are not what you have not become by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  “You are not what you have not become” – Gregory of Nyssa (335-394 A.D.) In recent years we’ve seen great changes in the world and in our lives; in coming years even greater changes will come. If we follow the Holy Spirit even when He leads us in a direction we would rather not go; if we trust in God’s surpassing greatness over our own thoughts and desires; if we allow Christ to prepare us for service and ministry during the challenging times that are to come – then we will not only bear the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” but lasting fruit for the kingdom.

Lectionary:  Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 145:1-21; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

Referenced Scriptures: John 11:48; 1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 12:3; Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 6:3; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Matthew 26:39; Hebrews 12:1-11; Matthew 13:23

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrwAy-8tg86ayhOCT?e=QcvHkz

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrwFVA2Xa-LTg6wVH?e=nMvvsu

Sermon 08 May 2022 (Easter 4)

Walking through the valley, or living in it? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The Jewish religious leaders knew the prophecies about Messiah. The people expected His coming to bring prosperity and security. But they did not recognize the Messiah because He didn’t meet their expectations, and as a result they did to the Messiah exactly those things which Scripture warned they would do! This is still true, so we must distinguish the fiery darts of the wicked one before we can extinguish them!

Lectionary:  Acts 13:26-39; Psalm 23:1-6; Revelation 7:9-14; John 10:22-30

Referenced Scriptures: Isaiah 53:3-12; Psalm 22:1-18; 1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 7:13-15; Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 5:14; John 18:37; Ephesians 6:16

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrnkQsHm-Nyf6h2d7?e=S9s6Vx

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrnpB-QhM5LK-qiVq?e=o1XFzL

Sermon 01 May 2022 (Easter 3)

A Doer or a complainer? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Saul (soon to be Paul) was chosen from all the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and other religious authorities who opposed Jesus. He was unique among them, and he was chosen for a personal encounter with the Lord. Why?

Lectionary:  Acts 9:1-16; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-13; John 21:1-14

Referenced Scriptures: Luke 5:30; Matthew 15:2; Luke 7:39; Mark 2:7; Luke 13:14; Matthew 11:19; John 5:18; Matthew 23:27; Acts 18:24-28; James 1:22

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrnXABe5Lyh666v4H?e=EJHkWw

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrnZiGpQOH04Hb5om?e=PHNhDq

Sermon 24 April 2022 (Easter 2) and Reflection by Dcn. Joshua Bautista

DANGER! Being controlled by others’ expectations by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Are you influenced by what other people think of you? Are you driven by what others expect of you? Our whole culture is fixated on controlling people’s lives through the expectations of others. Peter learned how dangerous this is, and it crushed his heart.

Lectionary:  Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 111:1-10; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

Referenced Scriptures: Mark 1:34-38; Matthew 16:16-26; Matthew 26:50-58; John 18:10; Matthew 26:69-70; John 21:15-22; Matthew 16:18

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrm_wh28skgwMe5OK?e=OPATES

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrm2Ken_1KV7IW8fN?e=Morgkq

A Holy Fire by Dcn. Joshua Bautista

Recording – Reflection:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrnBaR4wz4o-SWnyA?e=b597vp

Sermon 17 April 2022 (Easter)

We stand at the edge of the Promised Land by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The freeing of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt through their entry into the Promised Land was a prophetic foretaste of Christ’s work through His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. We celebrate today in the light of Christ’s resurrection. He has set us in place to possess all the benefits of His passion, death, and rising again – not as individuals, but as the Church. Giants occupy the land; there will be opposition; it will require battles, and courage, and sacrifice. There will be casualties, but it is the inheritance we have been promised. Will we enter in … or will we refuse?

Lectionary:  Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:14-29; Colossians 3:1-4; Luke 24:1-12

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 16:18

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmlRoyl5_1VjpWe7?e=9Jn02O

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmjKbra2t2lnO67l?e=a1gljq

Sermon 15 April 2022 (Good Friday)

When kingdoms collide by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today’s Gospel shows us what happens when kingdoms collide. If one is the Kingdom of God and the field of battle is your heart, the outcome can impact your eternity. It can also change your life.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22:1-21; Hebrews 10:1-25; John 18:1-19:42

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 26:31-35; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:33-37; Matthew 15:16-20; Luke 10:17; Romans 7:19; Luke 9:23; Matthew 9:36-38

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmZj7amG7n9lNHGP?e=a4DdOb

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmfU3QhXPD9inv3V?e=09X214

Sermon 10 April 2022 (Palm Sunday)

The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  Today’s sermon wasn’t formally prepared (that was deliberate!), but more a look into the Scriptures with guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Lectionary:  Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:9-15; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 23:1-25

Referenced Scriptures: Leviticus 16:5-10, 15-16, 20-22

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmEZkiz49khR9CFd?e=10triz

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrmLyj4Y4PTSTT-BU?e=PCtZf4

Sermon 03 April 2022 (Lent 5)

Press on towards the goal by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past“, “forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus“, and “Go now and leave your life of sin“. God is making a point … and to leave the past behind and press into God’s future requires the Holy Spirit.

Lectionary:  Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 8:2-11

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 23:37; Matthew 23-25

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrl3hKDvxD0vXcJp8?e=g7CiVs

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrlwRK6wXfVSAXg1V?e=FMCRYW

Sermon 27 March 2022 (Lent 4)

Forward into the promise, or back to Egypt? by Fr. Dana

Simple Summary:  The first generation Israelites did not receive the land that was specifically promised to them, because they favoured going back into slavery over going forward into destiny. The “second generation” Israelites who had wandered in the desert for forty years were the ones who actually possessed the inheritance, because they were willing to go forward into a new land and fight for it. We stand in a similar place today….

Lectionary:  Joshua 5:2-12; Psalm 34:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Luke 15:11-32

Referenced Scriptures: Joshua 5:1; Numbers 14:3-4; Joshua 4:19; Exodus 12:3,6-8; Psalm 95:11

Recording – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrlJLMDAdTsiVarSS?e=x9eJdh

Notes – Sermon:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRrlMKuUb1oCHJ-gRY?e=AvkIMG