Elevation Waterloo Sermons

Afleveringen

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  July 26, 2026: Summer Series '26: Noticing God, Part 4: “Alone in Your Room” 27.07.2026 29min

  This Sunday we will continue our Noticing God sermon series by looking at “alone time”. In his ministry, Jesus taught and demonstrated the importance of spending time alone with God. We will look into the benefits and practices of silence and solitude. Resources: ⁠Contemplative Outreach contemplativeoutreach.orgThe Centre for Action and Contemplation  cac.orgThe Welcoming Prayer
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  July 19, 2026: Noticing God, Part 3: Rethinking Fellowship 20.07.2026 33min

  “Fellowship” is an outdated term that doesn't get used much unless you are working at a University or are really into Hobbits. But it was a concept tightly woven into much of church life in past generations. Join us as we examine the concept of Fellowship, unpack how it has been used for harm in the past and think about what it might mean to reclaim the concept of Fellowship for the Church today.
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  July 5, 2026: Summer Series: Noticing God, Part 2 - The Unseen Presence. 06.07.2026 29min

  This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on Noticing God, and this week we’re exploring the most challenging – yet rewarding place to encounter the Divine. It’s a practice that moves us beyond simple observation and into a way of living that can change the very fabric of how we interact with the world around us.If you’ve been looking for a way to bridge the gap between your spiritual life and your daily reality, this is for you. We’re unpacking a practice that may feel impossible at first, but is perhaps the most subversive thing you can do for your soul. And it might be the very medicine our fractured world is waiting for.
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  June 21, 2026 - 'Future of Africa' Update 22.06.2026 32min

  This week, we are excited to welcome TK and Nikki from Future of Africa to come and share with us. Future of Africa has been one of our partners for many years, and are continuing as our Global Partner as part of our Peace in Action Team.TK, Nikki and their family live and work in Ghana, but are here in Waterloo visiting in June. We are looking forward to hearing more about their passion and vision for the work of Future of Africa, as well as ways that we can continue to pray for and support them, both as a family and as an organization.
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  June 07, 2026: Summer Series 2026: Noticing God, Part 1 – An Introduction. 08.06.2026 24min

  As time goes on we can sometimes feel as if we have been missing God in our day to day. You may have learned practices you were told would guarantee a happy and flourishing spiritual life, but these practices now feel distant or simply never served you well. In our upcoming summer series “Noticing God” we will explore practices which have benefitted members of our community as they search for, live alongside, and experience the divine. Together we seek to offer hope, and invitation to each other as we explore ways of noticing God in our midst.This week, we’ll kick off the series with an introduction to the theme.
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  May 31, 2026: Youth Takeover Service 01.06.2026 10min

  They’re doing it again! This week, our Youth will take over the Sunday gathering at 22 Willow. From the welcoming, worship, announcements and connection time, to the message/teaching, they’re in control!
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  May 24, 2026: The Unfolding Gospel, Part 5: Mysteries Old and New 25.05.2026 29min

  The Gospel of Jesus continues to unfold, and there is still more to be revealed. We do not fully know or understand all that is to come, but scripture provides encouragement that we are participating with God in the continuing unfolding of the “very good Gospel”. This Sunday we will look at the mystery of the Gospel and the renewal of all things.
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  May 17, 2026: The Unfolding Gospel, Part 4 19.05.2026 33min

  What does Jesus have to do with the gospel? This may sound like a ridiculous question. The answer may feel irritatingly obvious. But are we able to explain our ideas around the gospel from the story of Jesus? Are we able to explain what we mean by 'the gospel' without Paul, or Peter, or John? Continuing our series on The Unfolding Gospel, we take a look at how Jesus not only fits in, but sits at the core of the gospel story.
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  May 03, 2026: Unfolding the Gospel, Part 3: The Beautiful End - A Hope-Filled Judgement 04.05.2026 23min

  What if the most terrifying parts of our tradition are actually the most hopeful? This week, we’re looking at the “destruction” promised in the Gospel. Not the destruction of people, but the destruction of everything that prevents us from truly experiencing and extending the love we were made for (aka sin). Come discover a version of judgment that doesn’t lead to fear, but to a radical wholeness for everyone, as we trust the fierce light of Love to finish the work it started.
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  April 26, 2026: The Unfolding Gospel, Part 2 27.04.2026 28min

  We are continuing with the second week of our “Unfolding Gospel” series this Sunday. We began last week by spending some time reflecting on the goodness (Shalom) that God intended for all of creation, and how that dream extends to even today. However, we don’t have to look long and hard to see that so much of creation is not experiencing and living in this shalom. So, what is wrong? Where do we find our hope for salvation? And what are we being saved for? Join us as we explore these ideas together though the sermon, and then carry the conversations into your neighbours groups as you gather!
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  April 19, 2026: The Unfolding Gospel, Part 1: It Was Good 19.04.2026 29min

  This week we begin our new series, The Unfolding Gospel, by exploring Shalom—the goodness God created and is drawing us back into.
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  April 05, 2026: Easter Sunday 06.04.2026 29min

  Join us this Easter Sunday as we will explore the story of Jesus' resurrection. On the heels of our Lenten series about The Justice of Jesus, we ask how this justice informs the resurrection story. With a look at Jesus' teachings, life lived, and how everything ties together, we hope to widen and explore the mystery of Christ's resurrection in our lives and beyond.
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  March 22, 2026: Lent 2026: The Justice of Jeasus, Part 5: Palm Sunday: The Original No Kings Day! 30.03.2026 34min

  How do we understand Palm Sunday in the original historical and scriptural context of Jesus, Justice & Empire? And how does the example of Jesus in Palm Sunday inspire us to live in ways that peacefully resist the ways of the empires of our day in 21st century Southern Ontario today? This Sunday, we conclude our series on ‘The Justice of Jesus’ by diving into the ancient, non-violent, unifying way of Jesus of Nazareth that resists the exploitative, "divide and conquer" ways of Empire with Fr. Joash P. Thomas.Join us as we then move beyond teaching and theology into one of the most ancient, unifying, empire-resisting practices of the ancient church: participation in beloved community at Jesus' Table with our full Creator-given identities; identities that are often absorbed and assimilated by Empire and Empire-shaped religion (with conscientious objectors often being deemed 'heretics of Empire'). Come to Jesus' Table and be reminded of this ancient Christian truth: The heretics of Empire are the beloved of God.United Nations report: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/un-report-abuse-temporary-foreign-workers-canada-1.7293495
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  March 22, 2026: Lent 2026: The Justice of Jeasus, Part 4: Holy Proximity: Moving from Sympathy to Solidarity 23.03.2026 24min

  How do we move from feeling overwhelmed by the world’s needs to actually participating in its healing?This Sunday, we continue our Justice of Jesus series by diving into the practical architecture of the Kingdom. We will explore four essential disciplines that sustain any movement for restoration: Prayer, Advocacy, Partnership, and Community.Join us as we move beyond theory and into practice. Following the message, we will gather around tables for interactive exercises to help us identify how these four pillars can be built into our daily lives and our collective work in the community.Come ready to move from "seeing" injustice to "walking" the way of restoration.
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  March 15, 2026: Lent 2026: The Justice of Jeasus, Part 3: Justice Through Decolonization 16.03.2026 26min

  The Church as we know it in our Western culture has become intertwined with the dominant colonial systems and power structures. These systems and structures do not reflect the ministry or the justice of Jesus, and can perpetuate inequity and harm on the marginalized. This Sunday’s sermon will look at how our congregation may pursue justice by intentionally stripping away those biases and actively promoting restorative justice through our teaching, our community, and our budget.
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  March 01, 2026: Lent 2026: The Justice of Jeasus, Part 2: Costly Justice 02.03.2026 33min

  In a world of "Thoughts and Prayers" and performative social media posts, what does it mean embrace the cost of Justice? Join us this week as we dig into the story of the Good Samaritan as we continue with our lenten series on The Justice of Jesus.
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  February 22, 2026: Lent 2026: The Justice of Jesus, Part 1 24.02.2026 28min

  This Sunday, we invite you to join us as we begin this season of Lent together as a community. As we consider the path that Jesus walked on earth - showing us the way of love, justice and peace - we are invited to examine the ways that our faith, worldview and understanding of Jesus have been shaped and corrupted by colonization and empire. We’ll be spending some time reflecting on how centering the Eucharist/Communion table leads us to the centering of Jesus - in our gatherings, our faith community and our lives. In what ways might this centering lead us to a deeper understanding of the justice of Jesus?
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  February 15, 2026 - Names of God, Part 5 - Emmanuel, God With Us. 17.02.2026 29min

  Despite 100 other names or titles for God, the writers of the New Testament want us to hear that God is safe and God is good and God is right here, right now — and that makes all the difference.
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  February 01, 2026: The Names of God, Part 4: The Sound of Silence: When Faith Gets it Wrong 02.02.2026 32min

  We’ve always been told that Abraham’s silent obedience on the mountain was the ultimate act of faith. But what if his silence was actually the problem? This Sunday, we’re digging into one of the Bible’s most disturbing stories to ask: Does God want our blind submission, or does God want our holy protest? Join us as we consider the name Jehovah Jireh, not just as the God who provides a sacrifice, but as the God who provides a rescue even when our own religious understanding leads us astray. Come see why the greatest provision on the mountain wasn't just a ram, but a God who refuses to let our misunderstandings have the final word.
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  January 25, 2026: Names of God, Part 3: The Holy Advocate 26.01.2026 36min

  This Sunday we continue in our “Names of God” sermon series by looking at a name that Jesus gives to the Holy Spirit: The Advocate. We will look at how Jesus describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who follow him. We will also look at the role of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus and the early church. As we look into the scriptures we can find encouragement in knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us and guiding us into truth.