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There is no more significant city in human history than Jerusalem.  In today's passage, David claims the Holy City of Peace for Israel (finally).  It gives us an opportunity to examine the positive and negative history of Jerusalem and its connection to both Israelite identity in Scripture, and our own faith journey today.Buckle up for LOTS of word nerd stuff.  And burning diapers.  Also, apologies to any Jefferson Starship fans out there.

David will finally be inaugurated as King of all Israel, which is a major turning point in Israel's history (as evidenced by the presence of the number 40).  Today's passage examines why this moment is so crucial: it illuminates the purpose of David's Kingship.  Along with Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and John 10, we see how important it is for leaders in God's Kingdom to exhibit the Shepherd's Heart of God.  Join us to hear more of what that Shepherd's Heart looks like.And stay until the end for an extra long blooper reel, involving pregnancy, boring sermons, and 12-year-olds who have no idea what they're talking about!

Chapters 2 to 4 of 2 Samuel are chock full of gruesome details underlining the human tendency towards violence in the pursuit of political power.  It is fitting that this passage follows a week that saw supporters of President Trump engage in similar means of securing and retaining power, through the insurrection at the American Capitol.But in the midst of all these power dynamics is David, who will become king not through violence, vengeance, and grabbing power.  Instead, he will show kindness, justice, and patience in God's timing.  Much like his descendant, the Prince of Peace.  In Christ, the sword will devour no longer.Big thank you to Dennis (and Lily) for your excellent communion message as well!

Well, we've come to the end of a few things: the end of 1 Samuel, the end of Saul's life, and the end of a very challenging year in 2020.  In this sermon, some surprising responses to Saul's death prompts us to follow David's example and lament the struggles facing the LORD's anointed ones.Thankfully Bill's upbeat communion message adds to Chris' lament!Thank you to all who showed vulnerability and shared (or allowed Chris to share) some very real struggles and griefs.

Faith and Grace.  Two elements crucial for any anointed person in God's Kingdom, whether it's ancient Israel or modern North America.  After summarizing the previous three chapters (plus a communion thought on the God of Life), Chris then explores the contrast between Saul in his lowest point, and David in his.  David finds his strength in His God, expressed in active faith and experienced in active grace.  Find out what David's pursuit of the pesky Amalekites might mean for our faith today.Big thank you to all who shared their stories!Plus, wait for a fashion update from Kennedie... after Chris finally stops talking (right Ethan?)!Also... follow this link to learn how you can support our beloved Bethel Bible Camp in their desire to raise funds for a new main building.  Thanks to Amy for today's update!

Buckle up, because things are about to get weird in 1 Samuel.  We've got desperate kings, terrified witches, and dead people who talk.  But as Saul uses unlawful means to try to get in touch with YHWH, it only shows how much he has refused to see or hear from his God.  Don't make Saul's mistake.  Don't talk to dead or illegitimate things; inquire of the Living God.  Here's some thoughts on how!Big thanks to Jelle for his communion thoughts (which connect to Remembrance Day and our sermon passage) and Dave for his music leadership (which coincidentally references the exact verse for the sermon).Also, Kennedie offers an impromptu COVID update!

Welcome back, for a taste of online church at CCBC!This Sunday we hear an excellent communion message from Andrew Hoetmer, discussing the background to the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", and his own past and present prayer life.We then dig into the story of David among the Philistines, in chapters 27 and 29.  There, David acts like a bit of a scoundrel, and ends up in a desperate predicament.  How will God deliver him from it, if he is less than innocent?  And how does this story speak to our own innocence before Jesus?Stay tuned until the end to hear the most adorable audio you've ever heard, as well as a very special bonus episode of "Wood Talk with Bob & Henry".

Step into the wonderful world of online ZOOM church with your friends at CCBC!   Hear some of Chris' thoughts on All Saints Day and reflect on David's communion message about laying down our lives for Christ.Finally, listen as the story of 1 Samuel 26 teaches us how David is like Jesus (yet again) because He refuses to grasp His deserved glory, but instead gives grace to those deserving death; and how we are like Saul (yet again) because we put out identity in external items that tend to destroy us... until our Messiah takes them away.Sorry for the relatively poor audio.  Thanks to everyone who participated and gave their thoughts- especially Chris' own enthusiastic daughters!

IT'S BAPTISM SUNDAY for our dear friend Madison St. Louis!!!  Listen in on most of the service as we celebrate an excellent woman submitting her life to the merciful King Who offers us grace, peace, and belonging.Warning: watch out for anointed kings covering their feet in desert caves!------------------------------------------------------------------Features "The River", by Brian Doerksen, Brian Thiessen,  and Michael HansenCCLI Song # 4316864© 2004 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))Features "Nothing But the Blood", by Robert LowryCCLI Song # 21332Words & Music: Public DomainCCLI License # 1251412Clyde Christian Bible Church does not own the rights to any songs featured in this podcast, nor are we profiting off their use.  They are included solely for the purpose of congregational worship.

Much of David's story serves as foreshadowing for what the Kingship of his royal heir, Jesus, would eventually look like.  It's there in everything as small as five loaves of bread, to as large as his willingness to shoulder other people's guilt.  Today, we examine ten details from the story we examined last week (David flees Saul, who murders the prophets) and find reasons to be especially thankful for Jesus.WARNING: Major spoilers ahead if you ever intend to watch Shawshank Redemption!

A madman bent on extinguishing an innocent hero.A majestic sword and sacred bread offered in a time of distress.A murderous shepherd who betrays God's anointed leader.Deception.  Destruction.  Desperation.A lone survivor who lives to tell the entire tale.And in the center of it all: a God who remembers His promises.Please enjoy this dramatic retelling of the events of 1 Samuel 21 and 22*.*Based on real life events... though creative licenses have certainly been taken!

David and Jonathan give us a portrait of excellent Biblical friendship, rooted in a forward-looking focus on God's will, and promises of shared kindness.  But friendship is too small a word for the bond we share in Christ.  What kind of relationship do we have with each other?  What is the basis of this friendship-that-is-more-than-friendship?  And what does this covenantal bond mean for our neighbours around us?PS- Angie is the blonde monkey in the picture, and Chris is the other.  For the record.

Today, we begin with an ethical question regarding lying, a question that is featured prominently in our passage regarding Saul's children protecting David from their father Saul's murderous jealousy.  But this leads to a broader examination of Truth.  Where do we find authoritative Truth?  What is the deeper ethic we are called to follow?Listen as Angeline offers a clarifying response to CHRIS' MOST CONTROVERSIAL SERMON EVER!!!(Note: others had interesting and meaningful insights, and some of these were edited out because they were not picked up by the microphone.  But thanks to all who offered conversation and debate.  Discussion is very welcome in church!)

Okay, so we talk about rap music again.  But in the story of Chris' favourite hip hop artist, we see dramatic reversals from wickedness (sex, money, murder) to "weakness" (humility, selflessness, forgiveness).This is similar to the story of 1 Samuel 18, where King Saul is the wickedness to David's holy weakness.  As David rises in the hearts of all those around him, Saul burns with murderous jealousy.  But every curse Saul levels towards David is instead reversed into a blessing for the newly anointed future king.  God is in control.Stay tuned until the end to hear Trish's rap debut.

Together, our good friends Lisa & Jelle share their painful stories of pasts that prominently feature the Goliaths of anger and rage (Jelle), abuse and neglect (Lisa), and unhealthy coping mechanisms (both).  But through Church, Scripture, reflection, each other, and (most significantly) the work of the Holy Spirit, they are able to stand before us as transformed leaders with stories of ongoing victory over those giant ongoing struggles.We are very thankful for their bravery and vulnerability.  But mostly, we are thankful for the people they continue to allow Jesus to shape them into!  (Oh, and Blaire... we are super thankful for baby Blaire!)

Consuming Scripture slowly and meditatively allows us to be nourished by truth and wisdom more thoroughly.  But it also highlights problems and complications in Scripture.  It sometimes feels like God Himself must be overcome, like Goliath, in order for faith to grow.In this sermon, we examine two such major questions, focusing on the Book of 1 Samuel: the silence of God, and the violence of God.  Is that Who God is?  Distant, unresponsive, vengeful, and cruel?  Or is there a more perfect demonstration of His Wisdom, Truth, and Character?Amazingly, Chris wasn't struck by lightning in the middle of this sermon.  In his basement.

A midnight stubbed toe.  An alcohol-infused game of baseball.  A dedication to curiosity.  These are the things God used to transform our good friend, Marnie Hoetmer, from a cynic to a faithful believer.  In her story, Marnie speaks of the Goliaths of doubt, disbelief, and disillusionment: of how they are not enemies to faith, but partners in it; of how she used to ride high on those giant shoulders, but now she kicks them in the shins.Coupled with our Scripture reading, David's music leadership, and Chris' communion message, it all comes together to make a lovely portrait of the Christian life, and the fruit that the Holy Spirit grows from even the most doubting minds.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Features "They'll Know We Are Christians", performed by David HarrisWords and Music: Peter Scholtes1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)CCLI Song # 26997CCLI License # 1251412Clyde Christian Bible Church does not own the rights to any songs featured in this podcast, nor are we profiting off their use.  They are included solely for the purpose of congregational worship.

In this powerful message, our dear friends Abe & Eva share their journey from a legalistic understanding of God, parenting, and salvation, to an active faith in a Father Who gives grace, freedom, and life.  It is powerful, vulnerable, and beautiful, and a message that we can all learn from.It also happens to tie in wonderfully with our Scripture reading from Galatians 3 and 4, which Chris bases his communion message on: a message of being welcomed into a new family, with a Good Father.Unfortunately, for wearing her Chicago Blackhawks jersey immediately after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, Barb has been asked to leave the church and never come back.  We will miss her.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Features "Blessed Be Your Name", performed by Tegan LantzWords and Music: Beth Redman and Matt Redman© 2002 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)CCLI Song # 3798438CCLI License # 1251412Clyde Christian Bible Church does not own the rights to any songs featured in this podcast, nor are we profiting off their use.  They are included solely for the purpose of congregational worship.

A tweet from President Trump causes Chris to examine the Goliath of the Suburban Lifestyle Dream.  Is that really the dream we should be pursuing?  Let's examine a new dream; a Kingdom dream.  A dream where wealth and social status and race don't determine someone's worth.  A dream not marked by privilege, selfishness, individualism, and consumption, but rather Sacrifice, Love, and Discipleship.Also, listen until the very end for the most adorable thing that's happened in our church building for a very long time!Please follow this link to learn more about "Redlining":https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/03/28/redlining-was-banned-50-years-ago-its-still-hurting-minorities-today/--------------------------------------------------------------Features "Open the Eyes of My Heart", performed by David HarrisWords and Music: Paul Baloche© 1997 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))CCLI Song # 2298355CCLI License # 1251412Clyde Christian Bible Church does not own the rights to any songs featured in this podcast, nor are we profiting off their use.  They are included solely for the purpose of congregational worship.

This January, our church was dealt a heavy blow with the sudden and unexpected loss of our dear friend and sister-in-Christ, Terra Harris.  In this deeply personal (but also practical and Scriptural) message, her husband David discusses his ongoing battle with a massive giant: Grief.  The inconvenient truth is that all of us face this giant at one time or another.Some Goliaths can be knocked down.  Other Goliaths are grappled with for a lifetime.  Here, David gives us an emotional portrait of faith being stronger than death.  We are very thankful for his strength and vulnerability.----------------------------------------------------------------Features a clip of Nora McInerny's TED Talk, "We Don't Move On From Grief. We Move Forward With It".  We did not ask for nor receive Mrs. McInernys permission to do so.  If you wish to view the remainder of her excellent message on moving forward with grief, we highly recommend following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkJkR-ipfw----------------------------------------------------------------Features "This is Amazing Grace", performed by Tegan LantzJeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham© 2012 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]); Seems Like Music (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]); Sing My Songs (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]); WC Music Corp. (Admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.); Bethel Music PublishingCCLI Song # 6333821CCLI License # 1251412Clyde Christian Bible Church does not own the rights to any of the songs or material featured in this podcast, nor are we profiting off their use.  They are included solely for the purpose of congregational worship.