The worship experience June 13 included the story of Samson and the courage he displayed in holding on to his faith in God, information about a contest of barbershops to influence their community positively and the courage to do so in the face of possible opposition, thoughts on metamorphosis and the courage to change, as well as stories of personal experiences facing future unknowns with active courage.
Links to the elements of the service are as follows:
Hannah Musa from Jos, Nigeria joined us, via Zoom, for worship this past Sunday (May 30, 2021). Having her share with us about “In the Gray”, a film project she helped bring to reality, was a joy and blessing. She offered commentary that was helpful in understanding the film as well as gaining awareness about the challenges that Nigerian followers of Jesus are facing. Hannah also shared that the film was designed to be a ministry tool, and that her church would like other films to be produced. We also learned from Hannah about her work with women whose husbands have died. Our Nigerian sisters and brothers are faithful and resilient.
What obstacles have you witnessed Daughters of Deborah overcome? What obstacles are phenomenal women today overcoming? Women too frequently need to overcome obstacles and systems in order to achieve. The worship service on May 23 offers vignettes of women, both historical and present, who are overcomers. Supportive scriptures and theopoetic offerings will be included as well.
Link to Resources
Cover Image of Pauli Murray was taken from Carolina Digital Library and Archives
Are you familiar with the story of Deborah, a lifelong leader, profound prophet and poet, fearless fighter, songwriter, and brilliant woman? The worship service, May 16, offered insights about Deborah, based on her story found in the book of Judges. Invitations were given during the service to share about “daughters of Deborah” (those special women in our lives) who have been influential and impactful in various ways. Brief stories were shared and experienced.
The May 2nd worship service was the first in a four-week series focusing on women. Women were instrumental and played key roles in funding the itinerant ministry of Jesus. Women continue to hold key positions of leadership in not-for-profit organizations making a positive social impact. The worship service on May 2nd highlighted the names and activities of several of these important women.
Mother’s Day is celebrated the 2nd Sunday of May each year. Worship this past Sunday, May 9, followed along with this celebration theme. Included in the service were vignettes about special women who contributed significantly with their lives, and whose contributions while important to the context and time in which they lived have continued as a legacy for us today. At the close of the service, several stories were shared about women of special influence and impact that we have known and know personally.
This month our services at the Canton COB have focused on renewal. How have we experienced renewal of what the sacrifice of Jesus means in our lives? How have we witnessed renewal in nature? How have we experienced renewal regarding our commitment to sustaining the environment? These are powerful questions we’ve reflected on throughout the month. But this Sunday, it’s appropriate to explore what renewal means in regards to the church. The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way we “do” church. Most conversations about church and the idea of “renewal” tend to focus on the challenges.
A recent gallup poll, for instance, found that fewer than half of Americans belong to a house of worship. This is the first time this has ever occurred since Gallup began asking this question more than 80 years ago. Even more remarkable is how rapidly changes are taking place as just 20 years ago the poll revealed that 70% of Americans belonged to a church, synagogue, or mosque. For years, demographers characterized millennials as “the rise of the nones,” yet research shows these “nones” are actually on the rise in every age bracket born before 1946.
This morning our aim is to confront these challenges by reflecting on where we see hope. As Winston Churchill once said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” In particular, we want to explore how newer generations of leaders are redefining ways to do church. To help us better understand this renewal we are extremely fortunate to have Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred with us as our guest.
Emmett is a leading advocate for young adult participation in the church. He was a former intern for On Earth Peace, he was a Youth and Young Adult Ministry Assistant, he served as a contributing editor to Messenger magazine, and he’s a frequent guest speaker at COB conferences & worship services.
Emmett organized what’s known as the Dunker Punk movement. His leadership then inspired the Arlington COB to start the Dunker Punks Podcast which Emmett serves as a co-host. The DPP has grown today into a country-wide movement that sees headphones and USB cords stretching like the mustard seed weed in Jesus’ parable. The DPP amplifies young prophetic voices to reach across and beyond traditional church, because everyone deserves community in Christ. Emmett was an original voice on the show and has furthered the project in numerous ways. He has a lot of insight into the young adult experience in the church today and we are thrilled to have him as our guest.
Creation is a gift to each and all of us. We are called to be stewards of this amazing natural endowment but experience and history reminds us of ways in which we have missed the mark. In 1970, a movement began to express an urgency that we, humans, need to pick up the pace of our stewardship practices or else this wondrous phenomenon with co-exist with may wither around us. That movement, Earth Day, continues and is celebrated each April. The worship service on this Sunday celebrated Earth Day and its reminder to us of our responsibility to care for the created order gifted to us. May we take pride in our individual and collective efforts to do what is right with all that is shared with us on the terrestrial globe we call Earth.
Worship this Sunday focuses on the theme that “we are never alone in our resurrections” and was inspired by American astronauts of Apollo 13. A question to spark our thinking and conversation is: Why should others be included in our resurrections?
Links to the elements of the service are as follows:
Kevin is producing the service this Sunday which will consider the subject of desire. Using a chapter entitled The Man, from Ray Bradbury’s book The Illustrated Man, along with thoughts from Irish poet John O’Donohue, the opportunity will be offered to explore desire’s divergent paths.
What is your response to science fiction? One angle is considering the genre to be purely fantasy and entertainment without any substance. Another angle is learning that we are using today what was considered fiction or fantasy only several years ago. So is it fantasy or prophecy? How does science fiction continue to provide formation for our lives? How does this genre engage our imaginations to focus and re-focus our energies to enter life experiences to adopt and adapt new ways to encourage better human co-existence? In what ways do we find theological perspective (God; the Divine) in science fiction? These and other questions will be explored during our worship services in March. As this journey unfolds over the next several weeks, be encouraged to find theology imprinted within the science fiction genre. May we all be inspired by the nuggets of wisdom we’ll mine together.
On this Sunday, the service is produced by Martha Harr. She will explore a few motifs from Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451. If you are uncertain about the meaning of the word motif, and how it assists in making theological connections, listen in to learn more.
What is your response to science fiction? One angle is considering the genre to be purely fantasy and entertainment without any substance. Another angle is learning that we are using today what was considered fiction or fantasy only several years ago. So is it fantasy or prophecy? How does science fiction continue to provide formation for our lives? How does this genre engage our imaginations to focus and re-focus our energies to enter life experiences to adopt and adapt new ways to encourage better human co-existence? In what ways do we find theological perspective (God; the Divine) in science fiction? These and other questions will be explored during our worship services in March. As this journey unfolds over the next several weeks, be encouraged to find theology imprinted within the science fiction genre. May we all be inspired by the nuggets of wisdom we’ll mine together.
Mar. 14 – Dr. Steven Schweitzer, Academic Dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, is our guest presenter this Sunday. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in connecting science fiction and theology. Anyone who has experienced Steve’s presentations can attest that he will keep your attention regardless of the subject matter. His ability to share knowledge is equaled by his capacity to connect with the audience.
Dr. Schweitzer regularly teaches an advanced seminar on Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah and a course on Science Fiction and Theology. He has offered Insight Sessions at Annual Conference and workshops for various districts and congregations. He and his family attend Cedar Grove CoB in New Madison, Ohio in the Southern Ohio/Kentucky district.
What is your response to science fiction? One angle is considering the genre to be purely fantasy and entertainment without any substance. Another angle is learning that we are using today what was considered fiction or fantasy only several years ago. So is it fantasy or prophecy? How does science fiction continue to provide formation for our lives? How does this genre engage our imaginations to focus and re-focus our energies to enter life experiences to adopt and adapt new ways to encourage better human co-existence? In what ways do we find theological perspective (God; the Divine) in science fiction? These and other questions will be explored during our worship services in March. As this journey unfolds over the next several weeks, be encouraged to find theology imprinted within the science fiction genre. May we all be inspired by the nuggets of wisdom we’ll mine together.
Mar. 7 – Our service today is produced by Carol Davis. It includes a series of scripture readings and introductions to and viewing of movie clips serving as metaphors to God, Jesus, the Bible, and faith. This service, as well as subsequent services in March, will utilize theopoetics to engage our minds and hearts to explore new questions and broader horizons. March 7 is a great kick-off to the other services in March.
This month, the Canton Church of the Brethren will be recognizing the contributions of African Americans and their central role in U.S. History. Please enjoy the following audio recording from our service from Sunday, 2/28/21.
THEME: Overcoming
Overcoming fear of injustice is a reality for people of color that white people may not experience as intensely. How might we understand the fear others have that we may not experience? How do we engage in efforts to help dispel realities that cause such fear to be experienced? Rev. LaDonna Nkosi, Director of Intercultural Ministries for Discipleship Ministries, will be the guest presenter this Sunday (The Gathering Chicago)
This month, the Canton Church of the Brethren will be recognizing the contributions of African Americans and their central role in U.S. History. Please enjoy the following audio recording from our service from Sunday, 2/21/21.
THEME: Dreaming
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: What dreams do you have for humanity to exist peaceably and justly? If these dreams are realized, what do you envision this reality looking like? What can we do to ensure a more just and equitable co-existence?
This month, the Canton Church of the Brethren will be recognizing the contributions of African Americans and their central role in U.S. History. Please enjoy the following audio recording from our service from Sunday, 2/14/21.
THEME: Love Your Enemy
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Do we really forgive people if we cannot forget? What stories of Jesus are examples of Loving Your Enemy? Why do you think Jesus added “for they know not what they do?”
This month, the Canton Church of the Brethren will be recognizing the contributions of African Americans and their central role in U.S. History. Please enjoy the following audio recording from our service from Sunday, 2/7/21.
THEME: Hate as a Measurement of Unambiguous Love
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: After all that they endured, why did the people never give up hope?
This Thanksgiving, we are encouraged and reminded to be grateful, but what does God-like gratitude look like? Jesus brought us a new humanity that transcends ethnic and social boundaries, but do we as Christians have vision for those displaced and oppressed? As we conclude our study on the spiritual practice of sharing a meal, it is wise to consider if we are setting a place at the table for everyone.
What is a spiritual pilgrimage and why does it matter? For thousands of years, Christians have embarked on journeys to sacred sites throughout the world, such as retracing the steps of Jesus in the Holy Land or walking the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) in northern Spain. But we don’t have to walk hundreds of miles to experience a spiritual pilgrimage. What has the spiritual practice of pilgrimage looked like in your life? What new journey do you feel called to embark upon?
Speaker: Joe Brewer
Sermon Title: The Spiritual Practice of Pilgrimage
Scripture: Acts 17:24
Date: Sunday, July 7, 2019
Source: “The Way is Made By Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino de Santiago” by Paul Boers.
On Sunday, July 7, 2019, the Canton Church of the Brethren was privileged to hear a special performance from Ed Carper and his daughter Baylor Carper. The song they played was called “You’re Always There.” Please enjoy!
On Sunday, April 28, 2019, we were pleased to welcome Bill Kostlevy, the director of the Brethren Historical Library in Elgin, IL. In addition to Mr. Kostlevy’s message, we heard special music from the father-daughter duet of Ed and Baylor Carper.
Sermon Title: A Heritage of Giving and a Heritage of Serving
Guest Speaker: Bill Kostlevy, Director of the Brethren Historical Library in Elgin, IL
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-10; Psalm 24:1-6; Mark 10:42-45
The poor should not be expected to be burdened with more responsibility than they can handle. Those who can bear the burden with greater ease would do well to exhibit the level of responsibility they expect others to carry out.
Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbors. But is our ability to carry out our primary purpose troubled by a dominant culture defined by hastiness? How can we best share the Brethren way of peace when everyone is in such a hurry?
