What are you anxious about, and what helps you through anxious moments?
What experiences of resurrection have you experienced during anxious moments?
What joys you are experiencing in these uncertain days?
Worry, tomorrow, and who holds the future were related themes that provided the focus for the worship service August 8 shared via Zoom.
Courage is action.
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:
The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2itQkiQUOE
If I Were King of the Forest from The Wizard of Oz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOCNY9pJ850
I Will Fear No More by The Afters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMmmbJlWhtk
Cincinnati Barbershop Challenge – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThM95Iv4ZBo
Courage by Pink – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-VmsCFah0M
Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocWgSgMGxOc
Fly by Maddie and Tae – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfDr_7LN-Ew&list=PLg5rJHdQWc6w5f1Qsjx07J_w3ngWPiDfx
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
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine
Being Serena, “Baby’s First Grand Slam”
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.
Continue reading “The Daughters of Deborah, 5/16/21”
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.
Continue reading “Phenomenal Woman, 5/2/21”
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.
Continue reading “Mother’s Day Service, 5/9/21”
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.
Continue reading “Renewal: How New Generations are Approaching Church, featuring Dunker Punks Founder Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred, 4/25/21”
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.
Continue reading “Earth Day, 4/18/21”
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:
Apollo 13 theme music and Hubble photos
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.
Continue reading “Science Fiction & Faith, Exploring Ray Bradbury’s “The Illustrated Man” ; 3/28/21″
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.
Continue reading “Science Fiction & Faith, Exploring Motifs of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”; 3/21/21″
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.
Continue reading “Science Fiction & Faith with Dr. Steven Schweitzer, Academic Dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, 3/14/21”
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.
Continue reading “Science Fiction & Faith, 3/7/21”
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)
Continue reading “Overcoming, 2/28/21, with special guest Reverend LaDonna Nkosi”
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?
Continue reading “Dreaming, 2/21/21”
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?”
Continue reading “Love Your Enemy, 2/14/21”
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?
Continue reading “Hate as a Measurement of Unambiguous Love, 2/7/21”
Sermon Title: How Dare You
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Romans 8:22-23, Isaiah 57:16-21, Genesis 2:15
Date: Sunday, March 1, 2020
Sermon Title: Lend Hope
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Psalm 146
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019
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.
Speaker: Joe Brewer
Title: God-like Gratitude
Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17
Date: Sunday, November 24, 2019
Sermon Title: In Suffering, Comfort
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Date: Sunday, October 27, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Turned Inside Out
Scripture: Joshua 22:1-6, Galatians 5:13-26
Date: Sunday, October 13, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Ordinary Faith
Scripture: Luke 17:5-10
Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019
Title: Assurance (A poem by Marilyn McEntyre from “When Poets Pray. For more information about Marilyn McEntyre here is a link to her website)
Speaker: Carol Davis
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Scripture: Psalm 8: 1, 3-9
Continue reading “Assurance: A poem by Marilyn McEntyre read by Carol Davis, 9.22.19”
Sermon Title: The Fellowship of Place
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Psalm 108
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2019
Sermon Resources –
Sermon Title: Body Discipline
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2019
Sermon Title: The Soul of the Pilgrim
Speaker: Ed Carper
Date: Sunday, July 29, 2019
Scripture: Psalm 32: 1-7
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Proclaim Christ, Reclaim Passion
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
Date: Sunday, July 14, 2019
Continue reading “Proclaim Christ, Reclaim Passion – 7/14/19”
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!
Sermon Title: Why Solitude: To Renew Self-Awareness
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday, June 23, 2019
Scripture; Mark 6:30-34
Continue reading “Why Solitude? – To Renew Self-Awareness, 6/23/19”
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Why Solitude: To Be Filled
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2019
Scripture: Luke 6: 12-16
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
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2019.
Continue reading “A Heritage of Serving – with Special Music by Ed Carper and Baylor Carper”
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: At Our Best When
Scripture: Selected Verses from Proverbs
Date: Sunday April 7, 2019
Sermon Title: A Step at a Time
Date: Sunday, March 31, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Acts 3:1-10; Ephesians 6:10-20
Sermon Title: From a Grateful Center
Scripture: Pslam 150
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2019
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Simple Prayer
Date: Sunday, March 3, 2019
Sermon Reference: Foster, Richard J. (1992). Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home. New York: Harper San Francisco
Sermon Title: No Title (Continuing our practice of Lectio Divina)
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday, February 10, 2019
Scripture: Luke 5:1-11
How do you understand God speaking to you and inviting you into action in this text from Luke 4?
How will you respond?
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: ???
Scripture: Luke 4:21-30
Date: Sunday, February 3, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Formation, Not Information
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2019
Title: Experience
Scripture: Job 28: 12-27
Guest Speaker: Joe Brewer
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2019
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Overwhelming Love
Scripture: Philippians 1: 3-11
Date: 12/9/18
Title: Everywhere is a Sign
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Luke 21: 25-36
Date: Sunday December 2, 2018
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.
Sermon: Two Cents Worth
Scripture Text: Mark 12: 38-44
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday November 11, 2018
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?
Sermon Title: Walking Clocks
Scripture: Mark 12: 28-34
Guest Speaker: Joe Brewer
Date: November 4, 2018
Title: What Do You Really Want?
Scripture – Mark 10: 46-52
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: 10/28/18
Sermon Title: A New Face of Importance
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Mark 10:35 – 45
Date: Sunday October 21, 2018
Sermon Title: Borrowed
Scripture: Pslam 19:1-4; 24:1
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday October 14, 2018
