This “Ponder Play” entitled “Noah Over Nachos” was performed at the Canton Church of the Brethren on April 15, 2018. It was written by Carol Davis and performed by Martha Harr, Robin Henry and Joe Brewer. This play was the 2 of a 3 part performance as part of our congregation’s yearlong emphasis on the environment.
Tag: Canton IL
Creation with Coffee, 4/8/18
This “Ponder Play” entitled “Creation with Coffee” was performed at the Canton Church of the Brethren on April 8, 2018. It was written by Carol Davis and performed by Martha Harr, Robin Henry and Kevin Kessler. This play was the first of a 3 part performance as part of our congregation’s yearlong emphasis on the environment.
From the Pastor’s Desk: March 2018
I have an appreciation for the classics in literature. I like the author Thomas Hardy. I’ve slogged through War and Peace and can’t tell you much about the giant novel except there are too many characters of which to keep track. Les Miserable offers great lessons about grace. I had to read The Scarlet Letter twice, the second time very slowly, to understand the full magnitude of a wonderfully written and emotionally entwining work of art. And I’m presently enjoying Daniel DeFoe’s Robinson Crusoe.
Your Giving Matters: Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price (.5%) to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.
On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation to Canton Church of the Brethren.
Remember, shop locally, but when shopping online through Amazon, remember AmazonSmile, and donate to Canton Church of the Brethren.
Leading the Way: Ecology Theology Worship Services at Canton COB
April services will prove that our Canton Church of the Brethren is a “happening” place to be! Benefiting from the culminating project Carol Davis has created for her Bethany Theological Seminary class, Ecological Theology and Christian Responsibility course, the CCOB congregants will have the opportunity to experience the fruit of her labors.
Continue reading “Leading the Way: Ecology Theology Worship Services at Canton COB”
Leadership Team Issues Call to Christ-like Discourse
Taken from the Brethren Newsline March 23, 2018
The Leadership Team of the Church of the Brethren has issued a letter calling for Christ-like discourse at this time in the life of the church. The Leadership Team of the denomination includes the general secretary, the Annual Conference officers, a representative of the Council of District Executives, and the director of the Annual Conference office.
Here is the full text of the letter from the Leadership Team:
Continue reading “Leadership Team Issues Call to Christ-like Discourse”
A Thing of the Past, 3/18/18
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: A Thing of the Past
Date: Sunday March 18th, 2018
Scripture: John 19: 1-16a
‘Lukewarm No More’ calls for repentance and action on gun violence
The following article is taken from the Church of the Brethren Newsline, March 13, 2018 (Link to the Brethren Newsline webpage here)
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren adopted a statement on gun violence at its spring meetings held at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on March 9-12. The statement was initiated by staff of Global Mission and Service, and quotes from the Bible and previous Annual Conference statements in its call to the wider church.
“Our sister churches pray for us as an American church in a time of violence, as we undergo repeated acts of mass shootings, and they express love and concern for us,” said Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service, who recently returned from a trip to the emerging Brethren body in Venezuela. He noted the scripture’s call for Christians not to lose their “saltiness.” In Venezuela, that may mean considering how the church may be “salt of the earth” in that country’s economic crisis. Here in the US, he commented, “if we have continued gun violence and we have ready access to guns, and mass shootings, and children are unsafe in schools, don’t we have to ask the question whether the church has lost its saltiness?”
Continue reading “‘Lukewarm No More’ calls for repentance and action on gun violence”
Truth, 3/11/18
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon Title: Truth
Date: Sunday March 11, 2018
Scripture: John 18: 28-40
Easter Cantata: Praise to the Lamb, 3/25/18
The Canton Church of the Brethren is please to present a special Easter Cantata service, Praise to the Lamb by Stan Pethel.
This service will be held on Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 9:30 am at the Canton Church of the Brethren.
Come hear the Story of Holy Week in song.
Please, invite your friends, family, and especially young people to attend this service.
This service will feature…
- Carol Davis – Director
- Pam Willison – Accompanist
- The Canton Church of the Brethren Choir
- Special Guests – Tammy Weaver, Sara Mathis, Greg Mathis, and Trygve Meade
- Martha Harr – Narrator
…and will include a Special Children’s Story Moment that even the adults will enjoy!
Let us know if you have any question or need any accomodations. Or you can visit our “First Time?” page for more information.
I Am Not, 3/4/18
Sermon Title: I AM NOT
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: John 18: 12-27
Date: Sunday March 4, 2018
Over the Top, 2/25/18
Sermon Title: Over the Top
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Date: 2/25/18
From the Pastor’s Desk, February 2018
The following article was taken from the Canton Chronicle Vol. 2018 #2 issue written by Pastor Kevin Kessler and edited by Martha Harr
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25-32 NRSV)
A Pastoral Letter for a Time of Grief and Fear
The following post was taken from the Church of the Brethren email service Newsline. Subscribe online by visiting the following webpage: http://cob.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=37179.0&dlv_id=45238
Continue reading “A Pastoral Letter for a Time of Grief and Fear”
Savor & Serve, 2/18/18
Jesus meets us in the midst of our grief and weeps with us, but then helps us to move forward with and into life.
Sermon Title: Savor and Serve
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday September 18, 2018
Scripture: John 11: 28-37
This Sunday: Savor and Serve, 2/18/18
Jesus meets us in the midst of our grief and weeps with us, but then helps us to move forward with and into life.
Sermon Title: Savor and Serve
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday September 18, 2018
Scripture: John 11: 28-37
First time at Canton COB? Visit our webpage for information and let us know if you have any questions.
Dorothy Day Offertory Thought, 2/11/18
The following excerpt was taken during the offertory thought of our worship service on Sunday February 11, 2018.
The well-known social activist Dorothy Day has said: “The sense of futility is one of the greatest evils of the day.…People say, “What can one person do? What is the sense of our small effort?” They cannot see that we can only lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; we can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment.”
Deeper Sight: 2/11/18
Blindness occurs or remains when we are unable or unwilling to receive the support or direction or help of others. Sight is experienced at the moment when selfishness or stubbornness is set aside. Sight opens the door for faith.
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon: Deeper Sight
Date: Sunday February 11, 2018, 9:30-10:30am
Scripture: John 9: 1-41
This Sunday:Deeper Sight, 2/11/18
Blindness occurs or remains when we are unable or unwilling to receive the support or direction or help of others. Sight is experienced at the moment when selfishness or stubbornness is set aside. Sight opens the door for faith.
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Sermon: Deeper Sight
Date: Sunday February 11, 2018, 9:30-10:30am
Scripture: John 9: 1-41
*For more information about the Canton COB see our First Time page.
Beyond Limits, 2/4/18
Jesus meets us at our most vulnerable points in life and offers us life beyond the limits we place upon ourselves. The abundant life Jesus offers then reaches beyond the limits of our lives to impact the world.
Sermon Title: Beyond Limits
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: John 4: 1-42
Date: Sunday February 4, 2018
This Sunday: Beyond Limits, 2/4/18
Jesus meets us at our most vulnerable points in life and offers us life beyond the limits we place upon ourselves. The abundant life Jesus offers then reaches beyond the limits of our lives to impact the world.
DE Ponderings, January 2018
The following article was taken from Volume 15 Issue 1 of ¨The Reflector¨ a publication of the IL/WI District Church of the Brethren.
Last week I caught up on a few chores at home that I´ve been neglecting, one of which was cleaning an old stereo system. The components of the system were all separate, so I carefully removed each one from the stereo cabinet. When cleaning the 5-disc CD player, I tilted it in such a manner that 2 CDs slid out the front. I finished cleaning, replaced the components in the cabinet, turned on the CD player, opened the drawer, and found 3 more CDs. After removing them I pushed the button to close the drawer. All was not well. The drawer did not close completely; it remained about a third of the way open. I could not get the drawer to close no matter what I tried.
GFI Grant supports gardens and gardeners
The following article was taken from the Church of Brethren Newsline on January 26, 2018. You can subscribe to the Newsline by clicking the link here.
The Global Food Initiative (GFI) of the Church of the Brethren has made several grants in recent months. The grants support a Going to the Garden retreat, an aquaponics system in Haiti, two community gardens in Spain, and a feeding ministry in Mexico.
Believing? 1/28/18
Follow Me, 1/21/28
This Sunday, 1/21/18: Follow Me
Join us this Sunday, January 21st as Robin Henry will join us speaking from Mark 1:14-20 when Jesus called his first disciples. We will also hear a poetry reading from Martha Harr with worship being led by Harrold Rose. Hope you can join us!
Date: Sunday January 21, 2018
Speaker: Robin Henry
Sermon: Follow Me
Worship Leader: Harrold Rose
Poetry Reading: Martha Harr
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Dignity Passion Update, January 2018
Ministry & Education
If you would like to check up on what this Dignity Passion Group has been doing, you will need to check out the previous blogpost on our church website; Their trip to the Anshai Emeth Jewish Center in Peoria. The visit was the culmination of the 3-part study on Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism. We want to thank this Passion Group for offering such a rich, educational opportunity to broaden our horizons.
From the Pastor’s Desk, January 2018
¨It is a mistake to sharpen our minds by narrowing them. It is a mistake to look to the Bible to close a discussion; the Bible seeks to open one…. The Bible is no oracle to be consulted for specific advice on specific problems; rather, it is a wellspring of wisdom about the ambiguity, inevitability, and insolubility of the human situation…. The Bible makes us comfortable with struggle but uneasy in success…. [The Bible is a signpost, not a hitching post].¨ –William Sloane Coffin, The Courage to Love (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1982), 7-8
Joy: Be Filled, 12/17/17
Sermon – Joy: Be Filled
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13
Date: Sunday December 17, 2017
Joint Cantata Service with Trinity Lutheran, 12/10/17
Please enjoy this joint Cantata Church service with Trinity Lutheran and Pastor Micah Garnett. Music was led by Carol Davis with Pam Willison accompanying.
The event was warmly appreciated, so much so that a member of the Trinity congregation expressed: “Our two congregations should do this again, and join together for a picnic this summer.”
Read more about this service here: Combined Worship Service and Cantata
It’s Not a Miracle, 1/14/18
Date: Sunday January 14, 2018
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Worship Leader: Robin Henry
Sermon: It’s Not a Miracle
Scripture: John 2:1-11
Special Music by Pam Willison
Broadening Our Horizons
On Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, a group of 11 people (Ed Carper, Brenda Carper, Carol Davis, Jackie Davis, Tammy Kessler, Kevin Kessler, Caryl Harrison, Nels Henry, Robin Henry, Harold Rose, Martha Harr) from the Canton Church of the Brethren visited the Anshai
Emeth Jewish Center in Peoria, IL, as part of the study of Judaism.
The evening included conversation with Rabbi Bryna Milkow (between Pastor Kevin and Jackie Davis in picture), seeing the Torah scroll,viewing various items displayed throughout the building (e.g., shofars, shawls), experiencing a Friday evening Shabbat service, and enjoying oneg (a time of fellowship after worship).
“The evening was delightful,” reports Pastor Kessler. “We were welcomed by our Jewish neighbors, shown hospitality, and enriched with a great learning experience.”
While Judaism and Christianity have distinct understandings and values, we have learned that we hold much in common as well. That we can respect our differences and serve together in our commonality is truly a blessing.
Combined Worship Service and Cantata
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NRSV)
This Sunday, 1/14/18: It’s Not a Miracle
Join us this Sunday at the Canton Church of the Brethren. Pastor Kevin will be speaking from John 2: 1- 11 (the wedding at Cana) and we will hear special music by Pam Willison. Look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Sunday January 14, 2018
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Worship Leader: Robin Henry
Sermon: It’s Not a Miracle
Scripture: John 2:1-11
Special Music by Pam Willison
Come and See, 1/7/18
Sermon Title: Come and See
Date: Sunday January 7, 2018
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: John 1: 35-51
Lamb Revolution, 12/31/17
Sermon Title: Lamb Revolution
Scripture: John 1:19-34
Guest Speaker: Joe Brewer
Date: Sunday December 31, 2017
Birthday dinner: Jan. 7, 2018
For those who celebrated birthdays in October, November, December there will be a SOUP dinner after church. Bring a can of vegetables to add to the soup base and/or sandwiches to share. All are invited to attend! (Don’t forget to bring a penny for each year).
Brethren Leaders Endorse Christmas Letter Regarding Federal Budget
This article is taken from the Brethren Newsline, December 21, 2017
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele and Office of Public Witness director Nathan Hosler have given endorsement to a Christmas letter to Vice President Mike Pence “to protect the humanitarian, diplomatic, and peacebuilding budget in the FY19 budget” of the federal government.
The letter was organized by Search for Common Ground ( www.sfcg.org ) and was hand-delivered to the Vice President’s office on Wednesday, Dec. 20. It was copied by e-mail to other government officials at the White House, USAID, the State Department, and Congress as key decision makers in the budget development process.
Continue reading “Brethren Leaders Endorse Christmas Letter Regarding Federal Budget”
Love Encountered
Sermon Title: Love Encountered
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Date: Sunday December 24, 2017
Christmas Cantata: A Service of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
Trinity Lutheran Church and the Canton Church of the Brethren are celebrating Christian unity with a joint worship service and Christmas cantata on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 9:00am! The blended service will feature worship traditions from both Lutheran and Brethren perspectives, along with the celebration of Holy Communion. A fellowship and discussion time follows the service, and coffee and cookies will be served.
Continue reading “Christmas Cantata: A Service of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love”
The Big Clean!
Hey, everyone!
Come and share in the big clean, a few hours of working together to make our church building sparkle!
Date: December 8, 2017
Time: 2:00pm to 6:00 pm
Spend a few minutes or all 4-hours or any time you have available; many hands make light work.
Please call 309-647-4828 or email cantoncob@gmail.com with any questions. Hope to see you there!
Living in Exile, 11/26/17
Please enjoy this special message from Pastor Kevin Kessler entitled “Living in Exile.” We also included the children’s story and giving message.
Sermon: Living in Exile
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14
Date: Sunday November 26, 2017
Sermon, 6/11/17
Please enjoy this message by Pastor Kevin from June 11, 2017.
Illinois and Wisconsin District Conference Proclaims Good News
This article was taken from the Church of the Brethren Newsline on November 17, 2017. It was written by the District Executive minister and Canton Church of the Brethren Pastor Kevin Kessler.
The Illinois and Wisconsin District Conference on Nov. 3-4 was held at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., on the theme, “Don’t Be Afraid, I Bring You Good News” based on Luke 2:10. The conference was capably led by moderator Allegra Hess, a member of the York Center congregation.
Continue reading “Illinois and Wisconsin District Conference Proclaims Good News”
Be Thanksgiving, 11/19/17
Sermon: Be Thanksgiving
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks with a grateful heart.
Date: 11/19/17
Go Where? 9/24/17
Sermon: Go Where?
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Date: 9/24/17
2017 Shoebox Information
It´s not too late to contribute to this year´s Operation Christmas Child!
We’ve added a prayer card to each box for you as well as a picture of a child or a group of children who have received shoeboxes and a page that says God Love You in many languages; they can find their own there. In your bulletins for today and next week there is an insert for ¨How to Pack Your Shoebox¨ for a trip around the world.
A ¨wow¨ gift is best to add. This is a larger gift for example, a stuffed animal, a doll, or a car a little larger than a Matchbox car. Then get a few things listed in the brochure to round out the box.
A Great Multitude, 11/12/17
Message: A Great Multitude
Speaker: Kevin Kessler
Date: November 12, 2017
Scripture: Revelation 7:9 “After this I beheld, and see, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds.”
Be Holy, 10/29/17
Sermon Title: Be Holy
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Kessler
Date: Sunday October 29, 2017
Illinois/Wisconsin District Church of the Brethren Ministry Highlights
This Sunday, Pastor Kevin shared this video in church highlighting ministries of the IL/WI District. Lots of exciting things happening in our district!
Canton Church of the Brethren 