Authors: Bob Root


Service Date

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Proper 17

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This might be an opportunity to explore love and its many forms: agape, erotic, family, church family, friendship, compassion, and caring. Labour Day might be an opportunity to talk about loving work or not loving work or being too devoted to work. What is your relationship to work? Mary Oliver...

Author(s)
Karen Hammond Croxall
Max Ward
Rodney Smith-Merkley
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Anger
Building and Bridging Relationships
Love for Others
Love of God or Christ
Vocation or Occupation
Weekly Service
Service Date

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Proper 16

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The scriptures might be explored through the theme of God’s dwelling place. As pointed out at the conclusion of the Kings reading, God’s place is one of inclusivity (welcoming and listening to the foreigner). The psalm continues this theme of God’s dwelling place. Sanctuaries have been considered God’s sacred living...

Author(s)
Karen Hammond Croxall
Max Ward
Rodney Smith-Merkley
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Eternal Life
Sanctuary; Refuge; Shelter
Weekly Service
Service Date

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B – Proper 15

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We begin with the death of David. His son Solomon was inheriting a role that already had a firm foundation. Solomon is feeling overwhelmed, too young for his new post as one to reign over so many people. God comes in a dream to Solomon: “Ask what I should give...

Author(s)
Karen Hammond Croxall
Max Ward
Rodney Smith-Merkley
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Arts and Literature
Exploration
Music and Singing
Wisdom
Youth
Weekly Service
Service Date

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Year A – Proper 14

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These are complicated passages. David’s relationship to his favourite son is complex. Absalom was rebellious, yet David had compassion. David was both a father and a king to him. Explore the complicated nature of family relationships, which straddle two worlds—the world of family and the world of others, whom we...

Author(s)
Karen Hammond Croxall
Max Ward
Rodney Smith-Merkley
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Bread; Bread of Life
Building and Bridging Relationships
Family
Sacrifice
Weekly Service
March 12, 2024

Music as Preparation for Prayer

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The Sailboat Writers —Karen Hammond Croxall, Trinity U.C., Uxbridge, Ont.; Max Ward, Highland Hills U.C., Minden, Ont.; Rodney Smith-Merkley, Buckhorn [NM] P.C., Ont.; and Bob Root, Trinity Providence U.C., Bobcaygeon, Ont.—suggest using a piece of music as preparation for prayer , such as MV 104 “Know that God is good,”...

Author(s)
Karen Hammond Croxall
Max Ward
Rodney Smith-Merkley
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Contemplative Prayer
Music and Singing
Worship
Spark

Go and Marvel in the Beauty of God's World

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Go and marvel in the beauty of God’s world. Share that beauty everywhere your travels take you. Be a shepherd and care for others while you follow the Good Shepherd and learn how to love. Even if it turns your world upside down, be a leader, as you are a...

Author(s)
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Beauty
Blessing
Darkness - the goodness of
Discipleship
Home and Family
House of God
Jesus - images of
Jesus - parables and sayings
Journey with God or Christ
Light
Nature
Traveller
World
Prayer

Holy One, You Call Us from the Rest of the Night into the Light of This New Day

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Holy One, you call us from the rest of the night into the light of this new day. You invite us to live in the light of love for your sake and for the good of all our relations. As we worship you now, take from us any impediments that...

Author(s)
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Building and Bridging Relationships
Discipleship
God - images of
Light
Love for God or Christ
Love for Others
Morning
Night
Prayer

And Now May God, Who Keeps Our Going Out and Our Coming In

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And now may God, who keeps our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and forevermore, hold you and hold you tenderly, wipe your tears, let hope be reborn in you, and heal your hearts with the blessing of love, this day, this night, and forevermore. Bob...

Author(s)
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Blessing
Eternal Life
God's Nature
God's Presence
Grief
Healing
Hope
Morning
Night
Sorrow
Prayer

And Now, Out into the World, to Continue the Celebrations

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And now, out into the world, to continue the celebrations of Christmas we go: may our night’s rest be full and restorative, may our day’s activities bring us the joy of Christmas, and may we know and share the deep meaning of Christmas, tonight, tomorrow, and every day of our...

Author(s)
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Celebration
Joy
Night
Rest and Quiet
Prayer

The Day Draws Near; the Journey to Bethlehem Continues

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The days draw near; the journey to Bethlehem continues. On our path so far, we have found hope, and peace.* Today we proclaim joy* as we gather as God’s people. May our worship fill our hearts with God’s gift of joy, that, when we leave this place, we will share...

Author(s)
Bob Root
Theme(s)
Hope
Journey
Joy
Peace
Sharing
Witness and Testimony
Prayer