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This week we look at the story of Jesus' crucifixion as told in the Gospel of Mark. Our series has been exploring the Gospel of Mark with open hands, asking what it looks like to give up scripture as a rulebook, and embrace the mystery inherent to the text. Following the themes we have explored so far, we ask how Christ's death challenges the powers of the world, or critiques anything Jesus opposed? How does the crucifixion challenge any of his detractors when it ends in death? Together we will explore this story in hope to spark imagination and inspiration.

We are continuing the “Simply Mark” sermon series this week,and it would be helpful to read through Mark 10 in preparation for Sunday. Mark 10 provides a series of encounters where Jesus clearly teaches Kingdom values that stand in contrast and opposition to the norm. How might we consider and apply these teachings of Jesus in our time?

If you’ve ever felt like you were doing faith wrong because you couldn’t make all the pieces fit - this space is for you. This Sunday, as we continue our series through the Gospel of Mark, we’re looking at what happens when even the closest disciples get things completely upside-down (Mark 8–9). Drawing on the ancient practice of midrash - the art of stepping into the Bible’s quiet gaps to question, wrestle, and imagine - we’re discovering a healthier, more human way to hold Scripture. The Bible isn’t meant to be the ultimate destination. Like Moses and Elijah stepping back on the mountain, the text willingly steps aside so we can focus on what actually matters: the living, liberating love embodied in Christ. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your honest doubts. You don't need to have every gap filled in to belong here.

As we continue our journey through the gospel of Mark, we begin to ask questions about the very nature and purpose of biblical story. Mark has long been viewed as a concise, journalistic description of Jesus' life, demanding biblical certainty and historical consistency. This week we hope to explore Mark as an invitation to curiosity and imagination, experiencing Jesus in a way that may transcend some of the demands we often place on scripture.

What happens when rules meant to protect and guide us become more important than the people they’re meant to serve? As we continue in our Simply Mark series, we explore Jesus’ encounters with religious leaders and his willingness to challenge rules when compassion and human flourishing are at stake. What might it look like for us to hold boundaries with wisdom, humility, and compassion—and to see the humanity of the people on every side of them?

As we begin our Simply Mark series, we'll explore our own relationship with the Gospel of Mark and the Bible, while considering what it might mean to see the wilderness—and our faith—differently. We will invite you to reflect honestly with us on where we are in our journey and what we bring with us as we enter this new series.

This week, we will close our Noticing God Summer series by hearing from one of our Elevation community members who is no longer able to join us in person regularly. Keith Martin will share with us about the health journey that he has been on over the last few years, and how he is finding intentional ways to notice and experience God's presence, even in the midst of suffering and unexpected crisis. How do we hold on to hope or find joy as we walk through these seasons of suffering? There are no easy answers to this question, and yet we can find deep encouragement as we hold space to listen to one another's stories and experiences. We look forward to gathering together to explore these questions with honesty and curiosity.

If you believe God created the world and believe in God's omnipresence, then why not look for God EVERYWHERE? The practice of paying attention and being aware of God's Holy Spirit and what God may be trying to teach us does not have to be contained to 'Christian' places or content. What if we watched and listened for God everyday and in every normal, mundane act of our lives? What could we learn and experience if we truly practiced intentional attention?

With many spiritual practices, it's easy to fall into trying to do them perfectly. When it comes to seeking rest, this can happen as well. Together, we'll explore the ways that we can pursue rest as a spiritual practice while finding ways to honour our own needs and to be gentle with ourselves.

This Sunday we will continue our Noticing God sermon series by looking at “alone time”. In his ministry, Jesus taught and demonstrated the importance of spending time alone with God. We will look into the benefits and practices of silence and solitude. Resources: ⁠ Contemplative Outreach contemplativeoutreach.orgThe Centre for Action and Contemplation  cac.org The Welcoming Prayer

“Fellowship” is an outdated term that doesn't get used much unless you are working at a University or are really into Hobbits. But it was a concept tightly woven into much of church life in past generations. Join us as we examine the concept of Fellowship, unpack how it has been used for harm in the past and think about what it might mean to reclaim the concept of Fellowship for the Church today.

This Sunday, we’re continuing our series on Noticing God, and this week we’re exploring the most challenging – yet rewarding place to encounter the Divine. It’s a practice that moves us beyond simple observation and into a way of living that can change the very fabric of how we interact with the world around us. If you’ve been looking for a way to bridge the gap between your spiritual life and your daily reality, this is for you. We’re unpacking a practice that may feel impossible at first, but is perhaps the most subversive thing you can do for your soul. And it might be the very medicine our fractured world is waiting for.

This week, we are excited to welcome TK and Nikki from Future of Africa to come and share with us. Future of Africa has been one of our partners for many years, and are continuing as our Global Partner as part of our Peace in Action Team. TK, Nikki and their family live and work in Ghana, but are here in Waterloo visiting in June. We are looking forward to hearing more about their passion and vision for the work of Future of Africa, as well as ways that we can continue to pray for and support them, both as a family and as an organization.

As time goes on we can sometimes feel as if we have been missing God in our day to day. You may have learned practices you were told would guarantee a happy and flourishing spiritual life, but these practices now feel distant or simply never served you well. In our upcoming summer series “Noticing God” we will explore practices which have benefitted members of our community as they search for, live alongside, and experience the divine. Together we seek to offer hope, and invitation to each other as we explore ways of noticing God in our midst. This week, we’ll kick off the series with an introduction to the theme.

They’re doing it again! This week, our Youth will take over the Sunday gathering at 22 Willow. From the welcoming, worship, announcements and connection time, to the message/teaching, they’re in control!