Melville Presbyterian Church Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 This Sunday is the closest Sunday to Earth Day. Learn how God wants us to protect and cherish His creation. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. We recognize that all created things belong to God, and that we are accountable to Him as stewards of the creation. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7 We learn the after Christ's resurrection on Easter, He met with His disciples on the road to Emmaus. This was to guide the disciples and us from hopelessness to celebration after the sadness of His death on Good Friday. This teaches us that Jesus can open our eyes to see Him and trust Him on our spiritual journey.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1-2:2 Low Sunday is the second Sunday after Easter. Christ has risen from the grave and he meets with his disciples. Jesus shows his pierced hands to Thomas who had to see proof that Jesus was the crucified Christ. This is the time we celebrate the presence of the risen Christ among us. Erase your doubts and remove uncertainty with your faith. It is time to rejoice and be glad.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-19 Easter is one of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity. It marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten season of fasting and penitence. As promised throughout scripture, the saviour would be raised from the dead on the third day to be alive with the Father in heaven. Without this holy sacrifice, there could be no salvation for mankind.  

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: John 18:28, John 19:16a The Friday before Easter is known as Good Friday in the Christian faith. This holy and important day recognizes when Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross at Calvary as the ultimate sacrifice for people's sins (1 John 1:10). Without Christ's sacrifice, there could be no salvation for humanity. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time—this was the place—to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Palm Sunday was the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work on earth.  

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33 In this time leading up to Christ's crucifixion on the cross, we find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane praying to His Father to take the burden of His sacrifice that is to happen. Yet at the same time, Christ knows that His death is His Father's will and that it must be done. Christ died for everyone so that those who believe can have their sins forgiven and be saved. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21 Moses and Aaron were fearless leaders in the wilderness. Even though God provided, the people continuously complained. God provided again, and they people complained again. Over and over this repeated. God was angered, and introduced snakes into their midst to test their faith. Does this sound like what is happening today? God continually blesses us, yet we fail to see His love and provisions. Since the fall of mankind, humans have been slaves to sin. Only Jesus can save us. 

Guest Speaker: Phil Cook Scripture: Exodus 3:9-20, John 2:1-9 See how God uses average people to do His miraculous work. In Exodus, Moses thought he was unskilled and unprepared to do God's work, yet God proved him wrong. In John 2, Jesus performs a miracle by changing water to wine. Jesus taught us to believe that nothing is impossible with God, and that we are to follow His commandments.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Genesis 17:1-16, Romans 4:13-25 God's covenants to make Abraham the heir of the world is explained. Doing the impossible is very possible for God as he made nations from unlikely elderly people. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22 Jesus conquers temptation in the 40 days of wilderness. Christ teaches us through wilderness and tough times, we learn to overcome temptation by seeking God. The wilderness is the start of the Lent season leading us to Easter.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Mark 9:2-9 Transfiguration, in the New Testament, is when Jesus Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a mountain, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured. His face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. The transfiguration is a preview of the future, when the Son of Man will come in glory to consummate his kingdom. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21, Romans 8:18-27 The 12 sons of Jacob were the patriarchs of the tribes that formed their descendants which are called "Israelites" and "Hebrews". Hear how God deals with a wicked and murderous king of Egypt who tried to stop the Israelite nation from growing. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8, Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan parable is explained by the great commandments of Love Your God and Love Your Neighbour. But who is our neighbour?

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20 When Jesus asked the disciples to follow Him, they left their jobs as fishermen and changed their lives. Hear how we are also to follow Jesus with faith and determination. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20, John 1:43-51 Discover how God can call us to many different things, often what we are not expecting. See how Samuel responded to God's call. As followers of Christ, we should listen to God for his call to service.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5, Mark 1:4-11 In the beginning, God created everything from nothing. He spoke things into existence that were not there before. Mark explains in his gospel that Jesus was baptised to show us that as God created, baptism creates us into something new. Jesus didn't need to repent from sin as He is divine, but we must repent in order to be saved. Christ's baptism also is a significant milestone in the start of His worldly ministry.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Micah 5:1-5a, Luke 2:1-20 Hear the good news of Christmas. We celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. God proclaims peace to men through Christ. The angel announces great joy in his birth. It is a great joy for all who believe and trust their salvation to Christ. And this joy of loving fellowship with God never ends. 

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Luke 2:22-40 New Year's Eve service. The lesson of waiting for consolation is discussed through the life experiences of elderly Simeon and Anna. They show us how to look forward to the coming of the Lord. And like them, we are to wait with expectation as God works his plan.  

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Haggai 2:6-7, Luke 1:26-38, 47-55 The fourth Sunday in Advent is about Love which is "agape" in the original Greek. It is an unmerited, willful act of God to love us - His creation. Christmas is about showing agape love to others. Because God loves us, we can have hope, peace, joy and love towards others.

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Isaiah 40, Psalm 121:1-8, John 1:1-14 December 21st is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, many Christian denominations hold a church service that honours people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief.  

Speaker: Reverend Bethany McCaffrey The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated in 9 lessons and the singing of Christmas carols by the Melville Church Choir in this evening candlelight service. 

Guest Speaker: Bruce Compton Scripture: Psalm 85:4-13, Romans 8:1-7 In the second Advent Sunday, Peace is emphasized. Jesus brought about peace in His time, and in today's conflicted world. Jesus brings us inner peace from the assurance of salvation. He brings us peace with others, and Christians have Biblical peace by trusting in God's promises in the Bible. 

Guest Speaker: Reverend Don Muir

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Advent candles are a part of Christian tradition that serve as a reminder that Jesus Christ came as light into our dark world. The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. We are to maintain this same hope in our troubled world. 

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Revelation 1:1-8 Celebrating Christ as the King. This day is often called ‘the Feast of Christ the King’. It is a feast day that celebrates the full authority of Christ as King and Lord of the universe.  

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Psalm 90:1-8, 12, Deuteronomy 10:12-22, Luke 12:16-21 The parable of the rich fool. Christians are not to devote our lives to gathering and accumulating wealth. What happens to all that wealth when we die? Second, we are not blessed by God when we hoard our wealth. We are blessed when we are a blessing in the lives of others. And, we are blessed when we build the Kingdom of God.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17, Matthew 5:1-12 From a Christian perspective, the Beatitudes teach that believers are blessed even in hard times because they will receive eternity in heaven. Also, we are blessed for having honourable qualities such as being meek, righteous, merciful, pure, and peacemakers. The horrors of war are discussed. 

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Matthew 22:34-46

Kingdom living vs worldly living. Can we follow the Lord's first and greatest commandment ourselves? Discover how humility and faith in Christ can help us follow the commandments. 

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7, Matthew 22:15-022 Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God. Jesus draws the sharp distinction between the kingdom of the world, and the kingdom of God. Under Caesar, we have certain obligations that involve material things. Under Christ, we have other obligations that involve things eternal. 

Guest Speaker: Mr. Suman Roy, Feed Scarborough Food Bank Scripture: John 6:1-15 Why are so many Canadians using food banks? Learn how Christ fed the hungry, how he feeds our souls with truth and righteousness and how we can help the suffering.  

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4, 8-13, Isaiah 5:1-7, Matthew 21:33-46.

In this Thanksgiving season, God teaches us to produce fruits for His kingdom by returning the harvest to Him.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-18 Paul teaches us that Unity is not a feeling, but a verb, a choice or an action. It is being together as Christians despite our differences. This is the mindset of Jesus that we are to copy.  

Guest Preacher: Lauren Laframboise Scripture: Matthew 11:25-28 In a world of mental and sensory overload, God gives us the tool of rest to cope.  

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Matthew 18:21-35 Why is God's gift of forgiveness so hard to accept? This sermon will help us understand how large our debt is to God and the importance of Christ's sacrifice to save us.  

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14, Ephesians 4:1-16 What Presbyterians do on Sharing Sunday. 

Guest Preacher: Bruce Compton Scripture: John 6:48-59, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Communion, the Lord's Supper and Eucharist. What are they? Understanding the heart of Christian worship. What does taking communion really mean to us? 

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Understanding the full measure of God. What does this mean to us?

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 What does it mean when God anoints our heads with oil? Continuing our study of Psalm 23.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9, Psalm 65

In a divided world, God invites us to sit down, take rest and eat in fellowship with Him. Understanding how to be a guest at God's feast. Take comfort in Psalm 65.

Guest Speaker: Rev Jacob Birch Scripture: Ezra 1, Luke 15:11-32 Do you like do overs in life? God loves us, and gives us restarts if we seek Him. Hear how to feel safe to take your concerns to Jesus.  

Guest Speaker: Phil Cook

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-9, Ephesians 1:3-14

Concluding our series on understanding predestination and free will. Did you know they both coexist in the Bible? God can't be rushed and isn't governed by time. Freewill makes both good and evil possible, all while God is still in control. 

Guest Speaker: Phil Cook

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Understanding predestination and free will. Does the 16th century Calvin's understanding of predestination conflict with C.S. Lewis' modern day understanding of free will? What is our current understanding?

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Psalm 23, Matthew 19:16-22 Seeking right relationship with God, others and creation. A new way of understanding reconciliation by living and loving as God loves us.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:8-20 Where do we turn in difficult times? See how Psalm 23 helps us discipline the heart and mind. Scripture gives us comfort, strength, guidance, provision and hope.

Guest Speaker: Ishbel Dimson   Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-18, Matthew 25:31-40 Join us for a week of prayer as we follow the gospel to seek unity by loving and serving others. Giving is a blessing that has to be experienced. 

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: Psalm 23, Luke 7:11-17

Trinity Sunday, the next Sunday after Pentecost observed as a feast in honour of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. See how God restores our soles and our lives.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: Numbers 11:24-30, Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost - 50 days after Easter. The day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, causing them to speak in tongues. It teaches us to wait upon the Lord.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14, Ephesians 1:15-23

Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. There, Jesus promised His followers they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He literally and physically ascended to heaven. Jesus instructs us on how to wait on His kingdom.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-12, Psalm 23 All creation is declared to be loved and redeemed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ephesians reinforces the claim that there is no end to God’s grace. And Psalm 23 tells us we find still waters, peace and rest in the one true God.

Reverend Bethany McCaffrey Scripture: Psalm 23, Luke 15:1-10 Psalm 23 reveals the Lord is our shepherd and that He provides everything we need. Christ seeks even the one that is lost. Hear how our life with Jesus can overflow with contentment.