Wishing and Hoping

Welcome to the Bloor Street United Podcast for Sunday, November 27th, 2011. This podcast comes to you from Bloor Street United Church in downtown Toronto. Today Reverend Martha ter Kuile reads a lament from Isaiah, followed by a reflection on how the Occupy Movement was a modern lament against social and economic injustice in our world.

The podcast can be found at http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/audio/podcasts/sermonnov272011.mp3

Sermon:"Down to Basics"

Welcome to the Bloor Street United podcast for October 30th, 2011. This is a special day at the church as two couples  have brought their children to be baptized. This event is considered during this sermon about Christ's last visit to the temple, a few days before his death. Reverend Martha Ter Kile reflects on what Jesus wanted his critics to understand about his mission, and how these small children today will think about our world 100 years from now.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

"Face of Mystery"

Welcome to the October 23rd edition of the Bloor Street United Podcast. Today Reverend Martha ter Kuile talks about whether we can ever really understand God, or whether the divine is more than the human mind can comprehend.
To hear the podcast, click here:

Margaret Atwood: "Religion:Recovering our Roots" 2011 Craddock Lecture

Welcome to a special edition of the Bloor Street United Podcast. It is October 16th, 2011, and this podcast features our annual Craddock lecture, given by Canada's most famous novelist, Margaret Atwood. Ms Atwood is the author of many classics of Canadian literature, including The Handmaid's Tale, Surfacing, and The Blind Assassin. This morning she is delivering a sermon entitled "Religion: Recovering our Roots". Her talk draws on themes she has explored in her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood. Her talk is this year's Craddock lecture, an annual event at Bloor Street, where distinguished guests are invited to take over the pulpit for a Sunday to speak about issues of spiritual interest. Ms Atwood spoke to a packed house.

To listen to the podcast, please click here: http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/audio/podcasts/sermonoct162011.mp3

Sermon: Absence and Abundance

Welcome to the Bloor Street United podcast for May 28th, 2011. This week, our sermon is delivered by guest preacher, Jeffrey Hocking. He reflects on Jesus'  curious declaration that after his death, his disciples will accomplish much more than he did while alive. After the sermon, we will hear the choir perform "If Ye love me" by British composer Thomas Tallis. This will be followed by a rousing organ performance of the Fuga by Samuel Wesley, for four hands, performed by our own David Passmore and Honorary Musical Associate, Chrys Bentley.

Please click here to listen to the podcast:http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/audio/podcasts/sermonMay282011.mp3

Sermon:"Befuddled by Faith"

Welcome to the Bloor Street United podcast for May15th, 2011. This week, Reverend Martha ter Kuile reflects on the Bible's use of sheep and shepherds as metaphors for  Christ and his followers. Following the sermon, the choir will sing George Frideric Handel's "All We Like Sheep".

Click here to listen:http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/audio/podcasts/sermonMay152011.mp3

Sermon: "Springtime Grace"

Welcome to the Bloor Street United podcast for May 1st, 2011.  Today our sermon is being delivered by the Very Reverend Bruce McCleod, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, and a longtime member of the Bloor Street Congregation. Today he reflects on the story of Noah's Ark. After his sermon we will hear a performance from Debussy's Petite Suite, for piano ( played with four hands).

To hear the podcast, click here:http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/audio/podcasts/sermonMay12011.mp3