How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Yesterday evening I made chicken soup. While making the broth, I mused that it was a strange choice for a New Year’s Day celebration. However, something in me felt drawn to the simple and homely. After a few weeks of feasting and festivities, I craved something as familiar and ordinary as a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup. 

The old year lies behind us now. The new year lies ahead, unclear and unknown. As we enter into another lap around the sun, aware of the possibility of both great light and great darkness, a return to the familiar routines of ordinary life can be grounding. We’re ready for some soup. 

Our life together as a community is a homely weaving of rituals and rhythms that tether us to one another and to God. We gather together. We say our warm hellos. We sing. We confess. We remind each other that we are beloved and forgiven children of God. We pass the peace. We listen to scripture and stories. We say our prayers and share our bread. We go out with a blessing to share the love and serve. Like chicken soup, our worship is ordinary. 

These familiar rhythms and rituals can feel at times comforting, at times humdrum. All the while, folding into the familiar, the epiphany of God is happening. God meets us in these rituals. We are once again reminded that God is near, with us and for us.

We are not alone. There is hope for our weary world. There is room for joy.

As for me, I am so looking forward to seeing your faces again soon:) 

Anne

Rev. Anne Baxter Smith
Pastor, The Church at Southpoint 

Worship Calendar

Location & Zoom. We meet on Sundays at 15639 24 Avenue, Surrey. Zoom is offered if you cannot attend in person. Zoom link. Meeting ID: 831 1690 9977 password: 753319

Listen to Sermons
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Blogs
Catch up on Anne’s recent blogs under “News” on our website, southpoint.ca

Sun Apr 7
(2) Opening to Love
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
John 21:1-19

Sun Apr 14
(3) Receiving Clarity
Rev Anne Baxter Smith
Acts 3:12-19
 
Sun Apr 21
Rev Scott Swanson
Acts 4:5-12

New to Southpoint?

At Southpoint, it all begins with God’s love. Just as a plant grows, it receives sunshine, so we grow as we receive God’s love. At Southpoint, we are growing in our capacity to love God, ourselves, one another, and creation.

We seek to be a community of grace that is intentional yet organic, spacious yet authentic, grace-filled yet accountable. * We are fully welcoming. *

We encourage relationships rather than run programs, yet we recognize the importance of intentionality and structure as we nurture life together.

As a community, we seek to put our love in action. We value helping out on Sunday mornings, sharing food, and showing up in hard times. We keep our church life simple so folk have time to build relationships with family, friends, and neighbours. We encourage folk to serve in tangible ways within the wider community. We rent space rather than own a building, allowing us to do more with less, supporting missions at home and abroad.

Curious to know more?

These six slides express what motivates our ministry (best viewed on a monitor). Here’s the bio of our Pastor, Rev. Anne Baxter Smith.

If you’d like to really peek inside, sign up for our weekly Southpoint News (scroll to brown footer at bottom of page). The Southpoint News is a MailChimp distributed email—you can unsubscribe anytime and will not be added to our contacts list. Email us at office@southpoint.ca. Website: southpoint.ca.