Channel Title: Centre Place Channel Description: Join us to explore topics of faith from an academic perspective. Our visually engaging lectures cover history, theology, philosophy, mythology, archaeology, and more, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable. John Hamer, a map maker, historian, and pastor of the Community of Christ Toronto congregation, leads our discussions. This LGBTQ+ affirming, non-dogmatic, interfaith community welcomes members and participants worldwide. Our channel also features the online church service Beyond the Walls, and the musical recordings of the Beyond the Walls Choir. Check out our new podcast Let There Be Answers! <video> JAN 19 Beyond the Walls Late Edition 2025 Description: At the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, at his mother’s request, Jesus comes to the aid of the host when the wine runs out. The Gospel of John calls the miracle of turning water into wine “the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed his glory.” Join us this Sunday as we begin our Seven Signs series. Scholars have long theorized that an early text, known as the “Signs Gospel,” may have been one of the sources for John’s Gospel. Over the next seven Sundays, we will explore the “signs” embedded in the gospel and consider the theological significance of “signs” for ancient Christians. What meaning can we discover in these sacred stories for our lives in the 21st century? Beyond the Walls – From Water into Wine. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 19. You can participate via live video as usual or join us in person at: 💒 320 Richmond Street East, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M5A 1P9. ORDER OF WORSHIP Prelude: Allemande and Courante from French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major (BWV 815) by Johann Sebatian Bach Greetings: John Hamer – Toronto Centre Place Call to Worship: Holly Cross — Raytown, Missouri Opening Hymn CCS 633: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Invocation: Janine McCully — Chilliwack, British Columbia Living Church Lesson: Bill Mines — Elizabeth, Pennsylvania Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Hymn CCS 120: Alleluia Lectionary: Debra Donohue — Vancouver, British Columbia Sermon: Art Smith — Independence, Missouri Meditation on the Message: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Closing Hymn CCS 105: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! Sending Forth: John Hamer Postlude: Waltz No. 11 in B Minor from 16 Waltzes (Op. 39, No. 11) by Johannes Brahms A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> JAN 26 Beyond the Walls Online Church 2025 Description: We continue our Seven Signs Sundays series with the story of Jesus’ healing the sick. When the man begs Jesus to come to his home in Capernaum to heal his son’s illness, Jesus effectively rebukes him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” he said, “you will never believe.” Nevertheless, Jesus heals the boy, telling his father, “your son will live.” We are told that this is “the second sign Jesus performed,” which marks the story as part of the Signs Gospel that may have been a source known to the authors of John. Many people throughout history have sought to ground their faith in some otherwise unexplainable experience they regard as a sign or proof of their beliefs. What do we make of Jesus’ ambivalence toward this attitude? How should we ground our own faith? Beyond the Walls – The Sick Are Healed. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 26. A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> JAN 12 Beyond the Walls Online Church 2025 Description: As John the Baptist sees Jesus, he announces to his own disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Historically, lions and other predators were associated with kings, including the Kingdom of Judah whose sigil was a lion. Many Israelites envisioned the coming Messiah as a lion who would defeat their many enemies in warfare and for this reason, the identification of Jesus as the Messiah with the symbol of a lamb was unexpected, indeed. How does seeing Christ as the Lamb of God inform our understanding of God today? Because of our New Year’s break last week, this will be a Communion Service. We will share 🍞🍇 with all those participating live from around the world 🌏 Please have your emblems ready. Beyond the Walls – Behold the Lamb of God. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 12, 2025. ORDER OF WORSHIP Prelude: Toccata in D Major (P.460) & Fugue in D Major (P.153) by Johann Pachelbel Greetings: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Call to Worship (John 1:19b-25): Brenda Colthrop — Grand Rapids, Michigan Opening Hymn CCS 46 “Holy Spirit, Come with Power” Invocation: Sarah Richey — Denver, Colorado Exegetical Lesson: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Lectionary (John 1:26-36): Music Ministry: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Sermon: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Communion Hymn: CCS 531 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” Sacrament of Communion Closing Hymn CCS 359 “We Are One in the Spirit” Sending Forth: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Postlude: II. Menuet gothique from Suite gothique (Op. 25) by Léon Boëllmann A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> DEC 22 Beyond the Walls Late Edition 2024 Description: On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of Peace as we recognize in Christ the divine incarnate. In the prologue to the Gospel of John, we read concerning God’s Logos that “the Word became flesh and lived among us.” We recognize that the incarnation was not limited to a single lifetime in the remote past which is dead and gone, but is ongoing and ever present as the living Christ: Emmanuel, “God with us.” We seek to become true agents of Christ’s peace in the world, that one day God’s peace will thrive here as it does in heaven. Heidi Ramirez joins us from Orlando, Florida, to preach good tidings and bring us cheer with the approach of Christmas. Beyond the Walls – The Word Becomes Flesh. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, December 22, 2024. A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> The Fallacy of Biblical Literalism Description: Many religious fundamentalists read the Bible literally, insisting that its stories occurred historically as written. While some take this to the logical extreme forcing them to reject science in favor of alternative theories like young Earth creationism others look for naturalistic explanations to preserve a literalistic historicist reading of the text. John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place looks at the modern development of these interpretative lenses and will consider how such readings radically distort the original stories and rob them of any meaning. 📚 Browse our catalogue of free lectures at https://www.centreplace.ca/lectures Your generous support allows us to offer these lectures at no cost. Please consider a making donation (tax deductible in the US and Canada): ❤️ https://www.centreplace.ca/donate ️ #lecture #christianity #judaism #bible #biblestudy </video> <video> DEC 24 Beyond the Walls – Christmas Eve Candlelight Celebration 2024 Description: This Christmas Eve, join us for a peaceful and contemplative celebration of Christ’s coming into the world as we reflect on the timeless words of our most beloved Christmas carols. Have you ever wondered why the shepherds were chosen to receive the good news? Why did kings travel from afar to Bethlehem? What story do these lyrics tell beyond the surface? Together, we’ll explore the deeper theological meaning behind these familiar songs and uncover how they speak to us about the Living Christ—born not just in history, but among us today. What do these carols reveal about hope, love, and renewal in our lives right now? Come and experience the beauty of song, story, and reflection as we celebrate Christmas as a global community. Beyond the Walls – Christmas Eve Candlelight Celebration. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Find the time for your location below: Hawaii/Tahiti: 1:00 PM Pacific Time: 3:00 PM Mountain Time: 4:00 PM Central Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time: 6:00 PM Brazil: 8:00 PM British Isles: 11:00 PM Western/Central Europe: Midnight Singapore: 7:00 AM Christmas Day Eastern Australia: 10:00 AM Christmas Day PROGRAM Prelude - Medley of Christmas hymns Advent Hymns: Inviting Christ Among Us 431 - O Come, All Ye Faithful 391 - On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry 394 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 400 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hymns that Tell the Nativity Story Transition to Bethlehem John at the Grotto 424 - The First Noël 482 - Noël nouvelet 432 - What Child Is This The Nativity Story and RLDS Hymnody 419 - Silvery Star, Precious Star 409 - Go, Tell It on the Mountain Hymns that Sing of Christmas Eve 421 - Silent Night! Holy Night! 434 - O Little Town of Bethlehem Theological Contrast in Christmas Hymns 425 - Away in a Manger 429 - Once in Royal David's City Singing the Message of the Angels 427 - Angels We Have Heard on High 423 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Theodicy and Eschatology in Christmas Hymns 415 - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 408 - Joy to the World! 433 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Introducing our new hymn and its theology 801 - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen Postlude - "Hyfrydol" from 3 Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes by Ralph Vaughan Williams Global Greetings & Afterchat All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice #christmaseve #christmas </video> <video> What Are Saints? Description: The term "saint" carries varied meanings across Christian traditions, from martyrs and miracle workers formally canonized by the Catholic Church to ordinary believers living holy lives in Protestant contexts. But where did the idea of saints originate, and how has it evolved? Saints are not unique to Christianity—Jewish traditions celebrate tzaddikim (righteous ones), Greco-Roman cultures honored heroic figures, and Buddhism envisions Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who guide others on the spiritual path. John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place will explore the concept of sainthood in Christian tradition, its relationship to these broader religious and cultural frameworks, and its enduring significance in the modern world. In this lecture, we’ll consider what it means to be a saint and how these figures continue to inspire faith and devotion across cultures. Join the livestream to participate in the discussion and to ask questions to our lecturer during the Q&A. 📚 Browse our catalogue of free lectures at https://www.centreplace.ca/lectures Your generous support allows us to offer these lectures at no cost. Please consider a making donation (tax deductible in the US and Canada): ❤️ https://www.centreplace.ca/donate ️ #lecture #christianity #judaism #bible #biblestudy </video> <video> FEB 2 Beyond the Walls Late Edition 2025 Description: After Jesus’ death and resurrection at the end of the Gospel of John, seven of Jesus’ disciples led by Peter set out in their boat to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee. As they return to the shore having caught nothing, they encounter a man who tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they do, they catch such a great number of fish they cannot haul the net in. Peter then realizes that the man is the risen Christ. This is the third of our Seven Signs Sundays, exploring episodes that the authors of John give as signs that Jesus is the Christ. The scene is rich in symbolism: casting our nets, finding failure, finding success. How can we recognize Christ in our lives today? This is a communion service 🍞🍇. Everyone joining live from around the world is invited to partake. Beyond the Walls – The Great Catch. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, February 2. A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> JAN 26 Beyond the Walls Late Edition 2025 Description: We continue our Seven Signs Sundays series with the story of Jesus’ healing the sick. When the man begs Jesus to come to his home in Capernaum to heal his son’s illness, Jesus effectively rebukes him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” he said, “you will never believe.” Nevertheless, Jesus heals the boy, telling his father, “your son will live.” We are told that this is “the second sign Jesus performed,” which marks the story as part of the Signs Gospel that may have been a source known to the authors of John. Many people throughout history have sought to ground their faith in some otherwise unexplainable experience they regard as a sign or proof of their beliefs. What do we make of Jesus’ ambivalence toward this attitude? How should we ground our own faith? Beyond the Walls – The Sick Are Healed. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 26. A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> Once in Royal David’s City - CCS 429 - The Beyond the Walls Choir Description: CCS 429 - Once in Royal David’s City Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall: with the poor, and mean, and lowly lived on earth our Savior holy. For he is our childhood’s pattern; day by day like us he grew; he was little, weak, and helpless; tears and smiles like us he knew: and he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth all our gladness. And our eyes at last shall see him through his own redeeming love, for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav’n above: and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. Ireland/England Tune: IRBY Words: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818–1895, alt. Music: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805–1876 Performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir </video> <video> The Myth of David's Kingdom Description: The Biblical account describes David ruling over a united Israelite kingdom that included not only his native Judah, but also the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel. The Bible further claims that David and his successor Solomon built a vast empire stretching from the Sinai to the Euphrates. Archaeological research since the 20th century has shown that this empire’s capital, Jerusalem, was merely a small hill village at the time these events purportedly occurred. Nevertheless, discoveries like the Tel Dan Stele provide extra-Biblical evidence for the historical existence of a “House of David” dynasty shortly after this period. In this presentation, John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place will lay out the Biblical and extra-biblical sources that suggest a powerful Iron Age kingdom of Israel existed, alongside archaeological and textual evidence showing that Judah in the south and Israel in the north developed independently. We will examine how the legend of a United Monarchy under David arose much later as part of Israel's post-Babylonian exile identity, tied to emerging messianic hopes. 📚 Browse our catalogue of free lectures at https://www.centreplace.ca/lectures Your generous support allows us to offer these lectures at no cost. Please consider a making donation (tax deductible in the US and Canada): ❤️ https://www.centreplace.ca/donate ️ #lecture #christianity #judaism #bible #biblestudy </video> <video> JAN 12 Beyond the Walls Late Edition 2025 Description: As John the Baptist sees Jesus, he announces to his own disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Historically, lions and other predators were associated with kings, including the Kingdom of Judah whose sigil was a lion. Many Israelites envisioned the coming Messiah as a lion who would defeat their many enemies in warfare and for this reason, the identification of Jesus as the Messiah with the symbol of a lamb was unexpected, indeed. How does seeing Christ as the Lamb of God inform our understanding of God today? Because of our New Year’s break last week, this will be a Communion Service. We will share 🍞🍇 with all those participating live from around the world 🌏 Please have your emblems ready. Beyond the Walls – Behold the Lamb of God. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 12, 2025. ORDER OF WORSHIP Prelude: Toccata in D Major (P.460) & Fugue in D Major (P.153) by Johann Pachelbel Greetings: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Call to Worship (John 1:19b-25): Brenda Colthrop — Grand Rapids, Michigan Opening Hymn CCS 46 “Holy Spirit, Come with Power” Invocation: Sarah Richey — Denver, Colorado Exegetical Lesson: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Lectionary (John 1:26-36): Music Ministry: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Sermon: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Communion Hymn: CCS 531 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” Sacrament of Communion Closing Hymn CCS 359 “We Are One in the Spirit” Sending Forth: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place Postlude: II. Menuet gothique from Suite gothique (Op. 25) by Léon Boëllmann A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen - The Beyond the Walls Choir Description: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heav’nly Father a blessed angel came, and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. Now when they came to Bethlehem, where our sweet Savior lay, they found him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay, the blessed Virgin kneeling down, unto the Lord did pray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and charity each other now embrace; this holy tide of Christmas is filled with heav’nly grace. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. Tune: GOD REST YOU MERRY Words: Traditional English carol (Public Domain) Music: Traditional English melody (Public Domain) Performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir </video> <video> JAN 19 Beyond the Walls Online Church 2025 Description: At the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, at his mother’s request, Jesus comes to the aid of the host when the wine runs out. The Gospel of John calls the miracle of turning water into wine “the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed his glory.” Join us this Sunday as we begin our Seven Signs series. Scholars have long theorized that an early text, known as the “Signs Gospel,” may have been one of the sources for John’s Gospel. Over the next seven Sundays, we will explore the “signs” embedded in the gospel and consider the theological significance of “signs” for ancient Christians. What meaning can we discover in these sacred stories for our lives in the 21st century? Beyond the Walls – From Water into Wine. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 19. You can participate via live video as usual or join us in person at: 💒 320 Richmond Street East, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M5A 1P9. ORDER OF WORSHIP Prelude: Allemande and Courante from French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major (BWV 815) by Johann Sebatian Bach Greetings: John Hamer – Toronto Centre Place Call to Worship: Holly Cross — Raytown, Missouri Opening Hymn CCS 633: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Invocation: Janine McCully — Chilliwack, British Columbia Living Church Lesson: Bill Mines — Elizabeth, Pennsylvania Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Hymn CCS 120: Alleluia Lectionary: Debra Donohue — Vancouver, British Columbia Sermon: Art Smith — Independence, Missouri Meditation on the Message: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place Closing Hymn CCS 105: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! Sending Forth: John Hamer Postlude: Waltz No. 11 in B Minor from 16 Waltzes (Op. 39, No. 11) by Johannes Brahms A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video> <video> FEB 2 Beyond the Walls Online Church 2025 Description: After Jesus’ death and resurrection at the end of the Gospel of John, seven of Jesus’ disciples led by Peter set out in their boat to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee. As they return to the shore having caught nothing, they encounter a man who tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they do, they catch such a great number of fish they cannot haul the net in. Peter then realizes that the man is the risen Christ. This is the third of our Seven Signs Sundays, exploring episodes that the authors of John give as signs that Jesus is the Christ. The scene is rich in symbolism: casting our nets, finding failure, finding success. How can we recognize Christ in our lives today? This is a communion service 🍞🍇. Everyone joining live from around the world is invited to partake. Beyond the Walls – The Great Catch. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, February 2. A bulletin with the order of worship is available at https://www.centreplace.ca/bulletin All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and Michael Karpowicz. Late Edition Host: Noelle Gaffka COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION: REPRINTED / PODCAST / STREAMED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONE LICENSE A-739874. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Beyond the Walls is an online worship service offering live ministry from locations around the world. Our global congregation meets every Sunday at 12:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Central / 10:00 am Mountain / 9:00 am Pacific Time. For those who missed the morning service while it was live, Late Edition is an opportunity to experience the ministry that was offered live earlier in the day while building community with friends from around the world. Join us at 6:00 pm Eastern / 5:00 pm Central / 4:00 pm Mountain / 3:00 pm Pacific Time. We are an international community of disciples and seekers facilitated by Community of Christ in Canada and the Toronto congregation. We are a non-dogmatic church open to interfaith and skeptical perspectives. We reject literal interpretations of scripture. We welcome and affirm all gender identities and expressions. On the first Sunday of each month, we invite online attendees of all religious affiliations and spiritual types to celebrate communion. @CofChrist #churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice </video>

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Join us to explore topics of faith from an academic perspective. Our visually engaging lectures cover history, theology, philosophy, mythology, archaeology, and more, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable. John Hamer, a map maker, historian, and pastor of the Community of Christ Toronto congregation, leads our discussions. This LGBTQ+ affirming, non-dogmatic, interfaith community welcomes members and participants worldwide. Our channel also features the online church service Beyond the Walls, and the musical recordings of the Beyond the Walls Choir. Check out our new podcast Let There Be Answers!

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