Pilgrim Church

Ten Words with Joshua LiemExodus 20This Sunday we're diving into the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. These are a portrait of God's character, given to a people he'd already rescued, meant to be meditated on and embodied in everyday life. We'll explore what these ancient words reveal about who God is, how Jesus brought them to life, and what it looks like for us to do the same as we gather at the communion table together.

Of Blood and Covenants with Josh LiemExodus 19-24This Sunday we're in Exodus 19-24: the story of God entering into a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. Like a wedding, it has vows, promises, and a feast; but, perhaps differently from a modern wedding, blood. We'll trace the arc from Sinai to the Last Supper and ask what it means that we still gather at this same table.

Jethro, Moses, and the Mission of God with Josh LiemExodus 18Who gets included into the family of God?  This baptism Sunday, we explore Exodus 18: the story of Jethro’s conversion and advice to Moses.  Discover what he has to teach us about leadership, delegation, and how God’s truth can come from unexpected places.  Join us as we celebrate Andrew’s baptism and recommit ourselves to the mission of making disciples together.--For reflection & discussion:What stood out to you from Andrew’s testimony?  Share your own testimony— your journey of what led you to faith, baptism, and this community.Moses received wise counsel from a Midianite priest. Have you ever received meaningful wisdom from someone outside the faith, or from an unexpected source? How did you test it?Where in your own life are you tempted to write someone off as an outsider or enemy? What would it look like to see them as a potential brother or sister?Jethro's criteria for leaders were capability and character. Who in your life models both? How are you developing those qualities yourself?Jesus' commission to make disciples, baptize, and teach wasn't just for pastors — it's for all of us. What's one concrete way you could take that seriously this week?Jethro heard what God had done and it moved him to worship. Who in your life needs to hear your testimony right now?  Pray for them in your prayer time.

From a Promise Comes a People with Guest Rebecca ThornberExodus 13:17-15:21Moses said to the people of Israel in Exodus 14:13: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord.” Why was this message important for the Israelites as they left Egypt? How might it be important for us today? This week we will explore what the Red Sea crossing shows us about God, and what it means to be his people, both then and now.

The Passover with Guest Dr. George GuthrieExodus 12:1-14One of the most important stories in the Grand Story of Scripture, the Passover speaks to us about key moments of orientation in life, our need for liberation from the things that enslave us, and the need for ongoing celebration of the great things that God has done. We will look at the story in Exodus 12:1-14, discuss its relationship to the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament, and examine our own need for ongoing, spiritual orientation in our chaotic world.Dr. George Guthrie is the Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College and a leading expert on the New Testament. A prolific author and commentator, he has written extensively on the books of Hebrews, 2 Corinthians, and Philippians, and has served as a consultant for major Bible translations including the ESV and CSB. Beyond his academic work, Dr. Guthrie is deeply committed to biblical literacy, creating resources like Read the Bible for Life to help the church better understand and apply Scripture. He lives in British Columbia with his wife, Pat, where they enjoy mentoring, hospitality, and exploring the outdoors.

A Tyrant’s Heart and a Nation’s Fate with Guest Daniel Melvill JonesExodus 7-10What happens when a leader believes the land, the water, and the people belong to him? In the Exodus story, a single hardened heart brings the undoing of creation and suffering for all who depend on it. Watch how God works deliverance for those who suffer, even through the heart of a tyrant.Daniel Melvill Jones is in the final semester of his Master of Divinity degree at Vancouver School of Theology, having previously studied at Regent College. He lives on the edge of Pacific Spirit park with his beloved wife, Annie, and their black cat, Babette; and although their apartment is crammed with overflowing bookshelves, he will still stop to check every Little Free Library he comes across.

Delayed Deliverance - Bricks without straw with Jessica ChanExodus 5-7:6When we catch a glimmer of hope in Jesus, how do we keep it from being snuffed out?  Lets reflect on the three things God said to Moses in his doubt: I am Yahweh, I know I made a promise to you, and I have heard your complaint.

Escaping Pharaoh’ Grind: Freedom for Faithfulness with Josh LiemExodus 1-4We’re beginning a new sermon series in the book of Exodus: a story of deliverance, power, and formation that shaped Jesus’ own vision of God’s kingdom. Exodus invites us to ask not only what we long to be freed from, but what we are being freed for. Join us as we explore the God who hears the cry of the oppressed and forms a people who reflect His character in the world.

A Whisper in Herod’s Winter: Christmas as Clandestine Hope with Guest Dr. Mark GlanvilleMatthew 2:1-12As we journey through the Christmas season and anticipate Epiphany, we will spend time with the Magi in Matthew chapter 2. We will ask: what is the emotion, the tone of Christmas, in the stories themselves? Christmas is joyful, but it is not the full-blooded victory celebration of Easter Sunday. Rather the incarnation is whispered into the night. After all, the wise men slinked away, undercover, for fear of Herod. Christmas is a clandestine celebration. How can we enter into 2026 in this spirit? How can we journey into the coming year alert to the harmful ways of Herod, while whispering and embodying a different way?

Revealing Our Hidden Idols with Felix ChanMatthew 4:1-11This week we’ll close the year by looking at Jesus’ testing in the wilderness and how it exposes the idols we often carry - performance, approval, and control. Through Scripture and story, we’ll reflect honestly on the past year and discover how God meets us in the places we feel most challenged or overwhelmed. As we step into a new year, we’ll explore what it means to live grounded in God's enduring love and acceptance.

Christmas Eve - Meditation with Josh LiemChristmas Eve service was Wednesday, December 24th from 5:30-6:30pm. This was a combined service with Zion, and was an evening service of carols, candles, community, and the Christmas story.

The God Who Enters the Dark with Josh LiemPsalm 80, Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25On the longest night of the year, the final Sunday of Advent invites us to stop running from the darkness and to sit in it, with our doubts, fears, and longing. The ancient cry of Psalm 80, "Restore us, O Lord," echoes through King Ahaz's failure, Joseph's quiet obedience, and our own prayers for a world still waiting. Yet God's answer isn't a plan to extract us from the darkness, but rather to enter into it: Emmanuel, God with us.For reflection & discussion:What's one thing you're looking forward to this Christmas season, and one thing you're finding hard about it?Joseph receives a word from God that doesn't remove the scandal or suffering—it just asks for obedience. Have you ever felt called to obey God even when it didn't make your life easier?The sermon says, "God's answer to 'Restore us' is not to get us out of the darkness, but to enter into it himself." How does that change what you expect from God in difficult times?Isaiah tells Ahaz that a pregnancy in wartime is a sign of hope. Why is caring for the vulnerable an act of trust in God?  Who are the vulnerable you may be called to care for?

Tidings of Comfort and Joy with Joshua LiemIsaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10Gaudete Sunday invites us into the strange Advent tension of joy in the midst of darkness.  We will explore how Scripture teaches us to find joy not by escaping suffering but by paying attention: to creation rejoicing, to John the Baptist waiting in prison, and to the patient hope of the prophets. Come discover how attentive presence with God and one another opens us to a deeper, surprising joy in this season.

Q&R Sunday with Pastor Josh, Jess, and AI JesusJoin us for a special Q&R (Questions & Responses) this Sunday during our regular service times! Our two pastors will be joined by a special guest — an AI chatbot — for a lively and thoughtful conversation about faith, life, and your big questions. This is your chance to ask what’s been on your mind — from theology to everyday faith practice — and hear honest, engaging responses from both human and digital perspectives.We’ll also be sharing a potluck meal together during the service, so please bring a dish to share and come a little early to help us get set up. We’re looking forward to a warm morning of food, fellowship, and worship together!

The Word That Changed the World with Guest Dave Mohr, BCBA Executive MinisterLuke 2:8-14In the middle of fear, chaos, and the unknown, heaven delivered a single word to the world: peace. But what did that word truly mean then - and what does it mean for us now? Whether rediscovering, or discovering for the first time, this one word changed everything then - and it can do the same for you now. Come experience the peace only Jesus can give.Before becoming the executive minister for the BCBA, Dave served as the pastor of an NAB church in Calgary, Alberta. Having been married since 1991, he and his wife, Kim, have three adult children. Though he has been geographically displaced fan for some time, Dave is a life-long Edmonton Oilers fan.

You’re Invited!... to Stand Together with Joshua LiemEphesians 6:10-24We're wrapping up Ephesians with Paul's famous "armour of God" passage.  Teaser: this isn't about simply your personal spiritual protection or mobilizing for culture wars, but rather a source of meditation for growing your imagination and vocation in life.

You’re Invited!..  To Walk in Wisdom with Joshua LiemEphesians 5:15-6:9This Sunday, we're tackling one of Paul's most controversial and misinterpreted texts: the household codes in Ephesians 5-6.  We'll explore how this ancient wisdom literature was actually radical for its time, why context matters desperately when lives are at stake, and what it means to be filled with the Spirit rather than following magic formulas. (Spoiler: Paul isn't giving us a one-size-fits-all blueprint for family life.)

Keys to True Community with Dr. George GuthriePhilippians 2:1-4As with anything worth having, the building of true Christian community takes effort. We will look at Paul’s prescription for how to live as a unified body of Christ-followers.Dr. George Guthrie is Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College and a highly sought-after lecturer, who has taught across North America, as well as in East Asia, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, and Israel. George has a passion for equipping church leaders and laypeople to read and live the Bible more effectively.

Christ in All: Participating in the Renewal of the World with Joshua LiemThis Sunday, join us for our Brunch Church Potluck as we share a meal together and hear from Pastor Josh as he shares his heart and vision for our church community. It’ll be a time of fellowship, good food, and meaningful conversation as we look ahead together to what God is doing in our church.

You’re invited!... to Put on Christ with Joshua LiemEphesians 4:17-5:14Paul calls the Ephesian church to “put off the old self and put on the new,” instructing believers to stand out in a culture shaped by greed, lust, and anger. What might it look like to live as children of light in Vancouver — a city that prizes comfort, freedom, and success? Join us as we explore a gospel-shaped life that doesn’t blend in but shines with love.--For reflection & discussion:If you are a first or second-generation immigrant to Vancouver, what were some cultural clashes that you or your parents had with each other or other people in this city?  (Examples: timeliness, food, expectations around manners, funny moments around cultural taboos, Indigenous relations, individualism/self-determination/freedom vs collectivism)Pick one of the three to go into deep discussion with: sex, greed, or anger. (You can also break up into smaller groups of 2-4 to discuss one each)What is your understanding of the Christian sexual, economic, or relational/justice ethic?  Contrast it with what you believe is Vancouver’s underlying ethic.  How is it the same? How is it different?  Did anything from the sermon stand out or affirm your understanding of a Christian ethic?How do you see sexuality, greed, or anger expressed in our culture? How do you hope these would be expressed differently within the church?Who / what has been influential in your understanding of Christian sexual/economic/justice ethics? What voices have shaped your views, for better or for worse? What would you recommend for further understanding or practices?Is there an area that we can walk and pray together in for better encouragement and accountability?