Be Still and Know

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Scriptures: Psalm 46

• Sermon Summary

  In this opening message of the Summer Songs series, Alexandra examines Psalm 46 to explore how we experience the Divine amidst the chaotic and stormy waters of human life. First, looking at our history, we discover God's presence by remembering past moments of deliverance and by courageously extending grace and compassion to former versions of ourselves. Moving into Section Two - Hope, the sermon reframes our expectations of physical safety, urging us to recognize that God’s protection is found in a persistent Presence and through our own creative movements toward community. Finally, in Section Three - Presence, we are challenged by the command to "be still," utilizing moments of mindful self-regulation to drop beneath our frantic activity and embody God’s non-violent grace in real-time.

• Discussion Guide

  Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
  
  Summer Discussion Guide 2026

  If your group is meeting this summer and wants to talk about the sermons, here are a few questions that you could use to engage with our teaching. 

  • What specific part of the message resonated with you the most? Why do you think that particular part, or idea, or story caught your attention? 

  • Did the sermon speak into a particular struggle or question in your life or your faith journey right now?

  • How did the message challenge or encourage you personally?
    And what do you think the application could be for our church community? Was there anything that could strengthen or stretch us as a church? 

  • How did the exposition of the scriptures used in the sermon provide you with a new perspective of deeper understanding?

  ——
  It is good to remember that the conversation experience in the group is shaped by the personal stories of those who participate in it and how willing the people are to be open and vulnerable in the group.

  So if you’re leading the discussion, feel free to model and encourage person-centred and story-centred sharing by reflecting on how some parts of the sermon resonate with you personally.
  ——

  Additionally, what contributes to a more authentic group discussion is when people can share not about the abstract and theoretical applications, but one or two practical things they are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion. 

  So, you can end your time together with this question: 

  • What is one thing you are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion we’ve just had?

• Service Songs & Prayers

  CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 25

  MUSIC Curated by Kevin B.
  Mission House - I Don't Have Much
  Brooke Ligertwood - Looking
  CityAlight - Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
  Brooke Ligertwood - King of Kings
  
  Summer: Praying with Scripture
  Written by Bobbi Salkeld
  
  Today, I invite you into a summertime reflection where we will pray with Jesus’ parable about selling everything for a fine pearl.

  Feel your feet on the ground, and then I’ll guide you. 

  Let us pray. 
  
  Jesus told this story: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value – just one pearl – the man went and sold all that he had and bought that pearl.

  As we consider the parable, check in with yourself at the start of this story. 

  If you think you know what the kingdom of heaven is like, wait for the surprise. 

  We pray – 

  Jesus, we want to be surprised by you again. 

  This summer, could we encounter something new about what it means to contemplate you?  

  In Jesus’ story, a merchant was not someone to trust or follow. So, what’s the merchant doing in the story? Why would Jesus use a shady character, more concerned with money than community, to talk about the kingdom of heaven?
  
  Is it possible that even this man – even this merchant – allows the kingdom of heaven to flow through him? 

  Jesus, we want to be surprised by you again. 

  This summer, might we encounter something new about what it means to let your precious kingdom flow through us. 

  What do you think of this man’s obsession? He lets go of everything so that he can have just one thing. 
  
  Maybe he – 

  Sells his fine luggage.

  Sells his beautiful home. 

  Sells his cloaks of gorgeous fabrics. 

  Sells the little bit of gold he’s acquired. 

  Sells it all so he can hold a fine pearl – something so precious in the ancient world that most people had never seen one. 

  Jesus, we want to be surprised by you again. 

  This summer, set our hearts on passionate pursuits, and in our pursuing might we notice that we’re already standing in the very centre of your kingdom right here on earth as it is in heaven.

  Amen.
  
  SERIES BUMPER
  Summer Songs Series