The Bible contains some famously hard texts (“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”). The lectionary readings suggested for fall 2026 for Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics and the United Church turn out to showcase quite a few such difficult passages.

What’s a faithful preacher or a thoughtful listener from the pew to do?

For three Tuesday evenings online (Sept 22, 29, and Oct 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm EST), Dr. Matthew R. Anderson will uncover an uncomfortable text you will face every Sunday up to and including The Reign of Christ – and give practical advice on what to make of it.

There will also be opportunity for bringing your own “hard texts” from the lectionary for group discussion!

Click here for more information.

The Bible contains some famously hard texts (“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”). The lectionary readings suggested for fall 2026 for Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics and the United Church turn out to showcase quite a few such difficult passages.

What’s a faithful preacher or a thoughtful listener from the pew to do?

For three Tuesday evenings online (Sept 22, 29, and Oct 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm EST), Dr. Matthew R. Anderson will uncover an uncomfortable text you will face every Sunday up to and including The Reign of Christ – and give practical advice on what to make of it.

There will also be opportunity for bringing your own “hard texts” from the lectionary for group discussion!

Click here for more information.

The Bible contains some famously hard texts (“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”). The lectionary readings suggested for fall 2026 for Anglicans, Lutherans, Catholics and the United Church turn out to showcase quite a few such difficult passages.

What’s a faithful preacher or a thoughtful listener from the pew to do?

For three Tuesday evenings online (Sept 22, 29, and Oct 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm EST), Dr. Matthew R. Anderson will uncover an uncomfortable text you will face every Sunday up to and including The Reign of Christ – and give practical advice on what to make of it.

There will also be opportunity for bringing your own “hard texts” from the lectionary for group discussion!

Click here for more information

First Lutheran, Toronto: 175^th Anniversary Service and Reunion Tea, August 9, 2026

In 1851 Toronto had a population of 30,000. Ten years earlier Charles Dickens had described Toronto as “full of life, motion, business and improvement.” Imagine the visionary hope of a small band of German Lutherans, 12 in number, who signed the constitution of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto on Aug. 9, 1851. Eight generations of faithful dedication have kept that vision alive. Today, inspired by the love of Jesus, First Lutheran’s mission is to be a diverse, accessible, justice-seeking, welcoming, engaged community in a complex downtown neighborhood. We welcome friends old and new any time, but especially on our anniversary Sunday.

Celebrate with us on August 9, 2026, for two events:

175^th Anniversary Reunion Tea, 1:00 pm, at 116 Bond St. Free pre-registration will be greatly appreciated

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/118918341RR0001-first-lutheran-church/events/175th-anniversary-reunion-tea

175^th Anniversary Holy Communion, 3:00 pm, 116 Bond St. Toronto. The Rev. Carla Blakley, Bishop of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, preaching and presiding.

For more information email: anniversary@firstelc.ca