Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In his opening greetings to the Thessalonians, Paul says that they have become “a model to all the believers” (1:7). This Sunday, we consider what this statement tells us about the lived experience of the earliest Christians and how that foundation informs our experience as Christians today. How can we become a model to all in our communities?
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest book in the New Testament, the earliest writing by a Christian that has survived. Paul is writing to a Christian community that he had planted in the Greek-speaking city of Thessalonica in the Roman province of Macedonia. The Thessalonian Christians had primarily been converted from the worship of the old god of traditional Greek religion although some (like Paul) had a Jewish background.
Letters or “epistles” like 1st Thessalonians were meant to be read in public by the community likely as part of meeting together in a “house church” (without a dedicated church building, the congregation met in the homes of its members).
We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 18, 2026. You can participate via live video as usual or join us in person at: 💒 320 Richmond Street East, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M5A 1P9.
This year we are focusing on witnesses of God’s revelation beyond the four canonical gospels, including the letters of Paul, Hebrews, and the letters attributed to James, Peter, Jude, and John. We will also read Acts, Revelation, and some important early Christian texts that were not included in the canon: the Didache (or Teachings of the Twelve Apostles), the sayings Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene).
📖 Full worship bulletin: centreplace.ca/bulletin
🎵 All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and @MichaelKarpowicz. Copyrighted music with permission by OneLicense A-739874
🌐 Beyond the Walls is an online worship service with live ministry from around the world. Our global congregation gathers every Sunday at 12:00 pm ET and 6:00 pm ET. We’re an inclusive, non-dogmatic, progressive Christian community that affirms all gender identities and expressions, embraces interfaith and skeptical perspectives, and rejects literal interpretations of scripture.
#churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice
In his opening greetings to the Thessalonians, Paul says that they have become “a model to all the believers” (1:7). This Sunday, we consider what this statement tells us about the lived experience of the earliest Christians and how that foundation informs our experience as Christians today. How can we become a model to all in our communities?
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest book in the New Testament, the earliest writing by a Christian that has survived. Paul is writing to a Christian community that he had planted in the Greek-speaking city of Thessalonica in the Roman province of Macedonia. The Thessalonian Christians had primarily been converted from the worship of the old god of traditional Greek religion although some (like Paul) had a Jewish background.
Letters or “epistles” like 1st Thessalonians were meant to be read in public by the community likely as part of meeting together in a “house church” (without a dedicated church building, the congregation met in the homes of its members).
We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, January 18, 2026. You can participate via live video as usual or join us in person at: 💒 320 Richmond Street East, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M5A 1P9.
This year we are focusing on witnesses of God’s revelation beyond the four canonical gospels, including the letters of Paul, Hebrews, and the letters attributed to James, Peter, Jude, and John. We will also read Acts, Revelation, and some important early Christian texts that were not included in the canon: the Didache (or Teachings of the Twelve Apostles), the sayings Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene).
📖 Full worship bulletin: centreplace.ca/bulletin
🎵 All music performed by the Beyond the Walls Choir and @MichaelKarpowicz. Copyrighted music with permission by OneLicense A-739874
🌐 Beyond the Walls is an online worship service with live ministry from around the world. Our global congregation gathers every Sunday at 12:00 pm ET and 6:00 pm ET. We’re an inclusive, non-dogmatic, progressive Christian community that affirms all gender identities and expressions, embraces interfaith and skeptical perspectives, and rejects literal interpretations of scripture.
#churchonline #churchservice #worshipservice
