Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The contrast between light and darkness is a metaphor that many ancient sages used to explain reality. Plato used it to represent knowledge and ignorance in the Allegory of the Cave. In Genesis 1, God separates light from darkness, and the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness. This imagery later gave rise to Gnostic ideas that associated the physical world with darkness. However, the Gospel of John presents a non-dualistic view of reality in its portrayal of Jesus. “I Am the Light of the World,” he declares. In this context, darkness is not an evil force, but the places in our world—and in our own lives—where divine light longs to shine.
From Kirtland, Ohio, Seth Bryant will explore this scripture as we reflect together on the meaning of this metaphor in our lives today.
Beyond the Walls – I Am the Light of the World. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, July 13, 2025.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prelude: Chaconne in F Major (HWV 485) by George Frideric Handel
Greetings: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place
Call to Worship: Twila Rider
Opening Hymn CCS 314 - When the Darkness Overwhelms Us
Invocation: Steve Tignor
Living Church Lesson: Emelia Goheen
Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place
Hymn CCS 51 “God of Dawn, Each Day’s Renewal”
Focus Scripture (John 8:12-20): Twila Rider
Sermon: Seth Bryant
Meditation on the Message: Leandro Palacios
Closing Hymn CCS 240 “Light Dawns on a Weary World”
Sending Forth: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place
Postlude: Praeambulum in D Minor (WV 36) by Heinrich Scheidemann
A bulletin with the order of worship is available at 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
The contrast between light and darkness is a metaphor that many ancient sages used to explain reality. Plato used it to represent knowledge and ignorance in the Allegory of the Cave. In Genesis 1, God separates light from darkness, and the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness. This imagery later gave rise to Gnostic ideas that associated the physical world with darkness. However, the Gospel of John presents a non-dualistic view of reality in its portrayal of Jesus. “I Am the Light of the World,” he declares. In this context, darkness is not an evil force, but the places in our world—and in our own lives—where divine light longs to shine.
From Kirtland, Ohio, Seth Bryant will explore this scripture as we reflect together on the meaning of this metaphor in our lives today.
Beyond the Walls – I Am the Light of the World. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on 📅 Sunday, July 13, 2025.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prelude: Chaconne in F Major (HWV 485) by George Frideric Handel
Greetings: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place
Call to Worship: Twila Rider
Opening Hymn CCS 314 - When the Darkness Overwhelms Us
Invocation: Steve Tignor
Living Church Lesson: Emelia Goheen
Global Welcome: Leandro Palacios — Toronto Centre Place
Hymn CCS 51 “God of Dawn, Each Day’s Renewal”
Focus Scripture (John 8:12-20): Twila Rider
Sermon: Seth Bryant
Meditation on the Message: Leandro Palacios
Closing Hymn CCS 240 “Light Dawns on a Weary World”
Sending Forth: John Hamer — Toronto Centre Place
Postlude: Praeambulum in D Minor (WV 36) by Heinrich Scheidemann
A bulletin with the order of worship is available at 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
