Blue Jays' division win inspires Calgary pastor's sermon

For some disciples of the Toronto Blue Jays fans, this season has been nothing short of miraculous.

After the team's 23 years in the playoff desert, many people across Canada are now singing its praises.At one Calgary church , the Jays seeming rebirth is an opportunity to explore larger issues.

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So at Sunday's service at the New Hope Church in northwest Calgary, Pastor John Van Sloten's congregation watched a Jays highlight reel.

"The glory and the communal joy, and the feeling of excitement that we're feeling as a nation that is innately right and true and human. And so we're going to look at the game and see what it can teach us about who our maker is," he said.

The pastor even worked the success of Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos into a parable.

"He brought in the right players in the right way. And so even Alex points to a kind of bigger manager, a bigger hand behind the scene, who can sometimes move things in ways that are good for all," Van Sloten said.

"And in this particular case, good for Toronto Blue Jays fans."

It's not just about trying to be cool or relevant, but about knowing God more, Van Sloten said.

"For a few hours we can get away from our pain, and our struggle and focus on something bigger, a bigger picture, a larger story," he said.

CongregantChuck Van Dyk said the baseball-themed sermon has inspired himtoo.

"Just to look at my own gifts, and what I can do in the world and see how I can maybe be victorious a little bit along with the Jays this week, at least I'm hoping," he said.

The American League East champion Jays will host their West division counterparts, the Texas Rangers,in Game 1 of the playoffson Thursday at Toronto's Rogers Centre.