Ralph Waldo Emerson’s shared this thought (which I misquoted this morning) in ‘His Journals’: “Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.” An important lesson for everyone… still. In worship we were greeted on the Sunday after Holy Cross day with a mixture of scripture […]
Today in worship we considered how we have had God’s love firmly intertwined in our hearts – with the idea that God’s love would shine through us and bring us and the world hope. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that, by nature, we are supposed to be hospitable to strangers and care for […]
In worship today we were challenged by our scripture. Jeremiah reminded us that God knew him (and us) before he was born and that God had endowed him with everything he needs to be successful for God. Even when he feels like he’s unfit to serve God reminds him that God knows the whole story. […]
We gathered to offer prayers for healing today, for those on our prayer list and for those who are in need of prayers. We affirmed today that God knows the needs of humanity before we ask and that God supplies according to our need. We heard some difficult readings today that tell parts of the […]
In worship we were challenged by Luke’s gospel and how we are invited to be ready (more appropriately – be alert for the change that is coming so we aren’t surprised) and to remember that God’s greatest joy is to lavish us with God’s blessing; not to punish humanity. The letter to the Hebrews reminds […]
Greetings as August dawns and the end of summer approaches. We are thankful for those who join us in the midst of It can be fitting, as a preacher/story teller, that I offer the prayers “may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight…” because sometimes our […]
In worship today we continued our journey in Ordinary Time, exploring the mission of our church and the people who are faithful followers of God. We heard Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer and listened to the “bumper sticker” – ask, seek, and knock – until you hear God’s response (then repeat). The letter to […]
We are continuing our journey is the season after Pentecost (often called Ordinary Time). A sad choice of names because the lessons of “Ordinary time” are anything but ordinary. The Psalmist spent time (rightly) accusing those in power who act like God isn’t present. Paul reminded the Colossians that Jesus was the image of God […]
In worship today we spent time remembering what it means to be called by God. Not just to a life filled with grace and mercy, but a life also filled with responsibility to God and the justice that God demands. The Psalmist reminded us that we need to be just and not favor those who […]
In worship we heard a variety of stories in scripture. From Elisha healing Naaman simply, by having the “proud general” Naaman bathe in the Jordan 7 times. The power of God works in ways that are not human ways. Paul concluded his letter to the Galatians reminding them that, while each individual is responsible for […]