In worship we were greeted by the promise that God sent messengers – the prophets – to prepare the way for our salvation. Thankfully their message helps us navigate life’s journey and the distractions we have today. Isaiah painted a picture of the king who would rise from Jesse – one who was not specifically […]
In worship today we did, in fact, celebrate the last Sunday of Liturgical Year C in the Episcopal Church. Our service and scripture helped us focus on the mission of Christ among us as the Son of the Living God. Jeremiah reminded us that the bad leaders of God’s people will pay for their transgressions […]
In worship today we continued our journey in the season of Pentecost. We heard Jesus’ parable about the 10 lepers and the 1 who returned to give thanks; an encouragement to give thanks no matter where we are in life’s journey and no matter where we feel associated with the “in” group. Paul reminded Timothy […]
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 […]
In worship, we celebrated by hearing the stories of witness. Each of the readings today, including the Psalm, were focused on the commission of witness to the world. The Psalmist assures us that there is nothing that brings joy than to witness. The Acts of the Apostles also reinforces the need to witness to the […]
While I’m not sure how it conveys in the aural sermon, we were exposed to Abram as he questioned how and when God would make him a mighty nation – since he and Sarai were getting very old. God restated God’s promise to Abram and because Abram trusted God, they formed a covenant relationship. We […]
Today was the Sunday often named Transfiguration Sunday (not to be confused with the Feast of the Transfiguration – which falls later in the liturgical calendar). We heard stories of Moses’ shining face and his having to hide his reflection of God’s presence in his life behind a veil – because Israel couldn’t handle being […]
In worship we were blessed to be bathed by rich music and insightful scripture. Our reading from Genesis told the story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers; our psalm reminded us to not fret and wait for God to show where God is leading us. Our New Testament and Gospel described the Golden Rule and […]
As we approach the end of the season after the Epiphany, we hear stories in worship about how God calls and reaffirms the calls placed on our lives. Sometimes God comes to us like the story of Isaiah – with great pomp and grandeur that takes our breath away. Sometimes God comes to us in […]
As we worship and hear the lessons for the Feast of the Epiphany we can be struck by the themes of light and awareness. We hear the worshipful and worship-filled interaction between the prophet Isaiah and his people, between Paul and his church in Ephesus, and the Magi from the east (not kings but wise […]