Text: Acts 27:1, 9-12, 15, 18, 20-22, 39, 42-43; 28:11a, 16, 30-31 About a month ago, I pulled together some of our church leaders for an evening of conversation and planning about where we are as a church and where we are going. We started with this image from Rooted Good which simply asks…
Ordinary Time
A City of Idols
Text: Acts 17:16-32 When I lived in Nashville for seminary, my house just around the corner from Centennial Park. In 1897, to celebrate one hundred years of statehood, Nashville hosted a World’s Fair – type exposition. Many incredible buildings were constructed on the park grounds… including a full scale replica of the Parthenon from Athens.…
No Additional Burdens
Text: Acts 15:1-2, 4-6, 12-13, 19-21 This week at VBS, we learned a lot of awesome stories about how Jesus power is with us. And every single night we had a totally true, awesome story from the Book of Acts. We talked about how Jesus helps us do hard things with the story of Ananias…
Self-Definition
Acts 13: 1-5, 13-16, 43-52 About two months before the pandemic began, I was on renewal leave. Honestly, that time was such a gift. I was able to refill my cup and energize my spirit and I don’t know how I would have made it through the last 18 months if I had been as…
The Church in Antioch
Text: Acts 11: 19-30 In our lesson for today, Luke notes that this new community in Antioch represents the very first time that people were called, “Christians.” Before this, we’ve had a lot of different descriptions of these folks. Jews. Disciples. Followers of the Way. Those who were part of “This Life.” It was hard…
Expanding Our Vision
Text: Acts 10: 1-5, 9-15, 19-20, 24, 27-28, 34-36, 44-48 Eighty five years ago, I probably would not have been welcomed in this pulpit. As a woman, ordination was out of the question. A combination of tradition and a patriarchal society and a way of reading the scriptures precluded the church from welcoming women as…
What Happened in Damascus?
Text: Acts 9:1-20 Our scripture today starts with lines drawn in the sand. Us verses them. The faithful, orthodox, Jewish leader vs. the rebellious believers of the Way. Division. Destruction. And everyone so sure that they were on the side that was right. You know, on this national holiday weekend, I can’t ignore how this…
The Sorcerer and the Eunuch
Text: Acts 8: 4-6, 9-10, 12-13, 15-24; 26-27, 29-31, 34-39 Last week, the Jerusalem community of disciples was shaken when Stephen, one of the first deacons, was killed for his beliefs. The church scattered and one of those deacons, Philip, found himself in Samaria, preaching Christ. That moment of tragedy and the threat of persecution…