Text: John 12:1-19 Over these past few years, our church has become a sacred space for a group of folks who once called Myanmar home. Their families came here to the United States seeking opportunity and possibility and escape from violence they found welcome not only in our city, but here in this building. This…
Again & Again, God Loves First
Text: John 3:14-21 One of my favorite books is “Hope for the Flowers.” It tells the story of a little caterpillar named Stripe who is looking for something… he just isn’t sure what it is. He just knows, deep within, that there is something more out there. One day, he comes across this mound… this…
Again & Again, God Shows the Way
Text: John 2:13-22 From the beginning of time, God has been trying to show us the way. The way to abundant life. The way to shalom. We catch a glimpse of how God wants us to live in the laws of Scripture, which Bible scholar, Walter Bruggemann describes as “God’s full intention for the life…
Again & Again, We Are Called to Listen
Text: Mark 8:31-9:8 I have been thinking this week about my grandfather. A little less than a year ago he died and in the weeks to follow, my little brother discovered online a memoir my Grandpa Earl had written for a booklet called “Facing Bereavement” from Alpha Ministries. He tells of how he and…
Again & Again, God Meets Us
Text: Genesis 9, Mark 1 In Lent, we are reminded that again and again, suffering and brokenness find us. Again and again, the story of Jesus on the cross repeats – every time we witness the injustice and are reminded about how we have forgotten to love. And again and again, God breaks the cycle…
Follow the Star: Mantle
Text: 1 Kings 19: 3-6, 9-12, 15-16, 19; 2 Kings 2:1, 7-12 Today as we wrap up the season of Epiphany, we focus on the prophet Elijah and his protégé, Elisha. A new king had arisen in the land – Ahab and his wife Jezebel – and instead of following the God of Abraham, Isaac,…
Follow the Star: Service
Text: Mark 1:29-38, Isaiah 40:21-31 Today, as we follow the star, we hear an invitation from God to serve. Why do we serve? Is it because we are trying to earn our salvation? Is it to gain brownie points with God or with others? Do we serve from a sense of duty or obligation? Or…
Follow The Star: Authority
Text: Mark 1:21-28 Our gospel lesson for today begins with Jesus teaching in the synagogue. And the people of Capernaum were astounded by his teaching. It wasn’t simply what he taught, but how he taught it. Jesus exuded authority: power, freedom, ability… The words were not simply something he had read, but something he possessed.…