This weekend, we gather along with Christians throughout the world to celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Christmas (Day #9 of the joyous ongoing 12-day season of Christmas). Unlike much of society, which has “packed away” Christmas, the sanctuary remains decorated to celebrate the birth of Christ – and our hearts continue to celebrate the joy…
On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the Good News of peace & great joy announced by the angels: Good News that still comes to us amidst all the challenges of life in a tumultuous world. We marvel at a child born for us: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace! And the angels’ chorus rings out…
This Sunday, as we light the 4th candle on the Advent wreath, we ponder Mary’s visit with her relative Elizabeth after receiving the news form the angel Gabriel that she will carry God’s child. We join our voices with Mary’s voice in proclaiming, “My soul magnifies the Lord, my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”…
This Sunday, we gather in our sanctuary now decorated for this joyful season, and we light the 2nd Advent candle to continue prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. We worship Sunday morning at 8:15 & 10:30 – and then Sunday afternoon, the entire congregation is invited for a time of singing and fellowship with our…
On the weekend before Thanksgiving, we begin to pause & ponder the many blessings God has given us for life (too many to process!): not only basic needs like food, shelter, clothing; but profound blessings like relationships, family, love, forgiveness, grace, and the joyful promise of eternal life through Christ our Lord! Thanks be to…
Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death. On All Saints…
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to…
“The Lord has done great things for us – and we are glad indeed!” This Sunday, the words of Psalm 126 ring out in our ears and hearts. How blessed it is to be loved by a God who wants us to know gladness – and works great things for us, in the midst of…
This Sunday, the words of Psalm 90 speak to our hearts, “O Lord, satisfy us by your steadfast love … so shall we rejoice and be glad all our days.” In Mark 10, we meet a man who cannot accept Jesus’ invitation to embrace the freedom of God’s Kingdom because of his attachment to possessions.…
This Sunday, we reach a climactic moment in Mark’s gospel, when Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?” and Simon Peter responds with his confession of faith, “You are the Messiah!” We hear Jesus’ powerful words of invitation, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take…