Our theme for the 3rd Week of Advent is “Forward in Joy” – and we hear the encouraging words of Paul to the early Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”  Once again, we encounter John the Baptizer in the wilderness, pointing the way to the Light of Jesus which continues…

We hear the voice of John the Baptizer, crying out in the Judean wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” – and we rejoice at how the Holy Spirit has prepared our hearts for the presence of Christ amidst the wilderness spaces of our own lives.  We offer our annual Giving Intents for the Lord…

This is the final Sunday of our Christian year, when we join with Christians across the world to celebrate that Christ is our Eternal King – and that while we are temporary residents here on earth, we are citizens of Christ’s Kingdom forever!  We hear the words of Jesus, who declares that inasmuch as we…

We hear another parable of Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven – with 10 bridesmaids awaiting the joyful arrival of the bridegroom.  We are uplifted by the words of Psalm 70: “Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and be glad in the Lord; let those who love the Lord’s salvation say forever, ‘Great is…

Special Music by LS JuBELLation Handbells Prayers & Candle-Lighting for Those Departed in Past Year Day #1 of Veterans’ “Witting Tree” Vigil (hanging of dogtags) We offer prayers of remembrance and thanksgiving for those departed this past year. We hear Jesus list of God’s blessings from the Sermon on the Mount – and the uplifting…

This Sunday, we encounter the great wisdom of Jesus, responding to leaders who, in spite of their trickery, unsuccessfully try to de-rail his Kingdom-mission of hope & love for all (Matthew 22:15-22). Jesus extends the wonderful invitation to “give to God the things that are God’s” – knowing that all humanity belongs to God, as…

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. This Sunday, we hear the beautiful and comforting words of Psalm 23. We also hear the words of Isaiah, about our loving God who conquers even death, and acts to wipe away our tears (Isaiah 25:1-9). We are reminded by the apostle Paul that the Lord…

This Sunday, we hear Jesus’ parable about a Master who, with much love, created a beautiful vineyard – and how he entrusted that vineyard to specially chosen servants, who then did the unthinkable of trying to claim the vineyard as their own. (Matthew 21:33-46). We ponder how even in challenging times, God has still blessed…

This Sunday, we hear Jesus’ words to his disciples about being persistent in lives of forgiveness & reconciliation with others. Even though this is not always easy for us, we have Jesus’ promise that he is with us. We hear the apostle Paul’s encouragement for us to put on the armor of light – to…

This Sunday, we hear how Jesus journeys with his disciples into a region filled with symbols of many gods worshipped by the world. Jesus asks his disciples an important question, “Who do YOU say that I am?” – and Simon speaks an answer of faith given to him by God.   Simon’s confession about Jesus as…