Pastor’s Corner – January 26, 2023
In Exile: Serve the Lord No Matter What
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – January 19, 2023
Dear Beloved,
Who and what are you thanking God for today? One of the many blessings for which I’m giving thanks today is the for storytellers (and the stories they tell). Thank you God for all the people courageous and vulnerable enough to tell their stories.
Pastor’s Corner – January 12, 2023
In Exile: Do Not Fear
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – January 5, 2023
Dear Beloved,
Are you a resolutions person? A dreamer? A goal setter? A hoper? I know folx who are totally opposed to New Year’s resolutions. I appreciate New Year’s for a variety of reasons. It is a holiday that always invites me to take a little extra time for meditation, contemplation, confession, and the ancient practice of examen. In some ways, all days are holidays (holy days) for me as I understand our Holy God to be with us every day. Yet there are specific days named by particular countries, calendars, traditions, groups, cultures, communities…. that offer space for more intentionality for something. (As I write this, I have a deep desire to pause and research a holiday that I’m not familiar with in order to learn a little more, but that will need to wait until another day as deadlines are coming
Pastor’s Corner – December 29, 2022
In Exile: Trust the Promise
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – December 22, 2022
Many years ago, I remember participating in my first Blue Christmas Worship service. I was grateful that Blue Christmas services had started and am grateful they continue. They create additional space for remembering that the holidays can be really hard times for folx for a multitude of reasons.
Pastor’s Corner – December 15, 2022
In Exile: Pray to the Lord
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, or made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – December 8, 2022
Dear Beloved,
This coming Sunday we will light the candle of joy. What does joy mean to you? How do you connect to our source of joy, esecially when experiencing challenges or pain or seeing the suffering of folx and creation all around?
For me, I find joy through:
Pastor’s Corner – December 1, 2022
In Exile: Seek the Welfare of Others
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, or made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – November 23, 2022
Almost Advent Greetings Beloved,
How are you as we look to the season of Advent which begins this Sunday? Advent is a special time set aside to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to welcome Him into our lives again in renewed ways. For me, it is a season of repentance, confession, reflection, listening, and preparation. What does this season mean for you, or what would you like it to mean to you?
Pastor’s Corner – November 17, 2022
In Exile: Trust God
Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, or made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?
Pastor’s Corner – November 10, 2022
Dear Beloved,
I give thanks for you! You are appreciated! It is a blessing to connect with you in worship in person or online. It is a blessing to pray with and for each other. It is a blessing to serve in the community together. It is a blessing to join together in God’s mission of sharing the love of Jesus – an inclusive, welcoming, equitable, gracious, and compassionate way.
Pastor’s Corner – November 3, 2022
Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer Part 6
Disciples spanning the ages and circling the globe share a common prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Just imagine how many times this prayer has been offered. Just imagine all the situations that have inspired the use of these words of Jesus. Just imagine all the languages used to speak this prayer. Just imagine how much peace, wisdom, comfort, and inspiration the Lord’s Prayer has produced in the lives of Jesus’ followers.
Pastor’s Corner – October 27, 2022
Dear Beloved,
What sustains you for doing hard things? What helps you hang in there when you feel tempted to give up? That question has been asked of me several times recently. My answers are:
God
God's people
God's creation
Pastor’s Corner – October 20, 2022
Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer Part 5
Disciples spanning the ages and circling the globe share a common prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Just imagine how many times this prayer has been offered. Just imagine all the situations that have inspired the use of these words of Jesus. Just imagine all the languages used to speak this prayer. Just imagine how much peace, wisdom, comfort, and inspiration the Lord’s Prayer has produced in the lives of Jesus’ followers.
Pastor’s Corner – October 13, 2022
Dear Beloved,
This time of year I think of the many walks that I grew up doing or have done recently in the past few year during the autumn season like the CROP Walk, Buddy Walk, Alzheimer Walk, Suicide Prevention Walk, Indigenous Peoples Day. The CROP Walk to overcome hunger was formational in my life and the warm church meals with everyone afterwards left strong memories for me as well.
Pastor’s Corner – October 6, 2022
Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer Part 4
Disciples spanning the ages and circling the globe share a common prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Just imagine how many times this prayer has been offered. Just imagine all the situations that have inspired the use of these words of Jesus. Just imagine all the languages used to speak this prayer. Just imagine how much peace, wisdom, comfort, and inspiration the Lord’s Prayer has produced in the lives of Jesus’ followers.
Pastor’s Corner – September 29, 2022
Dear Beloved,
The liturgical year (a church calendar flow that helps us retell the story of God our Creator, Jesus our Leader, and the Holy Spirit our Guide) and special Sundays of celebration/remembrance and offerings bring me extra pauses for reflection, confession, connection, and growth. I am grateful for this rhythm and these times set aside in different ways. Perhaps you experience special seasons like Advent and Lent or special Sundays like One Great Hour of Sharing similarly or much differently - I’m grateful to be part of a congregation that affirms unity in diversity and strength in uniqueness.
Pastor’s Corner – September 22, 2022
Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer Part 3
Disciples spanning the ages and circling the globe share a common prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Just imagine how many times this prayer has been offered. Just imagine all the situations that have inspired the use of these words of Jesus. Just imagine all the languages used to speak this prayer. Just imagine how much peace, wisdom, comfort, and inspiration the Lord’s Prayer has produced in the lives of Jesus’ followers.
Pastor’s Corner – September 15, 2022
Dear Beloved,
Many aspects of the nativity story or the story of Jesus birth cause me to pause. One of my favorite parts is where we are told that Mary pondered everything in her heart. As ones made to worship an awesome God, I think we are invited to ponder. What causes you to ponder?