Pastor’s Corner – October 26, 2023
Dear Beloved,
I appreciate that at the beginning of worship Pastor Marc has often been sharing words from Jesus according to the book of Matthew that remind us of Jesus’ presence with us – “…Take heart. It is I…” Matthew 14:27
There are so many amazing things about the word heart and about Jesus’ use of these words…. I won’t try to go into them in this note to you right now, but they are definitely worth exploring!!! In the meantime, I would invite you to use these words as a prayer
Pastor’s Corner – October 12, 2023
Autumn greetings!
How are you in this time of shifting seasons? When the air becomes cooler and the colors begin to change, I thank God for one of the foundational experiences of my early years in the loving body of Jesus we call the church. In third grade we moved to Indianapolis when my dad started serving a congregation in downtown Indy. Every autumn this congregation participated in a 6-mile CROP Walk.
Pastor’s Corner – October 5, 2023
Words of Encouragement from Paul (II)
Like Paul, we know what it’s like to face adversity and uncertainty. May Paul’s words of encouragement bring hope and renewal of joy and faith to you.
Toward the end of the opening chapter we find this word of encouragement: Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).
Pastor’s Corner – October 1, 2023
Dear Beloved,
Who or what helps you to be still? The other evening when outside preparing for supper with our family, God’s creation invited me to be still. I have been appreciating many books and leaders over the last few years who have been teaching me to listen to God’s creation. One particular evening, I heard lots of sounds from above me – I was not sure if they were birds or squirrels or both, but they said look up. Take time and look up - which led me in a prayer of thanksgiving, for these feathered and/or furry friends were reminding me of Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of the heaven and earth.”
Pastor’s Corner – September 24, 2023
Words of Encouragement from Paul (I)
About fifteen years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul writes a letter to the first house church he founded in Macedonia (northern Greece), in the city of Philippi. Paul is writing from prison, uncertain about his survival. And yet, this letter is marked by gratitude and a spirit of joy and rejoicing in Christ.
Like Paul, we know what it’s like to face adversity and uncertainty. May Paul’s words of encouragement bring hope and renewal of joy and faith to you.
Paul begins his letter with this prayer: I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5).
Pastor’s Corner – September 17, 2023
Is there a symbol that is offering you encouragement these days? My favorite symbols are often water and trees. Rainbows and dirt are others that often offer me support and encouragement in the living of these days.
As I long to hold on to summer, I think about the water that some children have access to enjoy over the summer when it is hot – pools, sprinklers, garden hoses, bathtubs, buckets of cool water, puddles…. As I think of opportunities for refreshment near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and oceans, I thank our Creator for clean water to drink and wash in. I give thanks for the rain that allows plants and food to grow. I give thanks for the water that connects us, enlivens us, renews us…… I also give thanks for all the encouraging stories that involved water in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. I was curious, so I looked up the number of times water is in the Bible. 708 times!!!! Do any water stories or memories from the Bible or your growing up years come to mind for you?
Pastor’s Corner – September 7, 2023
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The seventh (in the Hebrew tradition the number seven is representative of wholeness and completion in God) and final I am statement comes from John 15. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Jesus uses the metaphor of gardening to teach about discipleship. This teaching leans on the theme we have noted before—the unity of Jesus with God. In the imagery of the vine, that unity is enlarged to include those who follow Jesus’ way. It also builds on the Hebrew Scripture theme that all that is good comes from God. If we want to do good, we need a connection with the One who connects us to God.
Pastor’s Corner – August 30, 2023
Do you ever imagine yourself within a story? Are there people or characters in stories you quickly identify with or want to be like? Are there people or characters in stories that you feel nervous or surprised by?
When I read or listen to a story of Jesus, I often find myself in the story. There are so many different ways to hear or read or simply experience stories or other forms of expression – song, poems, visual arts…. I find the same to be possible with the Bible.
I’m grateful that we are able to explore the stories, songs, poems, and prayers of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures together in worship with Pastor Marc’s guidance, messages, and faithful leadership. I value the historical context and theological insights that Pastor Marc shares and the ideas for application he offers. It is a blessing to join in worship with you on Sunday mornings whether virtually or in person.
Pastor’s Corner – August 10, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus V: The Resurrection and the Life
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The fifth I am statement is found in John 11:25-26, in the conversation Jesus has with his friend Martha, whose brother has died. Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. As the story plays out Jesus reveals his own despair at the loss caused by death and calls forth Lazarus from the tomb.
Pastor’s Corner – August 6, 2023
Dear Beloved,
What makes your heart, body, and soul feel heavy?
Lately there has been a lot of heaviness in my heart as I hear or see about hurts in our local and global communities: the number of unhoused people including many teens and young adults, people experiencing serious health concerns, continued war, continued violence near and far, the condition of the world’s air and water, the number of people of all ages experiencing trauma….
What do you do when your heart, body, and soul feel heavy?
I am grateful that Jesus teaches us to turn to the Maker of the heavens and the earth.
Pastor’s Corner – July 27, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus IV: Good Shepherd
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The fourth I am statement is John 10:14-16. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Pastor’s Corner – July 20, 2023
Dear Beloved,
What are you excited about or hopeful about as a new school year and a new year of Lifelong Spiritual Formation opportunities begin? Everyone is the right age for Lifelong Spiritual Formation! We hope you’ll prayerfully consider one of the options below or other options that are coming up for learning and growing together as followers of Jesus who connect with and love God and all God’s people, creatures, and creation.
In addition to our Bible Study groups and book groups, we are starting some guided meditation groups this school year in connection with our focus on mental health and the offerings of the Metamorphosis Mindfulness Community.
Pastor’s Corner – July 13, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus III: The Gate
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The third I am statement is found in John 10:9-10. I am the gate.
Pastor’s Corner – July 6, 2023
Thank you for your participation in worship (virtually or in person) and for your involvement in ministries teams and all the ways you share Jesus’ love each day. Thank you for your prayers. With less than a month until students and school staff begin a new school year, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for all students, their families, and all school staff. Your prayers for children, teens, and adults participating in Friedens Vacation Bible School from July 17 to July 21 would also be deeply appreciated. We will be celebrating them on Sunday, July 23.
Pastor’s Corner – June 29, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus II: Light of the World
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Through the revelation of Jesus, we can learn more about the Divine identity. The second I am statement is found in John 8:12. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Pastor’s Corner – June 22, 2023
Dear Beloved,
How is your summer going? Being outside more is my favorite part of the summer. Some of you might prefer being outdoors in the winter. Even though, I don’t resonate with that, I am excited you do because the older I get, and the more I learn, the more I feel believe and feel that being outside in God’s creation can be very healing – healing of body, mind, and spirit – individually and as a collective. I think about all the time our leader Jesus spent outside and all the stories of Jesus that connect us with nature (and symbols we use as part of a community of his disciples).
Pastor’s Corner – June 15, 2023
The I am Statements of Jesus I: Bread of Life
The Gospel of John explores the identity of Jesus in a series of seven I am statements. In Hebrew the words for I am are related to the name of God. In Exodus 3:14 God introduces the Divine name to Moses. The faithful, in respect and awe, do not even speak the name of God, so no one knows for sure how it is pronounced. Nor does anyone know exactly what it means, maybe it means: I am who I am or I will be who I will be or just I am or something else.
Pastor’s Corner – June 8, 2023
Dear Beloved,
Worshipping God with you together in the same physical or virtual space on Sunday mornings is something that I greatly look forward to each Sunday. Pastor Marc’s messages always challenge and inspire me. Hearing the lay reader share the scripture passage brings it to life differently than when I read it by myself. The shared responsive reading bring me hope.
Pastor’s Corner – June 1, 2023
Sightings 1
According to Matthew (28:1-10) and John (20:11-18) the first sighting of the Risen Jesus is by Mary of Magdala and another Mary (though John does not mention the other Mary). It was early in the morning of the first day of the week that these two Mary’s, these two faithful disciples, went to visit the tomb of and pay their respects for their beloved Leader. It is fair to say, that the last thing they expected was to see alive the one they witnessed dead and buried. Surprise, shock and even fear are descriptive of their emotions at the sighting. In each telling, they bow in worship before the Risen One who greets them and gives them a job to do. They are to tell the others.
Pastor’s Corner – May 25, 2023
Dear Beloved,
Worshipping God with you together in the same physical or virtual space on Sunday mornings is something that I greatly look forward to each Sunday. Pastor Marc’s messages always challenge and inspire me. Hearing the lay reader share the scripture passage brings it to life differently than when I read it by myself. The shared responsive reading bring me hope.