March 15 Virtual Worship
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-11
Sermon: Hearts Afire, Courage to Live in Community
Luke19: 1-11
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
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Key Idea of the Sermon
We are seeking more courage as disciples of Jesus as we follow him to the cross. So far, we have marveled at the courage of Mary to say Yes to God’s call to bear the Son of God. We have also been inspired by Daniel whose trust in God gave him the courage to face and overcome his enemies. Last Sunday we studied the story of Jacob and Esau. We were reminded that God’s grace gives us the courage to bridge gaps with humility and forgiveness. Today a familiar story from Luke challenges us to have the courage to be included in community and to include others, especially those on the outside looking in, like Zacchaeus.
Questions for Reflection
• Zacchaeus accepted the ridicule and isolation that came with the financial security of being a tax collector. What kind of compromises have you accepted for the sake of financial security? Has it been worth it?
• When have you felt like one on the outside looking in? Who opened the door of community for you? What kind of courage did it take to walk through that door? What kind of courage was required to open that door?
A Poem for Reflection
One path to courage is immersion.
Full immersion as in the sacred waters of the Pool of Siloam
Can mean: immersion in following one’s bliss,
immersion in love of family and friends,
Immersion in the ecstatic dance of life,
immersion in the light of the Divine Friend.
(Adapted from Drinking Pure Light by Tina Datsko de Sanchez)
