“We give thanks for the many different Saints in our lives” was Pastor Beth’s beginning to her sermon. She shared with us some of the life and then the death of her father who died this past February. Love and grief are intertwined. In today’s Gospel, John 11:32-44, the humanity of Jesus, who wept over…
There have been many changes and reforms in both church and society since the fifteen hundreds when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the church door. Important words. Pastor Beth spoke to us about reformation in our present time. There is a sharp polarization in our society due to us facing serious issues. Words,…
Mark 10:35-45 Gospel starts with the disciples obsessing over who’s number one, which leads Jesus to say something about God’s take on importance and power. On the way to Jerusalem, the disciples ask Jesus to grant them seats of honor. Jesus responds by announcing that he and his followers will ‘rule’ through self-giving service. Pastor…
In today’s sermon, we are reminded that there is true freedom in valuing those around us more than our possessions or wealth. Jesus said to Saint Francis, “Repair my church”. After some thought, it occurred to him that Jesus was speaking of rebuilding the people rather than the actual church structure. He stripped himself of…
On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry that involves service and sacrifice. Think of someone you are not at peace with. Pastor Eric pointed out that we use the differences of another as weapons but peace can happen because it’s not about winning or losing. Sometimes we hurt each other even…
When Jesus tells the disciples that someone will betray him and that he will be killed (Mark 9), they are confused by this message. Fearing being rebuked like Peter was, they do not ask questions that may reveal their ignorance of who Jesus really is. So, Jesus tries to teach them through an example of…
The Gospel for today, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, is from Mark 8:27-38. Jesus issues a strong challenge to all by connecting discipleship and the cross, by saying, “If any wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Pastor Eric gave us a four-word example of…
In Mark’s gospel, Mark 7:24-37, Jesus has a conversation with a Syrophoenician woman which marks the beginning of his mission to the Gentiles and the world. A turning point. Pastor David Nelson asked us how many of us grew up with the perfect Jesus. A Jesus who was never rude, grouchy or offensive. Never messed…
Mark’s gospel, 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23, depicts Jesus as challenging the traditional ways in which religious people, the Pharisees, determine what is pure or impure. Aren’t we like the Pharisees? We don’t like change or challenges to evolve. We police our boundaries. We are self righteous. We decide who’s in and who’s out. Sometimes based on political…
On this 14th Sunday after Pentecost, our Gospel (John 6:56-69) tells of the disciples being offended by Jesus’s claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Jesus told them he is the bread that comes from heaven and whoever eats this bread will live forever. With that, Jesus gave his disciples…