On this first Sunday after Christmas Pastor Beth wished us all a resounding, “Happy New Year!”, and shared some quotes and statistics about the “happiness factor”. It was a surprise to learn that research lists the USA as the 12th happiest country in the world. Pastor Beth suggests that happiness is not merely a destination,…
A Place of Grace
Sermons (Page 45)
Remember what is written on the the shampoo bottle? “Lather. Rinse. Repeat.” On this joyous night, Christmas Eve, Pastor Eric reminded us that Jesus comes to us in repeated ways. We repeat the sounding joy of his birth in everything we do. We feel his presence every week in communion. We hear his voice in…
Do you remember the TV show ‘Fear Factor’ where people had to compete against each other and face their fears? What makes you feel afraid? How often do you make decisions based on a fear? Fear motivates us in different ways and it can be crippling. Fear can keep us from living fully as God…
We lost a friend and brother in Christ. Jim Spaid passed away Friday night after performing the Hallelujah Chorus with the Olympia Choral Society. Pastor Eric, who is also a member of OCS, was with Jim when he passed. During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Eric took some time to speak about Jim. More than living fully,…
Pastor Beth shared a confession with us this morning. And then a story. She went on to say that this week she had noticed a man walking down Pacific Ave. who was yelling as he walked which reminded her that this is not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. Blue, in a…
Today was the 1st Sunday of Advent and the Gospel of Matthew 24:36-44 describes what Jesus said his second coming would be. Pastor Eric defined Advent to mean an arrival and an adventure and Jesus asking us all to be ready. There were two large pictures of Jesus on easels on the alter. One was…
Today was Christ the King Sunday. This was the last Sunday of the church year when we praise Christ as King. The Bible promises that God’s power and majesty differ radically from the reign of human monarchs. In today’s recording, you will hear three people, Pam Buckner, Leah Wilson and Terry Shaw, speak to us…
Upon entering church today, we were each given a slip of paper. As service began, Pastor Beth asked that we write down one (or more) of our fears and the kids collected them all. During children’s time, Pastor talked to the kids about what they were afraid of, then they carried the papers outside for…
The good news is…we have been “equipped by God” to listen. In today’s sermon, Pastor Eric suggests that we have been given “extra sensitive ears”. Might that be the grace and love given to us through His son, Jesus Christ? Our introduction to the Gospel, Luke 6, says, “Jesus invites his disciples to shower radical love, blessing,…
On this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Beth quoted reformer Martin Luther, “Faith is God’s work in us that changes us and gives us new birth”. We spoke together her mantra, “God loves us. God forgives us. God is always with us.” That really says it all! Those simple words are the basis of Christian faith. The…