Between Sundays

As Jesus continues to teach in parables, wheat and weeds get all mixed up together. What happens when the good seed and bad seed grow side by side? The landowner in Jesus' parable counsels patience and forbearance . . . and maybe that's the just grace we need for the weeds in us to bear fruit. In today's message, Amy shares a reflection by Steve Garnaas-Holmes. Visit his website - u...

Jesus begins to teach great crowds who have followed him through the use of parables. And the first one he names himself - The Parable of the Sower. Amy reminds us that that name Jesus gives says something about the parable's meaning. This is a parable about God, the sower of seed who sows extravagantly, and prolifically and hopefully, daring to believe that our imperfect lives are just the p...

For a people who "do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do" (Romans 7:19), Jesus offers rest. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). The rest Jesus offers is the assurance that we don’t have to hustle for our worth before God. Our salvation does not rest on a fina...

Following Jesus is hard. It was hard for the first disciples, hard for the early church, and it's hard for us too. While Jesus' admonition to "take up the cross and follow me," may be a literal reality for some in our world today; it is also a metaphorical reality for all of us who follow Jesus. As we travel this hard journey, we follow Jesus who leads the way, who never wants...

  Notes: Jesus calls all kinds of people to step into his shepherding shoes and become full participants with him in God’s work of loving and restoring ALL of God’s good creation back to the abundance that God intends for it. In this week's episode, Amy wonders where God's harvest might be ripe in our world. Matthew 9:35-10:8

Following Jesus is a recurring theme in the gospels. Jesus calls and people follow. Sometimes people follow without even being called. In this passage from Matthew's gospel, we glimpse the variety of people who follow Jesus and are reminded that the following doesn't end when the call comes! Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

The final verses of the gospel of Matthew provide a blueprint for the church's mission. The church is not a building but a people, gathered by God's grace and rooted in God's love, following Jesus, and sustained by the Spirit. What does the church need to grow and thrive, to learn and live all that Jesus commanded? Where does the world need the gifts of the church - love and forgive...

The book of Acts shares the dramatic story of the first Pentecost in Jerusalem, 50 days following the resurrection of Jesus! The story is filled with so much spectacle that it's easy to think that is the point. Amy reminds us that the point is ALWAYS Jesus and his saving love made know in us and through us.   Acts 2:1-13

Something different this episode as Amy reads a hymn text and reflects on its meaning. Listen to a hymn setting of Fred Pratt Green's text. 

Jesus anticipates the loneliness his disciples would face upon his death, resurrection and ascension. In his final words to his disciples before his death, he promises them, "I will not leave you orphaned" and to send another - an Advocate - who like Jesus himself, will be a helper and friend to accompany them through all that is to come. John 14:15-21

When Jesus promises to prepare a place for us, He's not just talking about our heavenly home. We are God's people, who prepare a place of love and care and mercy with and for one another. A mysterious doll family and a mailbox-house provided by the Powells (found in this Washington Post article:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/05/02/mailbox-doll-mystery-michigan/ ) serve a...

We often think of Jesus as a Good Shepherd, but Jesus also teaches his followers to think of him as a gate or a door. A door that opens to abundant life. Amy invites us to wonder: what abundance does Jesus want to open for you?  John 10:1-10

The story of Easter begins in the shadows of the early morning with women headed to the tomb in Matthew's gospel and it continues today in Luke's gospel in the shadows of the evening. In a remarkable and mysterious story, we hear of the first appearance of the risen Christ, and wonder where we might expect to find him in our world today? Luke 24:13-35

Fear is powerful. Fear kept the disciples locked in a room instead of sharing the good news that Jesus is risen. How often do we let fear keep us in our place instead of stepping out in faith? The good news is that Jesus shows up and meets us behind closed doors to give us the courage and faith to venture out. Scripture: Acts 2:14a, 22-32 and John 20:19-31

On the first Easter, two women went to Jesus' tomb to see. What were they looking for? What brought them there? What are you seeking at the empty tomb this year? No matter what it is, Jesus meets us with new life.    Matthew 28:1-10

Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the life of Christ's church. Amy shares why this is a week to remember. You can read the story of Jesus' final days as recorded in Matthew's gospel . Matthew 26:14-27:66

Jesus brings life from death. In John 11, Jesus not only offers this promise to his friends, but displays his power over death for his friend, Lazarus. This promise of new life that is the source of  hope at the end of our lives can be harder to trust at other times and in other situations. What could it look like to entrust our whole lives to Jesus' promise?  John 11:1-44

Have you ever read the story of the man born with blindness who was healed by Jesus on the sabbath…from the perspective of the man born blind? Jesus heals him not only by giving him physical sight, but also the eyes of faith. The waters of baptism do the same for us. John 9:1-41

From our world full of divisions, we hear the story of Jesus' encounter with an unnamed Samaritan women in today's gospel. In their lengthy conversation, we realize exactly who is part of the world that God so loves. Thanks to Roger Kolker and Koosje Jeanotte for assisting in bringing today's gospel reading to life.  John 4:1-42

The world may expect us to have all the answers, and we may prefer the certainty of having all the answers, but Jesus invites our questions. How can these things be? Pastor Hoffman suggests that we only find our answer in relationship with God and the world (and people!) God so loves. Jesus shows us the way through his life, death and resurrection. John 3:1-17

What is the point of the questions we ask? Are we interested in the answer? Or do we ask because we already know the answers? Are we trying to divide and sabotage relationships? Or are we seeking ways to build connections? In exploring the very first questions asked in scripture, Amy invites us to reflect on the purpose of God's questions of us.  Genesis 3:1-13a

This weird narrative of Jesus' transfigured on a mountain raises all sorts of questions. And Amy voices many of them today. (Maybe even a few that you find yourself asking!) In her reflection on this text, Amy wonders if our questions might not be a deeply faithful response to the world we live in today . . . a sign that God is up to something new and inviting us to be a part of it.    Matthe...

The focus of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount shifts direction from who we are to what means to live together in community. It's clear that Jesus wants us to know the life-giving nature of flourishing in human community, and to understand that building us into a community that reflects Christ's love is the work that God is doing in us and through us.    Matthew 5.17-26  

Our guest, the Rev. Eric Shafer, Pastor-in-Residence for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services reminds us that by God's grace, we are salt and light. There's nothing conditional about this good news! What will we flavor? How will we shine?  Matthew 5:13-20

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with words of blessing, that we know collectively as the Beatitudes. They are not an exhaustive list, but a reminder to each and every one of us: no matter your circumstances, no matter what you have done or left undone, you are blessed. You have a place in God's coming kingdom.  This was good news for the crowd of people that clamored to see and hear and...