Prince of Peace

This morning, Pastor Jonathan caps off the sermon series "Called" by talking about how we are called to serve all people. He tells how reaching out to strangers to share the good news of God's love can be scary, and even disappointing at times. There are many times, though, where we are met by people who just need to share their troubles and have someone pray with them. He goes on to tell how peop...

Called to be bold

Today's gospel tells the story of Jesus calling 4 fishermen to follow him. Pastor Jonathan uses this story to illustrate how we are called, in a world that sows seeds of division, to gather people into a community of hope, healing, justice and restoration.

"Come and see" is Philip's response when he was asked in today's gospel "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" In her final sermon with us, Pastor Hannah reminds us that we already know the answer to that question. She shares with us that by following the Holy Spirit, as she did when called to her internship here, we are led to many unexpected and wonderful places.

Today's gospel describes John the Baptizer, and the difference between baptism by John and baptism by Jesus. Pastor Jonathan tells us that the sacrament of Baptism really began as more than initiation into the Church - it really is the beginning of our own journey of ministering to those in need. We still reflect that intent today at each baptism, when we recognize the newly baptized as "a child o...

In today's gospel, John the Baptist tells the priests and Levites that he has come to "prepare the way of the Lord." Pastor Jonathan shares with us that Advent is his favorite part of the church year. While Christmas is the celebration of the coming, Advent signifies the hope that leads us to the Kingdom. We may not be able to avoid the challenges that we will face, but th promise of Advent provid...

The story of John the Baptist, "A voice crying out in the wilderness," is the beginning of the story of Jesus' birth. Pastor Hannah tells us that a wilderness is not only an inhospitable region on earth, but also areas where war, struggles and distrust are common. Author Mark Allen Powell likens Advent to a game of hide-and-seek: God is coming to find us in our wilderness, all we need to do is wai...

Sometimes, in a world full of war and religious and political conflict, it's hard to see hope for the future. We hear God's promise for a future of peace, and, like the Israelites in Mary's time, we start to ask "How long, Lord?" Yet Mary knew that the promise of salvation was imminent. Jonathan reminds us that Advent is more than a time of waiting, it is a time for actively preparing and re-orien...

In today's gospel, Jesus tells his followers "just as you did ... to the least of my family, you did it to me." On this Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Michelle explains that this is the kind of King our savior is: we serve him by serving others. It's not always an easy thing - sometimes the serving itself is difficult, sometimes the person we are serving is difficult. We may not always get it righ...

What a time to be the Church! At a time where the world can be divisive, we can look forward knowing we are called to be a church that is inviting, hope-giving and open to all. We are called to welcome others instead of being gatekeepers who keep others out. We are called to invest ourselves into our lives of faith rather than keep God's riches all for ourselves.

In today's gospel, we hear the parable of the bridesmaids, in which some of the bridesmaids remembered to bring oil and were allowed into the wedding feast, but the others were told "I don't know you." Pastor Hannah explains that Jesus was describing the Kingdom of Heaven. We are the bridesmaids, and with the Holy Spirit (the oil), we know Christ, and he knows us. We have willingly changed our lif...

Today's gospel is the part of the Sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor in spirit..."). Pastor Michelle points out that the beatitudes, if written by today's society, would count us blessed if we were wealthy, successful, and popular. Jesus beatitudes are counterintuitive to the world view, but those who are humble, peaceful, and merciful are blessed in the eyes of God...

In Bible studies this week, Pastor Jonathan came across Martin Luther's commentary on Isaiah's passage about "turning swords into plowshares." Martin Luther realized that much of what was wrong with the Catholic church at the time involved "keeping score with God." His 95 Theses were meant to undo that trend in the church. restoring the grace and peace that God intended. Jonathan points points out...

In today's gospel, Jesus tells the disciples that he came "that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Pastor Michelle tells us that with so much information available about the world, it can be hard to discern what is real and what is made up. Some voices will tell us that being generous with our time and resources is wasted, while others, and God, tell us that event the smallest gift can c...

In today's gospel, which is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Pastor Hannah explains that how we spend our resources doesn't determine what kind of person we are, but determines where we are going.

Today's gospel tells the story of Zacchaeus transformation to a life of generosity. Pastor Jonathan tells us that Zacchaeus, when Jesus first meets him, is much like what our current society has become in recent years: isolationist and individualistic. This focus on self, rather than community has led both to the decline in the church and the rise of many of the societal ills we see. Just as Zacch...

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us to consider the birds. "They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them." Pastor Michelle explains that God has already provided what we need, so we need not spend time worrying about what to eat, or what to wear, or how to spend our time. Instead, as God has been generous to us with these things, we can be confident giving...

Todays gospel tells of Mary anointing Jesus feet with oil. Pastor Hannah explains how generous that act was: The oil Mary used was very expensive, costing up to a year's wages at the time. Just a Mary felt it was worth the expense to give such a gift to Jesus, we feel it's worth it to give generously to people and causes we care about. No matter if you value your time, resources or your life, shar...

We begin our season of stewardship this week by reflecting on God's generosity. Pastor Jonathan reminds us that the world is obsessed with 'scorekeeping', that is, rewarding goodness with gifts. God, through scripture, encourages us to be generous with each other as he does, without regard to reward or merit.

This mornings gospel lesson has Jesus instructing his disciples in ways to resolve conflict between people. As Pastor Hannah observed, Jesus knew that within communities of people, even though they share common ideals and goals, disagreements will arise. Jesus shows us that the best way to handle these disagreements is directly, but respectfully. But the most important part, Pastor Hannah reminds...

In today's gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to Jerusalem, knowing what lies ahead. Peter's reaction leads Pastor Michelle to talk about how we should handle difficult decisions when we don't have the support of family and friends. She points out that Jesus gives us the answer: when we focus on divine things, rather than human things, doing the right thing becomes possible.

In today's gospel, Jesus poses that question to his disciples. Pastor Jonathan recounts that during his travels in Rome, he saw many obelisks, as well as the Pantheon, which were symbols of power and religion in ancient times. We have similar symbols today: nation flags, corporate logos, and event signs of persona style. But Jesus transcends all of these symbols, showing us that saying 'Yes' to hi...

Today's gospel is a difficult one, because we find Jesus comparing a woman, who is asking for his help, to a dog, since she is not part of the nation of Israel. Pastor Tim Metzner, assistant to the bishop, tells us this morning that the church can be confused by the dichotomy of purity ("following the rules") and morality ("doing what is right"). Jesus provides the answer later in that conversatio...

Today's gospel tells the story of Jesus, then Peter, walking on water. Pastor Michelle reminds us that this happened in the midst of a storm. Storms happen in our lives, too - not just weather, but storms due to job loss, family issues, and even storms brought about when we follow our faith and share God's word. Jesus told Peter "Do not be afraid" as Pter began to sink. He tells us, amidst the sto...

This morning's gospel tells the story of Jesus and the disciples feeding a crowd with five loaves and two fish. Pastor Michelle tells us that sometimes we are presented us with seemingly impossible situations, but then, through community, God provides more than enough resources. There have been more than enough resources to keep us together during the pandemic; at every gathering, there seems to a...