The Road

Jesus returns to his hometown to give his inaugural speech at the start of his ministry. In it he shares his mission focus of bringing good news for the poor and oppressed. How will the people of his time and our time receive it?

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus puts aside his divine ideals for using his miraculous powers to serve a couple in need. In doing so, he shows what being truly present and vulnerable as God incarnate looks like when seeking to truly love others.

In Jesus' baptism, we see something essential to his identity and character. He is a beloved Son of God. He doesn't claim that gift for himself alone, but shares it with us and calls us to share it with everyone. This love and grace is the origin of the Christian movement.

The visit of the magi honors the newborn king and invites us to see Jesus as a different model of a king, who uses his authority with humility, grace and love.

The story of Christmas is a transcendent moment of simple beauty and joy. In the birth of Jesus, the hopes and realities of the world are held together within the peace and redemptive love of God.

Mary's song sets the stage for Christmas and foreshadows the mission and heart of Jesus, extending hope to the lowly.

In the season of Advent, Jesus teaches us to hold reality and hope together, even when our present reality makes the future seem uncertain.

Jesus used his voice and position as Son of God and king to serve, especially those overlooked and excluded. We are called to be God's heart, hands and voice and to share the truth of his love and grace today with our neighbors.

In Christian community we have the gift of centering ourselves in the truth and love of Jesus. From God's timeless wisdom, we are called to extend our hands to neighbor and stranger to foster justice.

As people of faith, we are God's presence in our relationships and the world. We are invited to be God's heart, hands and voice.

At the heart of the Reformation was a delightful discovery—that while we are broken individuals, we are loved by God completely. That truth brought freedom—freedom not simply from responsibilities and obligations but freedom for serving the neighbor. Jesus still welcomes us into his love and freedom and invites us to share that with every neighbor.

The life of faith is about serving. And when we have the responsibility and position of authority, we use it to serve with humility rather than revel in greatness.

Following Jesus isn't just a nice, interesting idea. It's a call to life transformation. It's a call to participate in the redemption of the world–restoring the life of our real neighbors. Jesus invites you to follow.

Jesus ultimately cares for all those in a relationship, but especially those who are vulnerable and hurt. He seeks to lift up the importance and value of love and trust in a committed relationship like marriage.

Jesus challenges our complacency in the face of destructive powers and evils, and invites us to look inside ourselves and remain true to the peace given by Jesus.

Jesus set a different standard for what it would take to be a follower of his and to be great. And it's the same standard he applied to himself—to be a servant of all.

It's critical that people who claim Jesus understand the kind of messiah Jesus was and the kind of followers he calls for--centered not in a desire for power, but in love and service of neighbor.

As we embrace the real, complicated humanity of Jesus we find hope for ourselves and our world, discovering our purpose to bring healing and peace.

God's wisdom and grace enable us to examine ourselves honestly and find healing and hope with our hearts.

Faith offers a strategy for combatting adversaries that holds onto the peace, love and hope shared with us in Christ

As we remain in community we can find our voice, rediscover joy and peace, and identify a purpose that is worthy of our lives and true to God's hope for us.

Through self-discipline, we have the capacity to make a new path and change our world.

When we live out our faith and our calling in a gracious Spirit, it becomes a purpose that is worthy of us and worthy of our life together.

The language of faith calls us to be rooted and grounded in love. God's love and compassion is offered for you, your neighbor, and even the stranger.

We have an opportunity to shape our communities and our church in a way that brings people together and allows the life that Jesus intended to flourish, not just for ourselves but for all of our neighbors.