Jan 5: Enlightened

This Sunday we celebrate Epiphany, commemorating the journey of the Wisemen who come to honor the newborn Christ child. As they share their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh they foreshadow the story of Jesus. Join us Sunday as we follow the star to find our savior.

Jan 12: Beloved

The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

These scriptures, to be read on Sunday, offer a powerful reminder of our intimate connection to our creator. God knows our name, God’s love is for us, and we are beloved. We need to hear these words because the challenges of life and darkness of this world often drowns out everything else. You are loved, you are a child of God, with whom God is well pleased.

Jan 19: Wedding Feast

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1–5

Everyone’s favorite miracle story: water into wine! What might seem like a frivolous party trick actually has deeper and more important meaning. Not only were weddings very important gathering for the community (lasting several days) but scripture consistently uses the image of a wedding feast to depict heaven. Through Jesus, we will have the ultimate celebration, the celebration of the promise of salvation. The best is yet to come!

Jan 26: Job Description

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18–19

This Sunday our gospel text features Jesus returning to his hometown and reading from the prophet Isaiah. The passage he chose reads like the job description of the Messiah: bring good news to the poor, release the captive, heal the blind, etc. All is fine and good until Jesus proclaims that this scripture is being fulfilled in him. Next week we will hear more about how the crowd responded to Jesus, this week we will focus on the how Jesus understands his ministry and how it informs the work of the church today.

Feb 2: Love Actually

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Last week we heard from chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians. In that chapter, Paul encourages the church to see the value of all gifts within a congregation. In chapter 13, he continues the encouragement by highlighting the importance of love. In humility and love, we see in one another that we are all beloved children of God. It is not about being the richest, the strongest, or even the most faithful. The church is called to be a place where we love each other even when it is hard. Where we love our enemies, forgive one another, and work for peace and justice in the world, all for the sake of, and in the name of, the one who have his life for us.

Feb 9: Called Out

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10–11

The call stories of the disciples are profound. Jesus approaches ordinary people because he sees in them something they cannot see in themselves. Simon Peter, after witnessing the miraculous catch of fish, begs to “go away” from him because of his sin. Jesus sees Simon differently. He sees his faith, his gifts, his leadership, and his potential. So it is with us. God sees and knows everything about us and seeks to call us into relationship so that we might be a blessing to others. Jesus believes in us, perhaps we should too.

Feb 16: Blessings and Woes

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Luke 6:20–21

The beatitudes of Jesus convey the moral vision of God. God calls blessed those the world would not. The poor, the hungry, the mourning, those who struggle are those who are blessed in God’s eyes. To the rich, the powerful, the contented, he offers a warning. “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” This reversal brings to mind the question: is Jesus saying the world needs to be turned upside down or right side up? Join us Sunday!

Feb 23: Judge Not

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

I learned the “golden rule” as a child. Treat others as you wish to be treated is simple yet profound. It requires empathic imagination to pause before taking an action and wonder “how would I feel if someone did this to me?” Imagine a world where people actually did this! Like many of Jesus’ teachings, it is straightforward but very challenging. Join us Sunday as we explore this instruction and others that are even more difficult.

Mar 9: Tested and Ready

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1–2

The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday and Sunday’s gospel features the story of Jesus’ temptation for forty days in the wilderness. It has always struck me that the Spirit of God leads (or drives cf. Mark 1:12) Jesus into this time of temptation or testing. The same Spirit that descends upon Jesus at his baptism ushers him into a very challenging time. Our own faith journeys feature times of testing and temptation. We can learn from Jesus how to weather these times by relying upon our faith and growing in our trust of God. See you Sunday!

Mar 16: Jerusalem Prophet

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Luke 13:34

Jesus had a deep love, like most Jewish people, for Jerusalem. His parents regularly brought him to the city for religious festivals and observances (cf. Luke 2:41) so he was very familiar with it. His love for Jerusalem is evident in his lament that the beloved people have not embraced his ministry or God’s way of living. Instead Jesus experiences rejection from those whom he cares for the most and yet he persists in following the call God has on his life. Join us Sunday as we explore Jesus’ unceasing love for God’s people.

Mar 23: Fruit Bearing

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6–9

Early in the gospel of Luke (3:8-9) John the Baptist exhorts the crowd to bear fruit worthy of repentance. The parable for Sunday talks about when is the right time to cut down a tree that bears no fruit. The gardener pleads for more time and care (grace) for the tree with the hope that it could still bear fruit in the future. On the one hand, this seems like a great articulation of God’s grace and mercy. We are given more time and nurturing in order to bear fruit worthy of repentance. On the other hand, we should not mistake not being cut down as a sure sign we are bearing fruit. Jesus urges us to continually repent and renew our lives because we recognize how fragile and delicate life really is. Join us Sunday!

Mar 30: Father and Sons

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them… Luke 15:1–3,11–12

The parable of the Prodigal Son is among the most well known scriptures. Jesus tells this parable in the midst of sharing two shorter parables about a lost sheep and a lost coin. Chapter 15 taken as a whole reminds us that with God we are never truly lost and God’s great joy when people return to God. The prodigal story has many other layers that you will have to join us Sunday for!