There was an eager and energetic group Saturday April 5th in the Community Garden. Ten rows of potatoes were planted (thanks to SMOGS for pre-digging the trenches). Cardboard was placed and chips were spread for a new picnic area right by the Community Garden. The lovely cedar picnic table built by Mike D.…
For the last several weeks the sanctuary has displayed a rugged cross and purple banners symbolizing our time of reflection. We see a road to the cross starting at our baptismal font. On Palm Sunday, palms were added to symbolize Jesus entering Jerusalem as the King and then shortly after arrested and sent to the…
Tonight we heard Jesus’ command to love one another and were introduced to Simon Peter. Bob B. offered a reflection that Pastor Beth wrote based on the perspective of Peter’s father, Jona. The hatred brewing among the religious authorities is in sharp contrast to the love Jesus commands. Who is right? Who is wrong? Where…
Come celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as we wave palm branches and sing “Hosanna!” this Palm/Passion Sunday, April 13 at 8:30 and 11:00. After the rejoicing with “Hosannas,” the tone of worship changes as we listen and participate in the Passion narrative according to the Gospel of Matthew and feast on the bread of…
The gospel for this Fifth Sunday in Lent, John 11:1-45, reveals Jesus’s power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with…
This evening we listened to a homily prepared by Pastor Beth and recited by Jenny. We met Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Martha described the friendship they shared with Jesus and how painful it was when Lazarus died and Jesus was not there for them. After four days, Jesus came and proclaimed that…
The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. I was blind, but now I see, declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are. Pastor Eric asked us “What is the first question?” Is it “Who Sins”? He told…
Time Magazine’s cover this past week is about the tensions between nations due to what is happening in Crimea. The question posed is whether we are starting another Cold War – whether it is again going to be “Us” versus “Them”. In the Gospel reading this week Jesus is a member of the Jewish…
MAN BORN BLIND – Tonight we listened to a reflection by the mother of the man born blind (written by Pastor Beth and recited by Karen and Don). We hear how this mother loved her son and how his blindness caused her to struggle with her faith and with how her son was treated by…
SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL–John 4:5-23 Tonight, Pastor Beth introduced us to the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus as she drew water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink of water, yet offers her so much more. He offers her himself. He is the Messiah, the Living Water. She can’t help but bubble…