In today’s sermon, we are reminded that there is true freedom in valuing those around us more than our possessions or wealth. Jesus said to Saint Francis, “Repair my church”. After some thought, it occurred to him that Jesus was speaking of rebuilding the people rather than the actual church structure. He stripped himself of…
On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry that involves service and sacrifice. Think of someone you are not at peace with. Pastor Eric pointed out that we use the differences of another as weapons but peace can happen because it’s not about winning or losing. Sometimes we hurt each other even…
When Jesus tells the disciples that someone will betray him and that he will be killed (Mark 9), they are confused by this message. Fearing being rebuked like Peter was, they do not ask questions that may reveal their ignorance of who Jesus really is. So, Jesus tries to teach them through an example of…
The Gospel for today, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, is from Mark 8:27-38. Jesus issues a strong challenge to all by connecting discipleship and the cross, by saying, “If any wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Pastor Eric gave us a four-word example of…
In Mark’s gospel, Mark 7:24-37, Jesus has a conversation with a Syrophoenician woman which marks the beginning of his mission to the Gentiles and the world. A turning point. Pastor David Nelson asked us how many of us grew up with the perfect Jesus. A Jesus who was never rude, grouchy or offensive. Never messed…
Mark’s gospel, 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23, depicts Jesus as challenging the traditional ways in which religious people, the Pharisees, determine what is pure or impure. Aren’t we like the Pharisees? We don’t like change or challenges to evolve. We police our boundaries. We are self righteous. We decide who’s in and who’s out. Sometimes based on political…
On this 14th Sunday after Pentecost, our Gospel (John 6:56-69) tells of the disciples being offended by Jesus’s claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Jesus told them he is the bread that comes from heaven and whoever eats this bread will live forever. With that, Jesus gave his disciples…
Pastor David Nelson’s sermon brought us the “back story” of King Solomon and his request for wisdom (1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14). God grants Solomon’s request and he becomes known far and wide for his great wisdom; his ability to understand and govern great numbers of people. The Bible shows, however, that there were other versions of…
On this 12th Sunday after Pentecost, John 6:35,41-51 is today’s Gospel. After feeding more than five thousand people in the wilderness, Jesus teaches them regarding the true significance of this remarkable sign. Pastor David Nelson said that today’s lessons ask us to recall and remember foods for the journey of our lives. Jesus is the…
The theme for several weeks, in the Gospel of John, has been bread. In our Gospel for today, John 6:24-35, Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life, identifying with the most basic of foods; simple, everyday sustenance. Pastor Nelson reminded us that the simple bread becomes a feast when many share the eucharist together. The bread…