Pastor Beth’s sermon today talked about God’s grace and love when the human condition becomes painful. She shared her personal story of a double concussion a year ago, and its profound repercussions in her life today. Memory loss has caused her to forget important things (Important things a “Pastor” shouldn’t forget, she says”), multitasking is…
On this 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus’s parable in our Gospel reading from Luke 14 reminds us that when we give a banquet we should “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind” rather than our friends and rich neighbors. We will be blessed because “they cannot repay you, for you will be…
Luke 13:10-17 tells the story of Jesus, on the Sabbath, healing a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. She has no other name other than ‘bent over woman’. Jesus is preaching in the synagogue to the men, all seated in the front, and the women, all seated in the back, but he…
The Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Luke 12, 49-56, cites fire, water, and division. Fire signifies warmth and gathering; Jesus laments that he wishes the fire “was already kindled” on earth, that his people were already a community of God. Jesus speaking about water reminds us that in baptism, the spirit washes…
Pastor Beth asked us, ‘Why do we give?’. Many people responded. She then asked, ‘What moves us to give?’. Again, many responded. In today’s Gospel, Luke 12:32-40, Jesus is talking about Holy Giving which is a sacred holy act. What does sacred holy giving look like? Pastor Beth shared a personal story with us and…
In the Gospel reading (Luke 12:13-21), Jesus told a parable about a man so rich that he had no room to store all his crops so he decided to knock down his barns and build larger ones. He then would feel secure and could eat, drink, and be merry for several years. Jesus told the…
The Gospel of Luke (chapter 11) says, “Knock and the door will be opened for you”. On this 10th Sunday after Pentecost, we were reminded that God always hears and answers prayer. When Jesus first taught his disciples The Lord’s Prayer, he encouraged them to child-like trust and persistence in prayer. When we pray for…
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus lovingly answers Martha’s concern about her sister Mary. We too have concerns especially after a week or so of truly troubling news. In our county, there have been shootings, killings, the deaths in Nice, France and the political unrest in Turkey. What is going on? Is this violence happening more or…
Pastor Jeanine Dagger filled in for pulpit supply this week and gave us a very timely message about empathy and understanding – in a very graphic way. The gospel reading was the story of the Good Samaritan. She started her sermon by asking us to all slip off our shoes. She then asked us to…
In today’s Children’s Time, Pastor Beth asked the kids to help her make up a packing list for her trip to a family reunion this summer. Diamonds, boots, swim suit and snacks were among the things suggested. Pastor prompted the kids to think about that in addition to all the “stuff” we pack on a trip, we need…