God Refused to Give Up Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A Sunday, December 21 Texts:   Isaiah 7:10–16 — The sign of Immanuel   Romans 1:1–7 — Paul’s greeting to the church at Rome   Matthew 1:18–25 — A God near at hand The Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of God be with all God’s beloved in worship today. As we come to the end of Advent and prepare to enter the Christmas season on Wednesday, the word before us is Love . And not just any love—the Love that reveals who God is. Scripture

Advent 2 – December 7, 2025  Readings: Isaiah 43:19–21 • Psalm 121 • James 5:7–10 • Matthew 11:1–11 Advent blessings to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This Advent, we continue with the theme from Sanctified Art, which invites us to face uncertainty in life with the gifts God gives—hope, peace, joy, and love. Last week, we reflected on Hope. In times of uncertainty, one common shared emotion is fear. Fear may cause us to waver in faith.

11.30.2025 Advent 1 When Fear Prostrated to Hope [Readings] Lamentations 3:55-57 Psalm 121 Romans 13:11-14 Luke 1:5-13 Advent blessings to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Advent, we are following a theme from Sanctified Art that invites us to face our fears with the gifts God gives—hope, peace, joy, and love. Each week we take one gift and let it guide us. In the first week, we meet fear with Hope.  In the second, we meet fear with Peace.  In the thi

11.23.2025   Christ the King Sunday Texts Jeremiah 23:1–6 – The shepherd and righteous Branch who brings justice Psalm 46 – “I will be exalted among the nations” (v.10) Colossians 1:11–20 – Hymn to Christ, firstborn of creation; peace through his blood Luke 23:33–43 – Jesus crucified between two thieves: “You will be with me in Paradise” God’s peace and grace to you.   Today feels a little like New Year’s Eve for the Christian community. We call it Christ the King Sunday . So

11.9.2025 [Texts] Job 19:23-27a I know that my Redeemer lives and I shall see God Psalm 17:1-9 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings. (Ps. 17:8) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 The coming of the Lord Jesus Luke 20:27-38 Jesus speaks of the resurrection; the God of the living Grace and Peace to you, beloved church! Let’s begin with a question: Who were the Sadducees? The Sadducees were deeply tied to the Temple system for roughly 200 years, up u

Reformation Sunday Texts:   Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Psalm 46 | Romans 3:19–28 | John 8:31–36 Happy Reformation Sunday, beloved Church! Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, our Reformer, and the One who marks us not by imperfection but by God’s grace. Last Sunday , we wrestled with justice and prayer through Jacob’s midnight struggle and Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow. Isn’t that how prayer often feels in our daily lives? A wrestle, a cry for j

10.19.2025 [Readings] Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob’s struggle with the angel: I’ll not let go until you bless me Psalm 121 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2) 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5 In the presence of Christ the judge, proclaim the message Luke 18:1-8 The widow begs for justice; God grants justice to those who cry to him Grace and peace to you from our awesome and loving God. Today, we meet God through stories that listen , wrestle , and heal . Jacob

10.12.2025 [Texts] 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Naaman washes in the Jordan and is cleansed Psalm 111 I will give thanks to the Lord with my...

10.5.2025 [Texts] Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 Wicked surround the righteous; wait for the Lord Psalm 37:1-9 Commit your way to the Lord; put...

9.21.2025 [Texts] Amos 8:4-7 Warnings to those who trample on the needy and poor Psalm 113 The Lord lifts up the poor from the ashes....

9.14.2025 [Texts] Exodus 32:7-14 Moses begs the Lord to turn from anger against the Hebrews Psalm 51:1-10 Have mercy on me, O God,...

9.7.2025 Year C Readings and Psalm Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Walk in the way of life and hold fast to God Psalm 1 They are like trees planted...

Received! Rooted! Replanted! 5th Sunday after Pentecost 7.13.2025 [Texts] Deuteronomy 30:9-14 The Lord will take delight in your...

Rooting Peace, Expanding God’s Kingdom 4th Sunday After Pentecost 7.6.2025 [Texts] Isaiah 66:10-14 Jerusalem, a nursing mother giving...

knows the team and the position you and I play 3rd Sunday after Pentecost 6.29.2025 [Texts] 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 Elijah says to...

Galatians 3 & 5 What Defines How vs. How Defines What Reflections from the Standalone Bible Study on 6/22/2025 In just seven verses,...

6.22.2025 2nd Sunday after Pentecost [Texts] Isaiah 65:1-9 The prophet sent to a rebellious people Psalm 22:19-2 In the midst of the...

6.15.2015 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Our Recalling or Remembering Determines How We Show Up Each Day [Texts] Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Wisdom...

6.1.2025 Love Forward: shaped by Jesus’ new commandments and moved alongside His prayer [Texts] Acts 16:16-34 While in prison, Paul...

May 25, 2025 In Memory of Michelle Gale Autio: February 3, 1969 ~ May 15, 2025 Scriptures: Psalm 139:7-18; Romans 8:31-35; 37-39; John...