The Struggle to See God at Work 4th Sunday in Lent — March 15, 2026 Texts 1 Samuel 16:1-13 ⠂Psalm 23 ⠂Ephesians 5:8-14 ⠂John 9:1-41 Lenten blessings to all. We are now in the fourth Sunday of Lent, and before we move forward, it helps to remember where we’ve been. As we know, Lent is more than a season of reflection; it’s a journey of watching how God works in our lives in ways we don’t expect. On the second Sunday of Lent, Nicodemus thought God’s work was impossible — the id

One person at a time. One community at a time 3.8.2026 3 Lent [Texts] Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 Lenten greetings to you, the lights of the world. Last Sunday, we left worship remembering that we are lights — like stars in the sky — and that we would keep shining as we returned to our daily lives. Later that afternoon, an image appeared on my phone… a photo taken at an airport. Refugees fleeing war zones, holding suitcases, looking down at their phon

That Stays That Saves Lent 2 — March 1, 2026 Texts: Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17 Lenten greetings to you who shine because God first shines on you. There’s a question at the center of all our readings today, A question that has echoed through every generation of faith: What does it mean to be the people of God? Abram carries it when God calls him to leave everything familiar. (imagine: put yourself in his shoes) The psalmist sings it while sc

1 Lent — 2.22.2026 Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 • Psalm 32 • Romans 5:12–19 • Matthew 4:1–11 Lenten blessings to each of you, beloved Church. Scripture gives us sixty‑six books filled with every kind of story. Some we know by heart. Some we wrestle with. Some we wish weren’t there. And some come alive every time we return to them. Today’s readings hold all of that at once. On Ash Wednesday, we stepped into Lent with Joel’s truth‑telling and striking image: “Before the people of G

Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026 [Readings and Psalm] Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 ⠂Psalm 51:1–17 ⠂Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 ⠂2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 Introduction — The Cross We Wear Today Today we carry a mark that’s hard to miss—a dark cross, right on our forehead, where everyone else can see it before we can. It tells the truth about us: our limits, our humanity, our belonging to God. And into that truth, we hear these rich scriptures from Joel, the psalmist, Jesus, and Paul. Each one urg

Transfiguration Sunday February 15, 2026 [Texts] Exodus 24:12–18 · Psalm 2 · 2 Peter 1:16–21 · Matthew 17:1–9 Epiphany blessings to you. We just heard {read} four powerful texts, each helping us see what Matthew is showing us on the mountain. Moses enters the cloud on Sinai to receive the law, known as the Ten Commandments— words that find their fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of God. The psalm declares, “You are my Son,” a promise that echoes forward to the voice the discipl

Light & Salt 5 Epiphany • February 8, 2026 Matthew 5:13–20 • Isaiah 58:1–12 • Psalm 112:1–10 • 1 Corinthians 2:1–13 Epiphany blessings to you. Each week, it’s my hope and prayer that we discover again and again the many ways we meet a God who chooses how to show up—quietly in our personal lives, and faithfully in the shared life we’re growing into together. Some of you know that, in order to keep worship within a reasonable time, the pastor occasionally has the option to sho

Come & See: A Journey of Faith and Love 1/18/2026 [Texts] Isaiah 49:1-7 The servant brings light to the nations Psalm 40:1-11 I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8) 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth John 1:29-42 Revelation of Christ as the Lamb of God Epiphany blessings to you, siblings in Christ. Beloved in Christ, I want to begin with a simple check-in. What’s been weighing on you these days? What lingers with you from morning

God Certifies the Called 1.11.2026 [Readings]    Isaiah 42:1–9 — The servant of the Lord brings justice Psalm 29 — The voice of the Lord is upon the waters Acts 10:34–43 — Jesus’ ministry after his baptism Matthew 3:13–17 — Revelation of Christ as God’s servant God’s beloved, What’s the best love story you’ve ever known? (examples: your own, movies, novels, documentaries, etc.) Whenever I return to the story of Jesus’ baptism, I become more convinced that the Bible is the gre

God refuses to look away. Texts for 1.4.2026 Isaiah 60:1-6 Nations come to the light Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 All kings shall bow down before him. (Ps. 72:11) Ephesians 3:1-12 The gospel’s promise extends to all Matthew 2:1-12 Revelation of Christ to the nations of the earth Epiphany blessings to you. Epiphany is the season when the Church celebrates that God’s saving presence becomes visible in the world, not just to a few, not just to one nation, but to all peoples. That's how

12.24.2025 [Texts] Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. (Ps. 96:11) Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] God with us God’s beloved, May the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of God be with you. Just three days ago, we concluded the Advent season. We named the Good News that carries us through every season. This Good News is the same tonight as it was last Sunday: Jesus was not

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...