In the gospel lesson, we find the crowds, perhaps even Jesus’ own family, accusing and worrying that Jesus is out of his mind! Things have gotten out of control and Jesus might have gotten a bit more here! What should we do!? They find themselves wondering. What is Jesus doing!! The complexities of family are not glossed over in anyway. In fact,…
This year, we have been taking the challenge to read together the gospel of Gospel of Mark. After a slight detour with Holy Week and Easter readings, we pick up back in chapter 3. The writer of Mark gives a quick clear account of the gospel immediately as rushing us towards to the words that require our action and attention. Immediately, we…
Throughout my message today, you will notice Waldos. When I was a little girl, I had books called, Where’s Waldo. On each page, you would look for this gentleman named Waldo. He was hidden in plain sight. You merely had to train your eye to find him. This is Waldo. You have a picture. And in each picture, you want to find…
I sat with him and waited. His family had said good-bye. They had gone home. Chaplain, they asked, could you wait with James, until he passes over, they wondered. Yes, I nodded. And so, I sat with him and waited. All of the machines had been turned off. All of the medical professionals had taken leave. And so, I sat with him…
“Do this in remembrance of me.” Throughout the world, across denominations. There is plenty that divides us in the body of Christ. We have different understandings and theological posturings of what happens during Communion. This we hold in common: Do this in Remembrance of Me. Throughout this season of Lent, we have been pausing. On this holy night, we pause to remember. …
(8:30 Service) I can understand the excitement of getting accidently caught up in a parade. I am pretty sure the first time I was in parade was by accident. I got carried away with enthusiasm. We decorated my bicycle with streamers, and I rode on my training wheels as fast as I could. I pedaled as hard my 5-year-old legs could go…
What kind of activities do you do to re-create God’s world? This will be an actual question. Anyone sew or knit or crochet? Anyone do woodwork or restore cars or steel bending? Anyone paint or draw or do pottery? Anyone cook or bake or can? Anyone garden or hardscape or fish? Anyone write or code or web design? Anyone dance or do…
In the early days of the American invasion of Iraq, there was a group of soldiers whose mission it was connect with a town cleric for organize and distribution of relief supplies. However, the time was tense, and atmosphere was challenging. A mob had gathered, fearing that the solders had come to arrest the spiritual leader, destroy their mosque, or desecrate their…
The story goes that it is time for a couple to retire for the night. You might think they walk right up the stairs and lay down. But no. Going to bed means: – Making lunches for the next day; – rinsed bowls in the sink; – took meat out of the freezer for supper; – checked the cereal box levels; –…
A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew pictures. Occasionally, she would walk around the room to see each child’s work. “What are you drawing?” she asked one little girl who was working diligently at her desk. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” The little…