NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021 This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany. As Jamie pointed out a couple weeks ago, when you are trying to cover the life, ministry and works of Jesus in one year, as the lectionary attempts to do, the timeframe...
Greetings! Last Sunday was Epiphany. This Sunday we read about Jesus, all grown up, being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River! The biography of Jesus moves fast! You’ve probably heard that story about the baptism of Jesus many times, but is it just about the past?...
This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent; and still no Christmas scripture because this is Advent, not Christmas. Advent is a season of preparation and waiting for what will happen at Christmas. The theme for this Sunday is “Peace” and yet the word “Peace” is not found in the...
I pray that you have had a safe and blessed Thanksgiving. This first Sunday after Thanksgiving is the beginning of Advent; the first Sunday of a new liturgical year. The liturgical color for this season is royal blue. Most folks refer to Advent as a time of preparation; but Advent...
This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent and the theme is “Peace.” The dictionary definition of Peace is not reflective of what the scriptures define as “Peace.” Perhaps that’s why so many don’t understand and cannot comprehend biblical peace. The dictionary defines peace as “freedom from disturbance, tranquility.” But...
This Sunday is known as Reformation Sunday in remembrance of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-five Theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany that launched the Protestant Reformation 501 years ago on October 31, 1517. Luther launched this protest in objection to church practices that hinders people...
“Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?” “We can,” they answered. …Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give His life to liberate...
October 11th was National Coming Out Day. Like many of you, I grew up in a very conservative Christian church tradition. And maturing in my faith journey over the years, I’ve come to know that many things they taught me about God and how God interacts with humanity is just...
“Whoever isn’t against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40, CEB) It’s amazing how easy people develop an elitist mentality; and Christians are certainly not exempt for this behavior. The scripture above from this Sunday’s assigned Gospel text is Jesus responding to this attitude among his disciples. The disciples had seen...
Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then He said, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in My name welcomes Me; …” Mark 9:36-37a Have you ever written something but looking back at it, it seemed awkward to you? After reading and giving...