We’ve spent the last several weeks working through portions of the Pauline epistles, trying to make sense out of reading “half the mail” from two millenia ago. This task is made all the more difficult as this “mail” cuts across culture, language and very different societal expectations. But for the temporal displacement, Paul was in the same boat, trying to create a radically different world from the one he knew. Paul was also big on using metaphors, some of which he didn’t quite understand. Specifically, in this week’s passage from Ephesians, he talks about marriage when Paul himself never was married. So, when he used the phrase, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands…,” he didn’t have the practical grounding to know what he was talking about.
We know that a lot gets lost in translation, and sometimes real damage gets done when we hear messages out of context. This Sunday, Pastor Jennifer preaches on that “submissive” passage, with an effort to unpack and understand the message of liberating love that’s underneath. For anybody who likes to see what others “don’t want to touch with a ten foot pole” you’ll want to see this. Please join us a 10 a.m. on YouTube. -Pastor Jennifer
Everything Changes
In our sermon series we are exploring how our brains were designed to be suspicious of change, and for good reason–homeostasis in good measure helps us thrive, protecting us from danger. But if we look closely at what the Creator set in motion, we find that change is the most constant part of life and necessary for animating our spirits as we find renewed purpose throughout life. Jesus advocated for changes that would keep us moving toward greater goodness! “Everything Changes” John 12:20-26 In our scripture this week Jesus asks us to let go of life “as it is” in order to create and multiply the love that is eternal. What feels like the chaos, or recklessness, of change is the breaking-open of possibility and the sprouting of new life. This is what it means to follow the change-maker Jesus and serve his purpose of more love in the world. -Pastor Courtney
It’s been a week to sorely try the Spirit. We have been shaken to our core. That which we thought “could never happen here” happened, as a sitting president incited a riot to storm the halls of Congress to interrupt the lawful transfer of power. It’s the kind of thing that makes you mad, sad, scared and in need of a word of truth and hope. That’s what God is anxious to give us all this Sunday. “Arise, Your Light is Come!” Please join us at 10 a.m.
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No matter who your are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
We worship whenever we are together, but we gather formally for worship Sunday mornings at 10:00 am.
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