Rev. Courtney Artnzen is our guest preacher this week.
At the beginning of the gospel of John, we hear, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). At the end of John, we hear the resurrected Jesus say, "As the Father sent me, now I send you" (John 20:21). Together, we will hold these words up and consider how Jesus was sent and the ramifications for us as "sent people.”
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