“The trees will clap their hands!” says the prophet Isaiah (chapter 55:12). Who doesn’t love trees? Trees big and small, and young and old give shelter, shade, and oxygen. But what about molds and algae? Can we love them? This week we are scouring the Bible and our surroundings for mentions of plants of all kinds and asking what they might have to teach us about ourselves, God, and our relationships to the Earth. The tree pictured here is on the Crazy Canyon Trail close to Missoula. That twisted trunk has a story or two, don’t you think? This tree tells me that scars and hard stories don’t always have to be hidden. The tree seems to be clapping her hands and reaching for the sun too. What else do trees and moss, garden herbs and wildflowers have to tell us? I hope you’ll go outside sometime soon and have a listen.
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
May 16 Sermon. How can we find the beauty of God in all God's critters.
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We worship whenever we are together, but we gather formally for worship Sunday mornings at 10:00 am.
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