Stories we pass on

November 18, 2018
(First Communion for 2nd graders)

Do you remember reading before bed with your parents as a child?  Pastor Rob reflects on the stories we pass on to our children.  One of the important stories we as a church (not just St. Paul, but all churches) pass on to our children is in Mark  14, the story of the Last Supper.  As we offer our 2nd graders their first communion this Sunday, we reflect on the significance of this story.

A different kind of bucket list

November 11, 2018
(Women of the ELCA Thankoffering)

Jesus finds himself in need of a bucket when he encounters a woman at the well in John 4.   Pastor Rob reflect on how God can work important acts of love through every day things such as a bucket.  Instead of having a "bucket list" that consists of things we want to do before we die ("kick the bucket") Pastor Rob offers another bucket list:  The list of ordinary things in our lives that God uses for a holy purpose.

Divine Grief

November 4, 2018
All Saints Sunday

Pastor Rob reflects on John 11, a powerful story of grief.  Jesus encounters Mary, Martha and a gathering crowd, all of whom are mourning the death of Lazarus (their brother).  It is a story in which we can easily find ourselves as we struggle with grief and hope.  It is also a story in which we find out what happens when Jesus, the divine resurrection and life, grieves.