A peace the world does not give

May 26, 2019
6th Sunday of the Easter Season: 

Worldly success and spiritual fulfillment don't always go hand in hand.  To explore this relationship, we look at  Lydia, an early convert to Christianity.  The precious few facts we do have about her speak volumes:  She was a worshipper of God who dealt in purple cloth.  Pastor Rob explains she was both worldly successful but also spiritually hungry.  Where do we find our spiritual fulfillment, our connection to God, our sense of purpose, our security of affirmation?  Jesus offers us all of this as he confers on us our peace.  Based on Acts 16:9-16 and John 14:23-29​ 

The good, the gracious and the beautiful

May 19, 2019
5th Sunday of the Easter Season: 

"Love one another, as I have loved you."  The new commandment from Jesus.  Does Jesus actually expect us to do this?  Pastor Rob offers three answers:  A good one; a gracious one; and a hopefully beautiful one.  Based on John 13:31-35​  The picture shows volunteers at Wittle Farm this past Saturday.

Decisions, Decisions

May 12, 2019
4nd Sunday of the Easter Season: Good Shepherd Sunday
Life is filled with many decisions: Which flavor Oreo should I buy?  How should I respond to my co-workers "dumb" email?  Pastor Rob reflects on how we make decisions as disciples of Jesus.  Based on Jesus words "My sheep listen to my voice.  I know them.  They follow me."  From John 10:22-30

What is your story?

May 5, 2019
3nd Sunday of the Easter SeasonAnnual Meeting

Life can be a bit confusing - what should I be doing?  Why am I here?  Where is God in the mix of all this?   Again and again, God calls us out of our everyday life - our spiritual "fog" - and into worship; we encounter the Risen Christ, who feeds, forgives and then sends us back into the world.  This is the story of Peter.  This is the story of Ananias, Paul and just about every other person in the Bible.  On this Sunday of our annual meeting we consider -- what is your story?  In your walk of living as a disciple of Jesus, how have you been called out of the world into worship; and then out of worship, having met the crucified yet risen Christ, back into the world?

Resurrection overcomes but does not negate cruifixion

April 28, 2019
2nd Sunday of the Easter SeasonJesus comes back from the dead, restored and renewed...yet with holes where the nails pierced him during his crucifixion.  Why did God leave the wounds?  The power of Jesus' resurrection exists along side of the evidence of death.  As we go through life, we often see plenty of evidence of death and sin; yet the resurrection is still real and real in our lives.  Based on John 20:19-31

Pastor Rob also reflects on the recent diagnosis of Pastor Straw in light of Jesus death and resurrection, as evidenced in his wounded hands.

Easter: Jesus, Thanos and the enduring love of God

April 21, 2019
Easter SundayThe resurrection of Jesus was a total surprise to the disciples; people don't return from the dead!  It is clear that Jesus breaks the rules of how life, death, sin and justice all work.  This is because he follows only one rule:  God's love endures forever.  Based on Luke 24:1-11.
And yes, there is a special mention of my favorite arch-villain, Thanos.

Palm Sunday: Servant Leader

Who was or is the best boss you've ever had?  Most likely, they are a servant leader, someone who takes the power they have and uses it for the benefit of others.  In his telling of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Luke presents Jesus as the ultimate Servant Leader.  What might it look like for us to live as a servant leader?   Based on Luke 19:28-40.