Holy, Holy, Holy

Last week we heard about the Trinity; so this week I want us to focus on "Holy." What does it mean to be Holy? What is God's work of sanctification? All of this is set against two powerful images, the first of Isaiah's vision of God Almighty, the second of a recent and tragic death in our church family.

Confirmation

We say it so often that the unusual nature of the Apostle's Creed does not strike us. But on this confirmation day, we will ask our youth to confess that God created them, that Jesus is their lord and that the church is holy because of the Holy Spirit. That is not something that average person on the street believes!

I chose you

Americans love choices, especially when it comes to religion. Yet Jesus isn't up for our consumer mentality: "You did not chose me, I choose you," He says. Instead of a consumer metaphor of choice and options, he gives us another way to think about our relationship with him: "I am the vine, you are the branches."

Holy Spirit and Mother's Day

The book of Acts often remains a mystery to us because of the active role of the Holy Spirit in the book. How does the Holy Spirit work? How is the Holy Spirit at work in our lives? And what does the Holy Spirit have to do with our mothers? Based on Acts 8:26-40.

You shall be my witnesses

This week Jesus tells us to be his witnesses. What does this mean, especially in an age when many people around the world and in our own neighborhoods do not know about Jesus? We can learn much from the disciples...but most importantly the crucified and risen hands of Jesus that he shows us. Based on Luke 24:36-42.

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen! The news seems too amazing, too good to be true. The first disciples a hard time believing as well, but Christ sends his angels and finally himself to tell them the good news that He is Risen. Death, his death and our death, has been defeated. This is news that we and the world need to hear again and again and so God appoints us as his messengers to tell this to the world. Based on John 20.

Palm branches and leaders

As we are exclaiming in church, "Hosanna" to Jesus, remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, people halfway around the world are cheering for President Obama and other world leaders as they meet to discuss the global financial crisis. We and the people 2,000 years ago waved palm branches; today they wave microphones. We are hungry for a leader. What kind of leader does the world need today?