Baptism of our Lord

January 7, 2018
Baptism of our Lord

Right after Jesus is baptized, he is sent into the wilderness, where he must struggle against temptation and the devil.  All too often we avoid talking about the reality of the "wilderness" in our faith lives.  For many baptized and believing Christians, there are times of being in the wilderness, time of doubt and struggle with our faith.   What we learn from Jesus' experience and the experience of other Christians is that the time in the wilderness, though long, is not forever.  Based on Mark 1:4-13.

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2017
Christmas Eve

This year our national has fallen in love with Hallmark(ish) movies about Christmas.  They feel good!  The real Christmas story though is a bit rougher around the edges.  In that vulnerability and roughness, we hear the angels proclamation:  I bring you good news of great joy for all the people!  This good news is for us, even in the brokenness of our lives.  Based on Luke 2:1-20.

Blue Christmas

December 17, 2017
Blue Christmas

Pastor Rob offers a reflection on grief during the holiday season

Advent 3: Angels

December 17, 2017
Advent 3

The first angel to visit Mary is the angel Gabriel.  This is a magnificent and holy encounter - one that even gets its own name "The Annunciation."  What do we do this encounter that is so much unlike our everyday experience?  Pastor Rob takes us a bit further along Mary's journey and suggests that angels don't always have wings!  Based on Mary's travel in Luke 1.

Advent 2: Hope

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"  We hear the word of Scripture calling us to prepare the way of the Lord, in our hearts, in our homes and in our communities.  What does this look like?   Based on (Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:1-11)

Advent 1: Advent Gifts

December 3, 2017
Advent 1

Jesus comes with gifts of peace, love and joy.  December often feels anything but a month of peace, love and joy.  How do we experience the presence of Christ during this busy month?  Pastor Rob offers you three Advent gifts.  Based on (Mark 13:24-37)

Freedom of a Christian, Part 6, Freedom to Praise

November 25, 2017
Christ the King Sunday
Freedom in Christ:  Freedom to Praise
Part 6 in a Reformation 500 series

Hear the good news:  God is judge!  This seems like terrifying news, but as Pastor Rob explains and proclaims, this is great news!  Ironically, viewing Christ and Christ alone as our judge sets us free to follow God's path in our life and live in God's mercy! A look at the parable of the Sheet and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).