Isaiah 43:1-7 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Psalm 29 Ascribe to God glory and strength. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Jesus is baptized by John As we hear the story of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist, we pause to reflect on our own understanding
Continue readingIsaiah 60: 1-6 Arise, Shine; for your light has come. Ephesians 3:1-12 Boldness and confidence through faith. Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the Magi It is often said that a mystery is a puzzle to be solved, but for the Ephesians a mystery is a treasure to be revealed. What
Continue reading1 Samuel 2:18-21 Samual as a boy in the temple Psalm 148:1-14 Praise for God’s universal glory Colossians 3:12-17 Clothe yourselves with compassion Luke 2:41-52 The boy Jesus in the temple This new way of life, the Christian way, is expressed by Paul’s metaphor of clothing — put on compassion,
Continue readingMicah 5:2-5a Out of Bethlehem in Judea will come a leader. Luke 1:39-55 Mary visits Elizabeth Mary was welcomed not only by Elizabeth, but by her child in her womb who leaped in welcome at her presence. It is said that Elizabeth was filled with the spirit in that moment
Continue readingIsaiah 12:2-6 Proclaim God’s deed to the nations. Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in God always! In this season of giving, we can sometimes walk away feeling empty, burdened, frustrated and guilty. The scriptures today remind us that we are not to worry about anything. As we prepare for the birth of
Continue readingBaruch 5:1-9 Zechariah’s Prophecy Luke 1:68-79 Promise of return Philippians 1:3-11 Paul’s prayer for the Philippians Luke 3:1-6 Proclamation of John the Baptist Advent, like Sabbath, is a contemplative time. The kind of contemplative, prayerful time that prepares us for what is to come in life. John calls the people
Continue readingJeremiah 33:14-16 A Righteous Branch 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Strengthen your hearts in holiness Luke 21:25-36 Urgency to watch This waiting and watching, then the arrival, have been ritualized in the Advent and Christmas liturgical cycle. Some of us want only a part of it. One wants to skip the promise:
Continue readingRev. Jim Allan I want to tell you about mySabbatical. Firstly, what is a sabbatical? Well, in its origin, it is the Sabbath, the seventh day, when God rested after creating the world, so it is a day of rest. The idea was extended to the years of our lives,
Continue readingDaniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Divine throne vision Revelation 1:4b-8 The alpha and the omega John 18:33-37 Jesus before Pilate Living Truth Jesus is accused of being “King of the Jews”, but Pilate sees no king before him. Neither does he recognize Living Truth that stands before him. What clouds our view
Continue readingOn October 23, ten congregation members joined with Rev. Karen Bridges and pod coordinators Tory Bachmann and Colleen Ouellette in a conversation about fundraising. We considered the differences between pledging, campaigns and fundraising; discussed the strengths and weaknesses of our current fundraising practices; and expressed our hopes and dreams for
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