Light
Matt’s message is rooted in Isaiah 9.1-4. The people of God in Isaiah’s time found themselves in a “land of deep darkness.” Matt draws upon the prophetic witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Valarie Kaur to invite us to see parallels in our day. Valarie asks, “what if the darkness isn’t the darkness of a tomb, but the darkness of a womb?”
Attention
Linda’s message is rooted in Isaiah 49: 1-7. The idea of rescue in one’s life can often become individualistic. In order to live life together as a whole, we must seek to be the rescuers of each other and see the servant as both the faithful individual AND the obedient community.
Justice
Linda’s message is rooted in the call to justice found in Isaiah 42: 1-9. The name for our worship series, Life Together, is taken from a book by this name by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a prophetic Lutheran pastor who led a resistance movement during the rise of Hitler in Germany. Linda’s message sketches Bonhoeffer’s life and weaves his writings with those of the ancient prophet Isaiah. We hope this worship series on Life Together will embolden and challenge us to follow in the…
An Ending that is a Beginning
Matt’s message is rooted in readings from Jesus’ infancy at the beginning of Matthew & the ending of Jesus’ life on earth near the ending of Matthew. The infant Jesus became a refugee with his family. What might this mean for us today? Jesus’ message to his followers at the end of his life challenged them: “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” What…
Christmas Day
Linda’s message on Christmas Day is rooted in Luke 2.15-20. We wonder & share about Christmas moments as we celebrate the coming of God among us.
Christmas Eve
Linda’s message for our 11:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve gathering is rooted in the Christmas story from John’s Gospel. What frame might allow us to see the light coming among us? Linda’s message is woven with selections from our music team’s live rendition of Josh Garrels’ recently released song called The Light Came Down.
Christmas Eve
Matt’s message for our 5:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve gathering is rooted in the Christmas story from Luke 2 & Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell & Jason Croft. As we celebrate a Little One who came for the world, may we finder way to the alley & make room for one another. And, may we all join the people in a chorus of praise: Glory to God this night.
Dream
Matt’s message is rooted in the dream of Joseph (Matthew 1.18-25). On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we remember God’s call to Joseph in a dream. How might we follow Joseph in saying yes to the power, mystery, and scandalous love waiting to be born amidst shame & disgrace?
See.
Linda’s message is rooted in Matthew 11.2-11. On this third Sunday of Advent, we are called to ask just as John the Baptist did, “Are you the one?”, and seek to see the love of God here and everywhere around us.
Watch.
Linda’s message on this first Sunday of Advent invites us to watch for signs of God’s hope waiting to be born amidst the uncertainties of life. Worship is rooted in Gregory Porter’s Take Me To The Alley & Matthew 24:36-44.
Jephthah’s Daughter
In this last week of taking a closer look at troubling texts in scripture, Matt reads through the story of Jephthah’s sacrifice of his only daughter (Judges 11:29-40). We are called to be more faithful every day and delve into following the ways of hope, healing, love, and liberation in our communities.
An Unnamed Woman
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of the Unnamed Woman in Judges 19: 1-30. May we listen to the lessons in this story and focus our hearts on those who are hurting and vulnerable. Help us to be faithful followers of the Way by Jesus.
