I’m excited because Jill Clingan, my good friend and a fabulous writer, is preaching at Peace Mennonite this Sunday! We are still worshiping our way through Acts, and she will be focusing on Acts 21:17-26. I’ve chosen Psalm 119:33-40 as the Old Testament reading–thinking about our love for the law and the interplay of grace.…
Acts 19:11-20(See full sermon here.) Today, in our culture, we don’t understand the world to be filled with demons–except maybe on Halloween. Otherwise, we’re more likely to ascribe illness to a virus or bacterial infection or cancer; erratic, illogical behavior is blamed on mental illness; a series of tragedies chalked up to bad choices or…
Just a little Call to Worship for All Saints day. Our opening scripture is Isaiah 25:6-9. This morning we remember our loved ones who have died, And we remember God’s promise of eternal life. This morning we mourn the absence of many, And we celebrate God’s continuing presence. We listen for the Divine voice…
I have a family devotional reflection today over at Practicing Families. Thinking about the story of Zacchaeus took me right back to my Sunday school room, singing that great song about the “wee little man.” As a wee little woman, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the guy. I do wonder,…
This week the sermon will be on Acts 17:22-31, which lead to an opening reading from Genesis 2:4-9, which led to this call to worship and benediction: We believe God still creates–We want to see more clearly.We believe God still speaks–We want to listen more carefully.We believe God still guides–We want to walk more faithfully.We…
Recently my brother in Christ (cough, cough, ahemmmm), Mark Driscoll, has unleashed on the world yet another macho tirade masquerading as biblical interpretation. I’ve seen lots of buzz about this article because in it he claims that “Jesus is not a pansy or a pacifist.” Them’s fightin’ words for Mennonites! And there is a lot…
Here are a few excerpts from this past Sunday’s sermon on Acts 15–a.k.a. The Jerusalem Council. My fifteen-year-old informs me that she was trying to read during the sermon, “But then you got loud.” I’m afraid you won’t be able to experience the full effect of my pulpit pounding–you’ll just have to use your imaginations.…
This morning I came across this beautiful question in a sermon from Randy Newswanger: Are my understandings of God, my understandings of healing and redemption, my understandings of community and celebration large enough to hold the specific details of your story? I think this question is at the heart of church. We base our shared…
This week we will be looking at the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 . . . AND we will be worshiping with board members from the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. (I wish I could say that I plan stuff like this–but I don’t.) Below is the…
Sunday night we hosted our first retreat group! Seven lovely people spent a couple of hours creating in the art room, then some time talking and laughing (and eating) around the campfire. The weather was just about perfect and we all had a great time. I spent yesterday morning–my sabbath time–working on the labyrinth. After…
Spacious Faith 