The second Sunday after Epiphany celebrates the Baptism of Christ, and Paster Barbara used the occasion to explore the meaning of Baptism today, as both a rite of membership in the church and as a damply personal expression of God’s love for each one of us.
Scripture Matthew 2:1-12. If you, like most of us, think you know the story of the three wise men, take a listen. Pastor Barbara digs into the actual story, as told in Matthew, and its context in Jewish history. You’ll be surprised.
For the second Sunday of advent, Pastor Barbara delves into the roots of her personal theology
We reflect on the reforming spirit of our Protestant ancestors.
From the church courtyard, we celebrate and honor the many blessings our animals bring us showing God’s love for creation. Some adorable dogs, maybe some cats, reptiles, and birds. We also are thankful for animals we have loved in the past.
Pastor Barbara reflects on Jeremiah’s advice in the face of captivity, and on Jesus’ healing 10 lepers. Throughout his ministry, Jesus focused on those who live on the margins of society–the stigmatized, the poor, and the unpretentious. Within the core tenets of the Christian faith already exist inclusion, welcoming, liberation, freedom, and the extravagant embrace…
At the regular Sunday morning service before her installation as our Pastor, Barbara drew explored the requirement for personal authenticity that is an inescapable part of being “named..” Her sources ranged from the parable of the lost sheep to the music of Jim Croce.
(Scripture: Luke 11:1 – 13) Today, pastor Barbara takes a deep dive into the Lord’s Prayer, finding many layers of meaning in those simple, familiar words.
(Scripture: Amos 8:1-12, Luke 10:38-42) Starting with the ancient metaphor of “Summer Fruit” as a summing up at a time of transition, Pastor Barbara explores the familiar story of Jesus at the house of Mary and Martha. She finds a profound metaphor for the nature of God and for the two distinct, but inseparable roles…
For our National Birthday, Pastor Barbara revisits one of the most basic concepts of Christianity – – one we all learned as children, but one that seems in constant danger of being forgotten: There is nothing we can do to “earn” God’s grace. It is a gift, freely given. All we have to do choose…