Speaker: Pastor Jason

This strange parable of Jesus may prompt some questions. Like, “Why didn’t five of the young women bring enough oil?” “Where could they buy more in the middle of the night?” “Couldn’t they have shared lamps with the other five?” “Might they have just stayed close and huddled under the five lamps that were lit?” “Isn’t this a missed opportunity for some trail angels to show up with some oil?” Seems like a good idea. The five were foolish to leave – since it was at that moment the bridegroom showed up. They missed out. They’re off getting oil, and not focused on the main thing.

God Extends an Invitation

March 24, 2019

God’s invitation is to something more than entertaining. God extends an invitation to come and die, to give our lives, to live for others, to serve the least and the last, the dirty and disturbing, hurt, angry, and broken creations all around us. God extends an invitation to visit hospitals, clean toilets, do taxes, bake bread, teach children, buy diapers, listen more, give more, and sometimes take on more than we think we can bear because it lifts up someone else.

Gratitude and Generosity

March 17, 2019

If we are like those workers in the parable who show up all day, working in the hot sun, we might grumble – we might feel entitled to a little extra thanks, maybe even some bonus pay, something that says we are just a little more appreciated than those who showed up late to finish the job. Just like how those of us who have grown up in the church our whole lives, who have been faithful and supportive of the church might be offended by the awful sinner who on his deathbed longs for the love and grace of Jesus in their last moments. God welcomes each one home. Does God’s generosity offend us?

From the Dust – Ash Wednesday

March 9, 2019

This dust we will receive on our foreheads in just a few minutes is a reminder of our mortality – a powerful symbol that can serve to focus our hearts and actions as we enter the season of Lent, on the things we do and don’t do, but most of all our need for a savior. These ashen marks are messy and dirty, but they are intentionally shaped into a cross. It’s for a reason. Through the cross of Christ, we are welcomed, dusty as we are, into newness of life, granted forgiveness, gifted grace and mercy, and welcomed into the Kingdom of heaven. We who start as dust and finish our earthly existence as the same, are named holy and righteous in Christ Jesus.

From the Mountain to the Margins

March 3, 2019

Jesus goes to the place where He is needed most. He doesn’t bask in the light for his own glory but gives His own life for the well being of the creation. For you. For us. For all. Jesus says to the disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” To follow Jesus is not to live for ourselves alone, but to be called into the world to be bearer’s of the light of Christ. We call it here “sharing the heart of Christ in the heart of the city.”

Did You Hear That?

February 17, 2019

Wheat and weeds, trees and birds, yeast and flour. It’s a lot to handle. It takes time, context, understanding. In our eagerness to know Jesus more, we try to think we have decoded the message, when the bottom line is that Jesus is teaching them to listen. Teaching them to trust. Teaching them to follow and watch with him. We wrestle with these stories and try to make sense out of them. We get confused, and either assign one meaning or another to the story, or move on to something we can more easily understand.

“A Strong Foundation”

February 10, 2019

It’s not good for us to judge based on human distinctions, to judge the sinfulness of another, or to claim we are better than another. This is not a strong foundation for our life together. But we do it. Is that how we want to be treated? Is it what we think we deserve? We want to judge. We do. It makes us feel superior. Even though we are not. We’re good at thinking of ourselves. God knows. Maybe that’s why we need something like the Golden Rule: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.”

“Being Religious”

February 3, 2019

We don’t pray this prayer to be more religious. We pray that we would hear the word and will of God, and be drawn out of our selfishness into the kingdom for the sake of our neighbors. This is our prayer, received in baptism, calling us into a lifetime of work and witness to God’s goodness, and the wholeness that Jesus brings. We pray not for our own glory and honor, but to be reminded that even though we fail to live it out at times, we are loved by our merciful redeemer and forgiven and in turn called to go and forgive ones who hurt us, and to turn to God to rescue us in every need. This prayer boldly claims we are a part of God’s mission, called through the word to serve in the name of the risen Christ and to share God’s mercy grace given to us at great cost.

“Contrast Community”

January 28, 2019