The story of Hagar is both awful and amazing at the same time. Pretty awful things happen to Hagar, and it can be quite difficult to work out what God’s role was in all of it.
This week we will hear the story of Rahab. Not a common household name, but someone who deserves to be! As a prostitute, she was not very esteemed in her day. Yet, two men depend on her for their very lives.
Deborah was one of the early judges for the tribes of Israel and the only woman in that role, at least in our scriptures. She was married to Lappidoth. Lappidoth means "Fierce" or "Ferocity", which means Deborah was "The Wife of Ferocity". Brace yourselves as we take a closer look at this fierce and commanding woman, who could be the inspiration for Judge Judy!
This week kicks off our worship series on Bold Women in the Old Testament. Of course, we’ll be starting with one of my all time favorite Bible characters: Esther. I’ve always had a heart for Esther—for the pageantry of this book, the drama that unfolds, the poetic lines and social commentary it offers us all at the same time.
This week marks the final week in our Rooted series. I’ve been so grateful to the voices of the three that shared with us over the last weeks. This week, we’ll hear Job talk about his dream for a life well-lived and then examine what it is that helped him survive, and eventually thrive, following devastating losses and struggles.
We continue the sermon series Rooted and consider what it is to be connected with other individuals through Understanding. What does it mean to Understand? Today we would probably say that to understand is to ‘know’ what is being communicated, and that we ‘recognize’ or ‘realize’ the concept being portrayed. But is that all Understanding is? Peter Cleaveland will explore the significance of Understanding and how each of us can build respect and appreciation for others when we open ourselves to curiosity, and negate fear.
Over five weeks, we will explore the concept of nourishment, connection, growth, understanding one another, and how strong roots can ground us through the ups and downs of life. This weekend, Sarah Heyd Johnson will be looking below the surface to see our roots of connection and commonality in one another.
Over the past few months, a small group of us have been meeting to plan a sermon series. Sarah Nelson, Sarah Heyd Johnson, Peter Cleaveland and myself have crafted together a theme called ROOTED. Over 5 weeks, we will explore the concept of nourishment, connection, growth, understanding one another, and how strong roots can ground us through the ups and downs of life. This weekend, Sarah Nelson will be looking at the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus asks us to notice our seeds of faith and where they grow.
Over 5 weeks, we will explore the concept of nourishment, connection, growth, understanding one another, and how strong roots can ground us through the ups and downs of life. This weekend, we kick off the series by looking at the promises of peace in Isaiah, where we hear about a branch coming from the stump of Jesse, followed by several images of peace.
We will welcome the Rev. Susan Mullin to worship. She is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church with a strong heart for climate justice. Her sermon title is, "Things Look Dire: Be Not Afraid."