SERVICES

Each of us have the ability to see the world and witness to both the beauty and hardship. How do we respond with courage and compassion, even as it feels like the world is full of heartbreak and hardship?

This sermon series on diversity affirms God’s vision for a unified yet beautifully varied body of believers. Diversity is not just a social ideal but a reflection of God’s creative design. In recognition of June as Pride Month, we will also explore how the Church can be a place where all people—including those in the LGBTQ+ community—are seen, valued, and invited into Christ’s love. We will challenge ourselves to reflect God’s love, justice, and grace in a world that longs for healing and belonging.

For four or five days, adults who were not his parents cared, protected, fed, nurtured and taught Jesus. This is the vision for all of our children and youth—a village that will support the development and growth of each of them. Too often, families feel isolated and on their own to figure out the challenges of raising children. We commit ourselves to being a village and caring for all of God's children. 

Life is messy. The world is very messy. Luckily, our faith gives us practices to help navigate the chaos with grace and intention. During Lent, we’ll be looking at how we can bless the messes around us, within us, beside us.

The brave ones are not always the names remembered or written down. Nevertheless, they make a big impact. Five different women took risks throughout his life to save him. Had it not been for them, Moses may never have been the remarkable leader that we are familiar with today. We will dive deep into the lives of these five women and discover their stories of courage and compassion. 

With the busy “gift-giving season” behind us, let’s take time to reflect on the gifts we can offer others that bring about healing, hope, and beauty in this broken and hurting world. These are not gifts you can buy in a store or order online; these are gifts we must nurture and cultivate within us. 

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As a calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ's birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new.

There is so much that can worry us—we worry about our kids, we worry about our jobs, we worry about finances, we worry about health. We worry about global conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine, we worry about our national politics, we worry about climate change and homelessness and child poverty. In scripture, we hear Jesus’ words to his disciples, “do not worry.” So much easier said than done! 

Together we reflect on how our world needs more stories of people serving others, devoting their lives to the wellbeing of others, and taking action to care for people. There are a lot of stories of fear and worry—we can be messengers of hope and compassion in a world that desperately needs to hear it. 

Our national parks are jewels of natural beauty and unmatched diversity. They can also speak to our faith as we reflect on God’s creation and marvel with wonder and awe at God’s work. Each week, we’ll look at a different national park and explore the holiness and wisdom that it gives us. From Yellowstone to Voyageurs, each place will offer a glimmer into the goodness and glory of God’s world.

We begin a new series that will feature not only my voice, but the voices of five congregation members. A strong value of our church is empowering one another and hearing each other’s voices. We will live into that in July and August as we experience a worship series that is shaped and molded by five others. I have been blessed to hear their perspectives and reflections on our theme and I know you will too.

We hear the messages out there that we should attend church. Many of us have been baptized, either as children or adults. We take the bread and the juice during Holy Communion. We feel within us a calling towards a certain way of life. Why do these things matter? How does the Holy Spirit work through them? What is the purpose of the sacraments? During the month of June, we'll explore the foundations of our faith and how they continue to shape us and bless us.