On the Church's first day of Pentecost, the Spirit made it possible for the Good News of God's love to spread throughout the known world. The Spirit is at work in this congregation as well, providing the abilities and resources for us to reach out into this place, into our community, and into the larger world.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Pentecost B – 19-May-24”
Jesus sent us "into the world." We do that in all kinds of ways. We have ministries that are concerned with people within our own congregation. To help them to learn about what Jesus taught and to help them put those teachings into action.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 7b – 12-May-24”
Jesus talks about "laying down one’s life for one’s friends." There's a lesser call on each of us... lesser in a way. It's not about giving our life for someone else in one great act. It's about giving of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our treasure to see that God's work on earth is done; to provide food and shelter for the poor, to aid those who are sick and suffering, to stand with the oppressed, to share the teachings of Jesus and to act them out in our lives.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 6B – 5-May-24”
If you've ever had vines, either intentionally or unintentionally, you know that the branches grow and they climb and soon, they're covering anywhere they can reach.
The Church is like that, but in a good way. Because of our connection with the vine, the Church can reach out into our world and bring the Good News of God's love for all people.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 5b – 28-Apr-24”
Sheep aren't thought of very highly in a lot of studies on the gospel text for today. They're usually called stupid. But that's not the point of what Jesus is saying. He says that the sheep of his flock know his voice and listen to it.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 4b – 21-April-24”
In that experience the disciples had of Jesus after the resurrection, their minds and hearts were comforted, their minds were opened to understand the scriptures and the ministry that Jesus was calling them to from then on.
In the same way the Church has the task of standing with people who are oppressed and burdened by deep concerns, we teach people how to understand the scriptures, we prepare ourselves for the ministry that God has called us to do.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 3b – 14-April-24”
In our scripture from Acts for today, the early Church is described as sharing all things together. While we don't have all our possessions in common like the early Church, we do share a common mission and common ministries.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter 2b – 7-April-24”
However you consider the events of that "first day of the week" all those years ago, one thing is clear: The event changed the disciples forever. They changed from a ragtag bunch of followers that were hiding in an upper room to a group that changed the world with what they have found.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Easter Sunday B – 31-March-24”
How is the love of God demonstrated? Jesus shows us that the love of God comes humbly, not with the trappings of power and the force of fear, but humbly, riding on the back of a donkey. Jesus shows us that the love of God comes to walk with the people the others forget about, to lift up those who are oppressed, to care for those in need.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Palm Sunday – 24-March-24”
"unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
Unless we give of ourselves, our time, our abilities, and yes, our financial resources -- unless we give them away -- they remain just what we have.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Lent 5b – 17-March-24”