As we remember both Jesus' baptism and our own today, we consider what it means to dedicate our lives to serving God and others in the way of Jesus. One of the things it means is supporting this congregation through our abilities, our time, and our financial resources.… Read the rest “Alternate Offering Meditation for Baptism of Christ B – 7-January-24”
The gifts that the wisemen brought may seem exotic to us, gold, incense, oil, but they were actually quite practical for a family on the move in those days. All of them could be exchanged for money in any marketplace they visited, and the money could go for food, shelter, and other necessities.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Epiphany B – 7-January-24”
When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him, they were doing their part to see that the work of God in the world was done. When Simeon and Anna praised God for seeing Jesus and then told people what they knew, they were doing their part to see the work of God in the world was done.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Christmas 1b – 31-December-23”
Our great example, the one whom we follow and try to be like, is Jesus, because Jesus shows us the face of God in a human being. Jesus gave of himself that we would know the love of God for all people.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Christmas B – 25-December-23”
In the gospel reading for today, Mary is an active participant if what God had in mind. She knows she has a choice, and she chooses to birth and raise the child who would be called the son of God.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Advent 4b 24-December-23”
The people who went out to see John the Baptist were looking for Elijah, returned from the dead to bring the Good News that God was sending God's redeemer into the world. John knew he wasn't Elijah, but he stepped up and shared the Good News with them.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation (Gospel) for Advent 3b – 17-December-23”
When John the Baptizer began his ministry, he didn't need much, a camel's hair coat, some locusts, and some wild honey did it for him. When Jesus added his disciples to his ministry, along with it came the need to support their work.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation and Prayer for Advent 2b – 10-December-23”
When we talk about the signs of God's presence, as we do when we get into the Advent season, we tend to think about God coming to us in the person of Jesus. However, what most people see of God is how God is represent in us, the Church.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation and Prayer for Advent 1b – 3-December-23”
There are so many things that this congregation does as a part of our lives of faith together. One of the most important of those is how we treat people in need. That's a bit part of the gospel story for today.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Reign of Christ A – 26-November-23”
We often think about giving back to God when it comes time to take up the offering, but we don't always think about what is to precede that. In the gospel reading for today, the master commends his servants for taking his money and making more of it before returning it to him.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 28a – 19-November-23”