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 said, "As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." And so it is that, like Jesus, we are sent into the world to bring the Good News of God's love freely given to all. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Easter 7b – 12-May-24”
Jesus tells his disciples the just as God sent Jesus into the world, Jesus sends us. What do you think we should do as we are sent into the world? [wait for answers]
The main thing, I'd say, is to share God's love for all people by loving all people.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment 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”
Jesus tells us, in our gospel reading for today, that we should "Love one another as Jesus has loved us." What do you think Jesus meant by that? [wait for answers]
We know that Jesus loves us because Jesus is with us all the time, when things are going well and when things are going badly.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Easter 6b – 5-May-24”
Jesus said, "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Then he went and proved it by laying his own life down for our sake. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) 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”
In our gospel lesson for today, Jesus calls himself the true vine, with us as the branches. Whatever else that means, it means that we draw our life and sustenance from Jesus. Through Jesus flows all that we need to grow and thrive. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Easter 5b – 28-Apr-24”
In our gospel reading for today, Jesus says, "I am the vine. You are the branches." Do you know how plants work? Well a plant needs two things to keep it going: It needs the light from the sun and it needs water and nutrients from the soil.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Easter 5b – 28-April-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”