What happens when the only that which people brought with them encounters the power of God? It becomes more than enough, if we read the scripture right.
What happens when what we bring, our financial resources, our talents, and our time encounters the power of God in our community?… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper 12b – 28-Jul-24”
In today's story from the gospel, Jesus feeds a whole lot of people starting with just 5 loaves of bread and a few fish. Now a lot of folks have puzzled over how that happened, but that's not really the point.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper B12 – 28-Jul-24”
Five loaves and two fish might not seem like much, but through the power of God, became a meal for over 5000 people. A loaf of bread and a cup might not seem like much, but through the power of God they become the presence of Christ in our midst and in us.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 12b – 28-Jul-24”
There are a lot of incredible things that go on in the ministries of this congregation. I don't believe we've ever fed 5000 men, with women and children on top of that, but we do have ministries that work to help those without food, clothing, or shelter.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper B11 – 21-Jul-24”
The scripture from Ephesians for today recalls a time when the Church was just beginning, and the main difficulty was trying to figure out how Gentiles and Jews could worship and serve together. The issue of Jews and Gentile is long gone, but we still struggle with trying to bring together people from different classes, politics, and thought.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Epistle) for Proper B11 – 21-Jul-24”
In today's story from the gospel, Jesus feeds over 5000 people. Now I don't want to ask you how Jesus did that. I'm pretty sure I don't know either. What I want you to think about is why Jesus did that.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper B11 – 121-Jul-24”
Who is Jesus? That's what people in Jesus' day were asking. People are still asking that today. Oh, they know that Jesus was a teacher, who said some important things about loving other people, but they're still wondering what difference that makes.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Proper B10 – 14-Jul-24”
In our gospel reading for today, people are having a lot of trouble figuring out who Jesus is. Some thought he was Elijah, the prophet come back. Herod thought he was his cousin John, the baptizer, raised from the dead to plague him some more.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper B10 – 14-Jul-24”
In today's story from the gospel, people were having trouble trying to figure out who Jesus was. People were (and still are) always having trouble figuring out Jesus. That's because Jesus was always saying things and acting in ways that people didn't expect him to.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper B10 – 14-Jul-24”
In our scriptures for today, we're told that we have the great responsibility to carry the Good News of God's love into the world. We're not guaranteed a good reception and we're certainly not expected to be perfect in order to do this.… Read the rest “Table Meditation for Proper B9 – 7-Jul-24”