Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me." Now, he was talking to his disciples, but I also think that applies to Jesus' disciples throughout all time and space. That means, any and all who want to know about Jesus, any and all who long for God's presence and want to know the love of God, anyone who desires to come, is welcome here.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 8a – 2-July-23”
What do you think it means to welcome someone? [Wait for answers]
In the scripture for today, Jesus says that, when we welcome someone because Jesus asked us to, it's the same as if we welcome Jesus himself.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 8a – 2-July-23”
How many hairs do you think you have on your head? [Wait for answers]
Do you think you could count them? [Wait again]
The scripture for today says that we are so important to God that God has counted every hair on our head.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 7a – 25-Jun-23”
"How long will you hide your face from me?" says the Psalm for today. The answer is, "Not long." We all have those moments, like the king in Hamlet when our "words fly up, but our thoughts remain below"; when God seems far off.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Psalm) for Proper 7a – 25-June-23”
When Jesus sent out the twelve, it was one of the first steps in broadcasting the message that God's love was for all people. He didn't send them very far at first. That was to come later. The message was preached first in Judea with the intent of going into all the world when the time was right.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 6a – 18-June-23”
The gospel story for today is another time when Jesus sent his disciples out to teach and to help people. Why do you think Jesus sent his disciples out instead of going himself? [Wait for answers]
We are Jesus' disciples today and, even though Jesus can be everywhere now, it's helpful for people to be able to see someone even when they know Jesus is there.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 6a – 18-Jun-23”
Have you ever had to do something really important, where people were counting on you to do it? [Wait for answers]
In the Old Testament reading for today, God tells Abraham that God wants him to do something very important, but to do it, Abraham is going to have to move to a new place and, along the way, Abraham is going to have to deal with a lot of people he doesn't know yet and do things he hasn't done yet too.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Proper 5a – 11-Jun-23”
Abraham was a wanderer. Until he was able to finally settle in the land that God had promised, he was the outsider where he was living at the time. God and God's prophets often reminded Abraham's people about that history and exhorted them to welcome outsiders into their midst.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Old Testament) for Proper 5a – 11-Jun-23”
In the passage from Matthew, Jesus tells the disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations." We can talk about the fact that there's still work for us to do to complete this task, but what I'd like to talk about is what to do with those disciples when they're made. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Trinity A – 4-June-23”
Jesus tells the disciples in our story for today to "Go into all the world and make disciples in every nation." What do you think that means? [Wait for answers]
I'm sure he doesn't mean to force people to become disciples.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Trinity A – 4-Jun-23”