Each year we at Beargrass have a special Children’s Sabbath in which the children of our church lead us in worship. It is a wonderful reminder that children are not the future of the church – but an important part of the church right here and right now. 

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This is the SECOND of two conversations, I have with my dear friends and fellow Seminary alumni Rev. Traci Simmons and Rev. Marsha Mays-Burton to talk about the important and timely topic of race in America. If you haven’t listened to the first part of our conversation, I highly recommend you go back and listen to that episode before diving into this one.

We pick up our conversation with Traci and Marsha's this question” Is it a white folk problem?” and discuss if there is an answer to racism in America.Our goal in having these conversations is to bring about honest and humble self-reflection that can lead to reconciliation. Believe me, I know it’s hard to hear some of the things that Marsha and Traci lift up. It’s hard to confront our own privilege and power. At the same time, if we want to bring about racial justice, if we really do believe we are all made in the image of God if we are all God’s children…don’t we have an obligation to wrestle with these words?

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Last week we began a new sermon series called “Lost and Found,” which will run through the end of October. In this series, we focus on stories from Luke 15-17 and continue to think about what a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life looks like. 

This week’s text is the second of three “lost-and-found” parables in Luke 15. Even though the parable of the lost coin is short and sweet, it has some unique things to tell us. 

How did the coin get lost? Why was it so urgent to find it? Why was there such joy at the end when the lost coin was finally discovered—so much joy that the woman told her family and friends about it? 

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Rev. Traci Simmons and Rev. Marsha Mays-Burton talk about their experiences as black women in the church and world. This is a follow-up to my conversation with Rev. Rob Shrader about Race and Privilege. Traci and Marsha reached out to me after that episode and asked if they could give their perspective…you don’t want to miss honest, raw, and revealing conversation! 

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This episode's scripture reading includes the first of three “lost-and-found” parables in Luke 15. Luke links these three parables together, skillfully building in intensity and power the force of the remarkable messages they convey. We can also identify “layers” of meaning in the stories.

Have you ever lost and/or found anything that was valuable? As we begin to consider these parables, the timing is interesting. Think about what the countless number of people lost during the recent hurricane. And on September 11 we remember the devastating losses in 2001. Not all of our stories have happy endings. 

In this message, Dr. Bond invites us to consider “How do we welcome the wisdom to celebrate our “finds” – and the strength and courage to celebrate our losses?

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Author, pastor, mother, and so much more...Julie Richardson spends time with me discussing where her hope comes from, her source of courage, and how "God does not waste pain!" Julie also talks about her experiences in Church and her hopes and dreams for the future of the Church.

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This weekend we continue the series called “Living It Up,” which is focusing on what a Spirit-led life looks like by reflecting on passages from the Gospel of Luke. So far, we have thought about “Freshening Up,” “Giving It Up,” and not getting “Hung Up.” This message is “On Being Puffed Up.”

In the story from Luke 14, Jesus offers tips on good and bad banquet etiquette. It appears that Jesus takes on the role of “Mr. Manners,” kind of a masculine version of Emily Post or Ann Landers. Doesn’t it seem odd that the Son of God is dishing out seating instructions at a dinner party?

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In this episode, we continue the series called "Living It Up," which focuses on what a spirit-led life looks like. This message titled, "Don't Get Hung Up" with Dr. Bond reflecting on Luke 13:10-17 and 14:1-6 two accounts in which Jesus is called out for healing on the Sabbath.

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Rev. Rob Shrader - Minister to Youth and Young Adults - explains why it was important for him to take the youth of Beargrass to Birmingham, AL this summer and shares his experiences and reflections of growing up white. It is our hope you find this conversation to be honest, vulnerable, and most importantly provides food for thought and personal reflection.

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Rev. Julie Richardson, a former minister at Beargrass, filled the pulpit at our weekend worship on Sunday, August 18. Julie is a gifted writer and an eloquent speaker. Julie looks at the story of Ruth and Naomi found in Ruth 1:7-18 and compares their relationship to that of Captain America and Falcon from the Marvel comics and movies. 

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