Guest sermon by James Touchton.

The necessity of community and relationships to bring healing and attend to needs 

Deuteronomy 15:7-11; 

Psalm 30 

2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 

Mark 5:21-43

A journey through the parables and riddles in Ezekiel 17 and Mark 4. Why did God give us these kinds of sayings? 

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (see all of chapter 17) 

Psalm 92 

2 Corinthians 5:6-19 

Mark 4:26-34

The readings this week take us on a journey from Creation and Fall through Redemption and New Creation. 

Genesis 3:8-15 

Psalm 130

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:5

Mark 3:20-35

Why faith in the Trinity naturally draws us to share weekly communion.

 Psalm 29

Exodus 3:1-6

Romans 8:12-27

John 3:1-17

Why it was better for Jesus to ascend to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit. 

The readings include: 

Acts 2:1-21 

Psalm 104:24-34, 35 

Romans 8:22-27 

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Why the ascension leads to Joy, Hope, and Power  

Acts 1:1-11 

Psalm 47 

Ephesians 1:15-23 

Luke 24:44-53

The Sixth Sunday in Easter. Our invitation to become friends with God and with our brothers and sisters.  

Acts 11:19​-30 

Ps 33:1-8,18-22 

1 John 4:7-21

John 15:9-17

Vivek Mathew challenges sentimental images of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and shows the richer significance of this metaphor as it was used in Israel's ancient world of political corruption and oppression. 

Ezekiel 34:1-16

Psalm 23 

1 John 3:16

John 10:11

We follow the readings today to find the fiery light of God in the Old Testament come into the world in Jesus and into our lives by the power of the Spirit. 

Psalm 4 

Malachi 4:1-7 

1 John 3:1-9 

Luke 24:36-48

The sermon draws on Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli Tutti as well as the readings for this week: 

Acts 4:32​-37