In today’s reflection, from the 5th Sunday in Lent, Candidate Minister Jessica Gauthier invites us to reflect on love that overflows—love so generous it might seem wasteful. What do we hold back, and why? What might it look like to pour ourselves out with that same fearless devotion? Perhaps “foolish and ruined…”

Hear the Gospel reading from John 12:1-8 in the livestream recording.

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God’s “Nevertheless” of forgiveness for sins is strange wisdom, and stranger still when we witness those who have power using it to condemn and punish “to the full extent of the law”… and beyond. What can God’s strange wisdom offer to us, and to our human community, in these troubling times? In this reflection from the fourth Sunday in Lent, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones invites us to consider the question: Is there ever a circumstance when forgiveness is too much? Too soon? Too late? 

Hear the Gospel reading from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, The Parable of the Resentful Sibling, in the livestream recording.

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The weekend of March 21-23, 2025 was one of connection and community across faith dividing lines for Cedar Park United and Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, to find common purpose in movements of compassion. In today’s podcast, you’ll hear the sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones during the Erev Shabbat Friday evening service at Temple, as well as the message delivered on Sunday morning at Cedar Park United by Rabbi Dr. Lisa Grushcow. 

On this Third Sunday in Lent, we continued with our Lenten theme – “Nevertheless” – with two Scripture texts that remind us: First, that no matter how awful the news, our world is created and sustained by the Eternal One, so always there is cause for gratitude and praise. And second, that God empowers us to step beyond the barriers of fear, with a faithful “nevertheless” to participate in Tikkun Olam, world-mending, through movements, groundswells, revolutions of compassion.

Experience the March 21, 2025 Shabbat livestream at Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom.

Experience the March 23, 2025 worship livestream at Cedar Park United.

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If Lent is a seasonal discipleship journey, then week two’s “rest stop” is at the station called “Lament!” You might prefer to drive on by, but please don’t. Jesus stopped here, in tears and anguish, to name hard truths, to ask God some pointed questions, and we can too. Jesus also resumed his journey, refreshed, renewed, and encouraged. And as Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones reminds us in her reflection, we can, too. 

Hear the Gospel reading from Luke 13:(1-30) 31-35 in the livestream recording.

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We stand at the threshold of both Lent and our Annual Congregational Meeting—a season of discernment, decision, and challenge. Everywhere we turn, we are encouraged to seek power, security, and control. Yet in the midst of this pull, God calls us to move forward in love, courage, and trust. In today’s reflection, Candidate Minister Jessica Gauthier invites to consider that what looks beautiful can also be dangerous, and what seems dangerous may in fact hold hold life-giving possibilities.

Hear the Gospel reading from Luke 4:1-13 in the livestream recording.

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Welcome to the Cedar Park United Podcast! 

Today is the grand finale of the Season of Epiphany – a season where we are trained to see God’s love and life unveiled, made clear in flashes of insight and spiritual wisdom, and in holy moments of encounter with glory in and beyond the created world. Today’s Gospel is the pinnacle of these moments of epiphany, telling a story of deep wonder and mystery when three disciples “get it” that this fully human one Jesus is also fully holy. We call it the feast of the Transfiguration. In this reflection, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones reminds us that God unveils….AND God redeems.

Hear the Gospel reading from Luke 9:28-36 in the livestream recording.

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Last week, we heard some “Plain Speaking” from Jesus. Blessings for the poor, hungry, grieving, and persecuted. To those who are socially well-positioned, a challenge to wake up and pay attention. When the things that give us stability and control fall away, how will we respond? Today, we sit together with the discomfort of Jesus’ next words: “Love your enemies.” It sounds simple, but living it? “It’s Complicated!” Jesus invites us into a love that goes beyond what’s easy or expected—a love that stretches us and transforms how we see others, ourselves, and even God. I’s not about pat answers but about growing in compassion, mercy, and grace. 

Hear the Gospel reading fromLuke 6:27-38 in the livestream recording.

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Luke’s telling of the “Sermon on the Plain” is Gospel for our times, and for us as we try to live the Way of Jesus in a world where the gap between the poor and ordinary on the one hand, and the ultra rich on the other, is massive and getting larger. In today’s reflection, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones reminds us that in God’s eyes– and love – the poor, the grieving, the hungry, and the persecuted are the favoured ones – and that this has everything to do with our choices, and their implications. 

Hear the Gospel reading fromLuke 6:17-28 in the recording.

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We catch up with Jesus in the Gospel of Luke; we cheer for the hometown boy, preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth; we watch in awe as three men leave their livelihood as fishermen to follow him. But mind “the gap” in the middle! Watch for trouble! Was it/is it good trouble? And what does it have to do with us? Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones invites us to ponder these questions.

Hear the Gospel reading fromLuke 4:14-30, Luke 5:1-11in the livestream recording.

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Our Way tells us that God is Love and that we are made in the image of God. In 1 Corinthians 13, we find one of the most well-known descriptions of love in our tradition… but living this love is not always easy. On this communion Sunday, Candidate Minister Jessica Gauthier invites us all to the table, to Re-Member the Body of Christ, and find in this meal the grace and strength to keep loving, no matter what.

Hear the Gospel reading from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 in the livestream recording.

Connect with Cedar Park United here:

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