Jesus rebukes the Disciples for asking that their faith be increased, and follows with challenging parable about the responsibility of a slave to their master (Luke 17:5-10). What is the kind of "faith" that the Disciples asked for, what do we seek, and what does Jesus teach us about the kind of faith we need?

Lazarus languished for years outside the home of a rich man, but it was only after both men died and faced their fate that the Rich Man acknowledged Lazarus in any way (Luke 16:19-31).

From prison, Paul writes to the wealthy church leader Philemon petitioning for the well being of Onesimus -- a fellow Christian whom is enslaved by Philemon. But what is Paul's motivation? We might want Paul to decry slavery, but it's much more complicated than that.As we mark 400 years since enslaved people were brought to this continent, we look at slavery in the ancient world, and take this opportunity to make certain that we "Do the Right Thing."

Moses reminds the newly liberated People of Israel that God has given them the choice between the "way of life" and "the way of death." Following God meant life. Serving other gods meant death. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)What is this "way of life" and "way of death" for us today? How can we make this "way of life" our own way of life?"

Jesus commissioned 70 willing and eager followers to go ahead of him to share the Good News, saying, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." (Luke 10:1-11) They went without money, provisions, or even extra clothes, and Jesus cautioned them about the risks they might encounter. Through this, Jesus commissions all who seek to follow him, giving each of us the responsibility to spread the Gospel.

In the Trinitarian tradition, we proclaim that we believe that God is one, yet is expressed in three ways: Creator/Father, Redeemer/Son/Jesus, and Sustainer/Holy Spirit. Perhaps we can understand the three-fold nature of God a bit more if we consider the multiple facets and relationships in our lives.

When the Holy Spirit arrived, the Disciples each began fervently, passionately speaking a foreign language (Acts 2:1-17) -- many onlookers wondered what this sign meant, while others sneered and dismissed it as drunken nonsense. But the truth was that the Holy Spirit had set the hearts and tongues of the Disciples on fire with a passion to witness to the Good News! 

What sets us "on fire" for the Good News? When is something just kind of a showy, temporary flame? And when do we experience a fire deep within our bones?

The Book of Acts opens with the Ascension -- Jesus's post-resurrection departure to heaven (Acts 1:1-11). The hopeful Disciples soon become bewildered: Why didn't Jesus take them with him? But he is clear: They are left behind to carry on and carry out his work and witness in the world. 

We, ourselves, might want to escape sometimes, but our charge and commission is the same: We are left behind for a reason.

In the Book of Acts, we meet Lydia -- an independent businesswoman who is possibly the first European Christian convert (Acts 16:9-15). Part of what makes Lydia unique is that scripture records her name -- unlike 90-95% of the women mentioned in the Bible. What does it mean for someone's name or identity to be erased, both in scripture and in the world today?

Sometimes (often, really) God calls us to make a "Course Correction" in our lives that is not always expected, welcome, or easy -- yet God is with us as we chart a new path. Guest Preacher Rev. Jill Olds shares her sermon ("Course Correction") from Acts 11:1-18.