On the final Sunday of the church year, we consider what it means when we say "Jesus is Lord and Savior." This bold profession of faith was a risky and often lethal phrase for early Christians -- a rejection of the empire and a call for liberation. What power can it hold for us today? (Revelation 1:4-8)

The story of "The Widow's Mite" (Mark 12:38-44) is so often used as a model of faithful financial giving -- but is that really what this lesson is all about? Perhaps we can look to the "Poor Widow" not as a model for sacrificial financial gifts (that might be coercive or exploitative), but as a model for how we are called to give of ourselves.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews urged faithful people to continue to gather together -- especially when they were surrounded by desperation and despair (Hebrews 10:14-25). In what ways can we "provoke one another to love and good deeds?" How do we carry on when we're anxious about decline?

Ruth and Naomi set off for Bethlehem not knowing what dangers they’d encounter— but they did it together (Ruth 1:1-18). Accompanying each other through this life is essential -- and our partners on the journey are a holy sign of God's steadfast love.