First United Church of Christ (Bremen, IN)

This is a passage about "evangelism"-- the business of declaring good news. That's often something that makes us a little uneasy. Maybe part of our dis-ease is the fact that we've been misrepresenting what it involves. It's not about getting people into heaven. It is about heaven getting into us.

This passage which cuts from one thing to the next has a through-line-- one you might better understand if you're a fan of Rocky movies. 

Resurrection does not merely refer to what Jesus did but to what Jesus is doing-- what Jesus is doing through us. In places of uncertainty and doubt, we discover his presence with us. Entering into Pride Month gives us an opportunity to consider a very specific way we might pursue "the Great Commission." A printable version. 

The primary Pentecost text is in Acts 2-- the story of the Holy Spirit pouring out during the festival of Pentecost. This reading from John occurs the evening of Easter. It is however a Pentecost text about the coming of the Holy Spirit. It also gives us important insight into what that means for us. 

Joseph, the Man with a Plan, finds himself confronting his brothers for the first time in over a decade and seems to be at a bit of a loss. Dealing with families is messy. Forgiveness is messy. But we find in this story (and a story with striking parallels to it) a truth that gives us hope in our efforts to forgive our families, ourselves and anyone else.

After being forgotten for two years, Joseph is called upon to offer interpretations of Pharaoh's dreams. Joseph not only provides the interpretation, he provides a plan for addressing the future anticipated by those dreams. In the process, he offers a remarkable example of what it means to live out a calling while living in exile. 

Joseph's life is a series of unfortunate events. Certainly among the most trying of those years had to be the two he spent in jail wondering if the cupbearer would remember him or whether he'd be stuck there forever.  The consequences of being forgotten can be devastating on people. And yet, when Joseph emerges after those two years, it's his greatest hour. How can that be? A printable version. 

Joseph is not particularly likeable when we first meet him.  He's spoiled and full of himself. But here we have a story of someone of remarkable industry, integrity and loyalty. How do we make sense of that change? A printable version.

Jacob's family is a mess. In other words, the House of Israel is a mess. Full of shame and violence and hubris and, well, just bad parenting skills. What does God do? Makes it worse.  At first. But, eventually, it is what makes the story of Joseph an Easter story. Here's a printable version.

Last week the text described Jacob's flight from home and his encounter with God in the dream. This week's his return home. Once again God shows up. Not in a dream but in a wrestling match. The Trickster endures a wound and owns up to who he is-- but hold on, there's a blessing in doing that. A printable version.