This week we conclude our series on Jesus’ parable of the father who had two lost sons. We’ve noted who was gathered that day listening to Jesus teach – both people of questionable reputation, people on the margins of faith and life, and the Pharisees and religion scholars, and everyone in between. We saw how Jesus directed much of what he had to say at those who were considered the good, moral, religious people of the day. We noted that, while it doesn’t appear in the story, the word prodigal means recklessly extravagant, which means that what Jesus is doing in this story is telling two very different groups of people a story about God, and how “God’s reckless, extravagant, prodigal love is our greatest hope.” (Keller, XV) We listened in as Jesus redefined sin as missing the mark of the father’s love, rather than a simplistic list of do’s and don’ts, and what Jesus hopes we’ll see, is that both sons are caught in their own sin and brokenness, all of us are. The elder brother is just as lost as the younger, only in a different way. And so, the story is about a father with two wayward sons, whom he longed to shower with his prodigal love. Two wayward sons had been offered a seat at the table, had been invited to come home. And therein lies our hope. We’ve all missed the mark of God’s love, and yet, love is offered still, the table has been set, the feast prepared, and God longs to welcome us home.

Next week is Ash Wednesday and David, Kevin, and Karen discuss the meaning behind it and how you can prepare to keep a holy Lent. Kevin shares a new prop for 2022 and they also recap the recent youth episode and talk bananas.

This week we progress in our study of The Prodigal God by Tim Keller based on Luke 15. We have encountered two different spiritual paths in the older and younger brother’s examples. Now, we will look at the character who was left out of the story. This person provides an example that is radically different than either of the other two. This week, we discover the unique path that our true elder brother, Jesus, offers us. As we discover the way that Jesus provides for us, we will find our way home, at last.

This week we continue our series on the parable of the father who had two sons found in Luke 15. We’ll focus our attention more closely on the elder brother and his response to the gracious welcome his younger, wayward brother receives from the father. Here Jesus wants us to consider what it means to be spiritually lost. It’s clear to those listening in that little brother is lost, but Jesus suggests that both sons are far from the father’s love; both sons aren’t truly home. So, how is that the older brother remained under his father’s roof his whole life, and yet, he is just as far from home as little brother? Keller invites all of us older siblings to come to terms with this question in light of God’s prodigal love. It is, after all, God’s prodigal love that is the source of the hope and joy for which we all long.

On Sunday we continue our exploration of the parable of the father who had two sons, paying particular attention to Luke 15:11-18, 25-29a. Here Jesus depicts the sin of both sons, not only the younger, wayward brother. Of course, the younger brother’s alienation from his father seems obvious. And yet, what Jesus hopes we’ll see is that both sons are caught in their own sin and brokenness and the elder brother is equally lost, only in a different. And so, the story is about a father who lost two sons whom he longed to shower with his prodigal love and grace. And therein lies our hope.

What happens when Kevin and Karen are replaced by their daughters on the show? Find out on this special episode of This Thing Called Church when David sits down with Anna Liz Turner and Sarah Payne. They discuss what it's like being a youth at DUMC and how they would like others to see their perspective of being a teenager and a Christian.

This week we begin our series focusing on the parable Jesus tells in Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. We’re, of course, using Tim Keller’s book, The Prodigal God, as our reference. I commend the book to you and hope you’ll read along as it really is a kind of primer on the Christian faith. So, over the next five weeks we’ll explore how in this parable, Jesus is doing so much more than merely interpreting the dynamics of an ancient family. In fact, the story helps us understand what it means to be lost and in need, what it means to be saved and made whole, and how God longs to welcome all God’s children to the feast. Of course, the parable is often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son. The word prodigal, however, doesn’t actually appear in the parable and is often misused to refer only to the younger brother. In reality, prodigal means recklessly extravagant, luxuriant, recklessly spendthrift. Which means that what Jesus is doing here is telling two very different groups of people, the Pharisees and scribes (older brothers) and the tax collectors and sinners (younger brothers), people who in many ways define humanity; he’s telling them a story about God, and how “God’s reckless, extravagant, prodigal grace is our greatest hope.”

Because of Jesus, who is the embodiment of the reign and will of God, the Kingdom is already among us, it is already here, today. Christ makes this claim in this week’s gospel (Luke 4:14-21), drawing on Isaiah 61. It’s hard to ignore and we should probably pay attention. The promise of freedom, of good news for the poor, of the ability to see as God sees, and of liberation for all who are oppressed is fulfilled, in Jesus, TODAY. And yet, there is also a distance, a gap, between what already is true and what is yet to be. The fullness of God’s Kingdom, God’s reign over all of Creation, and God’s will coming upon the earth, is both present in Christ and yet, it is also out there on the horizon, waiting to be. Our holy vocation is to follow Jesus, to draw near to him and become like him, and to be a living embodiment of Isaiah’s beautiful vision, today.

David, Kevin, and Karen are back and kick off 2022 with a new episode! On today's episode the three recap the holidays and then discuss the new churchwide book study that is starting at the end of the month. The book is called The Prodigal God and it's not too late to get a copy, join a small group, or follow along on your own. A book study is a great to start your new year!

This Sunday in worship we will read John 2: 1-11, the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This is one of the most well-known narratives of the Bible, to be sure. And because it's such a familiar story, perhaps we've never asked ourselves: Why would Jesus do such an odd thing? We're accustomed to reading about Jesus' healings and other miraculous deeds, but turning water into wine seems like a very different kind of miracle, does it not? Perhaps there's something deeper and more significant going on that John, the gospel writer, wants us to discover. We hope you can join us Sunday morning.