Third Sunday of Easter 2022: Beloved Child of God

The Scripture reading is John 21:1-19

On this third Sunday of Easter, Father Mark invites us to a sacramental breakfast from the risen Christ, at the dawn of a new day, and prays that our every act in the coming week will emanate from the place where we know we are a beloved child of God.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Second Sunday of Easter 2022: When Your World is Rocked

The Scripture reading is John 20:19-31

Reverend Wendy discusses how Jesus responded to “Doubting Thomas,” not with criticism, not with anger, but with love. Jesus was there with Thomas, ready to meet him where he was. She also talks about her “spiritual autobiography”and how she dealt with the personal challenges of how a loving God permits evil in the world, leaving church during her own personal “season in the desert,” and coming back to find God and Jesus waiting for her with open arms.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is Luke 24:1-12

On this Easter Sunday, Father Mark discusses what we have learned with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and today. Life is full of suffering, and yet are saved by a love so powerful that darkness, suffering and death cannot overcome it. We can count on that.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is John 18:1-19:42

On this Good Friday, Father Mark discusses the true meaning of who God is, the God of self-giving love, and how Jesus empowered us to sing God’s song.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is John 13:1-17 

On this Maundy Thursday, Father Mark explains the humble love of Jesus even for those who betray him and let him down, and how in our lives we can offer this cherishing, nonjudgmental love to support others.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 2022

The Scripture reading is Luke 22:14-23:56

On this Palm Sunday, Father Mark and members of the congregation together read aloud the Scripture.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this final episode of Father Mark's Lenten 2022 series, he summarizes the many things we might fruitfully let go of, and explains why we do this. He concludes that for Christians, the story doesn't end with Good Friday, but with Easter.

The Scripture reading is John 12:1-8

On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Father Mark discusses the the story of Lazarus, and the essential Christian message that death does not have the final word..  

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Continuing the theme of “letting go” for this 2022 Lenten season, Father Mark discusses all the roles we might identify with: ”I am…a former NFL quarterback…a priest…an asthmatic…a member of a political party.” Some people just can’t let go of their total identification with their roles. But that doesn’t define us; it’s not our true self, and doesn’t survive our death. Our challenge and opportunity is to let go of our compulsive identification with the surface self.

The Scripture reading is Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Father Mark discusses the power of story in our daily lives and in our relationship to God, applies this to the parable of the prodigal son.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.