Grace and Peace

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In these Sundays between Jesus' resurrection and the Day of Pentecost, we are exploring what it means to be alive in Spirit. So that we might live out the joy of salvation, God sends the Spirit to help us confess our sin. No matter how difficult it is to speak aloud hard truths, God will not abandon us.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Alive in the Spirit of Salvation" on May 9, 2021, the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Titus 1:1-4, 3:3-7 and Psalm 51.

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In these Sundays between Jesus' resurrection and the Day of Pentecost, we are exploring what it means to be alive in Spirit. Meaningful change can seem as impossible as an adult climbing back into the womb to be "born anew," but to exiles and to us God speaks a good word of hope: God will lead the way in transforming the earth and our own stony hearts.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Alive in the Spirit of Renewal" on May 2, 2021, the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Ezekiel 36:22-30 and John 3:1-8.

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In these Sundays between Jesus' resurrection and the Day of Pentecost, we are exploring what it means to be alive in Spirit. Unlike the conventional wisdom of wealth or power, the Spirit's wisdom seems foolish and the Spirit's strength appears weak. But if we refuse this vulnerable gift of grace, offered to us by wounded hands, we cannot know resurrection.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Alive in the Spirit of Vulnerability" on April 25, 2021, the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Colossians 3:12-17 and Judges 6:33-35, 7:1-8.

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In these Sundays between Jesus' resurrection and the Day of Pentecost, we are exploring what it means to be alive in Spirit. Just as the Spirit empowered the gifts of artists to craft and build the Tent of Meeting, the Spirit pours out grace on us so that we can make the world a better place.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Alive in the Spirit of Grace" on April 18, 2021, the Third Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Exodus 31:1-5, Exodus 35:30-35, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

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In these Sundays between Jesus' resurrection and the Day of Pentecost, we are exploring what it means to be alive in Spirit. Just as Jesus came near to the heartbroken and hurt disciple Thomas, the Spirit embraces us with healing and—eventually—forgiveness.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Alive in the Spirit of Forgiveness" on April 11, 2021, the Second Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Psalm 139:1-18 and John 20:19-31.

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What do you say when the unspeakable happens? That is the moment when faith and fear collide. It's messy but it's also real, and reality is where resurrection takes places. Join the faithful and fearful women at the tomb to hear the news yourself: Jesus has been raised and is going ahead of us.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "The Place where Faith and Fear Collide" on April 4, 2021, the First Sunday of Easter.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 25:6-9 and Mark 16:1-8

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As we draw near to the end of our Lenten journey, we recall God's covenant promise to David. The crowds hailing Jesus remembered God's promise, but their hopes would soon be crushed. Yet God still keeps the promise to go with us every step of the way—even into death itself.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "Covenants Over Kings" on March 28, 2021, Palm Sunday and the sixth Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-16 and Mark 11:1-11.

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Continuing our Lenten journey towards Easter, we are reclaiming and recalling God's covenant promises. Sitting at Jesus' feet with Greek pilgrims and with Asian American neighbors, we hear his summons to transformation. Let yourself be drawn to Jesus, into the loving embrace of God who gathers Israel's outcasts and will gather still others.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "A Love that Gathers Us All" on March 21, 2021, the fifth Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 56:1-8 and John 12:20-33

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Joining us on our Lenten journey towards Easter, guest preacher Evan Solice invites us to trust God's grace and mercy. Step forward, friends: the light is waiting.

Reverend Evan Solice is a board-certified chaplain at Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, and provides spiritual care as a part of the hospital’s pioneering work with patients experiencing addiction and withdrawal.

He preached "The Light Is Waiting" on March 14, 2021, the fourth Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17.

Continuing our Lenten journey towards Easter, we are reclaiming and recalling God's covenant promises. With our Jewish sisters and brothers, we celebrate how the Torah—God's Instruction—comes as a gracious gift to liberated people. Observing the Ten Commandments is part of our discipleship, which is why we need to ask what Jesus is really up to on the Sabbath.

Pastor Ben Masters preached "A Covenant for Free People" on March 7, 2021, the third Sunday in Lent.

Scripture readings: Exodus 20:1-17 and Mark 2:23-3:5

Megan shared the Exodus reading from The Spark Story Bible: Sunday School Edition, published by Augsburg Fortress © 2009.

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