Guerrilla Christianity

One of my favorite services of the year is the Easter Sunrise service, where we gather in front of the Hudson UMC Cemetery and proclaim "He is Risen!" as the sun comes up. This year it was overcast and dreary, a perfect metaphor for the emotions clouding Mary Magdalene's heart that first Easter morning. She didn't come to see the risen Lord, but rather to prepare the body of her fallen master.

John 20:1-18

Recorded at Hudson UMC Cemetery on April 1, 2018.

The Lectionary Reading for Easter Sunday, Year B (April 1, 2018)

Acts 10:34-43

Psalm 118:1-2,14-24

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Mark 16:1-8

John 20:1-18

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

Each year in Penns Grove the Ministerium collectively puts on a Good Friday service that expounds upon the seven last words of Christ on the Cross.  This year it was my turn to take on the last word: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.  From this word we see a picture of Christ's obedience and learn what it means to submit ourselves to the will of God, our heavenly Father.

Luke 23:44-49

Recorded at New Hope UMC (Penns Grove) on March 30, 2018.

The Lectionary Reading for Holy Week, Good Friday, March 30, 2018

Old Testament: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm: Psalm 22

Epistle: Hebrews 10:16-25; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Gospel (Passion): John 18:1-19:42

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

The Lectionary Reading for Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm: Psalm 116:1-2,12-19

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel: John 12:1-17,31b-35

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

The Lectionary Reading for Holy Week: Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 13:21-32

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

The Lectionary Reading for Holy Week: Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 71:1-14

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

John 12:20-36

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

Holy Week Bible readings for Monday:

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 36:5-11

Hebrews 9:11-15

John 12:1-11

(Readings from New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America)

God calls to us but he does not reveal his message to us until we are ready to listen.  So what is God's message to us?  All throughout the Bible, God has a single message that repeats over and over again, and that is to turn away from our sin and turn back to him.

Jonah 3:1-5,10

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 21, 2018

We are starting a new series for the season after Epiphany and looking at the Old Testament texts for insight into When God Speaks.  We begin with the story of a young Samuel who was called upon by God to deliver a message to the High Priest, Eli, in a time when Israel was on the cusp of falling into apostasy.  But sometimes we can hear without listening, and so we ask the question, When God Speaks, Are You Listening?

Recorded at Hudson UMC on January 14, 2017