HopeGateWay

We continue the story of Jesus as he once again demonstrates he is fearless. He says to his disciples, "I'm going to die. Don't stand in my way. Don't freak out about it. It's all good." It's a good message for our time as well as we try to find new safe ways of caring for each other and putting fear behind us and while we are lead by love.

This sermon looks at three stories from the Gospel of Mark: 2:1-17, 23-28 -- Jesus cures a paralyzed man, eats with a tax collector and sinners and his disciples pick grain on the sabbath. These stories show just how expansive Jesus's community really is -- including people collaborating with the empire as well those on the outs with religious authorities of the time.

Philip Brooks, AOC, and Linda Sarsour remind us who Jesus is and that he is radical according to societies standards. Pastor Sara shares the beginning of the story of Jesus as he begins to gain a following and some notoriety.

Several members share what our community practices mean to them. They are insightful and witty. Enjoy.

In one way this year will be decisive, the choices we make may have long lasting consequences for our planet, but in another way we have no idea what the consequences of our actions to stave off climate disaster may be. That's the gift of uncertainty. It can motivate us to make the changes that can only lead to more wholeness for ourselves and for the planet.

In this fifth message of the Active Hope series, Allen Ewing-Merrill invites us to reject denial and despair and instead choose active engagement- to envision a life-sustaining way of being and to dare to believe is possible, trusting that all things are possible.

Katie explores the notions of power-over and power-with, and realizes that power-with---collaborative power-- means so much more than an effective strategy for victory. Collective power should allow for the kind of exuberant energy that Jesus describes in Luke 13:18-19, a passage that envisions God's reign as a place where weedy, energetic plants thrive. How can we lessen our tight grips on outcomes to make space God and our community's energy and wisdom?