There is the Santa version of Christmas; put in the best light, it is about generosity, family and friends.  There is the manger version of Christmas, often focused on ways ‘God with us’ makes our lives better.  A third version of Christmas is the scandalous infusion of heaven to earth, bringing light to everyone … […]

Reflections on Matthew 1:18-25 by Jordan Farrell

Our human nature is to try and control our circumstances so that the outcome will be what we expect. This pattern often leads us to disappointment with God and with others as we journey through this life. A better posture is one of expectancy; living within the mystery of a God who is at work […]

During advent we acknowledge God’s faithfulness and look for signs of God’s new life in our world. Sermon by Gina Burkhart

The angels announced Jesus’ birth by declaring peace on Earth.  Where is it?  Where is the fulfillment of that promise?  Isaiah speaks of a day when nations will no longer train for war – what has to happen between now and that day for both the Christmas and ‘last days’ promises to be fulfilled? Sermon […]

Thanksgiving is not something we do and certainly not something we can just turn on and off.  It springs from the well of a deep experience of grace.  While we should be the most grateful people on earth, we tend to focus on what we lack.  Rather than gratitude, we drift toward foolishness when we […]

Biblical imagination requires us to carefully consider what God’s future may look like for the church. How do we faithfully join in this work? Sermon by Gina Burkhart

Winners and losers are the norm in sports, politics … and church?  Because we are not able to discern together effectively we lean into democratic processes that create an US and THEM climate.  The remedy is a deep commitment to both be holiness and unity. Sermon by Howard Garver

We live in the abundance of the life in us that is yet to be. We see it only dimly, but even that blurred vision creates for us an abundant life. We continue living with the truth of our mortality even as we reach for that which we know to be the greater truth. Sermon […]

Reflections on Luke 18:9-14 by Jordan Farrell