What was so bizarre about the way Jesus called his first followers, and how has it come to seem so normal for us today?

This week Jesse Ophoff highlights a few things we can learn about what it means to be called by this fish whispering, demon slaying, party throwing rabbi.

Welcome to "The Gospel of the Neighbor"!

"... one more powerfull than I will come"

John the baptist speaks of Jesus as the chosen one of God, bearer of divine power and confirmed by divine revelation. But what does this power look like, and what will Jesus do with it? 

This week Maicon Steuernagel wonders with Jesus into the wilderness, where he confronts the temptations of economical, political and religious power.

Welcome to "The Gospel of the Neighbor"!

Why did Jesus have to be baptized, and what does this have to do with the Creation story in Genesis? What was God doing before creation? And what does all of this reveal about our identity?

This week, Kristine Tveit dives with Luke into the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

Welcome to "The Gospel of the Neighbor"!

Baby Pictures...

Welcome to "The Gospel of the Neighbor"!

Who do I need to love? And who is it okay to ignore? To leave out? To bypass? Who is my neighbor?

Many of us will recognize that question from the so called Parable of the Good Samaritan. The telling of this story is unique to the Gospel according to St. Luke. And Luke knows that question in this theology, and in his own experience. 

This Sunday, Maicon Steuernagel launches our new semester theme, as we will look into the Gospel of Luke and how he tells the story.

Welcome to "The Gospel of the Neighbor"

With the turn of the year, we find ourselves considering the year that has past and projecting fears, hopes and plans towards the new year that starts... and maybe wonder if we can make it through another long rough year on the road.

On our fist Sunday Service in 2022, Maicon Steuernagel talks about spiritual range anxiety and wonders at the gift of old Simeon.

Welcome to 2022 with OiC!

Finally! The angels are singing it! A new star is announcing it! The Messiah is born! He’s here! Yet… a whole lot of people have no idea. In fact, virtually everyone but a few dozen people are completely oblivious to what has just happened.

This Christmas, Maicon Steuernagel talks about our tendency to clean up the nativity scene, and why that might be a bad idea.

Welcome to OiC's Christmas!

This Christmas season is not coming out as we expected. The lockdown, the restrictions and the sorrow. But then again, what happens if Christmas is nothing but what we expect? 

This week Maicon Steuernagel looks at how the birth of John the Baptist helps us keep Christmas untidy... and why that's good news!

Welcome to OiC's Advent Reflections!

Mary walks into the stained glass.... and becomes part of it. When she sings, she becomes part of those who allow the light to shine through, and unto others.

On the third Sunday of Advent, Maicon Steuernagel joins Mary as she visits Elisabeth, and sings her story into a revelation plural. 

Welcome to OiC's Advent Reflections!

When the light of the world shines through the glass of revelation and onto Mary's very womb, she's unprepared. But she's willing to trust the greeting: the Lord is with you!

On the day of OiC's 2021 Advent Celebration, Maicon Steuernagel reflects on the call to trust God, and trust the power of grace.

Welcome to OiC's Advent Reflections!