In a rousing sermon, Pastor John's discusses how we demonstrate our love of giving not only through our monetary contribution but sharing in the joy of worship.

Philippians 4:10-13, 19

Matthew 6:19-24, 33

At the end of his ministry, Jesus shared a parable about a king extending a gracious invitation to an abundant wedding banquet, but having no sense of the value of the invitation, the invited guests do not come. But the king is not deterred. This party will happen. He sends his servants out into the streets to find anyone and everyone who will come to the celebration. The invitation, open to all, both "good and bad," is a sign of God's inclusive graciousness. And the question Pastor John asked: Will we let go of our excuses and join the party?

As part of World Communion Sunday, our service included liturgies from around the world and we prayed for the global church community, sang for the unity for God's people, and shared in the Lord's Supper with other Christians throughout the world.

Concluding the series on the Psalms, Pastor John provides a summation of the Psalms that we have been reading and discussing this season.

Psalm 122 is a celebration of the coming into the house of the Lord with joy and thanksgiving.

Using Jacob's Dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, guest speaker Rev. Linda Powers highlighted how Jacob was an ordinary man that was chosen by God. Once Jacob realized that the place he laid was sacred ground, he built an altar to God.

For the God-believing writer of Psalm 73, nothing is going right. Sometimes stuff happens. Bad stuff. Even to God's people. When that happens, what are we to do? Can we still say that God is our refuge, that God is with us and for us? To see God in the midst of the most difficult circumstances, perhaps what we need is to see everything from another perspective.

Using Psalm 127 as the basis for his sermon, Pastor John focused on the biblical witness in the psalm that God cares about the so-called routine matters of life, such as home, community, work, and family. And not only does God care about our work, but God is also present with us, working in and through our lives.

About one-third of all the Psalms, 50 or more, are considered to be "Psalms of Lament or Complaint." And scholars tell us that more than any other psalm, Psalm 88 is the essence of Lament. Pastor John in his sermon, For Crying Out Loud, discusses the despair and anguish the Psalmist brings to God. Unlike many of Psalms, this one is unresolved and leaves us pondering God's reaction.

Pastor John begins a six-week study on the Psalms. This week using the Psalm 121, known as the "Traveler's Psalm" in the Psalms of Ascent, as it was sung by pilgrims going to the Holy Temple.