Just before his ascension, Jesus called his followers "witnesses" and predicted that they would take his good news throughout the world. Though we still wait for his return, we continue to be witnesses to the reality and the fact of Jesus' reign. We continue proclaiming the good news of the gospel.

Pastor John's sermon was based on both Jesus' promise to send an advocate, the Holy Spirit, and Paul's explanation of what love represents.

Using the events surrounding the risen Christ's visit with the travelers on the road to Emmaus, Pastor John reminds us that Christ meets us on our journeys of faith, even in our places of brokenness.

Dr. Dave Behrs delivered a message of the Good Shepherd. Using the most famous passage - Psalm 23 - and the parable of the Good Shepherd to explain our relationship with God.

Focusing on God's creation and how we have become stewards for Him. In a hands-on activity the children planted a garden on the grounds of the church and Pastor John shared his thoughts about our role.

We were honored to have the Rev. Linda Powers as our guest preacher last Sunday. Along with her friend, Vada, (a beautiful golden retriever) Linda shared with us her experiences and thoughts in dealing with the homeless in Napa County. Linda works for Community Action of Napa Valley as the Program Director for all the Shelter Services in Napa County.

On a Sunday where we sang praises in the Processional Alleluia, and ended with the Hallelujah Chorus, Pastor John describes the events of the Resurrection and how God Came Back

We recalled the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with palms waved to reflect the fragility of the celebration-since a mere five days later the crowd's adulation turns to hatred. On this day, known as Palm and Passion Sunday, we pondered the wonder of God's generosity in the face of human depravity and the possibility of human transformation as a result of divine grace.

Last Sunday, we read how God summoned the wind to breathe life into a valley of dry bones, and Jesus cried, "Come out!" into a tomb where his friend Lazarus has been lying dead for four days. In response to these powerful words of God, the whole house of Israel rises to its feet, and Lazarus, once dead, steps out from his tomb. It is a contrast of life and death - two stories to prepare us for Holy Week, proclaiming God's power, and Jesus as the life and resurrection.

In the longest conversation recorded in the Gospels, Jesus encounters the Samaritan Woman at the well. It is a story that reminds us that we do not come to Jesus; he comes to us. He seeks us out, offers himself to us, and fills us with living water that gushes up to eternal life.