In this sermon Pastor Jonathan discusses the value of community among us. We were created for community and it is a gift that unites us and sends us out. It is the power to bring hope and care to our neighbors.

In this morning's old testament lesson, we hear the end of the story of Joseph. Joseph, who, despite everything that happened, provided food to the very people who had wronged him. Pastor Hannah uses his story, and the story of Peter, to show that God calls us to serve others, no matter the circumstance. And, like Peter (or the groups from PoP that have gone to Asheville and other places), we are never serving alone.

Both the old testament lesson and the gospel lesson this morning tell the stories of people who are unlikely allies of God's love in the world: in one case, a prostitute, in the other a woman who had been possessed by demons. Pastor Michelle continues the 'Ordinary Saints' series by sharing that God calls the most unlikely (and sometimes unwilling) people to spread His love in the world. I can be hard to believe that we are worthy of God's grace, love, and forgiveness, but He loves us just the same.

Todays gospel lesson tells us the story of Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well . Pastor Jonathan shows us the reason this story is significant: in Jesus' day, there were fundamental disagreements between Samaritans and Jews. Yet, here is Jesus, not only talking to her as a real person, but offering her the same salvation he brings to the world. Jesus has come to the world to abolish the artificial rules that seek to divide us.

In this sermon Pastor Hannah discusses how change is a constant in our lives. Just as a relationship with Christ changed the disciples, so to does our relationship with God lead to a transformation in us. Throughout this, Christ's light guides us in this transformation.

Salt and light are both essential for life. In today's gospel, Jesus tells those who follow him that they are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." Pastor Michelle explains that Jesus was telling us that we are essential to the well-being of the world. We can provide healing and enlightenment to all we meet.

Today, Pastor Jonathan delves into what the Beatitudes can teach us about today's world. Jesus tells us "Blessed are the peacemakers..." Pastor Jonathan explains that peace is not the absence of conflict, especially the conflict we've seen in Gaza and here in the U.S. Peace, and the Kingdom of God, is also not found through geography or strength. Instead, peace is found in the way we respond to conflict and those who use and abuse power.

This week's gospel lesson tells of Jesus' reaction to the arrest of John the Baptist. Pastor Michelle talks about why John was probably arrested - John was spreading a message of peace in the face of political leaders that used violence and oppression to remain in control. Jesus later used the same message of peace to show that violence is never the final answer to anything. She goes on to explain that showing peace and mercy can feel like an inadequate response in today's world, but it is the only response that matters.

In this sermon Pastor Hannah discusses how John the Baptist directed others to Jesus. We are encouraged to consider what we are looking for when we follow Jesus. We should consider how we can better point toward Christ through our lives.

Today we not only celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, but baptisms of several new members. In his message this morning, Pastor Jonathan reminds us that our baptism means that no matter what happens in our lives, we begin and end washed in God's grace. Through the highest of the good things in our lives, and the lowest of the bad things, staying focused on our baptism in God's grace keeps our lives in perspective.