Psalm 149 shows the abrupt change we sometimes have when our proclamations of praise and conception of ourselves as servants of God encounter our inconvenience, defensiveness, and reactivity.

Specifics of context make all the distance in understanding the advice to the early church. What are our specifics, and how do they guide the advice we give?

Jesus's instructions to us are to look outside ourselves, outside our comfort, and find his promise and support in the work that we do to bring all people into our mission.

People who grow up as Christians sometimes miss out on the experience of encountering the Gospel for the first time. For the woman at the well, being known and seen by this Christ who could help her with her burden filled her with such joy that she couldn't contain it within herself.

The Bible is peppered with stories of resistance, of people in the midst of oppression or suppression somehow finding ways to express some power. The book of Esther is one of these stories, with the seemingly-powerless Esther inspired by Mordecai's admonitions to test out her access to the king.

Hagar and Ishamael run from Abram and Sarai's house. Rachel Held Evans teaches us to not forget their story as we search for the magic of the Bible.

Acts concludes with Paul's implicit charge to future followers: go forth among the Gentiles. In our world, we are the ones to heed his call to examine our own hearts and complacency.

Lois was a champion of both intellectual engagement and bringing our service out into the world. We will miss her greatly.

As we welcome new members into Ankeny UCC, we look to Paul's outreach to followers of John the Baptist and understand how the diversity of our faith journeys changes us all and challenges us to grow.