Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Kevin discuss Genesis 32:24-28. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. – v24a. Jacob is a trickster and sees all of his tricks coming back to catch him. But God stands in the way with a wrestling match that will leave him wounded and clear of his calling. He’ll come out of the wrestling match with a new name and a new closeness with God. Maybe that’s something we can learn from, as people of faith–that wrestling with God may be part of being human, and one of the ways we grow in faith and love.

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Genesis 19:15-17, 24-26. Historically, interpreters haven’t had much grace for Lot’s wife. We’ve made a lot of assumptions about her, without stopping to ask why she may have looked back. And that’s something we can all relate to: a time when we made assumptions about others, without taking the time to dig deeper. But what if we did? We might find we have a lot in common with one another and with characters in Scripture, too. Why did Lot’s wife look back? Maybe for the same reasons we do–and maybe her story can be an invitation to move forward.

This Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday! Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin discuss Romans 5:1-8. This liturgical day is one of the few where we get to talk about the doctrine of the Trinity. Help people out! Give them a way to think about such a complex idea. This celebration comes after Pentecost, allowing the church more time to reflect on the gift of the Holy Spirit, and has been around for at least a thousand years in some form. Note the interplay of the Trinity and what it means for us in Romans – love, peace, grace, glory. What does God as Trinity mean for as we love God and our neighbors?

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 2:1-8, 22-24, 37-39. At Pentecost, God makes it clear that the church is for everyone. No one is excluded from the good news. We get to make sure there is a place for all! Community isn’t about making everyone “like us”. It’s about meeting people where they are and finding ways to learn from each other. The languages are actual languages spoken by those in attendance (v8). The Spirit allows all to hear the good news. No one is left out – everyone is met where they are with their own language. How will we continue to ensure that we can walk alongside everyone in our community?

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The statement that Paul makes is a basic, clear expression of faith. He reminds them about what they believe – being there to remind each other is part of what we do in community. Paul counts his greatest failing as persecuting the church. It’s not just about denying Jesus, it’s about hurting the community of believers. How can we keep teaching each other and learning from each other?

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Background on 1 Corinthians: Paul writes to a community he loves that faces dissension and infighting. He wants them to find a way through in spite of their differences, because community is worth it. Saying “thank you” matters – it’s easy to take others for granted and not lift up the joy of being together. We recognize those who are helping serve our community. We say thank you for the way they build community. But the work belongs to us all – “the grace of God... has been given to [us] in Christ Jesus.”

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik are joined by Easter lutheran’s Adult Ministries Director, Jami Day! They discuss Acts 18: 1-10, be careful of (v6) – this passage is used to justify antisemitic sentiment. Does Paul’s words do him any good? Are we really meant to let his frustration dictate how we’ll treat others? Paul finds points in common with Aquila and Priscilla. In fact, they are fellow Jews. Here, Paul finds things that draw them together. How often do we let our frustration with others dictate how we treat them? How can we find ways to connect with each other and draw ourselves together?

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 17:1-9. Jason is attacked and jailed because of his relationship with Paul and Silas. When we choose each other, we may have to decide if we’ll stay by each other when it’s risky. People are uncomfortable with how Paul and Silas preaches about “another king” (v7) – they don’t want their safety at risk because of who is in their community. Community means caring for each other even when others might pressure us to reject those who don’t quite fit. How will we keep choosing each other even when we face confrontation?

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 3:1-10. A story of healing is ultimately about the worth of another person. A stranger who may not “deserve” care still gets it. All people have worth. Healing comes in many forms. A faith community isn’t about perfection. It’s about bringing more and more people into a place of relationship, safety, and care. How will you include others, care for them, serve them, in ways that bring healing?

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 1:1-8. Church isn’t just about what you get out of it. It’s what you have to give others and how we’re better together. The disciples stay together (v4) before they’re sent out (v8). This is what we do week after week in worship and learning. We come together to be sent back out into the world. How will we encourage each other as we share the gospel throughout the world?