Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 This week the Grove was pulsing with life, tiny feet kicking the back of pews, little hands struggling to squeeze out exactly the right amount of glue, big people taking deep breaths trying to remain present to the joy and promise bursting forth out of the chaos.  The day after Easter, you … Continue reading "A Welcome Table // Tale of Two Women // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 Dear Church, It is not only good, but also necessary that we celebrate the resurrection on Sunday. The rocks would cry out if we didn’t.  But don’t come for the celebration–come to receive what we are celebrating.  Because if Easter doesn’t change everything, it really doesn’t matter at all. All the color, … Continue reading "Resurrection Sunday // Hope // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Luke 19:28-42 Dear Church, This Sunday is my favorite Sunday of the year.   (I know, I know, I say this a lot, but I always mean it.). It’s the first day of Holy Week.  Traditionally, churches will center their worship on the story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem for his final confrontation with … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 6 // Donkey Sunday // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-19 and Matthew 27:27-54 Dear Church, I used to love those Era detergent commercials.  Do you remember them?  You’d see grass, mud and blood stains on a t-shirt.  Then they’d write the name ‘Era’ on the stains with the clear detergent.  Then they’d spray it with water, and you’d see the word … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 5 // A Power That Gives Us Hope // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-15 Dear Church, There is so much beauty this time of year.   As the world transitions from winter to spring we see beautiful new life everywhere in the natural world. And the beauty our common life as the church is especially visible in this season–the goodness of new friends joining the church, … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 4 // What are you afraid of? // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Genesis 15:7-21, Romans 5:6-11 Dear Church, The first question that the cross inspires in us is why?  Why did this happen?  What was the point? If you’ve ever asked that question, someone has probably tried to answer by saying that it had to happen–so that the penalty for sin could be paid, so that … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 3 // Why did it happen? // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Luke 6:12-20; 27-36, Luke 23:32-34 Jesus begins with the beatitudes, and then he jumps right in, ‘I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 2 // Love Your Enemies // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: John 11:43-53 Dear Church, There’s a hymn called ‘I love to tell the story’ that we sang frequently in a church I used to serve.  In the first verse you sing, ‘I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.’  The second verse … Continue reading "Six Ways to Look at the Cross-Week 1 // New Ways // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Mark 2:23 – 3:6 Dear Church, Jesus could not have been crucified without the efforts of people of faith.  It wasn’t pagan priests or Roman senators who wanted Jesus dead–folks like that had never even heard of him.  It was his own fellow believers who worked the systems to have him destroyed. Why? Because … Continue reading "SABBATH-Week 3 // Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Genesis 1:31-2:3, Mark 2:23-28 Dear Church, Scripture starts with the beginning of everything–the story of God creating all that is, land and sky, stars, sun and moon, seas and creatures and plants and birds and humans, made in the image of the maker.  But, contrary to how you might have heard it, humans are not the … Continue reading "SABBATH-Week 2 // The Seventh Day // Pastor Kate Murphy"