Scripture: Colossians 1:1-15 We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.  Some days, some seasons it seems as though there is nothing but morning–as though the whole world is nothing but woe and even the church of Jesus Christ has nothing to offer.   Who am I kidding?  Even … Continue reading "Spirit School-Week 6 // We’ll Get Over It // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Acts 1:1-9 Dear Church, This Sunday when we gather for worship many in our community will already be celebrating Independence Day.  If you have been hanging around the Grove for very many years you might have noticed that Every year on the Sunday closest to July 4th, I preach the crucifixion of our Lord.  … Continue reading "Spirit School-Week 5 // The Righteous Power of God // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, I really like the lectures of a Bible professor named N.T. Wright.  He ends many of them with the same challenge to his students: inhabit what you’ve heard.  In other words, don’t just think about this, don’t just know it or agree with it–live it.  Ultimately, what we believe only matters if it leads us into … Continue reading "Spirit School-Week 4 // Live It! // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Romans 16:17-20 Dear Church, This Sunday I am so excited to welcome Elder Nicole Thompson to the pulpit to preach the next lesson in our Spirit School worship series: The Holy Spirit and Justice.  It also happens to be Juneteenth, a holiday many Black Americans have been celebrating for generations. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865–the  day … Continue reading "Spirit School-Week 3 // Justice // Elder Nicole Thompson"

Scripture: Psalm 1 Dear Church, Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way of sinnersor sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who mediates on his law day and night These are the very first words of the Book … Continue reading "Spirit School-Week 2 // More Than Avoiding Evil // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 Dear Church– At the last meal he shared with his disciples before his death, Jesus told them, ‘it is good that I am leaving you.’  Even though no one was brave or foolish enough to say it, I’m sure they were all thinking that was crazy.  How could it be good that … Continue reading "Spirit School-Pentecost // What God Desires of Us // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Timothy:6-7 Dear Church, When Sandy Hook happened 9 years ago, I cried for days.  This week, I haven’t shed a single tear.  I am stunned and horrified and afraid but mostly I am numb. This is the last Sunday of our season celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.  That means next we … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure-Week 6 // Instead of Despair // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26 Dear Church, What does it look like to love the risen Lord?  Sometimes–much more often than we’d like–it looks like waiting. In the book of Acts, Luke tells us that Jesus spent 40 days with his followers after his resurrection.  It was a season full of meals and ministry and teaching about … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure-Week 5 // Waiting // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Acts 9:18-31 Dear Church, Last week in our ‘Make Love the Measure’ worship series we shared the story of Ananias, the foolishly faithful believer who trusted the Lord’s call and healed & welcomed a man named Saul.   That seems like a pretty ‘normal’ biblical story until you learn Saul was blinded by the Lord … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure-Week 4 // Our Part // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Acts 9:10-19 Dear Church Ananias was a brave and faithful man who risked all he had, including his life, to follow Jesus.  One day the Lord called to him in a vision and told him to go and heal a man named Saul who had come to town to arrest and execute Christians.God told … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure-Week 3 // Ananias Visions // Pastor Kate Murphy"