Scripture: John 21:1-25 Why Peter? This Sunday we read the story of Jesus’ breakfast on the beach with Peter.  Scholars call it the rehabilitation of Peter.  Here we see Jesus re-claiming and re-commissioning Peter as the leader of the church.  If you take the gospels seriously you ask questions, and sooner or later one of … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure-Week 2 // Why Peter? // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Psalm 145, Luke 24:13-35 (NIV) This is my favorite Sunday of the year, because the Sunday after Easter is the day ‘Alleluia, He is Risen!’ stops being a worship response and starts determining how we LIVE. Because we believe that Jesus is risen, we make different choices–we live differently, work differently, form community differently. … Continue reading "Make Love the Measure // The Road to Emmaus // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 Dear Church, On Good Friday, we gathered at 7 to watch and pray.  On Holy Saturday, as we waited, we walked the stations of the cross in our Labyrinth. But friends–we know the end of the story.  We did not watch or wait as those without hope.  Sunday is coming–resurrection is coming.  I … Continue reading "The Grove // Easter 2022 // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17 As he left Jericho and began his very last journey to Jerusalem, Jesus passed two blind men on the side of the road.  Hearing he was coming, the men cried out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  The crowd tried to shut them up and push them aside, but Jesus … Continue reading "Into the Shadows // Palm Sunday // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, Sometimes the good news sounds like bad news at first.  As we move deeper into the shadows of Lent, this is one of those times. This Sunday we gather around the communion table and consider the words Jesus gave us when he gave us this sacrament: ‘This is my body, which is for … Continue reading "Into the Shadows-Week 5 // Sounds Like Bad News // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 & Luke 1:46-55 Dear Church, Today (if you are reading this note on Friday) is the day the church celebrates the annunciation of the Lord–the moment that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a poor young girl and announced that Almighty God was inviting her to become the mother of the messiah, … Continue reading "Into the Shadows-Week 4 // Mary’s Song // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-26 Dear Church, As we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us past what is bright and familiar into the shadows of our faith, we begin to see that many of our foundational assumptions about Jesus are unhelpful.  We rejoice that our savior is strong and powerful and unshakable–and he is.  But we … Continue reading "Into the Shadows-Week 3 // Weakness and Vulnerability // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Luke 4:28-30, Luke 4:40-43, Luke 5:15-16 Dear Church, In Luke chapter 5, a man with leprosy finds Jesus, falls on the ground before him and begs, ‘Lord, if you are willing, I know you can make me clean.’  We see God’s heart for those who suffer in Jesus’ answer.  ‘I am willing.  Be clean!’  Instantly, … Continue reading "Into the Shadows-Week 2 // That time Jesus left // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 Before he began any ministry, Jesus was baptized–and as he came up from the water, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on him. And with the Spirit, a voice:‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.’ All this happened before Jesus did a thing for God. … Continue reading "Into the Shadows-Week 1 // Being Beloved // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Exodus 16:21-36 Dear Church, The first thing the people had to learn how to do was–trust God. The second the people had to learn was how to do was–rest. Once you’ve mastered the first, the second is easy.  Without the first, the second is almost impossible.If you want to measure how much you trust God, try … Continue reading "Uncomfortable Blessings-Week 4 // Rest, Work, Repeat // Pastor Kate Murphy"