Scripture: Exodus 16:1-21 ‘if only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted…’ That’s what the Hebrew people said to Moses just 30 days after the Lord liberated them from Egyptian enslavement.  Isn’t memory a funny thing?  We compare the … Continue reading "Uncomfortable Blessings-Week 3 // If only… // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, All the hip young cool pastors have tattoos of their favorite Bible verses.  I am none of those things, and for this and many reasons I will never get inked.  But, if I did–it would be Exodus 3:12: And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that … Continue reading "Uncomfortable Blessings-Week 2 // I Will Be With You // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12 Dear Church, …poor – …meek – …mourning – …hungry & thirsty…persecuted – …merciful – …peacemakers Jesus climbed up a mountain and sat down to teach about his kingdom.   He began by saying that those were the blessed ones–the poor, meek, sad, longing, wounded, conflicted, persecuted ones.  How strange the realm of … Continue reading "Uncomfortable Blessings–Week 1 // Blessed are… // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’  (Matthew 8:1-4) For me, these are some of the most poignant words in all of scripture.  They were spoken by a man who was known, not by his name, but by his disease–leprosy.  His disease defined him and divided him from his community.  This Sunday we … Continue reading "re: Beginning Again // Alive in Christ // Pastor Kate Murphy"

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King taught that ‘everybody can be great because anyone can serve.” It makes sense that Dr. King thought this way–because he was a follower of Jesus, and Jesus taught that ‘the greatest among you shall be servant of all.’   In the Kingdom of God, greatness comes from serving, not being … Continue reading "re: Beginning Again // Serve Like Jesus // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.  (psalm 16:11, the message) We stand on that glorious promise as we begin a new year together.  We stand with courage and hope–not because we’re confident about what’s going on around us or what’s within us–but because God has taken our hands and is leading … Continue reading "re: Beginning Again // Inviting All // Pastor Cedric Lundy"

Scripture: Matthew 7:7  & Jonah 2:1-3:2 I have no resolutions for this new year.  What I do have is a tremendous well of gratitude for the gift of being church with you all, a defiant hope in all that God is doing in our midst and a fierce resolve to partner as fully as I … Continue reading "re: Beginning Again // Seek // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, It’s a new year, and something wholly new lies before us.  This is true every day, but most of the time we don’t know it.  We don’t notice.  Because of Jesus, we are always standing on the threshold of a new season, a new revelation, new possibilities with God–but often we are too blinded … Continue reading "Redemption Songs // Epiphany // Pastor Kate Murphy"

The marketplace loses interest in Christmas after December 25th–while our sacred tradition sets aside twelve days to celebrate the savior, born to us as a child in the manger.  These days are not after-Christmas, after all.  They are set apart for our collective wonder, designated time to ponder in our hearts what this means for … Continue reading "Redemption Songs // 2nd Day of Christmas // Pastor Barbara Smith"

This time of year, you can’t turn on a radio without hearing someone sincerely sing the question, Mary, did you know?   It’s a beautiful song with a haunting melody, but if you read Luke 1, it’s clear.  She knew.  She was all in from the start. The real question is…what did Joseph know and when … Continue reading "Redemption Songs // Joseph did YOU Know // Pastor Kate Murphy"