Saint Matthew begins his gospel with what looks like a long, boring, irrelevant list of names: Perez begat Herron, Hezron begat Ram, Ram begat Amminadab, Amminadab begat Nahshon… Why in the world are the names of these long dead men included? What could their lost stories possibly have to teach us about the coming of … Continue reading "Redemption Songs // Jesus Genealogy // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, This Sunday is one of the most beautiful worship services of our church year.  It is the day words alone are not enough–and so we sing.   I hope you’ll join us for our Christmas Cantata–a service of music and light celebrating the glorious redemption of God. Peace, Pastor Kate

Dear Church, Ready or not, believe it or not–this Sunday is the first day of the new year.  For generations, Christians have marked time differently.  We mark the days not by the seasons or the calendar, but by the rhythm of telling and re-telling the story of Christ.  This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent–the season … Continue reading "Redemption Songs // New Beginnings // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Ezekiel 47:1,8-9  &  Revelation 21:1-5 For years, the prophet Ezekiel warned his people that God’s judgment was falling upon them.  Again and again, he implored them to repent and return to God or catastrophe would overwhelm them.  But everyone ignored his fiery sermons.  They knew there was room for improvement, but no one believed it could … Continue reading "Giving Thanks // Remembering the Future // Edmond Johnson"

Here’s something you probably don’t know about me.  I went to college to be an Opera Singer–on a scholarship, no less.  No, I won’t show you.  Long story short, it wasn’t my calling.   My Opera career was doomed from the start for two, not entirely unrelated, reasons.  First, I don’t like Opera.  Second, I … Continue reading "Giving Thanks // Practice // Pastor Kate Murphy"

1 Samuel 7:2b-12 Dear Church, The people were gathered together in Mizpah–called by their prophet Samuel to repent of their faithlessness and return their hearts to God.  And just as they finished their prayers of confession, they looked up and saw their greatest enemy.  The Philistines were marching toward them, ready for battle.  The people were … Continue reading "Giving Thanks // Ebenezer Stones // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we end our October worship series on servant life by gathering together to worship God and give thanks for the saints we know and love who have died.  And that connection between servanthood and sainthood is so important for us to grasp.  We do not serve God in order to become saints.  We … Continue reading "All Saints Day // The End of the Story // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21 The biggest stumbling block in our servant life is not our ability, but our desire.  It is not that life as a servant of God is not possible–we are absolutely able to live the life that God is calling us to live.  Jesus isn’t looking for disciples who are faster than … Continue reading "Servant Life-Week 4 // Better Than Heroes // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Dear Church, I read an article in Relevant magazine revealing that in 2019, all but one of the most popular 20 Facebook pages for American Christians were actually created by overseas bot farms in order to spread misinformation and steal personal data.  The groups had nostalgic and sentimental names like ‘smile and shine,’ ‘be happy and enjoy … Continue reading "Servant Life-Week 3 // Power of a Servant // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 25:14-30 (?) Dear Church, Before leaving on a long journey, a man left work for three of his servants.  In his absence, two of the servants labored as requested, but the third servant did nothing.  When their Lord returned, he was pleased with the obedient servants and angry with the one who did nothing. … Continue reading "Servant Life-Week 2 // Wisdom of a Servant // Pastor Kate Murphy"