From his prison cell, Paul writes to his friends imploring them to ‘clothe’ themselves with ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;’ and then to ‘put on love’ on top of all that, because love will ‘bind them all together in perfect unity.’  I think of Paul writing that letter in his prison garb–having lost the … Continue reading "Letters from Prison – Week 3 // We Have What We Need // Pastor Kate Murphy"

The Apostle Paul wrote most of the material we find in our New Testament. But not while sitting at a desk drinking coffee. He wrote letters to his friends while he was imprisoned for treason, inciting riots, and leading an insurrection. Paul knew eventually he would be executed by his jailors (and he was). But … Continue reading "Letters from Prison – Week 2 // Paul & Mandela // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we dive into a new worship series called Letters from Prison, because that’s exactly where some of the most profound and beautiful witnesses to life in Christ are born. Each week we’ll pair part of a letter the apostle Paul wrote while he was in prison with portions of letters written by other … Continue reading "Letters from Prison – Week 1 // Paul & Martin // Pastor Kate Murphy"

I resolved to know nothing among you except Christ, and Him crucified. If I’m honest with you, I’m still learning to love the cross.  I understand that it is the holy center and the whole hope of life in Jesus–but I struggle to see it as beautiful.  Resurrection, I love.  Jesus feeding the hungry, blessing … Continue reading "First Loves – Week 4 // Nothing but the Cross // Pastor Kate Murphy"

The Bible is full of beautiful prayers.  Glorious metaphors, poetic imagery, mind expanding allegories and symbols describing the way people love God.  But those four ordinary little words might be the boldest and most beautiful declaration of human love for God in all of scripture. In this season, when we’ve finally been able to return … Continue reading "First Loves – Week 3 // But Even If Not // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we move deeper into our worship series ‘First Loves,’ remembering the time a righteous Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to dinner but went out of his way not to welcome him, because the invitation was not about friendship or hospitality. It was Simon’s opportunity to size Jesus up and put him in his … Continue reading "First Loves – Week 2 // The Holiness of Party Crashers // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we launch a new worship series called ‘First Loves.’ We’ll explore what binds us and grows us in Christ. Hint: it’s not fear or obligation or doctrine. Hint, hint: it’s also not favor, blessing or even salvation. A healthy relationship with God can’t be motivated by desire for what we might gain or … Continue reading "First Loves – Week 1 // Rediscovering Our Love for the Lord // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we are able to gather together physically for worship for the first time in more than a year. We have survived an absence that has turned out to be longer than we ever could have imagined. I thank God that, last March, we had no idea how long we would be forced to stay apart. I don’t think … Continue reading "Pentecost // An Origin Story // Kate Murphy"

Nehemiah, our “hero” says and does some unsavory things. What are we supposed to do with that? We Christians like to put people into categories. Hero/villain. Good guy/bad guy. Positive example/negative example. But, these last chapters of Nehemiah’s autobiography really complicate things. The truth is—Nehemiah isn’t a good guy or a bad guy. He’s a typical human mixture of both. Church—only comic books have … Continue reading "Nehemiah: Rebuild & Restore // Fallen Hero // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we continue the wisdom-soaked story of Nehemiah rebuilding the city of Jerusalem.  Surprisingly, the construction work is completed in chapter 6, but the process of rebuilding and restoring the city isn’t.  Nehemiah leads the people in a time of celebration and rejoicing, which makes perfect sense to us. But, what he does next is shocking. It’s the last … Continue reading "Nehemiah: Rebuild & Restore // After Rebuilding // Kate Murphy"