Scripture:  Matthew 28:1-10 Dear Church, These holy days are not for pretending.  We watch and pray as those who know the incredible end of the story.  On the cross we are seeing the triumph of the goodness of God.  We are seeing the Prince of Peace overthrow the powers of violence, sin and death. The … Continue reading "Easter Sunday // Christ Is Risen // Pastor Kate Murphy"

It is Good Friday.  This is the holiest day. This is the hardest day. We cannot look away.  I hope you will join us as we worship and pray and keep watch together. Jesus tells us this is the hour for which he came.  He promises that if we will allow the Spirit to open … Continue reading "Good Friday // The Hardest Day // The Seven Words"

Scripture:  Matthew 21:1-11 & Matthew 27:27-32 Dear Church, We are standing together on the cusp of Holy Week. Throughout this sacred season of Lent, we’ve been walking towards the glorious revelation of the cross and empty tomb which forms the heart of our faith and hope in Jesus.  Now we are only a few steps … Continue reading "Decision-Week 6 // Two Parades // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 27:11-26 Dear Church, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!’ So says Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, as he washes his hands and knowingly condemns an innocent man to death. It’s a terrible irony we are all too familiar with–Pilate, who has absolute power to condemn or pardon Jesus, … Continue reading "Decision-Week 5 // Pontius Pilate // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 26:26-35 & Matthew 26:47-75 Dear Church, We choose to follow Jesus because we want to know God more fully and intimately. And so it is a gift, but not a surprise, that as our faith in Jesus grows, our knowledge of God grows as well.  We learn some things about God that amaze … Continue reading "Decision-Week 4 // Who Knows You Best? // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 26:1-14 -&- Matthew 27:1-10 Dear Church, In response to the Jesus Super Bowl ad, a pastor named Mark Driscoll tweeted, ‘yes, Jesus washed Judas’ feet and then he sent him to hell’ #hegetsus Well, then. This Lent, we are focusing on the people who encountered Jesus in the last week of his life … Continue reading "Decision-Week 3 // Judas // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  John 11:45-57 Dear Church, In the gospel of John, Jesus’ fate was sealed after he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.  There were plenty of  people who saw it happen: their neighbor, who died four days ago, stumbled out of the tomb after Jesus came and cried and called out, Lazarus, come! It … Continue reading "Decision-Week 2 // When Life Means Death // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 16:21-28 (NIV) Dear Church, “Get behind me Satan, you are a stumbling block to me.  You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23) Jesus says a lot of shocking things, but this has to be one of the most jaw-dropping. And he doesn’t say it … Continue reading "Decision-Week 1 // Jesus Predicts His Death // Pastor Kate Murphy"

We choose the Kingdom Scripture:  Matthew 2:13-18 (NIV) – The Escape to Egypt 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search … Continue reading "Ash Wednesday // We Choose the Kingdom // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  Matthew 10:5-16 Dear Church, What does it look like to walk in love? We expect a life grounded in love will transform us so that we are universally respected and admired.  We expect a loving life will result in a favored, safe and comfortable existence. Find love, choose love and live happily ever after.  … Continue reading "CORE-6 // Love // Pastor Kate Murphy"