A Benediction – As you go, Draw near to the hand of God. Bring your whole self: your mind, your heart, your past, your pain. Open yourself to an encounter with God’s living and active word, Know and be known, Read, reflect, respond, and rest. Abide in His near and present Breath. Now, go in[...] Read More

A Benediction –  As you go, Love the Lord with all your mind, Be deeply formed by that which you read, Be generous in your orthodoxy, Engage your opponent in love, Seek truth, wherever it may be found, In doing so, encounter the Lord your God. Go in peace.

A Benediction –  As you go tonight, Invite the Sower to till your soil, Be softened and warmed, deep thinkers; Be steadfast in trial, you rejoicers; Make room, busy ones; To receive the gift of the Gospel, scattered all around you, In doing so, you open yourself to being formed into the Image if Christ,[...] Read More

A Benediction –  As we go into this new year, Return to God your maker Return to God’s design for you, Return to God’s desire for you, Return to God’s dreams for you, Return now and keep returning, Day by day, week by week, month by month, Rain or shine. You are not your past;[...] Read More

A Benediction –  As you go, awakened to the injustices around you, Access your anger, Lean into lament, Engage in embrace, Actually act, And remember that the hope of Advent is the coming of Emmanuel, Table-flipper, Graveside-weeper, Prostitute-hugger, Freer-of-the-oppressed Light-in-the-darkness, God-with-us, Go in peace

The image referenced in the message.

The painting referenced in the sermon:

Preacher: A.J. Swoboda