Matthew 20:1-16 A parable is an invitation to struggle within; that you will be renewed, challenged, and pushed into a new understanding of yourself, God, and your world...  That is, of course, if you open you accept the invitation. Jesus encounters a young man (Luke's author refers to him as a rich man) who is seeking to understand how he may enter into God's Reign.  Jesus has a conversation with him which leads to the man walking away sad. The disciples are perplexed and begin asking their own questions.  They ultimately want to know--what we all want to know--"Who can be saved?" Also, they want to know what they will get for their work. Jesus tells a parable in response; to explain what the [Kingdom] Reign of God is like. You are invited into the story. Join us as we venture into the holy struggle.

Forgiveness is something everyone needs.  The thing is... when you need to forgive someone else it's not about something they need.  When you forgive someone, it sets YOU free.  There are many things about forgiveness that are misunderstood. Let's spend a moment and consider the art of forgiveness.

What is a Christian?  What might you think a Christian is NOT? What makes a Christian a Christian? Let's spend some time thinking through Paul's message to the Church in Rome to help us learn more about ourselves and others.

Who are you? If someone were to ask, what would you say?  Would you give a name?  What does your name mean?  Does it mean anything?  Does it mean anything to anyone? What determines who you are?  Actions...words...faith...reputation? Moses asks God for a name.  God says, "I Am what/who I Am." Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you say I am?"  They respond saying he's the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. The disciples and Moses have a name/title, yet they have no idea what they mean. Maybe it's time to rethink ourselves... Maybe it's time to rethink God... What are you willing to rethink in order to find a life worth living?

Romans 12:1-8 & Matthew 16:13-20 Jeff Hansen is a Lay Speaker from Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church who brings us his message.

Matthew 15:10-28 First, the ultra-religious and biblical experts complain at Jesus because the disciples aren't following the tradition of the elders; they aren't washing their hands before they eat.  So Jesus responds by showing how they use the traditions to overrule God's commandments. Then, Jesus calls the crowd close to explain that it's what comes out of the mouth that makes someone unclean or impure. Last, a story about a Canaanite (or Syrophoenician, if you read it in Mark) woman approaches Jesus only to be called a dog. What in the world is going on here? Let's consider some of the context from which this passage came and we'll quickly see how Jesus was working to shake people free from the political practices of their day.  Jesus does what no one else would do. We are called into the same life. How are you living your life today?  Are you living as if "one day" is already here?

Walking on Water The account given to us by the author of the Gospel story we call Matthew presents an interesting twist to this popular story found in 3 of our 4 Gospels.  What is the author trying to convey to the early church? What can we understand as the church today? In a world where violence, hatred, bigotry, and prejudice runs rampant, we can feel like a boat being tortured in the waves of this world.  What are we to do? Let's listen again to the story, but with fresh ears.

The Feeding of the 5,000 The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels offers us some insight into the identity of Jesus as Messiah as well as one who empowers. 5 loaves and 2 fish become much more when they are offered in the name of Jesus. What do you have to offer?  What costly part of yourself will you put in the hands of Jesus to be used for the sustenance of others?

The Kingdom of heaven is like... A mustard seed taken and planted, a woman who worked yeast into flour, a merchant who finally finds the pearl he's been searching for, a farmer who just so happens to find treasure in a field, a net which catches all of the fish, and more. Makes sense, right? We find these strange parables painting an ever-changing and radical idea of what God's empire is all about.  Just when you think you've gotten the hang of a parable, another look leaves you with more questions. What a strange way to tell people about God's empire. Let's listen with our ears wide open and see what old and new things arise.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The Parable of Wheat and Tares. As the author of the Gospel we call Matthew writes it, Jesus is preaching in Galilee using parables ("to lay alongside") to help the crowd catch a vision/conception of the Reign of God Jesus has come to announce and usher in. But, like us, they struggle to understand.  When things don't look like you expected, it's hard to continue on the path.  It was no different then. Hear again the parable and consider what it can mean for us today.