“Holy Week” begins this Sunday, as we recognize and celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The following Sunday is Easter – another joyous celebration – this time of Jesus’ resurrection! However, the time in between is filled with the story of Jesus’ suffering and death by crucifixion. It is important to descend, emotionally, into the passion story, as the celebrations that bookend the week would be less meaningful without it.
You are encouraged to dive in to the whole story this week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Hear all the stories. Feel all the feelings. Don’t shortchange your personal experience. Allow yourself to journey through each stage of Holy Week. Accompany Jesus to the cross and beyond. Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Palms or Passion?" is based on Mark 11:1-11, Common English Bible. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the digital bulletin here. Tattoos can be painful…and permanent. In the “new covenant” Jeremiah decrees that God – the great I AM – will ink our hearts with God’s law, as a permanent sign of our relationship with God. God promises unconditional love and unending grace for us all.
Rev. Tonja's sermon, "I AM Inked" is based on Jeremiah 31:31-34, The Message. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the digital bulletin here. Time after time, the Israelites did not trust God and God’s promises. In fact, they wandered in the desert for forty years because they did not trust God. God repeatedly rescued them, provided for their needs, and encouraged them. And still they did not trust.
How do we compare to the Israelites? Do we trust God? Let’s go on a Trust Walk. Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Trust Walk" is based on Numbers 21:4-9, NRSV. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the digital bulletin here. ![]() In this season of Lent we have been exploring the covenants God made with humanity in the Hebrew Bible. The Ten Commandments were offered by God as the “rules” that would govern this covenant relationship. But they are not meant to be oppressive. Rather, the Ten Commandments are meant to help us maintain a right relationship with God and one another. They are community rules…because community rules! Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Community Rules!" is based on Exodus 20:1-17, CEB. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the digital bulletin here. |
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