The compilers of the lectionary selected two opposite stories for this Sunday: the story of Jonah, who resists God's call upon his life, and the story of Jesus' first disciples, who immediately jump at the opportunity to follow Christ. The procrastinator and the early adopters - God can use us all!   
 
Join in worship as we explore different kinds of leadership and ways of responding to God's call upon our lives. 

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "The Hesitant and the Whole-Hearted", is based on Jonah 3:1-10 and Mark 1:14-20 (both from The Message).

Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here.

On Monday, January 18, we will commemorate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and celebrate his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement in this country. Dr. King brought the techniques and practices of Mahatma Gandhi to the United States, in his nonviolent approach to eliminating racism and establishing justice.
 
Satyagraha is a Sanskrit word, coined by Gandhi, meaning “holding firmly to truth.”

Right now the Truth (capital T) seems to be up for debate. Folks disagree on what is Truth and what is fake news. The discrepancy has had dire consequences, even escalating to a full-out attack on our democracy.
 
How do we know the Truth? And how can we hold onto it?

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Satyagraha: Holding onto Truth", is based on Psalm 145.

Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here. 

Zechariah was old, religious, and important. Mary was a young nobody from an insignificant locale. Both were approached by the angel Gabriel with news of a miraculous birth in their futures. Both asked Gabriel the same question: “How?” And yet, both of them received completely different responses from Gabriel. What made the difference?

Perhaps we should shed some of our stuffiness and high-and-mighty-ness and embrace the wonder of Christmas.

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "How?", is based on Luke 1:5-38, NRSV. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here.​

The liturgical calendar tells us this is Joy Sunday. But this year, we are all feeling a sense of loss and grief. How can we find and maintain our joy? How can we re-joy-ce?
 
Participate in worship on Sunday, December 13, and learn some key steps we can take to find our joy in this time.

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "There is Joy!", is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, The Message.
Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here.

Mark is the shortest and the earliest of the four gospel texts, and Mark does not contain a birth story. The first eight verses of Mark tell us a lot about what kind of message to expect from the chapters that follow. In Jesus we find a new creation, a new exodus, and a new restoration of God’s people.  

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "A New Creation, A New Exodus, A New Restoration", is based on  Mark 1:1-8, CEB.
Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here.

On this first Sunday in Advent, we receive a mixed message from Mark’s gospel. It is message of hope, but it is also a message of the need to dig in and persevere.
 
We repeatedly hear the phrase “stay alert.” What should we stay alert to? How about hope, peace, joy, and love?

Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Stay Alert!", is based on Mark 13:24-37, CEB. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 10:30AM. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the virtual bulletin here.