 Despite the covenant God established with him, Abraham still had a difficult and doubt-filled relationship with God. We have inherited this covenant and we also have a difficult and doubt-filled relationship with God, at times. Abraham is a mirror we can hold up and see ourselves.
Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Mirror, Mirror" is based on Genesis 17:1-18, 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.  Despite the ongoing pandemic, we will once again join with our friends from First Presbyterian Church for our annual Ash Wednesday service – this year, however, our collaborative service will take place on our YouTube channel.
The Rev. Dr. Felipe N. Martinez will deliver our message for this joint service, and we will experience a unique (and safe) self-imposition of ashes to mark the beginning of the season of Lent and a period of reflection, repentance, and recommitment to our spiritual journey. Both Dianne Sprunger and our own Travis Whaley will provide meditative and uplifting music to ground us in this moving service. You will need a candle and communion elements ready for your participation from home. Participants will be asked to perform a self-imposition of ashes using soot from a candle. Please light a candle at the beginning of the service. When the time comes for the imposition of ashes, you will be asked to extinguish the flame, to rub the wick between your fingers, and to make the sign of the cross on your own forehead. Though this will be different from how we have traditionally experienced Ash Wednesday, it promises to be a spiritually moving experience. Rev. Dr. Felipe N. Martinez's sermon, "Following Jesus with Urgency", is based on Luke 9:51-62, NRSV. Participate in worship on our YouTube channel beginning at 7:00M. Sing along with the hymns and follow along with the digital bulletin here. Let us know you're here! If you are joining us for online worship services, please let us know with this short form: Special Worship Attendance.  The story of Jesus’ transfiguration comes at the midpoint of Mark’s gospel. Leading up to this powerful story we learn of Jesus’ teachings and healings. Following this supernatural occurrence we follow Jesus’ journey to the cross. This makes the miracle of the transfiguration an excellent transition between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent.
Participate in online worship on Sunday, February 14, to hear more about the rich historical symbolism in the story of the transfiguration. Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Continental Divide", is based on Mark 9:2-9, 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.  Simon’s mother-in-law becomes the original deacon in this story from Mark’s gospel! The word translated as “serve” in the NRSV is diakonos, which literally means “to kick up dust” – as in an urgent, ambitious, scene-stealing action. It is also the same word translated as “ministry.” The scriptures do not record the name of Simon’s mother-in-law, but she was a veritable powerhouse of a woman, who engages in active ministry, kicks up dust, and gets some serious work done. She is a trail-blazing pioneer in Mark’s gospel. Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Kicking Up Dust", is based on Mark 1:29-39. 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 our scripture text from 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul responds to an issue for a very specific time and culture, but his response is just as timely now as it was in the Corinthian marketplace.
Paul encourages us today to ensure that all of our “rules,” all of our dos and don’ts, all of our words and actions are motivated by a love for God and a love for our neighbor. Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Freedom with Responsibility", is based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, 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.  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.  Paul encountered some disciples in Ephesus who had begun their spiritual journey and had been baptized, but had not really developed their faith any further. They were merely treading water – without any forward momentum. Paul encouraged them to keep exploring their faith and to learn more about Christ.
How many of us have just been treading water in our faith journey? When was the last time we studied the Bible, attended to our prayer life, or felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? The New Year is a good time for new commitments, habits, and growth. How will you grow your faith in 2021? Rev. Tonja's sermon, "Treading Water or Swimming?", is based on Acts 19:1-7, 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. |
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