Ashes to Fire #9: Under Construction – April 14, 2013

Ashes to Fire #9: “Under Construction”Text: John 21:1-19We recognize that we are often like Jesus’ disciples: even if we don’t deny Him like Peter, or betray Him like Judas, we are often like the others – silent, doubting, confused, scattered, and afraid.  And like the seven disciples in today’s lesson, we sometimes return to “business…

Annual Meeting: "Now Thank We All Our God" – April 7, 2013

Annual Meeting: “Now Thank We All Our God”Text: I Corinthians 3:5-9; Luke 17:11-19Before we rush ahead into the “New Thing” that God is doing, it’s important to return to the Savior, praising Him for what He has done, is doing, and is going to do.  In his Annual Report, Pastor Jon highlights some of the…

Ashes to Fire 7: "Breaking the Chains" – March 31, 2013

Ashes to Fire 7: “Breaking the Chains”Text: I Corinthians 15:20-26; Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 24:1-12Pastor Jon explores the imagery of bondage throughout scripture and literature, considering the ways in which Christ breaks the chains of injustice, sin, and death.  Easter reminds us that Christ has already defeated the last enemy, death itself.  In so doing, we…

Ashes to Fire #6: "Not a Rock" – March 24, 2013

Ashes to Fire #6: “Not a Rock”Text: Luke 19:28-40As we explore the themes of the Triumphal Entry, we are confronted with the question of whether we accept Jesus on His terms, or attempt to define Him to meet our own expectations.  Did the “Hosannas” fade because the road was too tough… the cross too difficult……

Ashes to Fire #5: Prodigal Mary – March 17, 2013

Ashes to Fire #5: Prodigal Mary John 12:1-11In a Gospel Lesson full of literary devices, we consider the ways in which Mary’s lavish gift helps us to give of ourselves fully to our Lord.  Our extravagant worship should always be in response to our understanding that God has given everything for us.

Ashes to Fire #4: Embraced by Grace – March 10, 2013

Ashes to Fire #4: “Embraced by Grace”Text: Luke 15:1-2, 11-32Victor Hugo provides a powerful way to look at the characters in today’s Gospel lesson.  From Les Miserables, the characters of Javert and Valjean help us to understand the lives of the elder and younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  One has been…

Ashes to Fire #3: Keep Short Accounts – March 3, 2013

Ashes to Fire #3: “Keep Short Accounts”Text: Luke 13:1-9When tragedy strikes, there is no shortage of “Christian spokespeople” prepared to declare that the tragedy was somehow indicative of God’s judgment on a particular person or group of people.  And yet, when people ask Jesus about tragic events, he (politely and tactfully) tells them to MYOB…

Ashes to Fire #2: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" – February 24, 2013

Ashes to Fire #2: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem”Text: Luke 13:31-35As Jesus moves steadfastly toward Jerusalem, he does so fearlessly, knowing that the timing if his death is entirely in the hands of the Father.  Lamenting the broken systems and lost people in Jerusalem, Jesus continues to make intentional decisions which lead to his arrest and execution.  And…