Pentecost

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Sunday, Oct. 18: Got plans?

by Trina Kleist

Go ahead. Make God laugh. Two of Jesus’ closest friends, James and John, had big plans for themselves – and they wanted Jesus to give them the OK to move ahead with their big ideas. Now who does that sound like? Jesus saw, again and again, that even the people who knew him best usually […]

Sunday, Sept. 13: Give your life away!

by Trina Kleist

Give it all! What does it mean to take up the cross of Jesus and follow him? Didn’t Jesus die for us? How does following Jesus lead us to the cross? Jesus takes us to more questions: Who do we say Jesus is?  And if we follow Jesus, then who are we? Who am I? In […]

Sunday, Sept. 6: Be opened!

by Trina Kleist

Even Jesus needed a break. He seems out of character in today’s reading from Mark when he talks to the non-Jewish woman who asks for healing for her daughter. We read that Jesus was trying to get away from the crowds. Could he be tired? God’s own Son – worn out, burned out, needing a […]

Sunday, Aug. 16: Fair Trade Sunday… & more Bread!

by Trina Kleist

Bread and wisdom… These themes repeat in our Bible readings this week. Even Jesus’ closest followers had trouble understanding Jesus’ message when he compared himself to bread – Bread from Heaven, the Bread of Life. We pray that God give us also the wisdom to understand! We pray that the Holy Spirit enter into us, […]

Sunday, Aug. 9: Bread of Life

by Trina Kleist

Feel like something’s missing? Jesus promises that, when you walk his Path, you’ll never be hungry again. What’s really amazing? The more you let Jesus feed you, the more you find that this world’s bread – the material things we think we’re hungry for – isn’t what fills you up. Eat with us here at […]

Sunday, Aug. 2: Believe – in Bread!

by Trina Kleist

“Welcome, Pastor Eileen!” Are you hungry? Food – physical and spiritual – comes to us from God’s abundant and lavish hands. Today’s Gospel reading likens Jesus, God’s Anointed One, to the manna that God miraculously sent to the nomadic Israelites each morning during the 40 years they wandered in the wilderness. Come to worship, where […]

Sunday, July 26: Believe – in Leftovers!

by Trina Kleist

“Be filled with the fullness of God.” Leftovers always taste better, right? The flavors have gone through the food, and we look forward to getting some more of that good stuff. Leftovers also are a sign of abundance – we had our fill, and still, there’s more. What a miracle! Today’s Bible lessons talk a […]

Sunday, July 19: Good and bad shepherds

by Trina Kleist

“Herd or  Flock?” The Bible uses a lot of imagery involving sheep and shepherds, and we hear some of that today: Poor shepherds let the flock get scattered. Good shepherds lead and heal. THE Good Shepherd will lead with wisdom and justice, and will put an end to fear. Christians believe Jesus – God’s Good […]

Sunday, July 12: Believe – and be chosen!

by Trina Kleist

Get blessed! When we believe in Jesus as the Son of God, God adopts us as his own children – He chooses us! Then, as God’s children, God lavishes upon us “every spiritual blessing,” St. Paul writes. One of the gifts we receive is the power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us follow the model of […]

Sunday, July 5: Believe – and go!

by Trina Kleist

“Where did this man get all this?” We hear how people were amazed by the teaching and healing Jesus did during his ministry. Then, Jesus sends out his chosen Twelve to also preach and heal all who believe that Jesus is God’s son. Today, we are those witnesses, and we are sent out to testify to […]