Posts tagged with ‘Gospel of Matthew’

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Sunday, Feb. 23 – Just Listen!

by Trina Kleist

God says: “Listen to Jesus!” To listen — that’s the hard part! Our stories today tell about exciting images of God. One describes God’s presence as “a devouring fire.” Another story describes “a bright cloud.” People’s faces shine “like the sun.” The light is so bright that it transfigures Jesus, changes his appearance. A voice […]

Sunday, Feb. 16 – Reconcile with each other!

by Trina Kleist

Jesus asks us to reconcile! Live out God’s commandments and reconcile your differences. Jesus tells his followers to follow these two simple rules. So why do we have so much trouble following? Our yearly congregational meeting will be convened at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Center. Our readings today lay out two choices: We can […]

Sunday, Feb. 9 – Let your light shine!

by Trina Kleist

Jesus offers light for your path! The light of Jesus’ love and guidance helps us navigate the everyday bumps, bruises and beauties that come our way. And, when we let that light into our hearts, it shines through us to everyone we meet. As baptized children of God, we walk a path filled with light. […]

Sunday, Jan. 12 – Baptized and Belonging!

by Trina Kleist

“Jesus came to John at the Jordan to be baptized.’” – Matthew 3:13 Jesus Gets Baptized – How about You? God loves all people! But when you get baptized, you belong to God in a special way. You become God’s daughter or son. Through water and God’s words, baptism marks you for a special inheritance. […]

Sunday, Dec. 22: A son named Jesus!

by Trina Kleist

News for Joseph: A son named Jesus? News of a son probably was not good news for Joseph. He wasn’t even married yet! But the angel that appeared in his dream told him: Your fiancée, Mary, is with child. She will bear you a son. You are to name him Jesus. Christmas Eve services: 4 […]

Sunday, Dec. 15: Blossom in the desert!

by Trina Kleist

God’s love blossoms in your desert Blossom – A flower in the desert seems a miraculous thing. Today’s Bible readings promise more than a single blossom. No matter how dry the desert of your soul might seem, God’s love is pouring out abundantly on you now! The prophet Isaiah promises God will make your hands […]

Sunday, Dec. 8: New shoot, new life!

by Trina Kleist

That new shoot is Jesus! Today’s Old Testament prophecy about a shoot growing out from the stump of Jesse foretells Jesus’ coming. Jesse was the father of King David, and so an ancestor of Jesus. But Jesus doesn’t continue the same old line. Instead, this “new shoot” brings a message of new life. John the […]

Sunday, Dec. 1: Advent Begins!

by Trina Kleist

Advent means Jesus is coming! Advent is the season of waiting and watching for signs of God coming among us. For Christians, Advent covers the four weeks before Christmas. (That’s right – Christmas for us doesn’t start until Christmas Day!) As the days grow darker, we light candles as a sign of our hope in […]