2 Corinthians 9:7  –  “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving from the Heart Summary:  True stewardship is not about the size of our gift but the depth of our love, offered freely and courageously from the heart. Dear Friends, When we talk about stewardship, it’s easy to think first about numbers—budgets, pledges, or the practical needs of keeping the church running. But at its heart, s

John 1:14   And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.   Who Is Jesus? God in Our Midst   Summary:  Jesus is more than a teacher or prophet; Christians believe he is God because in him we see God’s love, presence, and power made flesh. Dear Friends, One of the deepest questions of faith is:  Who is Jesus?  Some see him as a wise teacher, others as a healer, still others as a revolutio

Genesis 28:16  Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” The Sacred Ordinary  Summary:  God meets us not only in grand revelations but also in the quiet, everyday moments where love, kindness, and beauty dwell. Dear Beloved, So often we imagine God’s presence arriving with fanfare—burning bushes, parting seas, tongues of fire. But most of life is lived not in dramatic miracles, but in the rhythm of ordinary days. If we limit our vision to the spectacular, we ri

Romans 8:19–21   For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God… that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Creation Care as a Witness to God’s Love   Summary:  Creation care is a living form of showing God’s love for the world not only through words but through the way we cherish and protect all that God has made. Beloved in Christ, In this Season of

Deacon’s Corner   Keeping Creation Healthy: Three Easy Things We Can Do   We know that plastic pollution is a problem, not just for the...

Psalm 24:1  “The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.”   The Earth is the Lord’s Summary: Creation is God’s gift, entrusted to our care, and true stewardship means honoring the Earth as sacred by living gently, sustainably, and lovingly with all that God has made. Beloved in Christ, Psalm 24 begins with the declaration,  “The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.”  These words remind us that cr

Deacon’s Corner Creation is Still Happening. Summary: New ideas, life-forms, and earth features are happening every day. Creation is not...

Hebrews 4:12   Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.   Is the Bible Relevant Today?   Summary: The Bible remains deeply relevant today not as a rulebook of old answers, but as a living conversation through which God’s Spirit continues to challenge, shape, and guide us in love and justice.   Dear Beloved, Every

Deacon’s Corner   Creation Groans   Summary: Our small actions matter.   Even if you’re not paying attention, it’s hard to miss the...

Ecclesiastes 3:13  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.   The Sacred Gift of Labor   Summary: Our daily work, in all its forms, is a sacred gift and an act of worship when offered to God with love and integrity.   Dear Friends, This weekend, our country pauses to mark  Labor Day . For many, it’s the signal of summer’s end—one more barbecue, one more trip, one more long weekend. But at its heart, Labor Day is abo

Deacon’s Corner   Welcome to the Season of Creation   Summary: Our Hope: Creation Will Find Peace When Justice Is Restored   During the...

Psalm 119:105  –  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”   How do I read the Bible if I’m new to it?   Summary: The Bible can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start with the Gospel of Luke, which tells Jesus’ story in a clear and welcoming way, and read with curiosity, trusting that God still speaks through these ancient words today.   Dear Beloved, When you first open the Bible, it can feel intimidating. Unlike mo

Acts 17:27b-28 God is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being. God does not exist. God is existence Summary:   You don’t have to go searching far and wide for God. You are already breathing in God’s presence. The question isn’t “Does God exist?”—it’s “Am I awake to the God who is already here?” Dear Beloved, This week, I’ve been thinking about a line from theologian Paul Tillich that might sound startling at first: “God does not exist. God

Letter From the Pastor   Isaiah 43:18–19 (NRSV): Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new...

Letter From the Pastor   Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.   A Safe Place to...

Deacon’s Corner   Living the verse Luke 12:15   Summary: Jesus warns us that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions....

Letter From the Pastor   Romans 12:2 (CEB) D on’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your...

Deacon’s Corner   Jesus, Teach Us to Pray   Summary: What would the “Our Father” be like without using gender descriptors for God? .  ...

Letter From the Pastor Genesis 12:2 — “I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.”   Blessed to Bless   Summary: God blesses us...

Deacon’s Corner   Following Jesus May Lead to Good Trouble   Summary: In every human being there is spark of divinity.   On Thursday, the...