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| 4/27/08 | Jonathan Chute - "God in the Marketplace" Acts 17:22-31. When the early Christians moved out of Jerusalem and into neighboring countries they found themselves meeting some very different people. There were lots of Jews around the Mediterranean, but many more Gentiles. These were people with different customs, habits and traditions. They ate food that was considered unclean, and worshiped many gods as part of their daily life. This week's scripture tells of an encounter that the apostle Paul has in the market in Athens, Greece. He has gone there to bring the message of the gospel, and to tell people about Jesus. The people of Athens have never heard of Jesus, and to them the notion that there are not many gods, but one God, is heresy. But Paul finds a way to connect his message with their experience and culture. He learns to express the truth of his message in a way that his hearers can grasp it. They may or may not choose to follow, but at least they will know what's being offered. |
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| 4/20/08 | Diane Rehfield - "Someone with Skin On" John 14:1-14. This is a passage often associated with funeral services, which makes sense, because it offers hope of a life with Christ beyond what we know on earth. But there is even more to the passage. Jesus pushes his disciples to see him as he really is, not just the man they have come to know, but the divinity which is the very essence of his being. He tells them that anyone who has seen him has seen God. It's hard for the disciples to understand what he means, but Jesus encourages them to try. By knowing him, they will know more about God, and if they know him well enough, they will be able to do many of the things that he has done. |
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| 4/13/08 | Jonathan Chute - "How to Grow a Church" Acts 2:42-47. In this week's text we catch a glimpse of the early church at its best. In the aftermath of Easter, and some early confusion and fear, they finally begin to experience the power of the resurrection in their own lives. They gather and share in teaching and learning, worship and prayer. There is generosity and sharing with anyone in need. They are growing in God, and in their love for each other. It is a picture of the kind of community which people look for even today. The church was growing, but they were paying no attention to "church growth." They weren't worried about numbers. They weren't employing any 1st century marketing techniques. They were living out their faith in everyday, ordinary life. By not focusing on growth, they grew. Go figure. |
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| 4/6/08 | John Kwan - “Michi” Luke 24:13-35 - The word “michi” is a Japanese term meaning path, way or road. In today’s text, we find two of Jesus’ disciples on the road to Emmaus. Along the way, they encounter a stranger who seems unaware of the events that have taken place. They are surprised this stranger is so unaware since this is the kind of news that doesn’t go unheard – especially in Jerusalem. As they recount the recent events with this stranger along the road, they find themselves puzzling through the meaning and purpose behind them. |
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| 3/30/08 | Youth Service Lisa Rehfield - “What Are the Odds?” Morgan Walsh - “A Matter of Faith” In today’s scripture, the disciples have gathered Easter evening as a confused, dispirited group huddled behind closed doors. Not only do they carry the weight of having lost their close friend and teacher, the disciples also carry the guilt of their failure to respond in his time of need. They have heard rumors that Jesus was alive, but to them it was just that . . . a rumor. Is he alive or isn’t he? They are not sure. |
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| 3/23/08 | Easter Sunday Jonathan Chute - "With Fear and Great Joy" Matthew 28:1-10. Easter celebrates the central truth of the Christian story, that God's grace and love are more powerful than sin and death. This is a message that we yearn to hear and long to believe. We see evidence of resurrection in the return of Spring and fill the sanctuary with beautiful flowers. We sing joyful "Alleluias" and dare to hope in the truth of this good news. Yet the stories of that first Easter show us that Jesus' followers were at least as confused by the resurrection as they were hopeful. As the women came to the tomb early that morning it's not certain what they expected. But what they got was an earthquake, an angel and an empty tomb. The angel's announcement that Christ has been raised is good news, but Matthew tells us that they left the tomb confused, anxious and hopeful all at the same time. |
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| 3/16/08 | Palm Sunday Jonathan Chute - "Just One" Matthew 26 & 27, selections. With the arrival of Palm Sunday we come to the very heart of the Christian year. From triumph to tragedy, courage and compassion to betrayal and fear, the events of Jesus' last days embody a wide range of human experience. This Sunday opens with the waving of palm branches and the joyful voices of children. Then we move through a series of readings which take us through the passion and death of Jesus. The events of the week begin with a parade, and a crowd of joyful pilgrims. It closes with a different sort of crowd, looking on as an innocent man is condemned to death. But the heart of the story unfolds in a much more intimate way, as a number of persons speak and act in small ways that turn out to be decisive. Just one of Jesus' disciples betrays him. Just one of them denies him. But the actions of a "just one" puts all the others in perspective. |
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| 3/9/08 | Fifth Sunday in Lent Jonathan Chute - "Giving Life" John 11:1-45. This week Jesus faces the illness and death of his friend, Lazarus, and the anxiousness and grief of Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha. The story takes place over several days, as Jesus does not seem to be in a hurry to reach his friend. By the time of his arrival Lazarus is dead and buried. Jesus mourns with family and friends, but has another goal in mind. He wants to bring new life not only to Lazarus, but to all who believe in him. Raising Lazarus from the grave only postpones his death for a little while. He is not interested in resuscitation, but resurrection. |
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| 3/2/08 | Fourth Sunday in Lent John Kwan "In Theory" John 9:1-41 - In today's scripture, Jesus heals a man who has been blind from birth. His healing immediately touches off a heated religious controversy as the folks surrounding this man argue over the cause of his blindness and the merits of his healing. Much is at stake for those embroiled in this debate. To be wrong would cause upheaval in the way one sees the world. Who among them is right? |
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| 2/24/08 | Third Sunday in Lent - Women's Sunday Diane Rehfield - "That Changes Everything" John 4:5-42. In the Gospel this week, Jesus engages in conversation with an unlikely person, a woman of Samaria. She has come alone, in the light of midday, to draw water from a well. Instead, Jesus leads her in a conversation which involves all kinds of truth telling, causing her to leave her water jar at the well, and to run to share the living water which she has found through her encounter with Christ. |
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| 2/17/08 | Second Sunday in Lent Jonathan Chute - "Born from Above" John 3:1-17. Our Lenten journey continues as Jesus meets with Nicodemus, a leader in the synagogue, by night. He comes to Jesus for answers. But Jesus shows him that faith is a mystery we never fully understand. The life of the Spirit cannot be pinned down. Like the wind, we can see what it does, but not what it is. Jesus shows Nicodemus a new perspective on faith - one that sees the world through the eyes of mystery more than certainty. |
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| 2/10/08 | First Sunday in Lent Jonathan Chute - "When Temptation Comes" Matthew 4:1-11. This is the first of seven Sundays in the season of Lent, the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. During Lent we walk with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, where we know that his passion and death await. We remember his faithfulness and compassion, and the grace that saw him through. The journey begins this Sunday with the account of his temptation in the wilderness. Though we tend to think of temptation as an invitation to do something morally or ethically wrong, the temptations Jesus faces seem comparatively good. The devil offers him food, the chance to prove God's care for him, and the opportunity to create a kingdom on earth. These are all threads which we will see in the fabric of his life. This temptation comes not at a point of weakness, but in the fullness of strength and hope as he prepares to begin his ministry. |
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| 2/3/08 | Transfiguration Sunday John Kwan - "Jesus Camp" Matthew 17:1-9. Matthew tells of the mysterious and wonderful story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain. It is a scene that is filled with awe, wonder and fear for the disciples who witnessed this event – a once in a lifetime type of moment. But what will they do with what they have witnessed once they return from this mountaintop experience? |
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| 1/27/08 | Jonathan Chute - "When the Call Comes" Matthew 4:12-23. When Jesus began his public ministry he chose not to go it alone. After the arrest of John the Baptist, he set out along the Sea of Galilee, preaching about the kingdom of heaven and inviting people to make a new beginning in their lives. Along the way he met two sets of brothers, all fishermen, and asked them to follow. As simply as that, they left their nets behind and follow. What was it that made Jesus' call so compelling to them? Had they had their fill of fishing, and of cleaning and mending nets? Were they anxious to leave home and see the world? Was it something about Jesus that they couldn't resist? The gospel tells us nothing of what they were thinking - only what they did. And what of our own decisions to follow? Do we remember when the call came, or why we chose to respond? For some, the day and the time are clear and specific. For others, we aren't quite sure when, or even how, it happened. It's just something we've always known. For others, the call is yet to be heard, even still. |
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| 1/20/08 | Jonathan Chute - "What Kind of Witnesses?" John 1:29-42. During Epiphany the Church celebrates the public ministry of Jesus and his presence working in the world. But he won't be working alone. This Sunday we watch as John the Baptist points Jesus out to two of his own disciples – and they leave him to follow Jesus. They in turn tell others, and the circle widens further. When Jesus meets Andrew's brother Simon, he gives him a new name, "Peter." The word means "rock," and he is the first person ever to bear that name. Word is spreading, and hope is building among a small group of followers. They've been looking for something without quite finding it. Now it seems they're on to something, and they want to share the news. |
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| 1/13/08 | The Baptism of Jesus Jonathan Chute - "Do the Right Thing" Matthew 3:13-17. The second Sunday of the year celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan river. It's a familiar picture, but one that caused the early Christians some concern. If Jesus was baptized by John, did that make John "bigger" than Jesus? Why would Jesus, the pure and sinless Son of God, undergo a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin"? Something seemed wrong. Both Luke and John deal with their discomfort by leaving out the actual act of baptism from their gospels. But in Matthew we get to hear a conversation between the two, in which John protests that he should be the one being baptized by Jesus. But Jesus is confident that God's will is unfolding as it should, and tells John to go ahead "to fulfill all righteousness." |
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| 1/6/08 | Epiphany Jonathan Chute - "The Unfinished Journey" Matthew 2:1-12. It's the twelfth day of Christmas, and the cost for this year's lords, ladies, maids, rings, turtledoves & partridges comes to an estimated $19,507 according to the NY Times. It's the story of the wise men that gathers us this week, astrologers from the east (present day Iraq) who come to welcome the coming of Christ. Their journey was long and uncertain, but they are the first to worship the child. They help us to know that all persons are welcome in his presence. Like them we are also on our own journeys, seeking to grow in God's grace. |
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| 12/30/07 | John Kwan - "Right Now" Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 - In today's scripture, we find the author of Ecclesiastes pondering time and its passage. The writer speaks of a time for birth, a time for planting, a time for embracing – all positive and affirming images. However, we also see the writer speaking of a time for killing, a time for plucking, a time for hating – images that are not so positive or affirming at all. As we hear the whole human experience being listed, the author states that God has made all of this suitable in its time. Now, it would seem strange that the author would encourage us to believe that God would do such a thing. Why would God make such negative experiences suitable? So what does this writer want us to understand about God and time? |
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| 12/24/07 | Christmas Eve Jonathan Chute - "Rumors of Angels" Luke 2:1-20. The story of God's love moves from a rural village crowded with pilgrims, out to the fields on the hills beyond, and back again to the manger. The family's journey and circumstances that night are a source of wonder, joy and hope. But it was anything but a picnic for the three of them. Christian art often shows us angels gathered at the manger, watching over the holy family. But the story tells us that the angels were with the shepherds, and all Mary and Joseph had was what the shepherds told them about the baby. |
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| 12/23/07 | Fourth Sunday of Advent Jonathan Chute - "Tentative Plans" Matthew 1:18-25. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we come even closer to the miracle and mystery of Christ's birth. The text is the story of Jesus' birth as seen through the eyes of Joseph. The father of Jesus does not say a single word. Matthew tells us what he thinks, and dreams, but no one ever hears Joseph speak directly. This quiet, decent man is a witness to the birth of the Savior, but his life is turned upside-down by the "good news" of God. Whatever plans he may have had for his life, and the hopes for his family's future, are scrambled by this gift of love for the world. We can imagine that Joseph might have wished that God had worked out some of the kinks in the plan before putting it into action. |
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| 12/16/07 | Third Sunday of Advent Jonathan Chute - "Evidence of Christmas" Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-6. This week we move closer to the coming of God's promised Messiah. In Isaiah we find that not only the people, but even the desert wilderness rejoices at the glory of God's chosen servant. Knees are strengthened, eyes are opened, and the lame leap for joy. Waters flow in the desert and the burning sand becomes a refreshing pool. That was the promise. In our gospel lesson John the Baptist is in prison. He wonders whether "the one who is to come" is Jesus, or whether he and his disciples should be looking for someone else. He wants to know whether his life and work have been in vain. Jesus answers John's disciples, telling them to share with their teacher what they see: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them." He could have answered with a simple "yes" or "no." But he wants John to be able to judge the evidence for himself. |
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| 12/09/07 | Second Sunday of Advent Jonathan Chute - "If You're Going to Have Hope" Isaiah 2:1-5. On the second Sunday of Advent our focus turns to peace, and the picture of peace not only among the nations, but including all the creatures of the earth. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when "the wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid... and a little child shall lead them." It's a pretty extravagant picture of a world quite different from our own. Some of us would look at Isaiah's picture and call it simply unrealistic. A new shoot springs forth out of a dead stump. A king will rule with justice for the poor. The earth will live in peace. All peoples will know God's presence. The evidence for such a reality is hard to come by. Yet generations have waited and hoped for the fulfillment of the prophet's vision. |
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| 12/02/07 | First Sunday of Advent Jonathan Chute - "Telling Time" Romans 13:11-14. Advent is a season of anticipation, preparation, and expectation as the people of God await the coming of the Messiah. It is a time of waiting and hope. But what do we do while we wait? This Sunday's text offers a clue. It comes from the letter to the Romans, where Paul spends the first 12 chapters exploring theology, faith, and history. But he closes the letter with ethics. What we believe, Paul says, will lead us to live in new ways. He tells the Christians in Rome that a new day is dawning, and it's time to wake up. |
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