The Table of Love

“Apocalypse” in the Greek language means “unveiling,” or “revelation”. The church year begins apocalyptically. On the First Sunday of Advent, Mark warns us three times to be awake and to be ready because something new is occurring, events so new that they are beyond human abilities to create.

Although Christ is light and love, his advent—his coming to us in our place and time—can instigate change. And that change can be costly, even painful. Who likes change? Are there any earth-shaking events happening in our lives?

In this season of Advent, literally “coming to” or “arrival,” Jesus says not only that there are some frightening things on the horizon but also that the Son of God is on the horizon. Something new is occurring! As we enter this new season, we are invited to gather around the Table of Love where Jesus showed us the most profound act of love as giving himself away for us to experience newness.  Join us.

The Table of Hospitality

Gratitude is absolutely central to faith. The words “gratitude” and “grace” comes from the same root word, “gratia” in Latin.  Grace means “unmerited favor.”   It is free gifts.  Diana Butler Bass shares “I particularly like the image of God tossing gifts around – a sort of indiscriminate giver of sustenance, joy, love, and pleasure.”  Yes, Grace is free gifts given to us with no strings attached or expectation of return, as the old hymn says, amazing.  Because we can neither earn nor pay back the gift, our hearts fill with gratitude.  And the power of that emotion transforms the way we see the world and experience life.  In us, there is an outflowing of gratitude, expressed in generosity, which in turn widens our hearts toward greater goodness and love.

This Sunday, Romans 12 takes us to a very difficult text as it reminds us to share that grace and gratitude with all, especially those who has caused you incredible grief, frustration and anger.  Very challenging!  Let us wrestle with this text and be thankful to God for the riches God has bestowed on us!

This is our first Sunday of “Come to the Table” worship series. This Sunday’s table is the Table of Hospitality.  Would you take pictures of your Thanksgiving gathering?  Not just food! We would love to see your smiles with your loved ones at the table with radical hospitality.

Send your pictures to pastor Sunday at pastorsunae@gmail.com by Friday evening at 9pm so she has some time to prepare the picture presentation.  We will share the picture presentation in the following Sunday.  It will deepen our spirit as we witness our Table gatherings.

Unsung Heroes of the Faith

It is not easy to go against any established order, whether it is political, economic, or social. This Sunday, we will reflect on a story of two women, midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, committing acts of civil disobedience.  They defy the Egyptian king’s order to kill all Hebrew newborn baby boys.  These two powerless women courageously breathes together to give life rather than death. They are mothering agents bearing witness to the mothering power of God!  They gave a powerful picture of who God is. God is the God who has the back of the lowly and powerless and a life giver.  O breath of God, fall afresh on us today.  Amen.

Come friends, we will hear more about these two unsung heroes of faith in worship!

Unsung Heroes of the Faith

We are journeying with some of the unsung biblical heroes who can teach us something important about our faith.  Bezalel and Oholiab belong to this group of unsung heroes.  They are endowed with wisdom, discernment, and knowledge, and their wisdom is not cerebral but practical.  Their story teaches us that creating a home, the tabernacle or sanctuary, for holiness is human work!  Come, friends, we will hear more about these two unsung heroes of faith in worship!

We are also celebrating a special baptism of Rosie and Renee Taharka this Sunday.  Grace abounds!  Join us!

Unsung Heroes of Faith

The Bible is filled with many people who, called by God, use their gifts to make a difference for God’s people.  Like Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, and Paul, they are big leaders whose names and accomplishments are well-known to us.  But there are others whose names and or actions do not get much attention.

For the next three Sundays, we will reflect on some of those unsung biblical heroes who can teach us something important about faith. This Sunday, Pastor Dale will be preaching on the nameless widow of Zarephath who shows us that interfaith relationships provide God’s people with sustenance and blessing.  Come and worship with us.

All Saints’ Singing Sunday and Breakfast

All Hallows’ Eve is not something that very many congregations are used to observing. Maybe Halloween, maybe All Saints’ Day, but that moment in the middle isn’t on the radar for most. Yet it is rich with possibilities, and it would be a shame to miss it. The Celtic Christians called it a thin place, where this world and the next one moved closer together, and it was as if you could go from one to the other with one small step.

All Saints’ Day is one of those moments where we celebrate and remember those who have made the journey or who have taken the next step. We remember them because they are still a part of us, shaping us, mentoring us – maybe not in a direct way, but in a real way. We are who we are, in part, because of who they were. (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning)

This Sunday, we will be singing our praises to God with uplifting and familiar hymns and also honoring the saints who have gone on before.  A simple breakfast will be served at 9:30am then we will be singing our praises to God at 10:15am.  Join us.