In February, we find ourselves jumping around a bit through Matthew’s story of Jesus.The first two Sundays come from Jesus’s “Sermon on the Mount,” outlining his moral teachings. Then we jump forward to his transfiguration on the mountain, echoing Moses’s experience of God on the mountain several centuries before. Our special service on Ash Wednesday, marking the … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSLEpiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1–6, Matthew 2:1–12 Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. So what does that mean? As with so many things in the church, it comes from Greek. Epiphany means to appear, or to appear in the flesh. It was a word often used … [Read more…]
We continue our journey through the 12-day season of Christmas. On January 1st, Rev. Dr. Lowell Greathouse will be leading worship, starting off the New Year with a focus on the beginning of all things. We’ll celebrate Epiphany of the Lord a day late, on January 8th, as we consider the sto- ry of the magi. On … [Read more…]
Sunday 16 October 2022The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecostby Rev. Dr. David Dean Mimier King Luke 18:1-8 Jesus has a problem. His disciples are losing heart with their prayers. They are getting tired of praying over and over for things that God is just not providing. They are tired of praying for the liberation of the … [Read more…]
As school and activities get started in September, we are following Jesus and his disci- ples on the road from Galilee to Jerusalem, on Jesus’ journey to the cross. Along the way, Jesus is teaching about the nature and cost of discipleship…
We have an eclectic month of worship in August. As usual, the first Sunday of the month we celebrate communion. We will be premiering Pastor David’s jazz communionsetting. We’ll consider a text from Isaiah in which God offers to let us argue it out when we have differences with God…
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL The Eighth Sunday after PentecostLuke 12:13-21 Today we have to tackle the single most difficult topic in the Bible. It’s more difficult than politics, more difficult than all of the details of religious doctrine, more difficult than sex. And surprisingly, though this topic is very difficult to talk … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSLLuke 11:1-13 Jesus’s disciples ask him, “Teach us to pray. And Jesus responds to them with words that sound somewhat familiar, and also a little off. I’m going to read it again from Luke, but from a translation that is a little closer to the version we use each … [Read more…]
Luke 9:51 tells us, “When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (NRSV). Or in another translation, “As the time approached when Jesus was to be taken up into heaven, he determined to go to Jerusalem” (CEB). From this point on until Luke 19:29, Jesus is on his … [Read more…]
The Fourth Sunday after PentecostRev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 We find ourselves at the beginning of Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem. Toward the end of chapter 9, Luke tells us, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” For the … [Read more…]
Sunday 12 June 2022Trinity Sunday, Peace With Justice Sunday Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Today is the day in the church year that we call Trinity Sunday. It’s the day we celebrate the one God that we know in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the Creator, … [Read more…]
Sunday 5 June 2022Pentecost Sunday Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Acts 2:1-21 Today is the festival of Pentecost. It is named Pentecost because it happens on the fiftieth and final day of the Season of Easter. It was already a festival in the Jewish Calendar, occurring 50 days after the Passover. In the … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Sunday 22 May 2022The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Acts 16:6-15 It has been a hard time for Paul. Things had been going fairly well in his mission to the Gentiles. But then other missionaries started showing up, interfering with his methods, and telling him that he should stop. … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Sunday 15 May 2022The Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 11:1-18 We as the church have a problem. On the one hand, we know that as Christians we have certain standards to maintain. There are certain boundaries that we are supposed to uphold. There is a limit to what … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Sunday 1 May 2022The Third Sunday of Easter Acts 9:1-20 Saul of Tarsus. Known throughout the land as the archenemy of the disciples of Christ. He is the villain, persecuting anyone who believes in Jesus. But he is beloved by the religious authorities. He is zealous for the … [Read more…]
Rev. Dr. David D. M. King, OSL Sunday 17 April 2022Easter Sunday Luke 24:1-12 Doubtless nearly everyone here has heard the story of Easter before. In fact, it is such a familiar story that we hardly even take note of it anymore at all. Early in the morning the women come to the tomb. They … [Read more…]
In April we turn from Lenten reflection to Easter joy. On Palm-Passion Sunday, we will hear Luke’s ver- sion of the story of Jesus’s last week in Jerusalem, from his triumphal entry into the city to his crucifixion and death. Our Holy Week services will be shared with Hills- boro UMC. Maundy Thursday, at Hillsboro, … [Read more…]
