Looking Toward Sunday

January 27, 2012 - Third Sunday After the Epiphany

"Symbiotic Christian Life"

In nature, an interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship relationship is known as "symbiosis".  One of the best-known examples is the clownfish and the anemone.  The clownfish attracts prey for the anemone, and the anemone provides food for the clownfish.  God has designed them to live in symbiotic relationship.

Although he uses a different metaphor to describe it, the apostle Paul says that Christians are also designed by God to live in symbiotic relationship.  In chapter 12 of his first letter to the church in Corinth (you can read it here) Paul reminds the conflicted and divided congregation that each individual Christian needs the faith community and the faith community needs each individual Christian. Neither can thrive without the other.

We would do well to remember that the same holds true for contemporary Christians and today's church.  Like the different parts of a human body – like the anemone and the clownfish – we need each other in order to live as well and as fully – as symbiotically – as God designed us.    

Join us as we reflect on being a more "symbiotic church".  See you on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

January 20, 2012 - Second Sunday After the Epiphany

"An Invitation to Abundance"

This week we take a look at the familiar story of Jesus turning water into wine. (You can read it here.) Jesus and his mother and the disciples are at a wedding in Cana when the wine unexpectedly runs out. Jesus' mother turns to him to provide a solution to spare the party's host from public humiliation. 

Jesus' answer to the predicament is to transform six stone jars of water (each of which held around 20-30 gallons) into wine. Wine that isn't just passable, but the richest, finest wine anyone has ever tasted. This absurd extravagance is the very first "sign" recorded in John's gospel, and it tells us something very important about Jesus.

This story of transformation and abundance sets the stage for Jesus' ministry - a ministry that demonstrates  in countless ways the inexhaustible love and extravagant grace of God. From the miracle at Cana to the miracle of the empty tomb and everything in between, Jesus invites us to “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Join us as we think about the kind of transformation and abundance Jesus can bring to our lives.  

L'Chaim!  See you on Sunday. 

Looking Toward Sunday

December 23, 2012 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..." Worship Series

"I Believe, Even When..."

This Sunday marks the last of our Advent worship series, which was inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller. (You can listen to it here.) Each week we've looked at a different gospel's version of the story of Jesus' birth through the lens of Miller's anthem. This week we're using the opening verses of John's gospel. 

John describes Jesus as the "light that shines in the darkness", which the darkness can't overcome. As Christmas approaches, that light is becoming brighter.  (If you're observant, you've probably noticed that the light in the sanctuary has been increasing as we've moved through the season of Advent - symbolizing the approaching arrival of the Light of the World.)  In this last week of Advent, our anticipation, our yearning for the light is almost palpable.  We affirm that even when the sun is hidden from sight - even when love feels remote - even when we’re not certain of God’s presence, we sense that the light is coming, love is near, and the holy is born yet again in the midst of the pain of life. There is hope. There is light.

Join us as we celebrate the good news that - in the words of the gospel writer - "What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

See you on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

December 16, 2012 - Third Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..." Worship Series

"I Believe in God"

We continue our Advent worship series, inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller.  (You can listen to it here.)  This Sunday we'll be using the third verse of Miller's anthem ("I believe in God, even when God is silent") to look at the story of John the Baptizer in the Gospel of Mark.   

Like the Jews in the Baptizer's day, we often look around at the world as it is and wonder when God will come and address the injustice and suffering.  When will God fulfill the promise of lions laying down with lambs and swords being beaten into plowshares?  Where is God when senseless and violent tragedy occurs - like the school shooting in Newtown, CT? Where is God when we are in pain?

There are moments or seasons in our lives, individually and collectively, when God seems to be remote, removed, inaccessible – Deus Absconditus.  Where do we find the hope to believe in God, even when God is silent?  Join us as we explore the answer to that question.

See you on Sunday.

Looking Toward Sunday

December 9, 2012 - Second Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..."  Worship Series

"I Believe In Love"

We continue our Advent worship series, inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a beautiful anthem by Mark Miller.  (You can listen to it here.)  This Sunday we'll be using the second verse of Miller's anthem ("I believe in love, even when I don't feel it") to look at the story of the angelic visitation to Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew.   

Joseph has discovered that his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant.  He's feeling rejected and hurt, and has decided to call off their impending marriage.  But an angel appears to him in a dream and tells him, "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife."  Joseph puts aside his fear of being further wounded, betrayed, and publicly humiliated,  He decides to love Mary fearlessly.

We've all experienced difficulties in our relationships with others - not only in romantic relationships, but with family, friends, acquaintances.  It's easy to let our fear of being hurt interfere with loving others completely.  What if we were to heed the angel's words, "Do not be afraid"?  What difference might it make to love more fearlessly?  Can we let go into God's possibilities for all of our relationships?  Can we believe in love, even when...? 

Join us on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

December 2, 2012 - First Sunday of Advent

"I Believe Even When..." Worship Series

"I Believe In the Sun"

This year’s Advent worship series is inspired by Marcia McFee’s “Worship Design Studio” and by the words of a haunting anthem by Mark Miller.  (You can listen to it here.)  Miller set to music a poem written by an anonymous Jew during the Holocaust: 

I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.

I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.

I believe in God, even when God is silent.

It is a powerful affirmation of hope in spite of what seems like the absence of light, of love – and sometimes even what feels like the absence of God. 

The story of the birth of Jesus is filled with common themes of human drama – unknowing, doubt, disgrace, fear, oppression, journey, hardship.  Each Sunday during Advent we'll use a different verse from the poem as a lens to examine the story of Jesus' birth.  By exploring the first chapter of each of the Gospels, we will acknowledge the presence of hope through Christ, “even when…” 

This week we begin with the Gospel of Luke and the angel's visit to Mary announcing that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus -- to bear a child out of wedlock.  In Mary's culture that was a situation that could have doomed her circumstances for life. 

When things that seem irreparable happen in our own lives, how can our perceived doom be transformed into an opportunity for rebirth?   Where do we find the hope to "believe, even when..."?  Join us as we reflect on those questions, and on the power of Advent hope.

See you on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

November 24 2012 - Christ the King Sunday 

"Hanging of the Greens"

This is the last Sunday of the Christian year (which in the Church starts with the first Sunday of Advent, not on January 1).  This year Sunday, December 2 marks the beginning of the season of Advent - a hopeful season of preparation that anticipates both Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the consummation of human history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption".  

The word "Advent" comes from the Latin verb advenire, which means "to come toward, to draw near, to approach."  This is the time when we remember and celebrate God drawing near to us in Jesus Christ in the past, in the present, and in the age to come. 

This Sunday we will prepare our sanctuary - as well as our hearts - for the season of Advent by celebrating the tradition of the "Hanging of the Greens".  This interactive worship service includes hymns, scripture, and prayer to guide us as we hang greenery and other decorations symbolizing the birth of Jesus and everlasting life.  

Join us for this festive reminder of "the reason for the season"!