Scripture: John 3: 1-17
John reminds us that the spirit moves as it will…we now know that it’s truly the amazing grace of God that allows us to be reborn, to start anew, to build a life of grace empowered by the Holy Spirit. This Pentecost, we celebrate once more the power of the grace of God.
Scripture: Ezra 1: 1-7; 5: 19-22
The end of the Babylonian Captivity was a restart button for the people of Israel, who by decree of Cyrus, King of Persia, were allowed to return home to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They needed to learn to sing God’s praise again in their home land. Their celebration of the first passover after the exile was a time of joy and celebration and aided them in their work of rebuilding. We, too, can learn to sing God’s praise again because of the thousands of years of history that undergirds who we are as people of God and followers of Jesus. We can rebuilt this church at this time!
Scripture: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
When Esther finally reveals to the king the plot of the wicket Haaman, her people are able to take the steps necessary to preserve their nation. As we move through Lent, we also take the steps necessary to uncover those things in our lives that seek to destroy us, recognizing that through God’s grace, we can take risks that will make the world better…just like so many women have done in the past, present and will do in the future.
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
The reading of the Torah brought tears as the people recognized the ways they had not lived up to their covenant with God. But Nehemiah sends them home to reflect, and to trust in God’s grace, and to celebrate the hope secured by the reading of God’s word. How we understand God’s word continues to evolve even today, and opening our hearts to hearing it in new ways brings us hope as well.
Scripture: Nehemiah 6: 1-9
On January 20th 2021, we all listened mesmerized and energized by the words of youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman as she read her inaugural poem ‘The Hill We Climb’. The first line of her poem reads “When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” Shrouded in grief and tragedy, the shade of a global pandemic, disproportionately impacting communities of color and exacerbated by the pre-existing condition that is environmental racism, still looms over us in this moment. Our communities both local and global are suffering, with millions rendered unemployed, homeless, food insecure and vulnerable health wise. Where indeed can we find light in this never-ending shade? As Nehemiah and the returning exiles rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, the experienced many dangers, toils and snares from those around them, a never-ending shade of torment from which they needed to creatively respond. “But now, O Lord, strengthen my hands”, Nehemiah’s prayer, can be for all of us as we rebuild our world today.
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Scripture: Nehemiah 1: 4-11
Coming out of captivity is always a challenge, and can give rise to many fears and anxieties as we begin to believe in ourselves and our mission. So it must always begin with introspection and prayer when one is God-led. Nehemiah’s prayer for deliverance and his willingness to ask the king for permission to go rebuild the wall is a good prototype for us as we examine our own call to rebuild. Fears and questions abound as we rethink church, but grace will bring us safely through, as it did for Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, the writings from the time of the Diaspora.
Scripture: Esther 4: 12-17
Esther found herself in a situation where her life was at stake, her reputation on the line, and her people depending on her. We, like Esther, are privileged to be the body of Christ for such a time as this, and through God’s grace we will be able to find our way through all the in-between times we find ourselves in. Our Easter Hope is in the grace of God…we will dig into the life of grace together this Easter season by walking the path of the exiles.
An Oddly Perfect Ending – Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021
Scripture: Mark 16: 1-8
The oldest existing manuscripts of Mark’s gospel ended at verse 8. It’s unlikely that was how Mark intended to end his gospel. The evidence suggests that somehow an early copy lost the original ending. However, even as it stands in those manuscripts, Mark shared the most vital news. Verse 6 said Mary and her companions heard the central message of that resurrection Sunday: “He has been raised. He isn’t here.”
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For Christians, there are no more significant events than those of Holy Week Reflecting on the life, date, and miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ is overwhelming-but true! Join the Desert Skies choir as they present, “My Savior’s Love”, a musical of Holy Week that breathes musical breath into this incredible story.
Scripture: Mark 5:1-2, 9-13 (NRSV)
Suffering is a critical component of Jesus’ message. Richard Rohr defines suffering as losing control…how does suffering play into the gospel message as we understand it? . How can we begin to see this as a part of life, part of the gospel, and not something that is negative and to be overcome?
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