Simeon and Anna encounter Jesus for the first time when Mary and Joseph take him to the temple for dedication. How do their responses to Jesus and their words of prophecy shape our understanding of what it means to seek Jesus? What can we learn about waiting? Today’s service was based on Luke 2: 22-40. […]
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was long and arduous, and Mary and Joseph were forced to go to register because of Joseph’s connection to Bethlehem. All the while, Mary and Joseph trusted in the promise of “Emmanuel” – God with us. How do we trust in that promise even when there are detours, stalls, […]
Elizabeth lives near Jerusalem where Zechariah would spend a lot of time in the Temple as a priest. She is a mentor to Mary and helps her to move from fear to joy as Jesus’ birth nears. Who are the people who help us to trust in God with deep down joy even when the […]
We never hear Joseph speak; all we know is that he is a righteous man who is from Bethlehem. His role as Jesus’ earthly father is vital, and like Mary, he eventually says “yes” to God. To read Pastor Mary’s message, based on Matthew 1: 18-28, click here. Watch as Joseph struggles to understand why […]
Mary is usually depicted as a meek and humble girl from Nazareth, a fairly insignificant town, who went along with God’s plan to redeem the world. But her call to bear the Son of God is a powerful example of saying “yes” to God. How are we working to be like Mary – to say […]
Jesus’ conversation with Pilate before the crucifixion reminds us that Jesus is a different kind of king who ushers in a different kind of kingdom. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, when we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we’re asking for an end to “business as usual” and seeking to be transformed. We […]
Hesed is a word in Hebrew that means God’s steadfast love. Ruth’s story shows hesed in many ways. How do we respond to God’s steadfast love? How do we offer that love to others? To read Pastor Mary’s message, based on Ruth 3: 1-5, 4: 13-17, click here. “Ruth Chapter 3” tells the story through […]
Ruth is the shortest book in the Old Testament, but it teaches us a lot about commitment. How does our love for God and our commitment to God show every day? To read Pastor Mary’s message, based on Ruth 1: 1-18, click here. “Ruth Chapter 1” tells the story through simple animation.
Revelation is full of strange images, but the idea of an end to grief captures our hearts. We trust in God’s promise to make all things new – maybe not right now – but ultimately. God is with us even as we grieve. There will be peace and comfort. To read Pastor Mary’s message, based […]
