Publications
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11/21/21
“You Say That I Am a King” (John 18:33-38)
On the last Sunday of the (church) year, Pastor Leia reflects on the ways that we show the world who Jesus is and how we offer love to Christ the King--through service, gratitude, time, talents, support, and more.
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11/07/21
“It’s Okay to Cry—Jesus Did.” (John 11:32-44)
If we really believe in the resurrection, then we should be able to talk about death. On this All Saints Day, as we remember those who have gone on before us, we also remember that grief goes hand in hand with love. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus knew that. Even Jesus wept.
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10/31/21
The Gospel According to the Daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-7)
Once a year, Pastor Leia creates a costume to go with a first person narrative sermon. This year, we have the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. Their father died without sons, so his inheritance in the promised land would have been taken away, except that his five daughters asked for an inheritance along their father's brothers.
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10/24/21
Jesus restores the sight of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, but what is just as important is that Jesus sees Bartimaeus for who he really is and not as he appears to be. Jesus knows us, but Jesus still listens to us.
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10/17/21
“Eternity’s Seating Charts” (Mark 10:35-45)
Following Jesus is about the journey, not the destination. James and John ask for seats of honor in heaven, but it doesn’t matter where we sit at the table; it matters how we treat the people on the far end.
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10/10/21
“Justice in the Gate” (Amos 5:6-15)
Sometimes, Jesus says things that make us pretty deeply uncomfortable and we're not entirely sure how to respond. Perhaps the best place to start is to ask ourselves what our motivations and priorities are and to re-orient them to justice and peace and love.
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10/03/21
“A House of Prayer For All Peoples” (Isaiah 56:5-8)
On World Communion Sunday, we remember God's dream to gather all peoples together. How can set aside our differences to make that dream a reality?
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09/26/21
“Who Do You Say I Am?” (Mark 8:27-38)
Jesus asks his friends "Who do you say I am?" It's an important question to be able to answer, both for his disciples 2,000 years ago and also for us today. Who do we say that Jesus is?
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09/19/21
“Blessed Are the Pirates” (Mark 9:38-47)
Jesus welcomed *all* people, no exceptions. How are we living by his example? How easy do we make it for new people to feel really included and not just tolerated?
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09/12/21
“Welcome the Children” (Mark 9:30-37)
Jesus welcomed children, even though his friends thought he shouldn't, even though children were on the lowest rungs of society, even though it wasn't always convenient. How can we do the same?