Publications

“Breathe In” (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Thanks to technology, we are living in an incredible pentecost moment of communication and understanding. It's not the same kind of miracle experienced in the story of Acts, but it's no less miraculous because without communication and understanding, we can never have community.

“Sing a New Song” (Psalm 98)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

How are we called to sing a new song to the Lord, as the psalmist instructs us to do?

“What Is to Prevent Me?” (Acts 8:26-38)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

On this fifth Sunday in the season of Easter, we look at a conversation between the apostle Philip and an unlikely convert. How do we engage outsiders? What is to prevent them from feeling truly welcomed for all that they are?

“Baaa Redux” (Psalm 23)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Pastor Leia preached from the perspective of a sheep pondering the relationship between the good shepherd and her flock.

“You Are Witnesses to These Things” (Luke 24:36-48)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

On this third Sunday of the Easter season, we look at a conversation Jesus had with his friends after the resurrection. He is real, and returned, and calling us to be witnesses to his return.

“Again and Again, the Sun Rises” (Mark 16:1-8)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Christ is risen! Alleluia! Christ has been raised and Christ still rises, even today, even though we are apart, even though no matter what we do to celebrate this Easter this year will ultimately fall just a little bit flat. Whatever the circumstances of the world that hurt and frustrate and disappoint us, again and again, the sun rises--and Jesus does, too.

“Again and Again, We Draw on Courage” (John 12:1-19)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the seven days before Easter: a week full of the tension between hope and disappointment. When we call out "hosanna!" we are saying "save us!" Will we find the courage to keep faith in Jesus' power, or will we lose that confidence when we stand beneath the cross?

“Again and Again, We Are Reformed” (John 12:20-33)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

It can be hard to keep up the momentum for transformation and change to happen. We don't necessarily like to change the way we've always done things or admit that they were not the best kindest ways to do things, but unless we keep re-forming our lives and our societies, the same systemic evils will keep hurting us, again and again and again.

“Again and Again, God Loves First” (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Before all things, God loved us--not because of anything that we have done or could ever do--but because of God's grace.

“Again and Again, We Are Shown the Way” (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Jesus often surprises us in what he does, and where he goes, and who he chooses to love. And yet, if we keep an open mind and stop expecting him to do what we think he should, Jesus will show us the way to something better.