Publications

“Even the Stones Cry Out” (Luke 22:31-34, 39-62)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Will we choose to follow Jesus, or slip away into the crowd? Will we speak up? Something in this world needs to proclaim the identity and power and grace and love of Jesus Christ. Will it be us, or will it be the stones?

“Brazen Acts of Beauty” (John 12:1-8)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

There is room in this world for both extravagant worship and extravagant generosity, as well as room in this world for moments of beauty. All of these things honor God.

“Prodigal Grace” (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

The word "prodigal" means "extravagant." The story of the “prodigal son” is really a story of prodigal grace—the lavish, extravagant grace of God that welcomes all people home.

“You Are Worthy” (Luke 13:1-9 and Isaiah 55:1-9)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

God's grace is expansive enough to love us even when we don't bear fruit. We are worthy, because God made us and declared us to be worthy.

“Under God’s Wing” (Luke 13:31-35)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Jesus says that he is a mother hen, gathering her chicks under her wing. There is room under those wings for all of us and for everything that makes us who we are.

“Even In the Desert” (Luke 4:1-13)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

We are God’s beloved, but we are still broken. We are claimed by God, but we are still sent out into the wilderness. God is with us, but life is still hard. It can be hard to reconcile these truths, and tempting to put God to the test by asking, “if you are really with us, why is life still hard?”

“With All That You Are” (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

On Ash Wednesday, we enter into Lent: a season of in-between places where we ask ourselves, "What will we do with the time that we have left?" Will we confess our sins and follow Jesus to the end? God loves us, for all that we are. Can we return that love, with all that we have?

“Apostles” (Luke 6:6-16)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

Jesus called twelve men to among his most prominent students, but we are all called to be his apostles today. How do we share the good news in our own lives?

“Here Fishy Fishy” (Luke 5:1-11)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

In today's story, Jesus gathers together some of his first followers, and tells them that they will share the good news with others. How do we share the good news in our own lives?

“Homecoming” (Luke 4:14-21)

Rev. Leia Rose Battaglia

In today's gospel story, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah and preaches his first sermon--a single sentence--challenging us to really believe and live out the scripture.