What is it that makes the church unique as a community? How is this congregation different from other groups and organizations? Actually, there are many ways in which we are quite similar to other organizations: We have members and elected leaders. We have a constitution and by-laws. We have a budget. We have committees and meetings. We have programs and activities. We have a building where we gather. We have a mission, a stated purpose. We support the work of other organizations. We have a website and a newsletter. We

September 10, 2017   Pentecost 14    Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: Ezekiel 33: 7-11 Second Reading: Romans 13: 8-14 Gospel : Matthew 18: 15-20 What is it that makes the church unique as a community?  How is this congregation different from other groups and organizations?  Actually, there are many ways in which we are quite similar to other organizations:  We have members and elected leaders.  We have a constitution and by-laws.  We have a budget.  We have committees and meetings.  We have programs and activities.  We have a building where

September 3, 2017 Pentecost 13 Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: Jeremiah 15: 15:21 Second Reading: Romans 12: 9-21 Gospel : Matthew 16:21-28   On the night of last October 19, 20 year old Abraham Davis was hanging out with two of his buddies.  They were drinking whiskey and sharing their anger and resentment at the killing of American soldiers by ISIS.  One friend suggested they do something to retaliate, so the three drove in Abraham’s mother’s minivan to the mosque in their hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  While Abraham stood watch as a

Who is Jesus?  Who is Jesus?  That’s the big question (A question for you?), the crucial question.  It’s the question Matthew, Mark, Luke and John address in their gospels.  It’s the question that St. Paul wrestles with, along with all the other writers in the New Testament.  Who is this first century man from Nazareth, Mary’s first born son, the one who says and does so many amazing things?  In the centuries since the Bible was completed and the canon closed, tens of thousands of additional books have been written

August 20, 2017 Pentecost 11 Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8          Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32         Gospel : Matthew 15: 10-28 In the Order for the Affirmation of Baptism, the rite which we use at Confirmation and when new members are received, among the questions addressed to the candidates are these:  “Do you intend to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus?”  “Do you intend to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” The response:  “I do, and I ask God to help and

August 20, 2017 Pentecost 11 Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: 1 Kings 19: 9-18 Second Reading: Romans 10: 5-15 Gospel : Matthew 14: 22-33 What is the best advice that anyone has ever given you? (I mean besides that time 30 years ago, when someone told you to invest in Apple.) In my last congregation, we had a psychology professor who taught a parenting class for new parents. His advice: if you resolve to never spank your kids, you will spank them just the right amount. How about: always be

August 6, 2017 / Pentecost 10      / First Reading: Isaiah 5: 1-5 / Second Reading:  Romans 9: 1-5 /Gospel : Matthew 13:  14-21   God is always speaking to us—and sometimes we actually listen closely enough to get the message. God speaks in many and various ways. One way is through the words of our worship, the language in our liturgy. This summer, I keep hearing God speak through the prayer we offer each week after the offerings have been brought to the altar. We pray this prayer together—and

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.”  St. Augustine (354-430).  So prayed St. Augustine some 1600 years ago.  There’s a reason for all those rest stops that appear every 50 – 60 miles along interstate highways.  There’s a reason why we sleep each day.  There’s a reason why God gave us the Sabbath.  We need to rest – all of us.  There are times when Jesus issues a call to discipleship when it sounds like a major

June 4, 2017 /  Pentecost /Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: Acts 2: 1-21 /   Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 /             Gospel : John 20: 19-23 As some of you may recall, last Sunday my sermon was all about hope: why it is vital, what gives us hope, the importance of being able to articulate the hope that’s in us.  I hope some of you took time to do the homework assigned, to give words to the hope that is in you.  Today I want to reflect along with you on

May 28, 2017   Easter  7    Pastor Richard Holmer First Reading: Acts 1: 6-14   Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14 5: 6-11             Gospel : John 17: 1-11   These past days the concept of HOPE has been on my mind and heart.  We are still in the Easter season, and hope is a central theme growing out of Christ’s resurrection.  It’s springtime, and despite the rain and the chilly weather, the blossoming abundance of creation all around us offers hope of the goodness of summer.  In the past three weeks I