After Pentecost, the new church community in Jerusalem had more than enough resources to meet everyone’s needs and they actually took care of one another. Can we even imagine a world like that? We are more willing to share with those we know and love, which requires us to be in relationship with our neighbors. Living in relationship and in community also calls for honesty. We will briefly look at how material possessions can distract us from serving God.

Today is Pentecost. We fill the sanctuary with the colors of the flames of the Holy Spirit as together we consider what the Spirit is doing among us. We unite our voices in the songs of the Holy Spirit, and Pastor Anita leads us in wondering what it truly means to have our “hearts be set on fire” for justice.

Following the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, and on the heels of the shooting on May 14 at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, NY, we gather for a service of lament and action. We remember those precious children of God killed by gun violence, cry out with psalms and prayer and song, and hold each other as we move forward into resolute action.

There is so much grief and violence and hardship in the world right now, so how do we respond as people of faith? Well, we might not have all the answers, but one thing we do know is that we must center our hearts on God’s peace, which is a profound peace that is different from the world’s peace.

Historically, the Church has struggled being a place of welcome for all people. Too often clerical leaders have sought to maintain strict exclusionary rules to their sacred club. Being told we do not meet the criteria to be at God’s sacred table is spiritually devastating and according to this text, ungodly. All are worthy to be at the table of grace and mercy.

Pastor Anita preaches on John 10:22-30. In this story, people ask Jesus to tell them “plainly” who he is and what he is about … but we know from living in this world that nothing is “plain” when it comes to the Bible. Pastor Anita leads us in considering what our words and actions reveal about our core beliefs and identities as followers of the Way of Jesus.

Pastor Anita preaches about the Easter story found in Matthew 28:1-10, when the women come to the tomb in the pre-dawn dark and receive a message from the heavenly messenger: “He is not here! Do not be afraid!” The scripture says they experienced “fear and great joy” at the glorious mystery of Easter morning. And isn’t that just how we feel sometimes, balancing between fear and joy, sadness and celebration?

Palm Sunday is a day of rejoicing with a hint of sorrow around the edges. Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, but there was tension in the air during his procession. We will look at the tension we wrestle with on Palm Sunday and the emotions we bring to Holy Week.

Pastor Anita leads us in exploring the tenderness of Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet in John 12. How do we feel about the embodiment of Jesus, the sensory nature of this story, and the fact that we ourselves have bodies?

Who counts in a community? Does a certain group count more or less than others? Who do we see, and who do we take for granted? Pastor Anita leads us in revisiting Luke chapter 15 and the parable of the man with two sons, also known as the prodigal son. You may think you know this parable, but think again… are you taking it for granted?

We must honor our time of preparation. We are not wasting time when we prepare for our next season. Others may not understand our process, but in due season, we will be prepared to endure the unexpected or to graciously receive that which was hoped for.

Pastor Anita leads us in considering Mark 16:9-15, and introduces the Lenten theme of Simple Joys of Grace. What would it be like to take the “great commission” that Jesus gave his disciples and witness to the world through acts of simplicity, joy, and grace?

Today we remember the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop. Along with the story of the Transfiguration,we will explore the cosmic poetry in John 1. We will consider how words can transform us and transfigure our relationships with each other and the Holy.

In our world today there are so many issues deserving our attention that we can become paralyzed and do nothing. Our challenge is to move beyond feeling bad and to take action.

Today, we will consider what about Jesus’ identity and words made him unwelcome in the place that nurtured him. We will wonder together about if there are people or needs or messages that we are not open to receiving simply because we know too much or have preconceived notions about the issue. We will challenge each other to keep our hearts soft so that we can be moved by the Spirit of God, which Isaiah, quoted in Luke 4 says, “is upon [us]…to proclaim good news…[and] preach liberation.”

Pastor Tim’s final sermon at SFBC comes from the beginning of the gospel of John and the water-into-wine story in John 2. In the texts from Year W, it is paired with a reading from the Song of Songs, an erotic love poem in the Hebrew Bible that doesn’t get near enough attention. Love, like good wine, ages beautifully. Which is why poet Robert Browning could write: Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be …

Knowing our roots and the branches of our family tree can bring meaning and purpose to our lives. Our baptisms prepare us for the purposeful and at times painful work of ministering with others.

What can a caring community accomplish? So much, if we only take the steps to make it possible. Pastor Anita preaches on Mark 1:29-31, the story of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Together we will explore how this simple 3-verse story provides a blueprint for pastoral care and community care.

On this weekend celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is easy to quote Dr. King. But quoting Dr. King and claiming Dr. King is a long way from committing ourselves to continue Dr. King’s legacy. If we have found ways to make Dr. King comfortable, perhaps it is time to see him in the light of John the Baptist, one who “cries out in the wilderness to prepare the way and to make God’s paths straight or true.” Perhaps there is some repentance to be made before there can be reconciliation.

This story of Jesus in the Temple is the bridge text between Jesus as an infant and the adult Jesus who is about doing the work of the Holy One. This story calls us to prepare for the journey ahead, and it reminds us that unusual wisdom can reside in those we least expect—even in our children.

Today we sing beloved carols and think together about the genealogy of Jesus as told in the gospel according to Matthew. Even though many readers skim over the lo-o-ooooong list of names, we will find some gems of wisdom in this list.

Lovely though the music of this season is, it is more than entertainment. It is a call to present ourselves to what Howard Thurman calls, “the work of Christmas.” Hear that call with Hannah and Samuel and Mary and Joseph. And I hope we hear you say: “Here I am.”

As we again await the coming of the Holy One we must get our hearts and minds in a place to receive a sacred gift. What might we do to sanctify ourselves as we birth something new, individually and as a congregation?

Advent calls us to slow down, and spend time wondering — asking questions, yes, but more so rest in being in awe of the magnificent Creation around us. How wonder-full is this world, if we only slow down to take note for a moment. Let’s consider the stories of Sarah and Elizabeth as we pause to exclaim the wonder of the Holy Mystery in this Advent season.

This year, we will be using a new Lectionary created by Hebrew Bible Scholar Dr. Wilda C. Gafney. It’s "Year W: A Woman’s Lectionary for the Whole Church". So, this Advent we will hear again the story of Mary, but in a duet with her ancestors, Hagar and Sarah and Samson’s mother and Hannah. They all have a lot in common. But each one has her own story. Just like you!

This has been one of those weekends where the sermon that Dr. Hunter had prepared got tossed out because she needed to address the injustice that took place on November 19. The not guilty verdict on all counts for Kyle Rittenhouse threw many of us off center. We may be distracted in our worship or confused in worship. And that is OK, for we are not called to worship with perfection, but to make a joyful noise.

My lexicon of popular music is pretty short. But there have been popular songs that have intrigued and inspired me; like R.E.M.’s “The End of the World as We Know it,” first released in November 1987 and re-released in December 1991. In a lot of ways, the 1980s were the end of the world as I knew it: coming out, leaving a community of faith that I had known all my life, creating and losing a long-term relationship. Even moving from my beloved Chicago to Seattle in 1996 felt like the end of the world I knew. So I was intrigued by the second line of R.E.M.’s title, “And I feel fine.” It’s the end of the world and I feel fine? Perhaps the song is a soundtrack for Jesus’ words in Mark 13.1-8 about war and natural disasters and suffering. Because the end, he says, “is but the beginning of birth pangs.” Could there possibly be any good news in the end of the world as we know it? Join us this Sunday as we wonder together.

This All Saints’ Day, Pastor Anita preaches on Mark 12: 38-44, a story that is usually told to encourage people to tithe. But is there more in Jesus’ observation of the widow who gives all she has? What do we have to give at SFBC—our tithes, yes, but also our time, energy, passion, care, prayer and more. Let us worship together and share communion as we talk about all of the ways we give—of ourselves and of our community—to this world.

For all the talk about the Bible as a book of answers, it would be more accurate to say that it is a book of questions – big ones, deep ones, powerful ones. Jesus is always asking questions and being asked them. Some of the questions people ask Jesus are intended to score points or to humiliate this upstart Rabbi with apparently no official religious training. Jesus turns most of these questions back on themselves. That is how Mark 12 begins. But by verses 28-34, there is a consensus on the question of which commandment is the greatest. Jesus says: “You shall love the Lord your God … and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Finally! An answer everyone agrees on. But, sadly, “after that no one dared to ask him anything” (vs. 34). I have always thought these are some of the saddest words in the Bible. The people have Rabbi Jesus right there and they stop asking questions? There are so many questions left to ask. But they lost their nerve. This Sunday we reflect together on “Daring to ask Questions.”

The story of Bartimaeus is a familiar biblical story. Bartimaeus was blind and called out to Jesus for healing. Jesus heard him and responded to his need. What we may not have noticed in this story is that the crowd initially discouraged Bartimaeus from seeking healing. I wonder if there are occasions in our faith journey where we discourage those searching for healing and wholeness? We will explore this theme on Sunday.

Mark’s gospel gets a little jumbled after the story of the Transfiguration at the beginning of Mark 9. There is misunderstanding. Failed healings by the disciples and powerful healings by someone who is not part of the inner circle. Jesus seems to be hiding out from the crowd while he talks to his disciples about welcome. It looks like there is a theme starting about children that stretches into Mark 10. But that theme gets interrupted by some drastic words about cutting off limbs or being “thrown into hell.” Where is this all going? One scholar suggests that the connection is about inclusivity and boundaries – about inviting in and “cutting off.” It makes me wonder about drawing lines. What lines don’t need to be drawn? What lines – for the safety, healing, and peace of others – need to be? The sermon that is evolving feels like a dangerous one. Drawing lines is always dangerous. Lines have consequences. Please join me in the conversation on Mark 9.38-50 this Sunday as think about “drawing lines.”