On this first Sunday of June we begin our combined summer worship schedule with many celebrations. We are celebrating all our graduates from High School and college as well as those kids and youth in our church moving from one church ministry to another. 

Pastor Meredith preached on Matthew 28:16-20, The Great Commission, as we then welcome new members to our congregation. This is where Jesus sends the twelve out to make disciples in his name. 

"We can learn from them what they know about God's love because we can wonder, and we will all go forward as one community of love with faith, with doubt, with wonder, together. "

Pentecost is the celebration of the gift and power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples were not sure what would happen to them or what they should do. At best, they felt lost. At worst, they were worried that they, too, might face crucifixion. Instead, the Holy Spirit empowered them to be the presence of Christ in the world, changing people’s lives and building God’s community. On Pentecost, we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit that reminds us who we are and empowers us to do God’s work.

This Sunday, Pastor Meredith wraps up her three week sermon series A Holy and Living Sacrifice with Giving.  She uses a poem from Maya Angelou called "The Sweetness of Charity"

"When you give, there is a force of good in the world. You can't always touch it, hang on to it, but you can feel it.  It's real. And when you give, that force of good builds. It grows. It increases. It Increases because you participated in it. "

What if we were a group of people willing to make sacrifices? What would the world look like if there was a group of people that didn't respond to adversity with self protection but instead responded by reaching beyond others in love? If we continue to give of ourselves, if we found that sweetness if God's love by giving, if we invited others to come in and share this sweetness with us, how would it change the world and how would it change us?

This second Sunday of May, pastor Meredith continues her three week series A Holy and Living Sacrifice with Volunteering. We all ask what is the best use of our time? What should we be doing? Is this a sacrifice worth making?  I think the challenge and the call for us is to ask ourselves or to listen for God asking, Where can I use my time? How can I give of myself? And where us the blessing of God happening that I can participate in if I give my time?"

Sacrifice is one of those religious-y words that makes most of us break out into a cold sweat.  It’s an idea that is easily abused to shame and guilt people into actions they’d otherwise not make— “I know you’re busy, but we all have to make sacrifices, and I really think God is wanting you to …” blah blah blah.  If we’ve been on the receiving end of this emotional manipulation, sacrifice might be the last thing you want to think about.
 

Yet every time we have communion, there’s one curious line.  As we are giving thanks for what Jesus has done for us, we say, “We offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us.”  So what do we mean when we say these words?  Are we being hypocrites?  Does the idea of sacrifice still have something of benefit to offer us?  Is there any way to understand sacrifice in our lives in a way that is living, that actually gives us a rich, healthy, and satisfying life?
 

This May, we’ll think about what it means to give in a way that requires sacrifice.  What does love ask of us?  What role do healthy boundaries play in meaningful lives?  What gifts suck the life out of us, and what gifts fill us with joy and purpose?  If giving is part of a joyful life, then maybe there are times when we’re happy to make sacrifices.  Can we redeem this term from the ways it has been abused? 

On this second Sunday of Easter Pastor Meredith reflects on the story of Thomas, the disciple, who had some questions. And in her reflection she shares her story of how she was called to become a pastor. God speaks to us in a way we can hear. It's ok if God speaks to you in a different way then the person next to you because we're different. "Thomas asked a question, and what was the result? He got to experience Jesus the way he needed. He asked a question and his faith was stronger because of it, not weaker.  Whoever you are, the love of Jesus is for you. "

On this second Sunday of Easter Pastor Meredith reflects on thOn this third Sunday of Easter, Pastor Meredith shares the story of Jesus appearing to the seven disciples from John 21:1-19. She also tells the story Jesus and Peter, a story of forgiveness. 

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”  16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”  17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.  18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”  19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

On Easter, the disciples thought they’d come to the end of the road, that all hope and even God had been lost. Instead, the road led to new, eternal, triumphant life for all the world! Jesus’ resurrection means that nothing, not even death, is more powerful than God. Life wins, love wins, God wins, and we win. This is the good news we’ve all been hoping for!

Palm Sunday is when we remember that the whole community of Jerusalem joined together to welcome Jesus in joy. We joined together like those people so long ago, to remember that Jesus brings healing that will save us from the world and from ourselves. Our children's ministry lead us in a palm parade around the Sanctuary during our opening song. Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!

On this final Sunday of the sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount Pastor Meredith preaches on the scripture from Matthew 7:1-12 and the greatest commandment " Treat and Love others the way you want to be treated and loved. 

On this Sunday morning, Pastor Meredith continues her Sermon on the mount series talking about the Gospel scripture Matthew 6:19-24 and finding your treasure. The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tries to do what all preachers have done and tell us how we should live our daily lives as people who follow the way of Jesus. This includes what we do with our wealth, our resources and our stuff. There is a way we can use our stuff to find joy and delight, to receive love, and to give love. There's a way our stuff can use us and own us. Are we letting our heart serve our stuff, or are we serving God?

There is Another Way: The Sermon on the Mount

This week in the Sermon on the Mount series, Pastor Meredith talks about the extensions. The "extensions" in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 5:43-48) are Jesus’ deeper interpretations of the Law, moving beyond mere outward obedience to address the heart's intent. Jesus brings the people back to the core values. He wants to change their hearts not just their behaviors. How can we change in our hearts to love thy neighbor as ourselves? Even the neighbor that doesn't look like you or act like you?

On this first Sunday of March and second week of the There is Another Way sermon series, pastor Meredith preaches on the values of heaven. Matthew 5:1-12 gives us those values through the Beatitudes. "We can't do much in the world if we are sad or mourning, if we are weighed down with frustration and anger because the world is just not what it's supposed to be. And what Jesus is saying is, you are blessed just the way you are. The road can be difficult, and yet can be full of blessings. "

Camp Sunday