What Even Is Epiphany (I keep spelling it EPHiphany?) Epiphany: the manifestation of Christ (the Messiah) to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12) Epiphany: a moment of sudden revelation or insight The moment of revelation of Jesus to the Gentiles, the entire world, and his human life was the greatest moment of…
Riddles, Science, & Philosophy Riddle:We hurt without moving. We poison without touching. We bear the truth & the lies. We are not to be judged by our size. What are we? … Words Science:TED talk about how the language we speak shapes the very way we perceive the world around us at a fundamentally core…
The Family Gets Together Did your family get together last weekend? My family did. It was like… Congregations are like families; they’re best when they’re together. Today we’re celebrating being together again & getting going again. The Body Has Many Parts – All The Parts Are Important No part of the body is more important.…
Antonius was a good soldier. No. Antonius was a great soldier. At the battle of Septuaginta Trium Orientem he had distinguished himself with valor and been honored with the position of Aquilifer for his legion. That means Antonius carried the legion Aquila or Roman Eagle into battle alongside the first Centurion; a Centurion he had…
Pledge Loyalty to Christ & Covenant with Each Other Girl Scout Promise: On my honor, I will try: To serve God & my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Girl Scout Law: I will do my best to be honest & fair, friendly & helpful, considerate &…
About Puzzles & The Families Who Solve Them Together My mother loves puzzles & gathering the family together to solve them. It’s a picture of a covenant community that our family continues today. Does anyone else enjoy solving puzzles? Come on up & solve this one together while we journey together through this morning’s Good…
Anne Bradstreet (ca. 1612-1672) The Flesh and the Spirit In secret place where once I stood Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood, I heard two sisters reason on Things that are past and things to come. One Flesh was call’d, who had her eye On worldly wealth and vanity; The other Spirit, who did…
Checking our ancestral DNA The Reformation: Background of Congregationalism 500 Years Ago – Oct. 31, 1517 Martin Luther’s 95 Theses Three Streams of Reformation: German – Luther Swiss – Zwingli & Calvin English – King Henry (1521 Defender, 1534 Supremacy) Origins of Congregationalism Puritans Purify the Church of England of “papist innovations.” Presbyterians – elected…
Who We Are: Our Biblical Roots Ever Struggle to Explain what Congregationalism is? What’s in the tote? District Video Conference I was asked, “Aren’t they kind of different?” Understanding where we came from, what we believe & Who We Are Where Two or Three are Gathered Matthew 18:18-20 The Presence of Christ, not government authority…
World Communion Sunday – Solidarity/Healing A Handmade Palestinian Christian Cross Picked specifically for me at my ordination Solidarity with an overlooked & misunderstood people Reminded of World Communion Sunday, Solidarity w/Global Church A World in Dire Need of Reconciliation Listening and Understanding seem to be out of style Division and Hatred and Selfishness abounds Take…