4th Sunday in Lent

Ephesians 2:4-10

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There are words we use inside the church that don’t mean much to people on the outside. All religions do this – we have special words or take ordinary words and give them special religious meanings. It can’t be helped. Some of what we need to express simply cries out for its own language. But we have to be careful about our church words, because they can wall us in and wall others out; and in our long, long use of them cloistered in these walls, our special words may stop breathing. The life and vigor go out of them. Then what good can they do for anyone, inside or outside the church? (more…)

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3rd Sunday in Lent

John 2:13-22

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I don’t know where to turn anymore.

              No, I mean it. I literally do not know where to turn, when I drive in to church up Washington Street. I didn’t realize it until the building next door was demolished last week, but apparently I have always relied on the front corner of that structure to cue me as to exactly when and where to turn. I’ve driven that same stretch of Washington Street for eleven years now. I’ve known exactly where this church is for eleven years now. But I had no idea that corner of bricks was what I was relying on to find my way, until it was gone. I would just get in my car and drive here, without having to think about where to turn or when. Now my routine has been upended. Once I get on Washington Street, I actually have to think about what I’m doing and focus on where I’m going. At least until I settle on a new visual cue and can slide back into habit.

(more…)

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2nd Sunday in Lent

Mark 8:34-37

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Back in the days of the Soviet Union, an American man, who happened to be a Baptist, was in Russia, staying with a family of Russian Baptists. While he was there the young adult daughter of that family announced that she wanted to be baptized. The American was delighted and said, “I’m so glad you’ve decided to believe in the Lord Jesus.” She replied, “Oh I’ve believed in him for years. I asked him into my heart when I was a child.” “Then why,” he said, “why only now are you seeking baptism?” She answered: “Because now I am ready to die.” (more…)

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1st Sunday in Lent

Mark 1:9-15

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Ask a child what he is afraid of, and chances are, he won’t have much trouble answering. The dark. Thunderstorms. Cats. Clowns. Things that go bump in the night. Kids know what they fear.

Adults sometimes have a harder time saying what scares us. Perhaps our fears are not as simple and straightforward as those of our childhood. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t afraid. (more…)

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Transfiguration Sunday

Mark 2:2-9

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Download the 2-12-12 bulletin (pdf)

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