As we think about 2021, what is holding you back? What is slowing you down? How is God urging you forward on your run? Scripture: Luke 2:15-21 February Week 1, 2021 Pastor Reid Matthias (The shepherds) hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After…
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They went into Capernaum and right away Jesus entered the synagogue and began to preach. Mark 1:21 For the modern Lutheran, this seems really interesting. That anyone could wander in from the outside, walk to the front of the synagogue and take over is outside of the boundaries of tradition. Like most denominations, Lutherans have…
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What comes to mind when I mention “the fab four”? For me, it’s The Beatles. Most of my life I have known, played, and sang their songs. Whether or not you know their music, these four chaps from Liverpool England changed pop music culture forever. Yes, there was rock n’ roll before The Beatles. Afterwards…
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Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about in the law: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered (John 1:45-46.) What I love about these first connections with Jesus in the…
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One question keeps running through my mind as Christmas 2020 is gifted to us: What kinds of things do I want to remember? As I grow older (and many can resonate with me, I think), I find myself pondering why I remember certain things and why others only pop up sporadically. Most research would say…
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Our 21st Century culture has a way of fanning into flame our love of comfort, wealth, pleasure, power, entitlement, success and amazing experiences. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on advertising campaigns with the premise: “It’s all about you!” When we swallow that lie, the story we live is way too small. It’s about…
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Sometimes a tune, or a lyric, enters our minds and we can’t get rid of it. Germans aptly call this an ‘ear worm.’ For some, this is frustrating – to sing or hum the same tune all day long – but for others, it’s comforting. In the book of Luke, Mary seems to have an…
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We’ve encountered a lot of bad news over the last 12 months: bushfires, floods, and a global pandemic that has invaded our lives. You may have friends or family that have suffered as a result of these. While few of us have been infected with the virus, its outbreak has affected every one of us.…
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Our suggested readings from the lectionary this week include a swath from Mark 13. Here are a few sound bites: (Context – vs. 19,20) For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again. If the Lord had not cut those…
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What images come to mind when you think of Jesus as your Good Shepherd? Where are you in the picture? What is happening? Are there others in your picture? What are they doing? Perhaps you recall the 23rd Psalm – where the writer reflects on the presence and favour of the Lord. Or maybe you…
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