Sunday Worship September 10, 2023

Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, and we continue to pray in that spirit even today.  In terms just as direct, Jesus often tells his listeners how to engage relationships in the way that will build up rather than tear down, both individually and in community. In a similar way, Paul writes his letters to the churches, trying to teach simple ways of behaving, using very straightforward language that can provide us a kind of guidebook for how to navigate life’s difficulties.  On this Consecration Sunday, when we celebrate God’s gifts to us and our giving of gifts to the church in return, we ask God’s blessing on this church and its ministry in community, and pray that we would be strengthened to give and to be as God would have us be. 

Blessings and peace, Lisa

Continue reading Sunday Worship September 10, 2023

Sunday Worship September 3, 2023

Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Do you know that you are standing on holy ground?  As is often true, a single phrase from scripture makes me think we could stop with the single line.  On this first Sunday of September, with the Blue Hill Fair in the background of all we do and with weather cooperating with a celebratory weekend, it may be that our standing on holy ground could be our greatest recognition.  We celebrate the sacrament of Communion tomorrow and also consider what is sacred and what is to be our response to the sacred.  I can’t wait!  Join us?

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Sunday Worship August 27, 2023

Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Romans 12:2 reades,  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  — tied to the theme of the sermon, which asks the question “who do we say we are?”

Blessings and peace, Lisa

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Sunday Worship August 20, 2023

Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  It’s an old story and in some ways may feel like it remains a world apart from our own circumstances.  In other ways, this and nearly every other story from scripture has echoes in our own lives.  That is why we continue to claim these stories’ relevance to our lives.  While Joseph’s being sold as a slave and ending up in the court of the pharaoh may not seem like something we can understand, his faith and his forgiveness can be lessons for our own journeys.  Let’s explore this together. 

Blessings and peace, Lisa

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Sunday Worship August 13, 2023

Grace to you and peace, from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ!  I often quote the unnamed source who said “coincidences are God’s way of remaining anonymous” (often credited to either Einstein or Doris Lessing), but usually prefer the term serendipity or providence for the way that occurences align well.  I look forward to worship tomorrow when Derek Van Bever will open up the Word for us and I get to be there!  Our choir has prepared a beautiful anthem, and in the way of serendipity, a song I had stumbled on this week carries part of the message that Derek will share.  While today’s Blueberry Festival may tire out many, I hope that many of us will join together in worship, as well.  Attendance has been very high this summer, and the Spirit is fresh among us!  See you in church!

Blessings and Peace, Lisa

Continue reading Sunday Worship August 13, 2023