Guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans, reflects on the lack of safety in the early church and what that means for Ananias as he encountered Paul in his conversion. Dr. Kleinhans then invites us to reflect on this lack of guaranteed safety in our own story.
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 9:1-19a
Matthew 6:24
Pastor Yvette reflects on fear and peace in our lives and the story of Thomas and the disciples in the locked room after the first Easter.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 145:13-21
John 20:1-18
Wise people tell Pastor Kate not to believe everything she reads on the internet. Something she has extended to April Fools Day – a healthy skepticism that perhaps shouldn’t be further extended to Easter Sunday. Pastor Kate explores what it means to believe the impossible in the face of an empty tomb.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 118:21-29
John 20:1-18
Jesus entered Jerusalem in an unconventional way. Pastor Yvette reflects on his entry and our celebration of Palm Sunday.
Accompanying Scripture:
John 12:12-27
If given the choice, we’ll all choose to save ourselves at some point or another. Just like every human in the final hours of Jesus’ life. Pilate, the Chief Priests, and the crowd – they all choose to save themselves. All of them, except Jesus. Pastor Kate explores what that looks like from the perspective of an almost 17-year-old and what that means for us now.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 146
John 19:1-16a
Jesus’ final hours continue to play out and it’s as if they are ripped from the headlines. Pastor Yvette explores what it means to “know the truth,” as Pilate continues to question Jesus.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 145:10-13
John 18:28-40
Fear can be a powerful motivator. It can also blind us to the love that exists in our lives. Pastor Kate explores her own fear before a surgery, Peter’s fear when he enters the courtyard of the high priest, and Jesus’ open love.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 17:1-7
John 18:12-27
Jesus’ unwavering, intentional, knowing response to those who are faithful and to those who betray him, to hatred, danger, and fear–to everything–is love.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 51:7-12
John 13:1-17
Mary and Martha both cry out to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
It is a cry we may also have uttered in the face of another tragedy. Pastor Kate explores where God is in the midst of the violence of our lives, especially when we wonder if God is ever going to show up.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 104:27-30
John 11:1-44
Imagine entering a concert hall, ready to listen to one of the greatest composers play a piece, only to watch him sit at the piano and do nothing for four and a half minutes.
Pastor Kate follows the lead of composer John Cage and begins her sermon with 4 minutes, 33 seconds of “silence” (the silence is not included in the recording), playing with the idea of our preconceived notions and set definitions. Something Jesus did with the Pharisees 2000 years ago.
Accompanying Scripture:
Psalm 27:1-4
John 9:1-41
