This week we read a story in worship you may not have heard before, in which Rizpah, one of Saul’s wives, very publicly mourns her sons – refusing to hide her grief. Listen as guest pastor Rev. Christopher Otten considers what it means to mourn our own losses, maybe even publicly.
Accompanying Scripture:
2 Samuel 3:7; 21:1-14
This week we hear the story of Peter’s attempt to walk across the water to Jesus, only to take one step onto the water and then begin to sink. Peter’s confidence unravels right there in the wind and the waves. Fortunately for him and for us, Jesus is there, the boat is there, his friends are there. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores how while time and time again the past year-and-a-half has left us sinking in doubt and uncertainty, God is with us, ready to steady us with an outstretched hand.
Accompanying Scripture:
Matthew 14:22-33
Over the past 16 months, we have seen our plans, expectations, and hopes for our lives unravel and change. In Genesis, we hear how Abraham and Sarah also experienced the pain of unmet hopes and expectations that they would one day have their own child and yet it became seemingly impossible. Listen as Pastor Kate explores the story of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah to make the impossible possible and considers that even if our prayers aren’t answered in the same way, we can trust that sometimes, even after life seems to fall apart, God can surprise us and unravel our plans with unexpected joy if we are willing to receive it.
Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7
This week, Faith joined all the congregations of the Metro DC Synod as part of the annual Synod Assembly. Listen as the Rev. Yehiel Curry, Bishop of the Metro Chicago Synod, celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit, alive and inspiring our daily lives as God’s people.
This week was Trinity Sunday, a day during the liturgical year where we remember that God meets us in three persons. We hear the story of the prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness, where the First Person of the Trinity is depicted with great and awesome power, so much so that Isaiah is overcome and even worried. It is difficult to wrap our minds around a god who is both one being and yet has three persons. Yet, perhaps one of the greatest benefits is having a god who we can relate to in multiple ways: as one with unimaginable power, as our friend who walks with us, as a rushing wind that blows and shapes our world every day. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores the Trinity and how we might experience God and share our faith in many ways.
Accompanying Scripture:
Isaiah 6:1-8, John 3:1-17
“I’ve got to go now, Julia, we got cows,” says a character in the movie “Twister,” as a cow flies past the front windshield, caught up in the wind of a tornado. We celebrate Pentecost this week, when the Spirit came in to the disciples as a violent wind and tongues of fire appeared above people’s heads. Listen as Pastor Kate examines what it means to be caught up in the Spirit, if it is gentle or as violent as a tornado, and what that means for us in our lives.
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7, Luke 11:11-13
Nationals or Phillies? Coffee or Tea? Urban, Suburban, or Rural? Asian, Black, Native, White, or Multi-racial? Lutheran, Catholic, or Evangelical? We naturally divide ourselves based on any number of things, many of which are core to our identity. This week we hear again from the Apostle Paul who writes to the Galatians about their own identity and from where it comes. Does it come from the Jewish practices they have adopted or held on to as they begin to worship the risen Christ? Or does it come more purely from God. And then, what happens to the other aspects of their identity? Listen as Pastor Kate explores what it means when Paul says there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all are one in Christ Jesus and whether this means we shed the rest of our identities to become like the Borg (from Star Trek)?
Accompanying Scripture:
Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29, Luke 1:68-79
This week we find the early church debating a pretty important issue: How do we know for sure that we’re in God’s good graces? How do we know if we’re doing enough to stay there? The apostle Paul has another idea: Perhaps instead of hustling to do the most, we can focus more on the community of God’s children around us. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores these questions and the ways we can show gratitude for God’s love and grace.
Accompanying Scripture:
Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21, Luke 18:9-14
In worship this week, we continue the story of the early church as they sorted out what the requirements were for being a member of the church. In the midst of it, it seems that God, the Holy Spirit, may already know and we’re just playing catch up. Listen as Pastor Kate considers the ways God is at work in our midst and how we might follow God’s lead.
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 15:1-18, Luke 2:29-32
This week we hear the story of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch. This story doesn’t get quite the same status and attention in our baptismal teachings as say, Noah or the Samaritan woman. His story is complicated. He lives on the margins of society and is often excluded and primed for rejection. It’s no secret: our lives are also full of complications. Listen as Intern Pastor Miriam explores how in a world of complications God teaches us a new reality of love and acceptance.
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 8:26-39, Luke 24:44-47
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