An old adage says, ” A coincidence is a miracle in which God prefers to remain anonymous.” Pastor Kate explores where God may show up in coincidences – both for Ruth and Naomi as well as for us.
Accompanying Scripture:
Ruth 2:1-23
Matthew 5:3-9
Fear can be a powerful motivator. Just ask Colin Sullivan. A character in Martin Scorsese’s, The Departed, Sullivan lives in fear of being found out as a mole and it causes him to do some things he may not otherwise do.
Accompanying Scripture:
Exodus 1:7-20
Luke 4:18-19
Photo by Jose A.Thompson on Unsplash
Bryce Harper, the young superstar right fielder for the Washington Nationals baseball team, is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this season which has prompted questions of whether he will stay or go. Pastor Kate reflects on that question, baseball as a true team sport, as well as the implication of playing as a team in our faith lives.
Accompanying Scripture:
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 6:43-45
Image Courtesy of Rudi Riet
Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 17:16-31
John 1:16-185
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
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
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
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