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Speaker: Rev. CJ Valenti

Holy Trinity Sunday

More than a doctrine, the Holy Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament and we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 1:1,2:4a; Psalm 8; Matthew 28:16-208

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Good News
Holy Trinity Sunday
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Ascension Sunday

In this week’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus. . . we now find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the feast. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 1:1-14; Psalm 93; Luke 24:44-53

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Ascension Sunday
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Holy Spirit, Our Faithful Companion

Jesus does not abandon the disciples or us. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. The Holy Spirit is known to us as many names – Spirit of Truth, Advocate, Helper, Companion, Counselor. We receive this Spirit as a gift in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 17:22-31; John 14:15-21

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Good News
Holy Spirit, Our Faithful Companion
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Living Stones

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, our gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for us. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, living stones, God’s people embraced by mercy. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.

Accompanying Scripture:
1 Peter 2:2-10; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-10; John 14:1-140 

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Good News
Living Stones
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Sheep Forever

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” All of our texts today point to God’s abundant care and love for us, the “sheep.” God promises to be our shepherd, the one who provides protection, food, rest and beauty. In turn, we are called the sheep – the ones who follow, get lost and need to be found, stuck and need to be rescued. Today we remember that indeed goodness and mercy will follow us all of our days and so in turn, God nudges us to open our arms and share the abundance given.  

Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 2:42-47; John 10:1-10 

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Good News
Sheep Forever
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Will You Meet Us Where We Are?

As we continue in this season of Easter, today we meet the disciples on the road. Full of questions and wonderings, they meet a stranger and process all that has conspired the last few days – murder, chaos, resurrection – all they had hoped for that did not happen. It is not until the bread is broken that they realize Jesus was in their midst. Every week, we come together to reflect on the past week – our disappointments, our hopes and expectations and Jesus promises to meet us – at the table, in the liturgy, through one another. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Luke 24:13-35 

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Good News
Will You Meet Us Where We Are?
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Welcome to the Wilderness

As we embark on this journey of lent, we begin with this place of wilderness. From this vantage point, we are forced to ask ourselves who are we? Where do we belong? What matters? As tempting as it is to give in to every hunger, every offer of power or fame . . .in these 40 days, we are invited to recenter on the One who calls us Beloved, welcomes us into community, always extends us grace and invites us to do the same for our neighbors. 

Accompanying Scripture:
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11 

Good News
Good News
Welcome to the Wilderness
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