As we remember both Jesus' baptism and our own today, we consider what it means to dedicate our lives to serving God and others in the way of Jesus. One of the things it means is supporting this congregation through our abilities, our time, and our financial resources.… Read the rest “Alternate Offering Meditation for Baptism of Christ B – 7-January-24”
If you had something really important to do, what would you do to start? Today, we're going to hear about the baptism of Jesus, which is the way Jesus started his ministry. That means that Jesus thought baptism was important enough for it to start his ministry.… Read the rest “Alternate Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Baptism of the Lord B – 7-January-24”
The wisemen brought three gifts to Jesus. Gold, the metal of kings, incense, used by priests in When the wisemen came to visit Jesus, they brought some gifts. The Bible tells us that they gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Epiphany B – 7-January-24”
The gifts that the wisemen brought may seem exotic to us, gold, incense, oil, but they were actually quite practical for a family on the move in those days. All of them could be exchanged for money in any marketplace they visited, and the money could go for food, shelter, and other necessities.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Epiphany B – 7-January-24”
When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him, they were doing their part to see that the work of God in the world was done. When Simeon and Anna praised God for seeing Jesus and then told people what they knew, they were doing their part to see the work of God in the world was done.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Christmas 1b – 31-December-23”
When Simeon and Anna recognized who Jesus was as Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple, it wasn't because he looked any different from any of the other children with other parents in spite of all those old pictures that show Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with massive halos around their heads.… Read the rest “Table Meditation for Christmas 1b – 31-December-23”
Today's story from the gospel tells us about two people who knew, even from the start that Jesus was going to be someone special. When they saw him as an eight-day-old baby, the thanked God for sending him.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Christmas 1b – 31-December-23”
Our great example, the one whom we follow and try to be like, is Jesus, because Jesus shows us the face of God in a human being. Jesus gave of himself that we would know the love of God for all people.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Christmas B – 25-December-23”
In the gospel reading for today, Mary is an active participant if what God had in mind. She knows she has a choice, and she chooses to birth and raise the child who would be called the son of God.… Read the rest “Offering Meditation for Advent 4b 24-December-23”
The idea of Jesus being Emmanuel (God with us) is often difficult to get our minds around. Theologians have argued since John wrote the words we heard earlier just exactly what they mean so I'm not going to try to define it absolutely.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Christmas B – 25-December-23”