Psalm 85; Mark 1:1-8
Last week we considered if the world as we know it is ending, if these are end times. In Mark’s gospel today we hear what many think is the title he gave the gospel: The Beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The part he wrote down, in other words, is just the beginning of the story.
Where and how exactly the original version of Mark ends is disputed. What’s thought to be the original ending Continue reading →
Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-6, Psalm 80: 1-7,17-19
We are in the end times.
That’s what a few of our members have said when I’ve called during this time of pandemic. These times are so different, we’ve never seen anything like this before. Such a contagious virus, life is so different, we must be in the end times.
And we are, we are, how do we know- well the apostle Paul and apostle Peter. said that we are in the final age Continue reading →
Matthew 25:31-46
This Sunday we celebrate this very unique church holiday, Christ the King Sunday or Reign of Christ Sunday, in which we celebrate that our true ruler is the one God sent to us. And this coming Thursday is a national holiday, Thanksgiving. Which, though it has religious overtones, is not a celebration of the church calendar.
But I was thinking about what might link these two holidays of this week Continue reading →
John 7:37-39
Water brings life- as signs around our valley say, food grows where water flows- another sign on the 198 coming back from the sequoia national park says it in 3 languages- Water is Life
And remember this word wind, air, Spirit is all one word for the ancient languages: Spirit brings life – while we are alive, we are breathing. Continue reading →
Matthew 23:1-12
Beloved, think back to when you were small. What are some of the simple rules you learned? One for me was, to avoid strangers, especially if they wanted to give you candy. Another was, never to interrupt my dad when he was talking. Always look both ways before crossing the street, wash your hands before dinner. Continue reading →
Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17
God sees things in an entirely different way from how we see things.
Well of course, you may be thinking, of course, God is God. We are not. We can’t see everything going on, everyone’s thoughts everyone’s secret desires, can’t see the future or beyond our own experience.
That’s true but that’s not what I mean. Continue reading →
We will be confessing our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed (UMH 882) on November 1, also:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty
Creator of Heaven and Earth
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Matthew 22:15-22
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, give to God what is God’s.” This is sometimes quoted by Jesus and interpreted to mean that we separate our political or civil lives from our religious lives. But I think the opposite is true- Jesus is calling us to consider what it means to live our whole lives as citizens first of the realm that God rules- to recognize fully that everything belongs to God. Everything. Continue reading →
Calling all children (and parents) – Join us on Halloween, October 31, 2020 5:30-7 PM for our safe, no-contact Trunk or Treat event in the church parking lot at 438 W. Tulare Street, Dinuba. We’ll all be properly masked and gloved. Sanitizer will be available and masks also for anyone needing one. Trunks of edible store-bought goodies will be available, spaced 6 ft. apart. Hope you can join us for some dress-up and candy fun! Questions? Please leave in the comment form – so others can see the responses. Thanks!
