Reading scripture, especially the way we read it on Sunday mornings can feel a lot like working a jigsaw puzzle. When you just dump it out on the table half of the pieces are face down and you can’t see anything until you turn it over. You can immediately begin to discern certain prominent colors. This green pieceContinue reading “Proper 16 2022”
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3 Easter 2022
Today I want to begin by talking about the letter seven in Biblical texts. In Hebrew the root of many words, especially verbs are made up of three consonants and not until the 6th century AD were vowel points added to aid in the reading of text. The word “seven” in Hebrew has the exactContinue reading “3 Easter 2022”
Palm Sunday 2022
From triumph to disaster in a span of 6 days. What happened and why? We began with a simple enough phrase “ After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem” (Luke 19:28) The parable referred to is Luke’s version of the Parable of the Ten Talents. Continue reading “Palm Sunday 2022”
5 Epiphany 2022
What does it mean to be called by God? During the last couple of weeks we have read several “call stories” and there are many others in the scriptures as well. I would like to look at a few of them in depth and see what they have to say to us. Our Old TestamentContinue reading “5 Epiphany 2022”
All Saints 2021
“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, but oh that we evoked a similar response from anyContinue reading “All Saints 2021”
Last Epiphany (Transfiguration) 2021
As I read today’s passage out of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, I had to read it twice, because the first time I totally misconstrued what he was saying, and it made me realize some of the difficulties individuals who have been participating in our C S Lewis study are having with the Screwtape Letters.Continue reading “Last Epiphany (Transfiguration) 2021”
3 Epiphany 2021
This morning, we continue the theme of “call” that we began last week. It is an important theme for Epiphany which is the time we celebrate God’s word being extended to the Gentiles. I think it is important to identify what it means to be called or chosen. I often hear the concept of beingContinue reading “3 Epiphany 2021”
3 Advent 2020
Today, on this third Sunday of Advent, I would like to turn our attention to our Old Testament reading from Isaiah. First, I would like to put it in the context in which it was originally written, but then I would like to look at how Jesus used this passage according to Luke. We didContinue reading “3 Advent 2020”
2nd Sunday after Easter 2020
Labels are a tricky thing. When I go to the grocery store, I want my food to be labeled clearly and accurately. For people with food sensitivities, this can be a life or death matter, but when we label people, we tend to put emphasis on something that is often irrelevant to the current situationContinue reading “2nd Sunday after Easter 2020”
The Rev. Beverly Patterson 