One thing have I desired of the Lord... that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life...Psalm 27:4
Are we willing to stand up for the truth and for what is right even if it comes at a cost? Where do we find the courage to do so? John the Baptist and many others throughout history have provided examples for us of being faithful in the face of injustice. Pastor Russ' sermon is based on the rather gruesome story of John's beheading by King Herod in Mark 6:14-29 and is entitled "If Truth Be Told..."
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We may think of our weaknesses as just that...deficiencies, burdens, hinderances, embarrassments. St. Paul certainly could have thought that with his "thorn in the flesh." But instead, he realized that God could, by God's grace, turn his weaknesses into strengths...for the sake of the Gospel. Read II Corinthians 12:2-10 and then listen to Pastor Russ' sermon entitled, "Olympic Weakness; Sufficient Grace."
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The Gospel Reading for June 30th (The 6th Sunday after Pentecost) from Mark 5:21-43 tells of two healing miracles in one story...healing of two people of vastly different social strata. Jesus is displaying what a new caring community of faith is to look like by breaking societal prejudices and barriers.
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From Mark 4:35-41, we read the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm. Many "storms" can arise in our life...suddenly and some with great fury. What does it mean to have Jesus in our boat? Pastor Russ offers insights to this story that may help us in our life today.
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Sometimes we may wonder "what good can I do?" "I really don't have much influence". Well, maybe many of us think that we are "small potatoes"...but even small acts of kindness and charity can make a huge difference in someone's life. Pastor Russ reviews two parables where Jesus reminds us that with God's blessing, small things can have a large impact in his sermon "We Walk By Faith."
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One of the most skillfully crafted stories in all the Bible is found in chapter 3 of Genesis, when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing "The Fall" of humankind. Does this old story still hold meaning for us today in this modern world? Or is God still speaking to us...and searching for us? The title of Pastor Russ' sermon is: "Where Are You?"
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Do you have a busy life? Do you feel that expectations of you are growing and growing? Do you feel some pressure to be more, to do more, to have more? Well, perhaps the 3rd Commandment, "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy" is meant for you. God ordained for us to rest. "Keeping the Sabbath" is the title of Pastor Russ' sermon for Sunday, June 2, 2024.
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Talking about the Holy Trinity doesn't sound too exciting...but this doctrine has been a critical teaching in the church practically from the beginning. Pastor Russ shares insights from the Nicodemus story in John 3 to highlight each 'person' of the Trinity.
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It’s Pentecost celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus, transforming them into bold apostles proclaiming the love of God for all. Pastor Russ’ message is “Many Languages…One Mission” as we reclaim our Pentecost purpose.
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After Jesus shares his last meal with his disciples, he prays to God. An amazing part of the prayer is that he thanks God for giving the disciples to him. They were a gift, a gift to Jesus. It is true that our companionship with Jesus is also a gift to him!
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On the night before his death, as Jesus teaches his disciples to "love one another, as I have loved you," he goes on to say: "I call you friends." Together, these two teachings suggest a foundation for Christian ethics not grounded in fear of punishment or following rules, but in the ways of gratitude and friendship.
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Guest Pastor Richard Rollefson teaches from Acts 8:26-40. A reflection on the significance of the early church reaching out beyond established boundaries by reinterpreting scripture and their inherited religious tradition in light of the revelation of God's love in Jesus that reaches out to all people.
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Even when it is dark God is with us. The Good Shepherd calls us by name.
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What will heaven be like? What will we be like when we go to heaven? Pastor Russ shares his thoughts based on the Readings for 3 Easter from I John 3:1-7 and Luke 24:36b-48.
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Perhaps we should rename "Doubting Thomas", "Courageous Thomas" for questioning the other disciples when they attested to have seen Jesus alive. But Thomas has a chance to see Jesus alive for himself. So, too, do we not exclude those who may bring questions to the faith as Pastor Russ shares in his message: "Fear...Doubt...Faith" from John 20:19-21.
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"Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!" is the refrain on Easter Sunday and throughout the 7 week Easter Season. Pastor Russ' sermon is "God's Cosmic Joke" from John 20:1-18 reminding us that the raising of Jesus was the banishment of death. "Death has lost its sting" St. Paul tells us. When we peer into Jesus' tomb, we are looking into our own empty tomb.
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There are two names for this impactful Sunday: Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday - when we recall the events of the last week of Jesus' life beginning with Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem when the crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Read Mark 11:1-11). We then follow the events of the remainder of Holy Week with the reading of the Passion of Our Lord (Mark 14:1-15:47). Pastor Russ notes a theme running throughout the long readings..."God Uses Broken Things" to do God's amazing work of redemption.
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What is God's will for my life? Especially when difficulties and challenges arise. How do we know what path to take? Pastor Russ explores three steps on our faith journey that help us to "Make God's Will Our Own." Based on John 12:20-33
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In the Ephesians Reading for the 4th Sunday in Lent is the core and foundation of our Christian faith...that you and I are saved by Grace through Faith. Pastor Russ focuses on this incredible mercy of God and how it makes us to be like a cup overflowing with love into the lives of others with his sermon entitled, "Amazing Grace."
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The story of Jesus clearing of the Temple in John 2:13-22 gives us a chance to talk about a topic not normally broached from the pulpit with Pastor Russ' message "Even Jesus Got Angry." Anger can be destructive or constructive. Anger can be a sign that something isn't right. Jesus' actions show that perhaps there is some house cleaning we need to do as well.
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