Every week, our pastor writes a short piece about the gospel reading prescribed by Revised Common Lectionary.
The intent of the article is to give you something to contemplate. Maybe even a new way of looking at the reading. Perhaps you might make a new connection to Jesus and his word of life.
These are designed to enhance or add to your experience from a sermon, by our pastor, or your pastor.
Engage in the word of God manifested in the Son.
08/13/23 Matthew 14:22-33 Gospel Message from Pastor William In the midst of the tumultuous sea, Jesus tells Peter to “Come” to him. Peter obeys, but quickly loses his focus on Jesus and succumbs to despair. Jesus is there for Peter and lifts him up from sinking deeper. Too often, we must be at our […]
08/06/23 Matthew 14:13-21 Gospel Message from Pastor William Contrast Jesus’ feast of compassion with Herod’s fest of gluttony (14:1-12) to see the difference between God’s kingdom and the earthly kingdom of the evil one. Jesus offers a life of abundance and service to others. Jesus offers a life marked by love, compassion and giving […]
07/30/23 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus tells five parables about what the kingdom of heaven is like. Then, he explains, saying; it is like the person in charge who brings out treasure both old and new. Jesus is that new treasure brought out by the God who longs for us […]
07/23/23 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus explains his parable about the “weeds among the wheat” and we Christians tend to like the part about how “the righteous will shine like the sun”. But we tend to ignore the part about the angels gathering “all causes of sin” for destruction. We […]
07/16/23 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus tells a parable about different types of soil and the effect it has on seeds. He explains the parable, thankfully, and says we are the soil and God’s word is the seed. He says that very few people hear the word of God with […]
07/09/23 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus says we are to take his yoke upon us and learn from him. A yoke couples two oxen together so that they share in doing the work of the farmer. The stronger ox puts more into the effort, but could not do it alone. […]
07/02/23 Matthew 10:40-42 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus says when we welcome others, we welcome him. That seems easy enough. But wait, there’s more. Welcome means to receive, to accept, to show hospitality, and to demonstrate a favorable attitude toward. Oh, that’s a bit more difficult. You got it! Being a follower of […]
06/25/23 Matthew 10:24-39 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus proclaims a life of difficulty for those who follow him. Are people causing you difficulty for following Jesus? No? Perhaps there is more to following Jesus than what you do behind closed doors on Sunday morning or in your house doing devotions. Jesus says if […]
06/18/23 Matthew 9:35-10:8 [9-23] Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus proclaims the “good news of the kingdom” and sends the twelve disciples out to do the same. What is this good news? We will explore this deeper over the next 23 weeks of what we call, Ordinary Times; Jesus’ three-year ministry. But simply, the […]
06/11/23 2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26) Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus eats with sinners – oh my! Doesn’t he know God doesn’t like sinners? Well, actually, Jesus loves sinners – loves them to death. Jesus goes to where sinners gather, eats with them, and demonstrates the love and compassion of God. […]
