God’s Transitional Journey Natalie Tos-Byington Connie Dietz The Beginning Connie: It is Christmas Day, December 25, 2017. Like previous Christmas Days we had gathered to celebrate. Minna and her family, Aaron and his family were all at our home. We began the day with breakfast followed by opening of gifts, playing of games and generally… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, April 3, 2022 
“Prodigal Grace” Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Many of us can identify with the prodigal son – we have been lost and now are found….incredibly thankful for the abundance of Grace our god gives us in our return, even when we hope to just be servants at the table. However, given a little thought – we can… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, March 27,2022
You Are Worthy Luke 13:1-9 Expansive life doesn’t look how we might expect it to, in fact as privileged people steeped in a culture of independence and white supremacy we often need to be reminded that our worth doesn’t come from our productivity or any more than our ability to make it in an unjust… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, March 20, 2022
Under God’s Wing Luke 13:31-35 This week’s reading is tough, but has a hidden gem in it. So stay with me. Jesus is aware that what he is preaching is dangerous to him because it is problematic for the rulers of Jerusalem. Dissent is always dangerous to some degree but it was especially dangerous in… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, March 13, 2022
Even in the Desert Luke 4:1-13 Friends we are in the desert and we want nothing more than to escape. War threatens the world. A pandemic continues to impose and threaten us. Racism continues. Gun violence continues. Poverty continues. Prices rise. Our churches struggle, our souls struggle. Much of what we see and endure overwhelms… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, March 6, 2022
Scriptures for this Lenten season are filled with parables and promises of God’s abundant and expansive grace. Jesus as a mother hen, a prodigal son welcomed home, a fig tree nurtured with care and hope, precious oil poured out lovingly and freely, stones shouting out with praise —these sacred texts are brimming with a gospel… Read more 2022 Expansive Lenten Journey — Full To The Brim
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) Sometimes it is just easier to go through life with low or absolutely no expectations. Then you don’t have to worry when things happen – whether good or bad. It’s all just part of life. It’s sort of the philosophical stoics idea. No emotion is better than unexpected highs and lows. I… Read more WORSHIP REFLECTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022
“A Way of Life” Psalm 37:1-11, 29-40 I hope that today’s passage sounds familiar, as it is echoed throughout many places, including Jesus’ teachings. What stood out to me was the instructions to not worry or fret over things like the wicked seeming to prosper, because following in the ways of the Holy One brings… Read more WORSHIP REFLECTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2022
“A Familiar Message” Luke 6:17-26 Beatitudes with woes make us uncomfortable, with good reason. We wonder how well we’ve done and if we’re in the woe camp or the blessed one. We start doing calculations and thinking about the times we didn’t help and feel guilty, but here’s the thing friends, we’re all going to… Read more WORSHIP REFLECTION SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2022
“Answering the Call” Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11 God really went to town in creating this vision for Isaiah! The whole scene can be truly overwhelming to our modern ears. When we hear it though in Isaiah’s context it makes a lot more sense. This vision from Isaiah is no different than many of the older… Read more Worship Reflection Sunday, February 6, 2022