Uncategorized

As we continue to examine how we might be transformed into devotees of the economy of Jesus, we remember this week that abundant lives are ones filled with meaning. Work and play are important parts of life but in the economy of Jesus, we are also called to fill our jars with meaning.

What does this “mean,” so to speak? Amassing more resources than we need is a game that can leave us empty and can make us feel frightened even though we have enough.

But when our lives are spent playing a different game of communal cooperation and transformation, we find a richness of soul and more than enough even in hard times.

Weekly scripture – Isaiah 6:1-8 & Luke 4:21-30

Our call to “plenty” today on this third week of our worship series is to plentiful healing. Indeed, there are plentiful wounds in this world, and plentiful threats of more wounds to come. It was as true in Jesus’ day as it is in ours. People came to Jesus carrying wounds of body, mind, and spirit.

This week we continue the story of Jesus in his own hometown. Especially when wounding hits “close to home,” we tend to panic. Fear and anger may set in. The antidote? Join Jesus in his economy of healing for all people.

Scripture – Jeremiah 1:4-10 & Luke 4:21-30

Today, as we begin a new worship series – “Stone Jars: The Economy of Jesus” – we learn a miscalculation has occurred. The wedding guests have drunk all the wine before the party is over. At times life can feel like we’re “running out” of so much and scarcity is shutting down the party. In these moments, we are invited to turn to the currency and economy of Jesus. In this new worship series, we will be reminded that in Jesus’ economy, the true measure of abundance is fullness for the entire community, not just for some. Let us build the Kin-dom of God by drawing from jars of Hope, Purpose, Healing, Meaning, Vision, and Grace for all people.

Weekly Scripture – Isaiah 54:5-6 & 55:1-4, 10-12 & John 2:1-12

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, and remember our own Baptism. Pastor/poet Steve Garnaas-Holmes writes of the Baptism of Jesus:

A spring offers forth, earth’s generosity.

A stream flows on, water’s patience.

Christ comes down, true humility.

The Word made flesh is flesh and water.

Jesus enters the water; all water is holy.

That water is the water you drink, the mercy you bathe in, the mystery you are, the holiness that is yours.

Because the Beloved is here, immersed with us, all birth, water and flesh, is baptism into that grace:

“My child, my beloved, with you I am well pleased.”

The water flows on, ocean to mist, to sky, to rain, to you, never ceasing.

Weekly Scripture – Isaiah 43:1-7 & Luke 3:15-22

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year nears its end, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving – and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end. The world as we know it spins madly on. Advent starts as another election season is ending. We want to ponder together all we will need in order to move faithfully through this threshold.

Our visual theme for the season is inspired by quilting because this series feels like a blanket wrapped around you, providing warmth and comfort as you begin again. Like a quilt formed by scraps of old fabrics and meaningful family items, this worship series stitches together the ancient scriptures and reminders we need to hear again and again. The medium of quilting is an ancient craft – dating as far back as 3400 BCE – but it is seeing a modern-day resurgence. Quilts have been used for physical protection, comfort, ceremonies, abolition, family heirlooms, advocacy, and more. Quilting is a medium that transcends countless cultures, regions, and time periods, but is a craft rooted in community and storytelling. The fourth traditional quilt square design is called “birds in the air.” Sometimes when we take a risk, hope takes flight. At times it may feel like you’re falling, but you’ll find that, in God’s embrace, you are flying.

Weekly Scripture – 1 Samuel 2:1-10 & Luke 1:46-55