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Here we seek to grow.

Here we seek to be courageous allies.

Here we seek to be open and affirming.

Here we seek to honor each other’s story.

Here we seek to welcome each other’s mistakes.

On this seventh Sunday of Eastertide, we continue our theme of Resurrection Stories. Household keys are the anchor image for this series. Our faith holds the “key to our own resurrection.” We are invited to name the things that have us “locked up” in our lives and to “unlock” our own resurrection – finding ways to live more fully and more free.

Mental illness is one of the most common, devastating, and yet stigmatized maladies of our time. If this is an “Age of Anxiety,” we must be a church of healers and hope-givers. We will pray for those who deal with various forms of trauma and the consequences of mental illness, those who care for them, and open compassion for our own struggles.

Rise up in us and we will rise

From death into a newfound life:

From bondage freed, from harm released,

From illness healed, as one in peace.

When all is lost our hearts are warmed,

Our hope restored, our lives transformed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly Scripture Matthew 28:16-20, Philippians 4:4-9. & Romans 15:4-7,13

On this sixth Sunday of Eastertide, we continue our theme of Resurrection Stories. Household keys are the anchor image for this series. Our faith holds the “key to our own resurrection.” We are invited to name the things that have us “locked up” in our lives and to “unlock” our own resurrection – finding ways to live more fully and more free.

Over the last two weeks, members of The United Methodist Church gathered in Charlotte, NC, for the postponed 2020 General Conference. Early in the plenary process, the body voted to “regionalize” – allowing United Methodists in various parts of the world to make some adjustments to the Book of Discipline to reflect their contexts, and to place the central conferences in Africa, Asia, and Europe on equal par with the United States. While the General Conference made many other important decisions, we want to lift up some specific changes that relate to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people into the life of the Church. This General Conference voted to:

• Lift an existing denominational funding ban on supporting LGBTQ+ ministries and affirming LGBTQ+ education;
• Strike down a 40-year ban on “self-avowed practicing homosexual” pastors.
• Remove penalties for clergy or congregations holding same-sex weddings; and
• Initiate a moratorium on all judicial proceedings concerning human sexuality.

We give thanks for progress in the pursuit of justice and inclusion. May our connection grow in love, and may we seek new ways to be the body of Christ in a divided world. May this be a new day for those who’ve been harmed by our Church, and a new day for the kin-dom of God.

This country is made up of so many who escaped to the “promised land” from oppressive regimes. Throughout history, people have had to flee situations of horror. Even within our country and in our own time, there are those who live with oppression and fear. We seek to widen our understanding of what we must do to continue to work for liberation on so many fronts.

Rise up in us and we will rise

From death into a newfound life:

From bondage freed, from harm released,

From illness healed, as one in peace.

When all is lost our hearts are warmed,

Our hope restored, our lives transformed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly scripture – Exodus 3:7-9, Psalm 146:6-9, & John 21:15

Here we seek to grow.

Here we seek to be courageous allies.

Here we seek to be open and affirming.

Here we seek to honor each other’s story.

Here we seek to welcome each other’s mistakes.

On this fifth Sunday of Eastertide, we continue our theme of Resurrection Stories. Household keys are the anchor image for this series. Our faith holds the “key to our own resurrection.” We are invited to name the things that have us “locked up” in our lives and to “unlock” our own resurrection – finding ways to live more fully and more free.

Illness of mind, body, or spirit can sap us of our life passion and energy. Sometimes illness can change the course of our lives forever, asking us to adapt in ways we never imagined. And while illness is not visited upon anyone by God’s design, sometimes limitations open our eyes to other possibilities. We will look for a different perspective on how we deal with any life-altering situation.

Rise up in us and we will rise

From death into a newfound life:

From bondage freed, from harm released,

From illness healed, as one in peace.

When all is lost our hearts are warmed,

Our hope restored, our lives transformed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly Scripture – John 21:1-8 & Mark 5:25-34

Here we seek to grow.

Here we seek to be courageous allies.

Here we seek to be open and affirming.

Here we seek to honor each other’s story.

Here we seek to welcome each other’s mistakes.

On this fourth Sunday of Eastertide, we continue our theme of Resurrection Stories. Household keys are the anchor image for this series.Our faith holds the “key to our own resurrection.” We are invited to name the things that have us “locked up” in our lives and to “unlock” our own resurrection – finding ways to live more fully and more free.

What is it like to literally not have a home, a place to lay your head at night? “Homeless” can also mean a sense of not feeling “at home,” lacking a feeling of belonging, feeling alone even in the midst of others. So many in this world are isolated. How can we find, and offer each other, “home” with the assurance of the presence of God and a beloved community? Today is Earth Sunday, and we remember that Earth is our only home, and a home we share with all of creation. God has entrusted us with the care of this home, and in gratitude, we care for it and give God our praise and thanksgiving. 

Rise up in us and we will rise

From death into a newfound life:

From bondage freed, from harm released,

From illness healed, as one in peace.

When all is lost our hearts are warmed,

Our hope restored, our lives transformed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly Scripture – Luke 24:36-43 & John 14:18-28

Here we seek to grow.

Here we seek to be courageous allies.

Here we seek to be open and affirming.

Here we seek to honor each other’s story.

Here we seek to welcome each other’s mistakes.

Our Special offering this Sunday affirms the sacredness of Indigenous people, their languages, cultures, and gifts to the church and the world. Offerings on this Special Sunday support vital ministries and churches in Native American communities and allows the UMC to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Half of the funds remain in each local Annual Conference to focus on local native ministries.

On this second Sunday of Eastertide, we continue our theme of Resurrection Stories. In 12-step recovery programs, the first step is admitting powerlessness over anything that threatens to destroy our connection to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to others. This week, we consider the variety of ways addiction occurs in our lives. We will celebrate the Good News that we can refocus our lives onto things that lead us to life and connection to the Holy.

Rise up in us and we will rise

From death into a newfound life:

From bondage freed, from harm released,

From illness healed, as one in peace.

When all is lost our hearts are warmed,

Our hope restored, our lives transformed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly Scripture – Psalm 13 & Luke 4:1-13 & 9:39-43