This Lent, we will be using the ancient image of “The Two Ways” to explore our need for spiritual renewal. In this first Sunday in Lent, we will look at what the Christian tradition has seen as the three main sources of temptation to leave the Way of grace: the flesh, the world, and the devil. Chances are, those words don’t necessarily mean what you think they do. And we will look at the story of Jesus’ temptation in Mark 1:9-15 as good news for when we find ourselves either facing temptation, or having fallen prey to it.
Changed Hearts (February 14th, 2018)
Ash Wednesday invites us to begin the season of Lent by reflecting on the condition of our hearts and our relationships with God. While examining the traditional Psalm reading for Ash Wednesday, Psalm 51, Pastor Paige asks people to consider how they want God to change their hearts and help them develop new habits of faith during the 40 days of Lent.
A Marble Veil (February 11th, 2018)
Just how good is God? Do our shortcomings, our failures, or even just our plain human limitations prevent us from experiencing God’s presence and goodness? Or, instead, could they be the very places where we experience God most powerfully? In the story of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9), we see a new vision of God’s glory, and receive good news of hope and joy.
The Showdown (February 4th, 2018)
Jesus’ ministry is a whirlwind as he casts out demons, heals, and preaches the good news of God’s kingdom. In today’s gospel reading from Mark 1:29-39, Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever. She immediately rises up to serve Jesus and the disciples. Jesus set her free from sickness to serve. Pastor Paige asks listeners to consider the showdowns they’ve experienced in their lives, and how God has helped them prevail, rise up, and use their freedom and their gifts to serve.
Authority (January 28th, 2018)
What have you given authority to in your life? While Americans are usually suspicious of authority (we say things like, “You’re not the boss of me!”), most of us have, knowingly or unknowingly, given a lot of authority to voices, people, and forces. And those powers are killing our souls. But what if One has come who has true authority, and uses it not to bind us, but to set us truly free? In this sermon based on Mark 1:21-28, we hear Good News about Jesus and his life-giving authority.