Mark 4:35-41 Wednesday nights during lent, we’ll be taking an additional look at the same gospel we shared on the previous Sunday. Gospel stories are rich with meaning, so we hope you’ll dig deep with we preachers as we come at the text from another angle...
On the Move My family took a very long road trip this past week. Out of necessity. Some of you have travelled or will travel soon. I’m hearing of a few spring-break trips. I’m hearing of some of you taking trips cross country to visit elderly parents...
Mark's Gospel Last week we deviated from reading through the gospel of Mark, when we heard the story of Jesus calling two disciples as recorded in the gospel of John. Today we’re back in Mark’s gospel, which we will read at worship throughout this year of...
The Polar Plunge I’ve never done this myself, but I was there in person a few years ago, when several of our church pastors and staff took the plunge. The Polar Plunge. Into a giant hole cut in the ice of Lake Mendota, our church team...
Star of Wonder On December 21, the winter solstice, my book group took a sunset walk in the Dane County section of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. We had a good hike in the warm winter evening. Unfortunately, it was cloudy with drizzle, so like the rest of...
God Speaks I know most of us aren’t taking any or many road trips in these "Covid" times. But one person’s writing recently reminded of some roadside billboards that were placed along freeways 20 years ago. (“‘If I Was to Speak What Might I Say’ –...
Earlier this week we had some new wood-looking vinyl flooring installed at my house. It replaces old flooring in nearly every room on our main level; kitchen, eat-in area, family room. We had to prepare the way for the installers, so for several hours last...
Giving Thanks in All Circumstances Well here we are—about to celebrate another holiday in a way we never expected. Tomorrow we will eat a meal alone or perhaps together with a smaller than usual number of family members. I’m sorry if it’s different for you this year,...
“We do not grieve as those who have no hope,” Paul says to the Thessalonians. Yet we still grieve. I saw it with my own eyes and felt it in my own heart within the last couple days as I officiated several small funerals for...
One Predictable Change As of this morning, we set our clocks back correctly and gained an hour of sleep. As I say this aloud, I hope it occurs to you, as it does to me, that at least one predictable thing happened in 2020—we have changed...
A Variety of Denominations We’ve started confirmation for our church’s Middle Schoolers recently. We’re Zooming with about 25 6th graders on Tuesday nights and around 75 7th & 8th graders on Wednesdays. It’s their weekly mid-week Christian education time. This year, our young people will be learning...
A Sense of Urgency This parable about a wedding banquet gone wrong is a bizarre story (Matthew 22:1-14). Matthew, our gospel writer, extends Jesus’ parable, adding even more dire twists and turns because, scholars believe, Matthew is trying to convey to his audience, and to us,...
Chilly Mornings, Warm Beds The weather in these last couple days and nights has shifted. Its chilly out there! I’ve quickly transitioned to snuggling under the covers for my night’s sleep. And I’m already finding it more difficult to crawl out of my cozy blankets in...
Living in Harmony? I don’t know about you, but I am someone who hates disagreement and conflict. About 6 years ago, our church staff took personality inventories and I learned that my number one strength is “HARMONY." That means I want everyone to get along and...
"Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) During this uncertain time, prayer gives us a way to feel connected to each other and Christ. It gives us something we can do to help each other and the world around us. It keeps us connected to and reminds...