Restoring All Things The story of the restoration of Peter is a subtle, profound reflection on the gracious nature of Christ – the disciple who denies Jesus is restored in love. This is, of course, the very nature of the whole of Christ’s ministry. Christ’s restoration of Peter is our own story and Christ’s imperative to Peter is ours as…
Could & Should The prophet Isaiah reminds the people of Israel what can and will be – that God is moving to bring the fullness of life to the people. Jesus uses a strange illustration about a fig tree to remind his disciples of God’s sustaining grace. And in the midst of trials and tribulations, we are reminded that it…
Who You Truly Are The strange story of Jesus’ transfiguration might best be understood as a revelation – Jesus is not transformed into something new, but is revealed in the fullness of his divinity. The revelation of Jesus’ nature also points us to an understanding of what spiritual growth is – a revelation of who we truly are. Read Luke…
The Body of Christ We, the Church, are the Body of Christ – gifted for the Gospel work of proclaiming God’s love. Sometimes we know what our gifts are and can claim them, and sometimes our work as the Church is to see and lift up one another’s gifts. Join us as Rev. Brett Pinder, the Oregon-Idaho Conference Strategist for…
For the Common Good You’ve probably heard the passage from 1 Corinthians that highlights the variety of gifts among God’s people. You’ve maybe been part of a class or taken a quiz to discover which spiritual gift(s) you have. Buried in the middle of this passage is an important phrase that we might overlook – and it gives us the…
Beloved, Be Love Jesus’ baptism models what it means to be incorporated into the Body of Christ and into our belovedness. But just as Jesus’ baptism initiated his incarnational ministry, so our baptism calls us to ministry in the world in real and tangible ways. We are called to BE love in action. And one way that we embody love…
Mystery and Revelation On Epiphany Sunday, we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the nations. The Magi’s arrival, and their announcement of the kingship of Jesus, remind us that God’s work in Christ is for all people. As followers of Jesus, we seek to grow in Christ-likeness so that our lives reveal the Good News of God’s universal love. Read…
Whose Rule? We use the phrase “Kingdom of God” often – but where is the Kingdom? Jesus invited his followers to see the Kingdom all around them, and in themselves. Perhaps a clearer term might be “Reign of God.” Where is the Lord of Love reigning? Well, right here and right now, both within us and all around us. But…
What We Could Be It’s easy for us to imagine going back to the ‘good old days’ – a time we imagine as simpler, more faithful, and better. Followers of Jesus are susceptible to this idea – that with each passing year we stray farther from the faith and success of our ancestors. But, of course, our ideas about how good…
The Cost of Love What does it mean to be the church? Why should you give your money, your time, and your energy to the church? Psalm 146 reminds us of God’s ongoing work for justice, and the call for us to commit ourselves to this divine work. And a famous story in the Gospel of Mark about a woman…
For These Saints For All Saints Day we honor the beloved members of our congregation who have died in the last year, giving thanks for their lives and the legacy they have left. We’ll read the names of our congregation’s beloved members, and we’ll light a candle to symbolize the eternal light of God’s love. We remember and give thanks…
We Belong Together We’ll be welcoming new members into LOUMC, including a celebration of the sacrament of baptism. And in the vows we make together, we’ll remember that this community is a gift of God to us. And we’ll remember that, in Christ we belong to one another. Join us live at 10:00 on September 29 or watch the replay…