Posted by svanbaale |
This past Sunday was Groundhog Day. As you may know, the official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter. But don’t despair; his prediction is usually more wrong than right. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says between 2014 and 2023, Phil was right only 30% of the time.
Do you ever feel like you are repeating the same day…
Posted by hlewis |
We are in one of my favorite seasons in the church year — Epiphany, where we relive the moments when Jesus is revealed to us as the Son of God. In last week’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus reads Isaiah’s prophecy in his home synagogue. He tells them that He is the one anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recover sight for the blind, and set the oppressed…
Posted by jbrudvig |
In Luke’s account of the start of Jesus’ teaching and preaching ministry, the tradition of the Hebrew prophets looms large. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus returns to his hometown (Nazareth), attends worship in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and reads from the scroll of Isaiah proclaiming good news to the poor, liberation for captives, sight for the blind, and freedom for the…
Posted by lhigbee |
With a new beginning, an ending usually comes. The beginning of a new year is the end of the old one.
For me, it is the end of my time at Salem. I have enjoyed my time getting to know you and your church. It's been said that God brings people into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, and while my season with Salem is ending, I know without a doubt that the reason God brought…
Posted by svanbaale |
We are about a week into 2025. As with every new calendar year, I find myself filled with anticipation. I can’t help but wonder what the year will hold. Will I look back on it next December fondly, fearfully, angrily, or a mixture of all three?
At the beginning of the year, just like in this week’s Gospel reading, we are filled with anticipation and the unknown. We will celebrate the…
Posted by hlewis |
This Sunday we will celebrate the Magi giving their precious gifts to Jesus, as we prepare for the season of Epiphany. Did you know that many countries celebrate gifts from the Magi instead of Santa? Children in Latin America write letters to the Magi detailing their good behavior and asking for presents, while children in Spain leave straw in their shoes by the door for the Magi’s horses on the…
Posted by lhigbee |
The Gospel reading this week is Luke 2:1-14, but I would like to write about Luke 2:1-20, because I find the shepherds fascinating. Most of the sermons I heard in childhood only talked about how Jesus was born in a stable and how he was just wrapped in what they had to keep him warm. I want to focus on the shepherds.
During the time that Jesus was born, shepherds were considered lowly,…
Posted by jbrudvig |
I have a confession to make. As a child, I thought Christmas was all about presents, especially the ones with my name on them under the Christmas tree. Brightly colored packages that I hoped included items on my Christmas list. By making Christmas all about the presents, I now realize that I overlooked the gift that Christmas brings, the gift of presence.
The older and wiser version of myself…
Posted by svanbaale |
This week’s Gospel begins with some strong words. John addresses the crowd who have come to be baptized by him with the words, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” I am sure those harsh words got their attention!
He goes on to say, “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Posted by hlewis |
As I try to stay calm and focused, working through all of the details for what is happening in the next few weeks, I’m taking a moment just for me. I’ve lit a fire in my fireplace, made a mug of chai tea, and I am breathing deeply. My guess is that everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed right now as we prepare for the holidays.
One of the calming moments I’m looking forward to are our…