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Posts By: Jeffrey Lawrence
December 22, 2019
Sunday, December 22 Gathering the straw of peace With just days to go until Christmas, how much straw have you filled Jesus’ manger with? Where did you bring joy to someone? How did this joy brighten the world? There is still more straw to add to the manger — the straw of peace. And… Read more »
December 15, 2019
Sunday, December 15 Gathering up the straw of joy On this third Sunday of Advent, reflect on the ways in which you showed the love of Christ to others. What did you do as an individual, as a family and as a church? How were these acts of love transformative to you, your family… Read more »
December 8, 2019
Sunday, December 8 Gathering up the straw of love Start gathering the straw of good deeds for this week by spending this second Sunday of Advent reflecting on where you brought hope to someone last week. What did you do as an individual, as a family and as a church to reach out to… Read more »
December 1, 2019
Sunday, December 1 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?” — Matthew 25:37 Gathering up the straw of hope On this first Sunday of Advent, consider what gives you hope. Who took notice of… Read more »
November 30, 2019
Straw for the Manger: Creating a Matthew 25 Advent season By Sherry Blackman Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I… Read more »
April 14, 2019
Palm/Passion Sunday, April 14 This week’s theme: The living Word of God We know virtually nothing of his life before he began his three-year ministry. We do know that he was well-acquainted with Scripture, most likely tutored by his parents. Throughout the Gospels we see how he freely and succinctly referred to the spiritual… Read more »
April 12, 2019
Sunday, April 21 Everything that has breath Psalm 150 On this day filled with shouts of “Alleluia, he is risen!” we come to the end of our journey into mindfulness through the Psalms. How fitting to close with the final song of the psalter, a majestic hymn of praise. Let’s read it in its… Read more »
April 7, 2019
Sunday, April 7 This week’s theme: Omnipresent Psalm 139 On the grounds of Maui’s Palapala Ho‘omau Congregational Church lies the gravesite of Charles Lindbergh. He was a man of extreme contrasts: a national hero, then a Nazi sympathizer; a consultant on war tactics, but also an environmentalist concerned with preserving species like the humpback… Read more »
March 31, 2019
Sunday, March 31 This week’s theme: All that is within us Psalm 103 The Westminster Shorter Catechism, written in the mid-1600s, appears woodenly orthodox through the lens of history. But its first question and answer (edited here for inclusion) provide a beautiful preface for any journey of faith. Question: What is the chief end… Read more »
March 24, 2019
Sunday, March 24 This week’s theme: Our bounteous provider Psalm 65 It originated in the mid-1500s, and today — nearly 500 years later — millions of Christian worshipers sing its familiar words each Sunday. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; praise… Read more »