That’s No Way to Throw a Party

Luke 14:15-24, The Parable of the Great Feast We have a new worship theme about throwing parties. My favorite party story in the bible is the parable Jesus tells about the great feast. The host has invited all the big …

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Occupy the Body

October 23, 2016 – Pride Sunday Psalm 139 For me and I’m guessing maybe for you, too, politics as usual, has been more challenging than usual. The vitriol never seems to stop, but then, in the middle of the myriad …

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Occupation (as) Therapy

Mark 1:14-15 “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Praying. By …

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Occupied in Gainesville

I love the Sundays when we welcome new members because they remind me to ask again the question that Dar asked in her sermon a couple of Sundays back: why have we come? What are we doing here? It’s good …

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Lean on the Light

Resignation by J.D. McClatchy “I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do.”- Willa Cather. Here the oak and silver-breasted birches Stand in their sweet familiarity While underground, as in …

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This is Why I Have Come

THIS IS WHY I HAVE COME By Dar Mikula Mark 1: 32-39 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, And Jesus healed many who had various …

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A Celebration of Ministry

I give thanks in every remembrance of you, remembering your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. That is the Scripture that seemed to fit for us today. For “thank you” may well be the words you …

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A Celebration of Ministry

Fall is one of my favorite times to return to my Midwest roots in the Chicagoland suburbs. Walking through the town where I grew up, I am frequently overcome with a sensory experience that can practically overwhelm both my olfactory …

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Heart and Soul, Hands and Feet

When I came into the office, the message light on the phone was blinking red. I pushed the play button, and his voice sounded smooth and neutral. I was intrigued because when I listen to him, even if only on …

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A Love That Stretches

Our first Thanksgiving in Gainesville, John and Fonda Eyler let us use their beach house in St. Augustine for a few days. We planned a rather elaborate Thanksgiving feast for the two of us, so after a beautiful night listening …

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Hello-Good-bye-Hello

Philippians 4:4-13 Our summer songs are resolving themselves into the echoes of autumn. Here, we live, move, and have our being to the rhythm of the school year, even if we don’t teach or otherwise work with students, even if …

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