First Sunday after the Epiphany | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” (Verse 22)
An Act of Commitment Read More »
Anyone who claims to live in God’s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It’s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God’s light and doesn’t block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn’t know which
A Commentary by John Currid The book has a greater purpose than simply being a moral story of human uprightness. The author tells a story that took place in the time of the judges (see commentary on Judges for more on this period), which is one where “there was no king in Israel” (Judges 21:25).
Second Sunday after Christmas | Sermon: Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor | Reading: John 1:10-18 The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like the Creator, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (Verse 14)
The Real Consequences of Christmas Read More »
I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left — feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear
Colossians 3:12-14 Read More »
God remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.
But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.”
Thunder in the desert! “Prepare God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the ruts paved over. Everyone will be there to see the parade of God’s salvation.”
One day in one of the villages there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him in prayer and said, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.” Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there his skin was