Rev. Choi has recently been approved for commissioning as an elder by the Board of Ordained Ministry of the UMC. It has been wonderful to have your voice among us for a time, Rev. Blessings on your continued calling! SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, NRSV Romans 4:13-2513 The promise that he would inherit the world…
Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, a season of lengthening light and preparation. We begin by reflecting on the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan. Indeed, this is a season of “repentance” or “returning” to center. What will we lay down and leave behind? What transformation lies ahead, just out of sight? Let’s be mindful, and consider these things in our hearts, minds and bodies. We are bundled into our homes in these dangerously cold weeks, still, the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s gather and keep the gift of Sabbath. We’ll sing and pray; reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, a dazzling experience! We consider the mountaintop moment that lights our portal into the season of Lent, and we welcome Rev. Hannah Choi to worship. Hannah reflects on this “radiant” passage, related in three of the four gospels, on the first of a series of Sundays that she will be with us. This is a rare opportunity to get to know Hannah in a time when new relationships are particularly precious. We are bundled into our homes in these dangerously cold weeks, still, the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s gather and keep the gift of Sabbath together with one another. We’ll sing and pray; reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
This final Sunday of Epiphany we attend to the wisdom contained in our own shared sanctuary. It holds symbol and sign; sacrament and spiritual history. We wonder, too, at how the sacred space expands to hold us – even as we cross distances and each inhabit our own, smaller, sanctuaries. Cassie Davies-Juhnke will deliver a sermon written by Elton Brown, long-time pastor of PPUMC, in 1986, while he was appointed here.
It is in turning to the Lord that we receive peace and can experience a subversive joy in times of trouble. Rejoicing in the Lord is an antidote for the anxious heart! This message by River Valley District Superindentent Rev. Cynthia Williams is for Advent and anytime throughout the year. It includes a scripture reading…
Tom is solo pastor at Path of Grace UMC in Maplewood, MN. To learn more: pathofgraceumc.org SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20, The Message (Notice the 3 voices: God, Samuel; Eli.) 1-3 The boy Samuel was in training in the temple serving God under Eli’s direction. [Eli was a renowned priest in Jerusalem.] This was at…
We are in the liturgical season of Epiphany. It begins with the arrival of the Wise Ones, the ones who held precious the prophecy of ages and followed the signs to the Star of Bethlehem. The ones who were led across the desert on a previously unknown road to find the Prince of Peace. These same Wise Ones discovered, also, a threat snaking its way beneath the veneer of peaceful platitudes, one that caused them to – once again – travel by another, new road. The sumptuous gifts they leave behind will resource yet another desert journey to be taken. What might we hear in this ancient story that guides us on the next leg of our own journey? It is winter, and the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s keep the gift of Sabbath; rest a bit in community; sing and pray together; reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
Bishop David Bard, resident bishop of the Michigan Conference and the Minnesota Conference’s interim bishop in 2021, shares his commitment to working with Minnesota United Methodists toward a more vital and vibrant Methodism in Minnesota; to keeping before us our gospel imperatives of growing in love of God and neighbor, reaching new people, and healing…
Where is your hope anchored? This worship service explores that question. Our five district superintendents each share a personal story of hope made real in their lives, and their messages are interspersed with incredible musical arrangements provided by United Methodist Churches throughout Minnesota. As we prepare to enter a new year during a global pandemic, this…
Advent begins in the dark and anticipates a brighter day. Our waiting for dawn is far from passive – it is filled with planning, wondering, firming our roots and gathering our resources for growth, all while keeping an eye on the horizon. As we gather to worship and meditate this Communion Sunday, we will continue our Advent collection of symbols. Each of you is invited to bring to your worship window – along with simple elements for Communion – something that is an emblem of what is currently bringing light into your life, reminding you that Christmas is near. Above the manger hangs a star of light – shining through the dark. It is winter, and the Base Camp of our church community is warm. Let’s keep the gift of Sabbath; rest a bit together, and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
