Genesis 15:1-18 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”...Abraham and Sarah were old by this point. It had been years since God called them away from their home in Haran. They'd traveled far; they accumulated great wealth. Life was good. But som

God promises that when the poor and needy are in need, and if there are no abundant resources to provide, God will intervene and provide, and not forsake them. Surely this message of God’s power and provision shows us that God cares for the poor and the needy and would restore a balance of resources.

Having watched a live-streamed genocide carried out by those who believe themselves chosen by God, who quote their scriptures to back them up, and who invoke a divine mandate as they raze whole communities to the ground. It's now impossible for me to read the scriptures in the way I used to read them. God on our side. God will lay waste to our enemies. God will give us the land. Now I understand these sentiments roll off the tongue of the oppressed in a different way than the

A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent by Pastor Corenna Rae Lectionary reading for 12/07/2025: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12    Selected passage for reflection: Isaiah 11:1-10 Read Isaiah 11:1-10 CEB 1 A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;     a branch will sprout from his roots. 2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,     a spirit of wisdom and understanding,     a spirit of planning and strength,     a spirit of knowledge

Isaiah 40:1-11--Today I invite you to read this passage of scripture slowly and aloud and in small sections.  Perhaps you can imagine yourself in the place of the author. Imagine yourself sitting somewhere with a pen and parchment, and you and God having this conversation. Perhaps you even write this passage of scripture by hand and then read it aloud.

As we approach Advent, many of us are experiencing a mixture of emotions. Some are excited, but many are fearful of the future, grieving losses of relationships and special loved ones. Some of us are facing very challenging circumstances and/or are suffering and in deep emotional and/or physical pain. We may feel desolate, disappointed, and disillusioned. We reach out for help, but people are unavailable or dismissive. Against the backdrop of the exciting news of the Savior,

Psalm 72 is a prayer for God’s justice, fair judgment for the poor, protection for the weak, peace for the land, and prosperity and abundance. Where am I placed and trusted to have authority? Who do I “rule” over? Is my leadership a reflection of Jesus? Am I seeking justice in my family and in my community? Am I taking care of the weak and the poor in my own neighborhood and city? Am I sowing peace? 

The spirit of discernment is powerful. Discernment is the spiritual discipline of assessment. It is imperative, in this chaotic time, to discern for ourselves who the false prophets are and whether the messages we are receiving are from God. How do we do this? If I am trying to figure out whether a pastor or faith leader is speaking truth, I always look to the fruit. What fruit is this person producing? Is this preacher producing the fruit of kindness, compassion, love, and j

Reflecting on Hebrews 11:32-40: The author’s point is profound: God often chooses the deeply flawed to demonstrate the power of faith. He works through timid hearts, scattered minds, and past failures to accomplish His purposes.

A Reflection for Monday, December 1 by Samantha Wade Lectionary reading for 12/01/2025: Psalm 124; Genesis 8:1-19; Romans 6:1-11  Selected passage for reflection: Genesis 8:1-19 Read Book Chapter: Genesis 8:4-17 CSB 4 The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. 5 The water continued to recede until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were visible. 6 After

What are we to do with this uncertainty? What are we to do when violence, injustice, and greed seem to dominate our world? Jesus’ instruction is clear: Stay awake, be alert, and follow his teachings. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Our ignorance about God’s timing calls us to this way of living—seeking righteousness, loving kindness, an

The account of Noah and the Ark is an early example of God’s holiness, faithfulness, justice, mercy, and love. Noah believed God to be good and gracious, despite the destruction and the unknown that was before him. He trusted God and obeyed Him, even when it was hard to make sense of what was to come. And yet through it all, God proved to be a faithful, loving, and merciful God. We are here today because we are long descendants of Noah and his family. 

By faith, Alicia took to the dark roads. She put on that one song that reminded her to be bold. She rolled down the windows, turned up the heat, and poured her angsty heart out to the one who created the mountains on her left. 

A Reflection for Thursday, November 27 by Rev. Bronwyn Leigh Murphy  Lectionary reading for 11/27/2025: Psalm 122; Daniel 9:15-19; James 4:1-10 ; Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 122 Read Psalm 122 NIV 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” 2 Our feet are standing    in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city    that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up—    the tribes of the Lord—to pra

This year, Advent and Thanksgiving coincide. On November 27th, start your day of gratitude with scripture and prayer. I encourage you to download Prayerful Reflections , a free daily devotional. Prayerful Reflections  is a daily resource for connecting with God and the broader Christian community during Advent and Christmas Day (November 27–December 25, 2025). Each day, a different author will reflect on the daily scripture from the  Revised Common Lectionary . Through the s

A Reflection for Easter Sunday, April 20 by Rev. Alicia Reese Lectionary reading for 04/20/2025: Easter Vigil Selected passage for...

A Reflection for Holy Saturday, April 19 by Eileen Lundy  Lectionary reading for 4/19/2025: Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24; Psalm 31:1-4,...

John 19:10 - 11 9 Pilate went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. The past few months have been tough. Everywhere, bullies seem to be winning. Dominating the world stage and, if I’m honest, captivating some of

A Reflection for Maundy Thursday, April 17 By Kim Delp Lectionary Reading for 04/17/2025 Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14   Psalm 116:1-2,...

As we journey through Lent, a season of reflection and preparation, Hebrews 12:1-3 offers us profound guidance. The passage encourages us to lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and to run with endurance the race set before us. This race is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring perseverance and focus. The key to running this race successfully is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, f