"The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. " ~Acts 17:24-25

Paul journeys to Athens and finds a very religious community. They have shrines to gods of every size, shape and culture. They even have a shrine to an unknown God in order to cover their bases. We too create shrines to gods: we worship the god of wealth at the shrines of banks, investments and dollar bills. We worship celebrities as gods at the fame and prestige, we worship power at the shrines of economic and politic might and we worship America at the shrine of the flag. There is only one God. "The God who made the world and everything in it" and God's shrine is not made by human hands, but lives in all of creation and within each one of us. This Memorial Day, may we give thanks for those who have lost their lives in the wars for peace and may we worship not the countries they fought for, but the God who walked with them into battle, held them in their final moments and welcomed them to a heavenly banquet to be reconciled with those who were their enemies.
~Pastor Eric

"He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, "Look, here are my mother and my brothers." ~Matthew 12:49

Jesus reminds his followers that the family of God, the community who followed Jesus, is at times as important as our immediate family. Last Sunday Nina and I were reminded of how blessed we are to have such a supportive and loving church family. Both of us were speechless (a rare occurrence) at the outpouring of love and support from so many of you at the surprise baby shower. Thank you all so much for your generous gifts and words of hope and joy. It can be hard to have our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews so far away, but we are truly blessed to be surrounded by such a loving community. Thank you for being our church family. We are grateful for the ways in which God's love and grace shines through each one of you. Thank you!
~Pastor Eric and Nina

"Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the LORD's house as long as I live." ~Psalm 23:6

This book has always been one of my favorites and was the first book I bought as a pastor (yes even before The Giving Tree). It is the story of a little bunny who has decided to run away from home. His mother does not keep him from running away but instead tells him that wherever he runs, she will pursue him. If he becomes a rock on the highest mountain, she will be the mountain climber making her way to him, if he becomes a sailboat on the wide ocean, she will be the wind filling his sails and keeping him safe. It is one of the best metaphors of God's love. Like the mother bunny, God loves us SO much, that God will not keep us from running away, but as the 23 Psalm tells us, wherever we run, wherever we go, no matter how many times we turn away, God's goodness and faithful love will pursue us.
~Pastor Eric

"Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread." ~Luke 24:35

How do we best encounter Jesus? Through rich theological discussion? Through spirit-filled worship? Through solitary fasting and reflection? The presence of Christ may be revealed to us in all of these ways, but in this passage we hear of a way all too often unlooked: in the breaking of bread. Fellowship, table-sharing, the breaking of bread are all too often relegated as less important than worship, bible study, or council meetings. On the road to Emmaus, it is in the breaking of bread that Jesus is revealed and made known. Not in the talking or praying or study of scripture but in the radical hospitality, the invitation to a stranger and the sharing of food. How might we follow this example in the coming days? How might the resurrected Christ be revealed in the breaking of bread at the Food Share truck on Tuesday, at Crossroads on Thursday, at the Lord's Table this Sunday or at coffee hour after worship?
~Pastor Eric

Join us for Sunday Service at 10am
Listen to last week's Sermon here!