Saint Paul Calls the Plays

I don’t know about your house, but ours has a bit more football-talk going on than one would imagine - especially since our Saints didn’t make the play-offs. Like many, we’ll be cheering for the LSU players who made it to the Super Bowl (we have them on both teams). Who will be our new head coach? What about a quarterback?

I don’t know about your house, but whoever wins, retires, or coaches doesn’t affect our day-to-day lives. We still have obligations to fulfill, chores to do, and bills to pay. We have our lives to live. We have our own victories and defeats.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he offers much advice about how to face the wins and the losses - the hellos and the good-byes. Some of his words are stern, others with tenderness. Yet, all are filled with love and compassion. The Christians in Corinth were facing so much change - not only in the home team, but in their faith. Their day-to-day living was being challenged in ways they had never imagined. Paul challenges them in different ways - notice ways to make the world around you a better place, strive for unity no matter which team you’re on (or cheering for), and no matter what - never forget that Jesus loves you.

Or maybe the ancient text says it best…

"I don't know about your house, but as for me and mine - we will serve the Lord.”

The Journey Continues!

Pastor Jo

February 1, 2022

"...and maybe that is how unity begins...

Little foxes in the vineyard… the straw that broke the camels back… remind us of how “insignificant” things can become overwhelming. No major disasters or disappointments… just those pesky details that refuse to fall into place. We’ve all had those days. I’m actually having one of those days today!

And then comes yet another a reminder. Oh wait, this is a reminder to pray for unity. It is this reminder that invites me to step away from the minor mishaps and step into the community that is ours through prayer.

“Eternal Creator; immortal, invisible, God only wise:

With these words, we quiet ourselves before you again with awe and reverence.

We thank you for this day, a day that is new and fresh, a day we do not deserve,

but a day you have given us. We praise you for your graciousness

and your steadfast and generous love…”

As I continued reading aloud, I notice my rushing thoughts beginning to settle. As I lift up words of confession and proclamation, I imagined my voice joining a chorus of other voices who are willing to stop for a moment to lift up a prayer for unity.

This prayer may not result in everyone turning weapons into plowshares, but it has ushered me into a moment of stillness, of sacredness, and a moment to pray for the greater good… and maybe that is how unity begins…

Pastor Jo

January 25, 2022

Day of Prayer for Unity

"All Are Precious in His Sight"

I purchased this box of Colors of the World for one reason – the reminder that they are “non-toxic.”

I’ve visited a few museums, I’ve read a few books, I’ve had conversations, but none of that fully opens my mind to what it means to be hated and feared simply because of the color of my skin.

In The Gospel According to John 2:1-11 we are told of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. This wasn’t done merely as an introduction to what Jesus could do or setting the stage for more miracles. This was done so that a family woul

d not experience shame and disgrace. We mustn’t forget that it was Mary, the mother of Jesus, who stood in front of that shame and provided another way: “Do what he tells you.”

We try to make it so complicated, but if we truly heed the words of Mary we will respond with love because Jesus tells us to love our neighbors and our enemies, we will respond with compassion because Jesus tells us to care for one another. We will respond with grace because Jesus tells us that how we treat one another is how we treat him.

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pastor Jo

January 17, 2022

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day