He has risen! He has risen indeed! A battle cry that helped people at that time realize what the resurrection meant. They realized the power that the resurrection brought. What this meant for them. What does it mean for us?

The Israelites were given a choice of comfort or uncomfortableness multiple times during the Passover. They continued to choose comfort. When given that choice what do we choose?

Ephesians tells us to give our lives as a fragrant offering. I can imagine the extravagant love that is talked about in Ephesians is best shown in the story of Mary of Bethany. She broke out expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. What an extraordinary act of love.

Peter’s action in denying Jesus the night Jesus was betrayed wasn’t good. But I am so thankful that we get to see the redemption arc of Peter’s life. Peter’s failure isn’t the final word. We see though through that situation that Peter was remorseful for his actions. We can’t just pass off our failures we need to be remorseful and repent.

On the night they celebrated with the Passover meal Jesus was washing feet, even the feet of Judas. All while the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest. Our call is to Christlikeness, to serve, to humble ourselves instead of trying to grab power.

The call to discipleship is not something to come into lightly. May we understand that call.

One thing that should be a distinction of Christians is the way we love God and love others. We don’t do it as an obligation but a desire. When asking the question what should we do knowing what God has done for us John tells us to love not just by saying we love but showing it through our actions.

John says this is how God shows His love among us that He sent His Son that we might have life through Him. What does that even mean? Join us today as we think about that question.

In first John we read God is love. John makes that statement twice! There doesn’t need to be a qualifier added onto that statement. God is love. The more we understand that the more that love will overflow in our lives.

James says that faith without works is dead. A pretty bold statement that some have agreed with over the years and some have disagreed with over the year. Being Wesleyan we believe that good deeds overflow from our faith. We will discuss that today.

We finish out this series on giving with Paul talking about this indescribable gift given to us- Grace. May we give Grace as generously as we are given it.

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about this offering that is going to take place and gives the church some reminders on giving. Today we are reminded that we are a Kingdom of priests that are called to give what God asks us to give so that others can give Thanksgiving to God.

Paul gives some direction to the church in Corinth on their giving of an offering. We can use that direction as well in our giving of our money, time or talent.

Jesus crosses the lake into the region of the Gerasenes and what they are greeted with a sight. Join us in looking at this story.

The Magi travel to visit the Messiah. This is a story we have been told for years but do we understand how this wouldn’t typically make any sense? Why would gentiles travel so far to see the Messiah? And why would they take such gifts? On this the day before Epiphany we explore that thought.

Simeon was an older gentleman who came to the temple that day following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and what a sight he saw. He didn’t allow himself to become numb to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. May we not become numb to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

It’s here. We’ve made it to the final week of Advent! In this final week, we are invited to explore the gift of peace. Christmas is so close—and all the excitement and anticipation that come with it, especially when it is only a few days away. But this week, I invite you to continue to live into the anticipation of this last Sunday of Advent. Often we associate finding with something we do at the end of a journey. This week, I invite you to find peace in the space where you are, rather than hoping it will show up in the space where you want to be. In our journey toward peace, we find ourselves reading Mary’s song this week. These words are a beautiful expression of joy, trust, and peace in response to

God’s plan unfolding before her.

Few have to work to find the joy in Christmas, but the Third Sunday of Advent calls us to experience joy in a new and different way. Joy, if we allow it, can be seen in the ways that God’s kingdom is not only one day promised but also already at work here and now. It is easy to be overcome by the weight of the world and the death and despair that are evident wherever we look, but this week of Advent invites us to experience the joy that God is working in and through the world, despite the work of the powers and principalities. God’s gift of joy is already at work—we just have to be willing to see it.

Last week, as we began this Advent season, we spoke of waiting. Our reality, as God’s people, is that we are still in a season of waiting. We know the promise of Christ, who has already come, but we wait for God to come and make all things right—but waiting is hard. Today we are reminded, through words spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1, that even in the waiting we have the hope of God’s continued promise.

As we come to the first Sunday of Advent, a new beginning for the church year to come, we are reminded that we are people who hope because of who God is, who God has always been, and who God continues to be. Our hope is not unrealistic. We have hope not only because of what God has promised to us is yet to come but also because of the promises God has already fulfilled. There- fore, while we may live in a reality where there is brokenness and despair, and we know that things are not as they should be, we hope in God, who is continually working to make things right and good and whole.