The Progressive Reverend

This week, we begin a new sermon series on the book of Samuel.  You may ask yourself how Samuel is relevant to my life today. We will explore this more in the next few weeks, but here is a sneak preview. The book of Samuel provides profound insights into human nature, governance, justice, faith, and societal dynamics that resonate with the challenges and aspirations of the modern world.  The characters in Samuel's books features complex and human characters who deal with jealousy, loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness. These themes resonate with universal aspects of human nature and show us the right and wrong ways of addressing internal and external conflict.  The books of Samuel are a beacon, shining a light on justice and morality in governance and personal conduct. The narratives underscore the significance of righteousness and accountability in society, inspiring us to uphold these values in our own lives. In addition, Samuel contains themes of social jus...

As we embark on yet another garage sale, spending endless hours collecting, sorting, visiting, and selling,  I am reminded of the joy of community. A community is not merely a collection of individuals; it is a living organism that nourishes and supports each of us. Our congregation is a place where we can find solace in times of struggle, celebrate in times of joy, and grow together in times of learning. In our busy lives, it can be easy to forget the significance of what we have here—a group of people bound by faith, compassion, and a shared commitment to serving each other and our broader community. Each of you brings unique gifts, experiences, and perspectives that enrich our collective journey. Our community is more than just a gathering of people. It's a sanctuary where we find acceptance, understanding, and encouragement. It's a space where we can ask difficult questions, seek guidance, and lend a helping hand to those in need. Together, we weave a tapestry of relationsh...

 I was excited to hear that we achieved our goal of procuring enough volunteers to hold our annual garage sale.  Thank you to all who signed up. The garage sale will be held on April 20 from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. We could still use a few more people from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to help clean up.  As we open our church to the broader community, it is a good time to remind you that we are called to radical hospitality as an Affirming church. This means everyone who enters our building should be treated like a child of God. Radical hospitality goes beyond being friendly; it welcomes guests with warmth, openness, and authenticity that significantly exceeds expectations. Intentional hospitality surprises and delights people by making them feel noticed, giving them personal attention, and providing excellent follow-through. The hospitality makes guests feel so welcome they want to return again and again.  When we live into the principles of radical hospitality, we give people a taste o...