Browsing Year A

Love, Limbo, and How Low Must We Go?

2nd Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 20, 2011
This week’s gospel contains perhaps the most “famous” verse in scripture AND its often overlooked counterpart. Just what are the limits of God’s love for the world? How do we measure and define them? Surely such love transcends the limits of limbo and human frailty! (Photo by Gil Megidish used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

You are Invited…

1st Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 13, 2011
You are invited to enter fully into Lent, to walk through the wilderness of your sin, sorrow, and suffering and to experience the presence of your Lord. Will you accept the invitation? (Photo by archer10 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Listen up, Disciples!

Transfiguration Sunday, Year A, March 6, 2011
Listening is hard work. Just ask Peter! If, however, we can stop long enough to really listen to each other and to God, amazing things happen. Don’t believe me? Well then, listen up. (Photo by quinn.anya used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Hard Knocks and Heavenly Hands

Don’t worry! You are inscribed on God’s hands,and you will not be left alone in your anxiety and pain. These are words many people in our congregations need to hear. Be sure to remind them this week. (Photo by Nojhan used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

The Disciple’s Guide to Lavish Love

Valentine’s Day may be just a memory, but the disciple’s call to lavish love is an everyday reality. What does it mean to practice lavish love? Read on and see what this week’s lectionary texts have to say. (Photo by rococohobo used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Choosing Life and Loving God

6th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, Year A, 2/13/11
Love is in the air, and Americans are about to spend lots of money to celebrate. What about the love of God and neighbor? Will we choose life by loving and serving God? God’s love is a whole lot more satisfying than a box of chocolates! (Photo by internets_dairy used under a Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Salty Saints

5th Sunday After Epiphany, Year A: Feb. 6, 2011
Jesus tells his followers they are the salt of the earth but warns against losing flavor. There’s more to salt than meets the eye, so grab your salt shaker and let’s look at the lesson. (Photo by Charles Haynes used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

God’s Love Language

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, Year A, Jan. 30, 2011
What does God require of us? To understand AND respond, we might want to consider God’s “love language.” Photo by coolm36 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!

Immediately

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, Jan. 23, 2011
This is a wonderful text with lots of possibilities. What’s the most immediate point that needs to be lifted up in your context? Perhaps it is this one: when Jesus calls, just HOW immediate must one’s answer be? This minute? Today? Tomorrow? Next year?

Look/See: A Simple Lesson in Evangelism

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, Jan. 16, 2011
Evangelism does not have to be costly and complicated. In fact Jesus and John boil it down to two actions expressed by the words “look” and “see.”