by Joanna Lawrence Shenk, this sermon is the fifth Sunday of our Lent series, “Covenant: The Tie That Binds.” Mark 6:7-13 “I live my life in widening circles,” says the poet Rilke. “I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give…
By Joanna Lawrence Shenk Romans 12:1-8 (adapted) Sisters and brothers—siblings—I ask you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and whole, to God. This is an act of worship. Don’t conform yourselves to this social reality, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you can…
By Joanna Lawrence Shenk, upon return from a six week sabbatical. I must begin with gratitude – and it’s hard to put into words because I feel like my heart is overflowing. It is such a gift to have you all as a community, affirming the value of sabbaticals and helping to make them happen. …
By Joanna Lawrence Shenk Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 Last Sunday Sheri exhorted us to claim the authority of compassion as followers of Jesus who are committed to personal and societal transformation. Compassion is not a sentimental pity for those deemed less fortunate. It means to “suffer with” or as Sheri said “to be moved in your…
By Sheri Hostetler and Joanna Lawrence Shenk This is the third in an Eastertide mini-series called “Rewilding Jesus” that unearths fun and feral images/ideas about Jesus, the Jewish prophet deeply rooted in his place and his community and undomesticated by Empire. The kindom of heaven is like a farmer who sowed good seed in a…
by Joanna Lawrence Shenk This is the second in an Eastertide mini-series called “Rewilding Jesus” that unearths fun and feral images/ideas about Jesus, the Jewish prophet deeply rooted in his place and his community and undomesticated by Empire. John 1:1-5 I confess that given all the bad Christian theology and biblical interpretation out there, I’ve…
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