A Cry of Faith?

Feb 15, 2013 | Devotions | 1 comment

Psalm 22:1-31 “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1)  Jesus cries on the cross because life at that moment hurts. Was Jesus being faithless when he cried out? We cry also when we experience pain, desolation, and loneliness. When we cry like Jesus are...

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Feb 14, 2013 | Devotions | 1 comment

Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist is in the Judean wilderness preaching to the crowd and baptizing them. John was, in modern lingo, the “opening act” for Jesus. My mental image of John, from reading the scripture, is that he was a bit of a hippie; very organic, before...

The Challenges of Temptation

Feb 13, 2013 | Devotions

Luke 4:1-15 The first day of Lent shoves us into the solitary wilderness of temptations. Who else but Jesus could report on these struggles, since he was in this desolate place by himself? One main function of the season is its call to self-reflection, where our...

2013 Lenten Devotions Introduction

Feb 12, 2013 | Devotions

Lent is one of the most ancient observances of the Christian church. It occurs during the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, and spans some 40 weekdays in addition to the 6 Sundays of Lent. The name is derived from the German and old English words for “length,”...

Advent 2012 Devotions Concluded

Jan 7, 2013 | Devotions

Our 2012 Advent devotional series is now complete. Thanks go out to Bill Tuck who edited the devotions, to Cassandra Ducca & the Devotions Subcommittee who produced the booklet and online posts, and great thanks especially to the many lay persons and ministers of...

His Secret

Jan 6, 2013 | Devotions

Ephesians 3:1-12 The oft-sung Christmas song reminds us that there are twelve days in Christmas. The twelfth and final day of Christmas is January 6. In the early Christian centuries this day, known as Epiphany, was a grander celebration than Christmas Day. Augustine...