“Two Cities” I spent last week in Tanzania, that achingly beautiful land of deep contradictions that reaches from the inland waters of Lake Victoria to the dry savannahs of the Serengeti; from towering green volcanic peaks to the golden sands of Zanzibar. Presiding over it all is mighty Mt. Kilamanjaro, comprised of three …
“From the Cross, to the Grave, to the Skies” As Holy Week approaches, its message reaches across a world gripped by darkness with fingers of dawning, celestial light: “This is my body, given for you…Love one another…I will not leave you orphaned…Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” It would be …
Devotion: “From the Cross, to the Grave, to the Skies” | April 8, 2022 Read More »
Dear Friends, This Sunday, February 20, we will be looking at Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” found in Luke, Chapter 6. It has some notable distinctions from Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount,” including the context of the one of Christ’s most challenging teachings: to love our enemies and do good to them, blessing them and …
Devotion: “Love Your Enemies” | February 19, 2022 Read More »
Are there people in your life in whom you’ve placed trust? Your answer is hopefully “Yes!” Do you hold the same level of trust for our elected leaders? Your answer is probably “No!” How about yourself? Do you trust yourself to be equal to any and all challenges coming your way? Do you trust …
“The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” -John 4:14 This Sunday, January 9th, the church worldwide celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. But why did Jesus submit to be baptized by John? John the Baptist’s ministry offered people “a baptism of repentance for …
I have a collection of old family Bibles at home, some of which are well over 100 years old. There is my Confirmation Bible—the purple hardcover with my full name (including Gilbert!) embossed in gold letters on the front. There is the small Bible Dad carried throughout the South Pacific when he served as a …
Devotion, December 3, 2021: The Wonder of a Name Read More »
Dear First Pres. Members & Friends, This Sunday we celebrate Christ the King—the final Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is a time to celebrate and remember that Jesus Christ is a different kind of king. He now sits enthroned in heavenly glory: King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet we encounter this …
Devotion, November 19: Hope, Aspiration, and the Path Forward Read More »
“For by grace you have been saved by through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” -Ephesians 2:8 This past week, our daughter underwent major surgery at the University of Chicago. The surgery was scheduled for 12-14 hours. After a hurried prayer in midst of …
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” On Thinking of Others as Better than Yourself Our Bible text for this Sunday is from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, a faith-community he held in particular affection and regard. He is writing to them from his prison in Rome, with a …
The Priesthood of Jesus When Christians speak of the identity and role of Jesus, titles like “Shepherd,” “Messiah,” “Savior” and “King” come to mind. Less familiar is the title of “Priest”—much less “a great high priest,” as he is named in Hebrews 4:12-16, our scripture lesson for this coming Sunday. When we hear the word …