Pastor’s Corner – January 2, 2024

Dear Beloved,

I hope you continue to enjoy Christmastide and the hope, love, joy, and peace of Jesus. I give thanks for you and the opportunities we’ve had to worship and serve God together in 2024. I’m grateful that we can pray together and for each other and the world. I’m grateful for those who have come before us, and I’m grateful for God’s mercy. For those of you who have known me for a bit, you know that I love opportunities for fresh starts. For me, I see the new calendar year and each new season of life, as an opportunity for a new beginning. I am reminded that God’s mercies are new all the time. Is there something that is yearning for refreshment and renewal in your life, a place you want to allow yourself to receive God’s grace, a new or different spiritual practice you’d like to try, a new perspective or attitude about something….? I pray that we can take our past experiences to God and allow God to use them - to help us be more and more transformed into the followers of Jesus we are invited to be - forgiven and free to more fully embrace and reflect God’s never-ending, ever-faithful, through-out-the-ages compassion and kindness. You are loved. You are cherished. May you feel God’s love leading you into 2025.  

  With gratitude for you and for God’s steadfast compassion,

        Sarah

Great is your mercy, O Lord;

    be gracious to me according to your justice.  Psalm 119:156

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

Pastor’s Corner – December 26, 2024

Did you know that charitable giving to churches represents 27% of all charitable giving in the United States, according to research by Nucleus. Not surprisingly, this represents another downward trend connected to the decline in religious affiliation.

Giving in America has diversified to many different non-profit organizations. People give directly to the causes they prefer, no longer looking to the church to make those decisions for them. Nor is it surprising that more and more people prefer the convenience of online giving. Thankfully, Friedens has that option at our website, www.FriedensUCC.org.

As the year comes to a close, many people give to charitable organizations in the spirit of generosity of the Christmas season as well as to take advantage of the related tax deduction. A strong conclusion to Friedens’ financial year allows more funds to be directed to the ministries of the national and international work of our denomination called Our Church’s Wider Mission. These funds empower support of a variety of local ministries of welcome, education, advocacy, justice, and reconciliation, as well as projects of compassion with partners around the globe in times of war, displacement, and disaster. If you would like to know more about Our Church’s Wider Mission and how you can help, please reach out to the Friedens Moving Outward Council Representative, Tim Tjarks at timtjarks@gmail.com. Wise stewardship of our resources is one way we share the love of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – December 19, 2024

Dear Beloved,

How are you as we near the end of Advent - a special season of repentance, reflection, and preparation to welcome Jesus into our lives? By the time this reaches your inbox, it will be a few days until Christmas. By the time another message from me reaches your inbox, it will be 2025, so I would like to invite you to spend some time this Christmas season considering what Christmas means to you? How does the good news of Christmas impact the way you view the world and who we are? As I sit with these questions, Mary the mother of Jesus comes to mind. I appreciate how she pondered and treasured things in her heart. This year I feel enfolded by the mystery and wonder of the incarnation - that God would choose to come and live among us - to be born to a young woman and a common worker who quickly had to flee for their safety. Words fail me, when I consider that Maker of the stars and seas would choose to come and live among - to experience our pain and joy, to show us how to live as beloved and loving children of God, to show us how to live as peacemakers. In the silence that arises as written and spoken human language escapes me, I feel movement in my heart. By God’s grace, I want to grow deeper in my love for God and neighbor, and I want to share the good news of Emmanuel - God with us! I pray that everyone would know that they are never alone and that they are loved. I pray that you would know that you are never alone - you are loved. You are called by name. You are embraced and accepted by the Creator of the sky and the soil. May you feel the hope, love, joy, and peace of Jesus this Christmas and throughout Christmastide, and may the good news of God with us encourage you each and every day.

With the hope, love, joy, and peace of the Creator of the heavens and the earth~

Sarah 

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.  Luke 2:15-20

Pastor’s Corner – December 12, 2024

Did you know that religious affiliation continues to be in decline in the United States? Gallup polling reported that in 2000 42% of American adults attended worship regularly. In 2023 that number dropped to 30%. It is little wonder that today the average church in America reports average attendance of just 50 congregants.

No need to panic. It is the reality that we have been adjusting to for several years at Friedens. Our focus is on our mission of sharing the love of Christ with everyone, with a special emphasis of serving children and young people in our community. We have welcomed new members because we are a Just Peace and Open and Affirming congregation. We have new partnerships with the Cooperative Play Academy and St. Barnabas. We have hosted three Chin congregations who needed a temporary place to worship. We have sponsored community events like the recent Growing Gratitude program, featured in the Spirit and Place Festival, and we have sponsored a booth at Greenwood PRIDE. We have also received leadership training and a planning grant through Sacred Spaces IN. And recently, the congregation approved capital improvement projects for 2025 to ensure people can come and go safely in our church campus.

Like most other congregations we have fewer members, but the good news at Friedens—we have more disciples of Jesus. Those of us at Friedens UCC today are deeply committed to the way of Christ.  Our church staff and council continue to pray and work to be vital in this new era. If you would like to get more involved in this effort please reach out to our Congregational President, Sheila Denman, at 13sdenman@gmail.com, or our Vice President, Bobby Dake, at sarge.army@gmail.com.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – December 5, 2024

Dear Beloved,

This message will reach your inbox a few days after we have lit the Advent candle of Hope. With this candle and worship experience in mind, I would invite you to reflect upon where/how you find hope and where/how do you share hope with others? Maybe should back up a bit first and reflect on what hope means to you? For me, hope is a gift from God. It is a gift that allows me to keep on keeping on, to trust in God’s never ending love rather even in the midst of despair and weariness, to rest when there is always more to do, to reach out to others on this journey of life. I receive God’s gift of hope when I spend time with children, when I rest in God’s creation, when allow myself to be still with God, when I pray with others, when I remember others are praying for me, when I give thanks for all the people and organizations working for healing and equity, when I listen to stories from the Bible and modern-day neighbors who share how God is at work their lives….I pray that I offer hope when I speak uplifting words, when I pray with others, when I listen carefully….May you feel God’s hope offering you renewal and strength this Advent season. May you know you are a beloved child of Immanuel - God with us. By God’s grace, may we reflect the hope of the Maker of the heavens and the earth this Advent season.  

  With gratitude and hope,

        Sarah 

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. 

Psalm 33:22

Pastor’s Corner – November 28, 2024

Lessons I Live By 6

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The sixth and final lesson I am sharing in this series has to do with self-care. I have learned that self-care makes me a more caring person. My leader, Jesus, regularly went off by himself for prayer and solitude. He needed to renew and recharge so he could return to his life of service.

Taking care of myself is not selfish, it is a necessary part of a healthy and balanced life of discipleship. As I have often heard and believe to be true, I cannot fill others if my cup is empty.

Of course, the lessons I have shared in this series are not the only ones I have learned and am learning. I have been blessed with many good and faithful companions along the way who teach me so graciously and generously—good and faithful companions like you! Let’s be sure to continue to learn together so that we might grow into the full stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

Most sincerely,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – November 14, 2024

Lessons I Live By 5

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The fifth lesson I’ve learned is that the playing field is not level. Though our nation is founded on liberty and justice for all, there is plenty of work to do to make that aspiration true. I am finding purpose in my latter years in doing this work. I enjoy mentoring and encouraging younger people, I am learning more about the injustice that withholds equal opportunity, I am making a point to make room at the table for those who are on the outside looking in, and I am voting and advocating with that value in mind.

What lesson have you learned about how the world works that is inspiring you to think beyond your own interests?

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – November 7, 2024

Dear Beloved,

I give thanks for you!  Thank you for the meal ministries - the meals you prepare for young adults who are welcoming new babies into their families, the meals for people who are going through loss or sadness, the meals for people in the midst of health challenges…. 

Thank you for the food you bring for the school partner weekenders, the community food box, and the peanut butter for Hunger Inc. 

Thank you for generously giving to the general funds of the congregation and to special givings for disaster relief and special offerings.  Thank you for your love for each other, the community, and people near and far. 

Thank you for your worship participation and prayers.  Thank you for serving on ministry teams and out in the community.  Thank you for working through conflicts and sticking together through sorrow and joy. Thank you for welcoming everyone. 

Thank you for more than I can ever put into words. Thank you for supporting special events we do in partnership with local and global organizations to share the love of Jesus.  Thank you for your participation in the prayer vigils for non-violence. 

You are deeply appreciated!  And may you always know you are loved simply for being you!  And God calls you beloved because you are God’s precious child.  May we live in grace and share the good news of God’s belovedness!

-Sarah

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.  Psalm 107:1

Pastor’s Corner – October 31, 2024

Lessons I Live By 4

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The fourth lesson I try to live by is to always be myself. I have learned the hard way that pretending is exhausting and inauthentic. Plus, I have learned over the years that no one is fooled by the charade, and I end up looking like a fool when I try to be someone I’m not.

Why would any of us try to be someone else? Each of us is a loved child of God! Each of us has a gift to share! Each of us adds beauty to the wonderful diversity of God’s world! Each of us matters! So, be yourself, be the person God created you to be!

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – October 24, 2024

Dear Beloved,

Thank you for journeying along together in this meditation with colors for the last two months. I realized that with God’s infinite shades and hues, we could journey this way forever!  I wonder what your favorite colors have been in the past and present?  I wonder if any colors grew on you as you meditated with them?  I hope you enjoyed this journey together (through the colors in the ROYGBIV rainbow that I learned in elementary school).  Throughout this journey, I grew in my amazement and intrigue with colors - remembering that we name and experience colors differently and wondering about the ways our different senses connect - sight, sound, smell, taste, movement, touch, internal sensors that help stay regulated for functioning?  Wondering about connections between senses and how senses connect us with one another?  I am grateful for artists of all kinds who help us imagine and experience the creative nature of the Maker - drawing sounds, smells, textures, sights, and movement together - expanding our understanding of each other and the world God so loves - expanding our understanding of ourselves, our ancestors, the Spirit within each of us - expanding our connection with Jesus who painted pictures with his storytelling - who draws us in with parable - who repeated songs, prayers, and poetry of Hebrew scripture.  May you allow yourself time and space to rest in the creative embrace of the Compassionate Sculpture of the stars and the Swirler of the sunsets and sunrise, the Gracious Gardener who nourishes us with the fruit of the vine and the grains of the earth and invites to us join in receiving and sharing the beautiful gifts and blessings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithful, generosity, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  May you find hope in the covenantal bow of God’s everlasting ever-enduring mercy and love (Genesis 9:13).  May you find shalom in God’s belovedness for each and every one.  And may we seek God’s wisdom, courage, and powerful healing to live as rainbows in the midst of pain and challenges - offering hope and reflecting God’s overarching care and grace.

With humble gratitude and surprising joy,

    Sarah

Pastor’s Corner – October 17, 2024

Lessons I Live By 3

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The third lesson I have to share is choosing understanding over judgment. Jesus asked: Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3).

We all have weaknesses, sins, shortcomings, and failures. When we forget that truth, we tend to stand in judgment over others. However, if we begin with an honest appraisal of ourselves, we can be more understanding of others. Together we can learn from our mistakes, grow toward being more like Jesus, and remember that everyone we meet is facing some sort of adversity and is deserving of grace, just like we are. Taking the time to listen carefully, understand the perspective of another, to walk in their shoes, and have compassion (which literally means to “suffer with” another) judgment begins to give way to forgiveness, transformation, and mutual respect.

Jesus’ spirit of understanding is just what we need to build bridges instead of walls.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – October 10, 2024

Dear Beloved,

How are you in this new season of autumn?  Are there any particular ways we can be praying with you as we journey together in the ways of Jesus?  Purple is not the color that comes to mind when I think of autumn, but it is one of the colors that comes up often in the Bible that we have not yet explored in our journey of enjoying some of God’s colors as a way of meditating or engaging in a spiritual practice.  When doing a search on www.biblegateway.com, purple came up 51 times - mostly in the Hebrew scriptures or Old Testament.  When I think of purple in the context of Friedens United Church of Christ - the liturgical seasons of Lent and Advent to mind - but we’ll save those for other pastor’s notes.  The grapes turned to grape juice or wine for the sharing of communion also come to mind - but we’ll save those for another time as well.

For me, the Bible passage that comes to my heart is about a woman in the early church.  You can find her story in the book of Acts.  I remember learning about her as a kid in Sunday school and doing fun activities with purple cloth.  My childhood self enjoyed hearing about this woman who responded to the good news of Jesus’ love by offering hospitality and encouragement.  I pray that perhaps you will feel the extravagant welcome of Jesus and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit when you see the color purple in coming days.  May you find rest and quiet in the wonder of God’s splendid array of colors - those painted in trees and in sunrises and sunsets, those on your plate at meal times, those decorating the spaces you encounter, those you create with, those that give you comfort, those that energize you, those who give you time for reflection and offer you hope in the Maker of the heavens and earth who loves you more that you can ever fully imagine!

With gratitude,

    Sarah

From Acts 16 - 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 

And

 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Pastor’s Corner – October 3, 2024

Lessons I Live By 2

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The second lesson I have to share and I try hard to live by is not to take myself too seriously. Jesus did such a good job of this by keeping the focus on God’s Spirit and mission in his life. He could have been very impressed by his abilities to heal the broken and teach with authority. He might have chosen to leverage his abilities to become a wealthy ruler (Matthew 4:8-10). Instead of doing what he wanted, Jesus did what God wanted (Matthew 26:36-39). He followed the path of the cross to reveal the unstoppable power of Divine life and love (Philippians 2:5-8).

Have you considered how life might be more meaningful and purposeful if you took your self less seriously and God more seriously?

Yours in Christ,

Marc

(You can read the previous lesson at https://www.friedensucc.org/pastors-corner )

Pastor’s Corner – September 26, 2024

Dear Beloved,

I hope you’ve been enjoying our journey of meditating on some of the beautiful colors of God’s creation.  Before we move onto another color, I’d like to pause at the rainbow which is where we began this journey.  For me, rainbows are a sign of hope - a reminder that God has always been with us, is always with us, and will always be with us - and with everyone and with all creation.  Rainbows are a sign of God’s promises of covenantal faithfulness.  When I hear of yet another shooting, I yearn for the hope of full shalom.  I yearn for each and everyone of us near and far to know their belovedness in God and to proclaim the belovedness of everyone in word, thought, and deed.  I pray for God’s mercy, forgiveness and continued grace to show us how to live into this hope of shalom….When I hear of all the hurt near and far, I need the colors of the rainbow which remind me that we are not alone - just like a rainbow would not be a rainbow with only one color, we need each other with our splendidly diverse array of personalities, experiences, gifts, questions, talents, curiosities, and interests.  What symbols stand as reminders of God’s hope for you?  Are there spiritual practices that help you rest in and be renewed in hope?  I pray that we can experience hope when we gather in community for worship, service, connection, study, quiet, and the blessings of God’s creation and when we spend time in stillness - being nurtured and nourished.  May you know you are appreciated and loved by your church family and most of all by the Maker of the heavens and the earth.  

With gratitude and hope,

   Sarah

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.  Psalm 118:81

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.  Psalm 118:114

Pastor’s Corner – September 19, 2024

Lessons I Live By 1

The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.

The first lesson I have to share is the one that is most important and helpful to me—choose to be loving. In any situation or relationship, you will almost always add value by choosing the most loving option you have available to you. I know the truth of this because of the way love has made such a difference in my life. From my parents to my wife to my children, grandchildren and to the Friedens Church family, love has been the source of acceptance, forgiveness, transformation, goodness, enjoyment, and hope. Where would I be without love? That’s why I am committed to being as loving as I can be. We are supported in practicing this lesson because God is love (I John 4:8).

What matters most to you? Is love a lesson you practice?

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – September 12, 2024

Dear Beloved,

How do you feel when you see or hear about something blue?  Are there certain blue tones that connect you to stories or songs, memories or smells, traditions or holidays….? 

The first story that comes to my mind when I imagine blue is the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan.  I have no idea what shades of blue, green, brown, or clear the waters of the Jordan might have been that day, but perhaps pictures from children’s Bibles paint them blue for me.  The story of baptism and the sight, sounds, and textures of water often cause me to pause - pause in humility for the ways God covers us with grace, for the ways God connects us to each other, for the ways God creates, restores, renews, enlivens, protects, inspires, and provides.  In my experience of the baptismal story, I also hear a blue sky, but perhaps it was cloudy - however the sky appeared the gospel writers say that the heavens were torn apart or opened - God’s Spirit descended like a dove and a voice proclaimed, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 

Friends, whether you’ve been baptized or not, whether you were baptized with a little water or lots, whether you were young or old or in between, whether your baptism was a few days ago or many years ago, you are loved.  You are covered by God’s grace.  God knows you by name.  You are precious.  May God’s gifts of blue and God’s gifts of water offer you encouragement this week, and if you would like to talk about baptism or the spiritual practice of praying through/meditating about God’s colorful world, please feel free to be in touch.  I appreciate you and enjoy connecting with you!

With blue hope and joy,

   Sarah 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   Matthew 3:13-17

Pastor’s Corner – September 5, 2024

Jesus Told a Parable IX (The last in the series. I hope you have enjoyed reading and participating in this study of some of the parables of Jesus.)

Teachers in Jesus’ time commonly used parables to express ideas. The parable is a story-like form of metaphorical communication. Parables invite reflection and conversation through multi-layered and open-ended interpretation. Parables are a perfect form for God’s Spirit to convey wisdom in both timeless and timely ways. Parables often come with a surprising twist, revealing the way Jesus’ lessons are counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. Jesus told parables to help his followers understand the quality and character of life aligned with God’s values.

One of the most well-known and loved parables is found only in Luke, the parable of the prodigal and his brother. This parable is recorded in Luke 15:11-32. Here is the parable in a nutshell: the younger of two sons asked for his inheritance before his father’s death, receives it and uses it to travel to a distant land where he wasted his inheritance in foolish and selfish pursuits. The older of the sons remained home fulfilling his responsibilities to his father. When the younger son returns home repentantly, the father welcomes him with open arms and throws a welcome home party. Not surprisingly, the older son is put off by his father’s spirit of welcome and forgiveness. The father responds with these familiar words: Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found (verses 31-32).

I invite you to take a spiritual reading of the parable. Read it through a few times slowly and prayerfully. Listen for the connecting points between the parable and your own life experience. Identify an image, word, or phrase that resonates in your spirit. Sit quietly and ask God to open your heart to a truth that you need in this moment in your life.

My time with this parable drew me to a detail in the words of the older son spoken to his father and found in verse 30. Rather than referring to the younger son as his brother, he refers to him as this son of yours. It made me think of the ways I sometimes use words to create distance rather than connection. Words do matter. It is important for me to listen and learn the most respectful ways to address others. Everyone deserves to be heard and to be treated with the inherent respect each one has as a loved child of God.

This is a lesson I glean from this parable of Jesus. How about you? How is the living Spirit of Christ connecting with you through this parable? Feel free to reach out if you would like to share your connecting point.

May the parables of Jesus help us grow in faith and discipleship.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – August 29, 2024

Dear Beloved,

Thank you for journeying with me in our exploration of colors as a spiritual practice.  This week I invite you to reflect on God’s gifts of the color green.  What does green smell like to you or taste like to you?  Does green connect you to God’s creation?  Does green lead you to concerns and petitions to God for wisdom in the midst of consumerism?  No specific Bible passages came to my mind when I meditated on the word green, but during a word search the word green popped up 36 times - most often in reference to the energy and fruitfulness of the spirit experienced when we stay connected to God and God’s steadfast love. 

This week may you feel the beauty and nourishment of all God’s green creations and may you find peace and rest in God’s green pastures.  May you find hope in your name and identity - Beloved child of God.  May we proclaim Beloved to our neighbor, and may we rejoice in the ways God unites us and connects us through the life-giving greens of God.  

With gratitude and joy,

   Sarah 

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

I will thank you forever because of what you have done.

In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good. 

Psalm 52:8-9

Pastor’s Corner – August 22, 2024

Jesus Told a Parable VIII

Teachers in Jesus’ time commonly used parables to express ideas. The parable is a story-like form of metaphorical communication. Parables invite reflection and conversation through multi-layered and open-ended interpretation. Parables are a perfect form for God’s Spirit to convey wisdom in both timeless and timely ways. Parables often come with a surprising twist, revealing the way Jesus’ lessons are counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. Jesus told parables to help his followers understand the quality and character of life aligned with God’s values.

Luke records the parable of the great dinner in 14:16-24 (note a different version recorded in Matthew 22:1-10). Jesus tells that a host invited many to a great banquet but each had an excuse not to attend and sent their regrets. The host felt disrespected by these excuses and ordered his servants to go out to any and all in town to fill the house for the banquet. The parable ends with the house full of guests and the host sadly admitting, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.

I invite you to take a spiritual reading of the parable. Read it through a few times slowly and prayerfully. Listen for the connecting points between the parable and your own life experience. Identify an image, word, or phrase that resonates in your spirit. Sit quietly and ask God to open your heart to a truth that you need in this moment in your life.

I felt the Spirit nudging me to extend the invitation to life with God to anyone and everyone. It is not for me to decide who is in or who is out. My job is to extend the invitation to any who will listen.

This is a lesson I glean from this parable of Jesus. How about you? How is the living Spirit of Christ connecting with you through this parable? Feel free to reach out if you would like to share your connecting point.

May the parables of Jesus help us grow in faith and discipleship.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – August 15, 2024

Dear Beloved,

I want to take a quick pause from our spiritual practices of reflecting on God’s goodness through colors to simply remind you of your Belovedness. 

 Perhaps you have wondered why I begin my notes to you with Dear Beloved. My deepest desire for each human and each creature is for them to know their Belovedness - to believe they are loved by the Creator of the heavens and the earth in their innermost being and to proclaim to each of God’s children that they are beloved. God made you, my friend and sibling. God loves you, my friend and sibling. God sees you and hears you, my friend and sibling. You are called by name. You are cherished for who you are regardless of what you accomplish. 

 I am grateful to my parents and the UCC who have taught me this since my childhood. I am grateful to Pastor Marc and Friedens UCC who taught me to ask about our belovedness each Sunday morning and to be assured and reassured of this sole (and soul) identity. I am grateful for the words of author Osheta Moore who is reminding me of this once again. I am grateful for our Just Peace, Open and Affirming, and Global Ministries covenants and our mission to share the love of Jesus which help us live out the good news of God’s belovedness. 

 This week, I pray that you take some time to breathe in and rest in this good news.  

 With deep appreciation and hope,

   Sarah

 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11