“And the Lord had respect for Abel and his offering; But for Cain, his offering had no respect.” Gen 4:4-5 This week’s reflection is from Mr. John Endress, Licensed Lay Preacher. Upon suggestion, I re-read Genesis 4. In it, Cain and his brother Abel give offerings to the Lord. Abel’s offering is respected and Cain’s
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Each Monday midday I participate in Grow Your Gratitude Yoga What began as a way to support Black-owned businesses led me to an excellent class which is transforming my heart thanks to a
This week’s reflection on a favorite Bible verse is by Vestry member Dr. Leah Cunningham. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 To start, this Bible verse represents something complete in itself and unadulterated . The three tenets of faith, hope, and love
Mark 14:7 This short phrase is one of the most iconic groupings of words in the Bible. It’s an important verse for me, and not only because it is one of those relatively few occasions when, since Jesus is being quoted directly, we the readers are enjoined to sit up and pay attention. The very
As Autumn unfolds and surrounds us, as leaves change color, wither and fall, we are invited into a season of rest and reflection. God invites us to rest in God’s love and mercy. We are held in the luminous web of God’s love.We swim in the sea of God’s mercy. (Psalm 103:10 Baumann
As we continue to build our spiritual muscles in this season of uncertainty, today we go back to basics: knowing our values. Right now how we perform daily tasks (remember your mask), how we live together as a nation and more are in flux, but our values can ground us and guide us in
Spiritual Practice: “Help Me to See the World Through Other Eyes” As God’s people we are called to trust, to hope and to know the deep joy and peace that comes from cultivating relationship with God. In these unsettling times, may we make space to grow our spiritual muscles that we may increase in
We Don’t Know Though our only security rests in God, Church was never meant to be a safe space, especially for the comfortable. Put on your crash helmets and hear the word of the Lord. It calls us from our comfortable spaces to pouring out ourselves for God and others. And then there
“How quickly settled people forget how to live in the unsettled world!” *Li, Yiyun, Must I Go, Random House, 2020, p. 327 Our bodies, the landscape and our world change constantly, but at a pace we have come to expect, providing the illusion to many of us that we have settled lives. If not settled
Morning Prayer opens with a confession that is meant to prepare our hearts to worship God by clearing out and setting aside actions and thoughts which block us from knowing God’s presence. At the conclusion of the confession the priest or lay leader offers absolution which concludes with “… and by the power of