Mountains and Valleys We quite frequently use mountain and valley language in Christianity - primarily because the Bible is chock full of literal and mountains (Mount Sinai, the Mount of Olives) and v...  Read More

And when he (Judas) came, he went up to him (Jesus) at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him (Jesus) and seized him (Jesus).  Mark 14:45-46 (ESV)I remember when I used ...  Read More

Stay With Me As you reflect on the text of Mark 14: 32-50, you may wish to listen to this prayer.  How does the tone and movement of the hymn reflect the scene in Gethsemane?  Stay with me.Remain here...  Read More

Agony in the Garden In reading over the passage for this week's sermon (Mark 14: 32-50), I was struck by how many details I often overlook because I am "familiar" with the story.  Knowing the story of...  Read More

Gethsemane This poem by Mary Oliver considers how the sleeping disciples, like Judas at the Last Supper, are integral to the story of Christ.  After reading the poem (perhaps more than once), Consider...  Read More

Asleep Continuing in the book of Mark this week, the sermon on April 7 will focus on Mark 14:32-50 (NAS below).  In these verses, Jesus prayers in Gethsemane while his closest friends drift off to sle...  Read More

Still Walking Around You may have seen churches decorate crosses with purple, black, and white scarves during Easter.  The purple scarf is usually placed on Palm Sunday and represents the royalty of J...  Read More

Do Not Be Afraid During our recent Evening Women's Bible Study, Julia Nell shared these words of Martin Luther regarding the angels at the empty tomb:...the angels come with two commands:  the first i...  Read More

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;                  He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;                  He burns the chariots with fire.“Be still, and know that I am God.             ...  Read More

Easter Sunday Blessed Resurrection Day!  He is risen.  He is risen, indeed!Alleluia!  During the forty days of Lent, many church traditions refrain from singing "alleluia," "hallelujah" and/or "gloria...  Read More

Holy Saturday Matthew 27: 62-66 (NKJV)On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still...  Read More

The Stations of the Cross From the earliest of days, followers of Jesus told the story of his passion, death and resurrection. Centuries ago, Christian pilgrims desired to visit the Holy Land and see ...  Read More