Music Notes from Justin Smith
Music Notes for October 1, 2023 Our music today takes its cue from the lectionary reading Psalm 90. In 1708, Isaac Watts wrote text and music for "Our God Whose Help in Ages Past," paraphrasing the words of the Psalm, in celebration of his wife's recovery from...
Let’s Get Real About Healing
Dr. Steve Lindsley(Isaiah 40: 1-11) The reality we need to acknowledge: Healing brings wholeness. So first, a quick recap: Rebecca and I are preaching a sermon series, “Let’s Get Real,” where we are getting real with you about four things we need to do as a...
Let’s Get Real About Lament
Dr. Steve Lindsley and Rev. Rebecca Heilman-Campbell(Psalm 130: 1-8) The reality we need to acknowledge: There is no going back to the way things used to be. STEVE There are lots of ways one can understand the expression “Let’s get real,” and believe me, a Google...
The Hardest Kind of Forgiving
Dr. Steve Lindsley(Matthew 18: 21-35) Two sisters are sitting in the corner of the kitchen. They've been asked to stay there until they cool down a bit. Arms crossed, faces sullen, bottom lips protruding. They are not happy. Neither is their father. He stands in...
Prepare the Way
See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way,the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord;make his paths straight.’(Mark 1:2) The middle of Mark’s gospel - Mark 8:22-10:52 - has often been referred to as...
Burn, Baby, Burn
Rev. Rebecca Heilman-Campbell(Exodus 3:1-15, 4:10-12) For just a moment, I invite you close your eyes if you’d like, take a couple deep breaths in and out and as you do that, think about where you’ve seen, felt, or heard God in your life. Think about all the places...
Drawn Out
Dr. Steve Lindsley(Exodus 1: 8-14; 2: 1-10) The time had come. She understood that now. The danger was too real, too great; and so she would do the one thing that goes against the grain of any loving, caring mother: give up her son. Give him up to the Nile. What...
Prepare the Way: Here We Go!
Rev. Rebecca Heilman-Campbell(Mark 1:1-3; 10:46-52) You can ask my husband or my family, I like to be prepared. And it’s become a running joke in the family. At our wedding, over a year ago, instead of my father giving a loving toast, he gave a loving roast. He pulls...
Get Out of the Boat
Dr. Steve Lindsley(Matthew 14: 22-33) Poor, poor Pete. I mean, you got to feel for the guy, right? All the great things he did, being the rock on which Jesus built his church - and yet he’d forever be remembered for his two perceived failures: denying Jesus...
Weeds Among the Wheat
Dr. Steve Lindsley(Matthew 13: 24-30) We find Jesus on a parable kick in the 13th chapter of Matthew. And for whatever reason, seeds seem to be heavy on his mind, as earlier in the chapter he shares the parable about seeds thrown on different kinds of soil. ...