John 15:1-11 The context of this passage is really important for us as we read it. As our liturgist read said, this comes as a word of encouragement and promise from Jesus to his disciples as they share the Passover meal in the Upper Room. At this point, the disciples are starting to freak out. Jesus has been talking about going away and preparing a place for them. But they aren't ready for him to go, a certainly not ready to continue on without him. Peter is quite vocal & even insists on going with Jesus. And so here, Jesus encourages these men who have been his companions, students, and friends to
Luke 2:41-52 I love how this perspective for Joseph gives new life to this story. It’s always been a kind of humdrum in my mind. Jesus went to the temple and hung out. And he was such a nerd that he stayed there for days. And…he didn’t tell his parents so they were scared and incensed when they found him. The end. (Just goes to show you I’m not always a deep thinker.
But as I read this narrative from the perspective of Joseph something came alive in me. Their story grew bigger in my mind. Joseph’s sort of a meek character in the Bible. He’s humble enough to stay with Mary and
Matthew 2:1-12 Ahh, the wise men. These wonderful astrologers from the East who travel for months to come and find the “King of the Jews” and bring three strange, yet prophetic gifts. In the last couple of years as I’ve studied these men, I’ve been struck by the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them. They weren’t from Israel, or seemingly anywhere close. They weren’t Jewish and wouldn’t have been familiar with the Jewish scriptures, yet they somehow felt compelled to follow a certain star in search of the new King of the Jews. And for their journey, it wasn’t wine, or nuts, or dates…not bread or new sandals that they carried, but gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I’m fairly certain the Holy Spirit was guiding them, prompting them
John 3:16-17
Titus 3:4-7 As Connie helped frame the service for today, we are talking about giving. And throughout our series this Advent, we’re looking at the different expectations (from family, culture, and ourselves) that can co-op the heart of Christmas and looking at ways we might reclaim the traditions of decorating, giving, and doing in ways that claim and center the holy.
So, this week our focus is on giving. We all know that giving has been a centralized part of the Christmas holiday. As a culture, we spend extraordinary amounts of money, and sometimes even go to extreme measures to buy and
Sunday morning parking at the church is available in the high school parking lot on Third Street across from the church and in the city lots west of the church. These lots are available only on Sunday mornings. A small lot for handicapped parking is available just off of Adams Street on the north side of the church, with an accessible entrance directly into the sanctuary. A lift operates between the Fellowship Hall (3rd Street level) and the Sanctuary. William Sound System Receivers and Headsets are available to assist with hearing problems.
The First United Methodist Church of Moscow, Idaho takes as our mission to be the body of Jesus Christ, ministering to a community which draws strength from its diversity. Our mission centers on the worship of God, expressed through varied forms of prayer, preaching, music, and ritual. See more...