God of the broken, God of the wanderer, Christ who is without shelter, surround those in deep need among us. Surround them and help us hear their cries for help. We are a people who long for the broken to be mended, we long for justice in the face of much corruption, we want to practice hospitality but have legitimate fears. Surround us in our trying times and help us to reach beyond ourselves. We confess we are bogged down by so much need in the world, may we have the courage to stand for what is right even when it offends, may we have the imaginations to help create a better world, and the strength of your Spirit to carry on. Let us be as you are in this world. Amen.
"A Tribute to Black History Month"
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Lao Tzu
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-10, 13
Jesus was very clear about who his followers were to be in this world. His words are, in fact, a statement of God's view of who we are: * v.13 "You are the salt of the earth..." * v.14 "You are the light of the world..."
What a powerful thing for God to say about who we are! These were astonishing statements to make - especially in Jesus' day. Salt was so valuable in the ancient world, that the Greeks called it divine. A Latin jingle, "Nil utilius sole et sale." "There is nothing more useful than sun and salt." There were times when Roman soldiers received their wages in salt... In fact the Latin word for salt is the word origin of salary.
In other words, here's what Jesus saying..."If salt isn't salty, it's of no use... and ... If light doesn't shine, people can't see!" So let's all go out and be an inspiration to others, light the way for all to know the love of God.
Peace! Rev. Kati
What a powerful thing for God to say about who we are! These were astonishing statements to make - especially in Jesus' day. Salt was so valuable in the ancient world, that the Greeks called it divine. A Latin jingle, "Nil utilius sole et sale." "There is nothing more useful than sun and salt." There were times when Roman soldiers received their wages in salt... In fact the Latin word for salt is the word origin of salary.
In other words, here's what Jesus saying..."If salt isn't salty, it's of no use... and ... If light doesn't shine, people can't see!" So let's all go out and be an inspiration to others, light the way for all to know the love of God.
Peace! Rev. Kati
When Jesus began teaching his followers, he gave them a list
of 8 blessings in his sermon on the mount.
These are known as the "Beatitudes." Each one consists of two phrases: the
condition and the result. The Beatitudes
present a new set of Christian ideals that echo the highest ideals of the
teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality, and compassion. Beatitude comes from the Latin word
"beatitudo", which means blessed, happy or fortunate. Most of us recall the opening line of the
passage: "Blessed are the poor in
Spirit..." The idea is that if you
live the way Jesus lays it out, you will be truly happy, truly fulfilled. However, as you know, the best things in life
always demand the best we can be and require the greatest effort. The life of beatitude to which Jesus invites
us demands no less. In Spanish, beatitude is translated
"bienaventuranza", literally "good adventure to you." We all know that adventure means risk, the
courage to defy the odds, the refusal to play it safe. Jesus is calling us to
live our life as an adventure knowing that he will be with us every step of the
way. He also gave us these teachings to help us understand that
life is not and will not be an easy road; however, we can be a part of making
the path we travel smoother for ourselves and for others if we can have faith
in his word.
So, "don't worry, be happy" for all is well with Jesus by your side. Peace! Rev. Kati
So, "don't worry, be happy" for all is well with Jesus by your side. Peace! Rev. Kati
I know you recognize the words in
the title of this week's "Constant Contact Newsletter" from a famous
song sung by Frank Sinatra. It is
interesting how the lyrics tie in with the call Jesus had for his disciples
then and for us today. Some of the
lyrics begin by saying, "Start spreading the news, I am leaving today, I
want to be a part of it." It goes
on saying "These vagabond shoes, they are longing to stray, right through
the very heart of it." I of course
have left out the words "New York, New York." Have you ever noticed how easy it
is to spread really good news? (Baby, New Job, Raise, Answered prayer). It's
easy to share news that encourages us personally. We must learn to communicate
the best good news of all and that is God's love for all, without exception. This means every single person
has a greater purpose for living than making it payday to payday,
getting married, raising children, retiring, and dying. God has called us all
to be "spreading the news." We were meant to become a part of
the tremendous divine plan to bring light to a world where darkness pervades
the lives of many. So when we have
doubts about being able to "spread the news" let Jesus show you the
way when he says "Come and See."
Peace! Rev. Kati
Peace! Rev. Kati
On January 15, 1929 Martin Luther
King, Jr. came into this world. He was a
Baptist minister and a social activist who led the Civil Rights Movement in the
United States from the mid 1950's until his death by assassination in
1968. Through his activism, he played a
pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens in
the South and other areas of the nation, as well as the creation of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King received the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. King was assassinated in April
1968, and continues to be remembered as one of the most lauded African-American
leaders in history, often referenced by his 1963 speech, "I Have a
Dream."
Many people have come into this world with peace, social justice, equality for all and unconditional love as their mantra, their passion. Some lived long lives demonstrating their beliefs through their work and words. They would be the inspiration for others who followed. Some were even killed for their determination to help humankind achieve the respect, rights and freedom for all and not just a select group.
When remembering the people who have contributed their goodness to this world without prejudice, it is good to remember where it all began. "For God so loved the world that God gave God's only son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". (John 3:16 abridged) So when we celebrate the special holidays for people who have made a difference in this world, let us not forget where it all began.
Peace! Rev. Kati
Many people have come into this world with peace, social justice, equality for all and unconditional love as their mantra, their passion. Some lived long lives demonstrating their beliefs through their work and words. They would be the inspiration for others who followed. Some were even killed for their determination to help humankind achieve the respect, rights and freedom for all and not just a select group.
When remembering the people who have contributed their goodness to this world without prejudice, it is good to remember where it all began. "For God so loved the world that God gave God's only son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". (John 3:16 abridged) So when we celebrate the special holidays for people who have made a difference in this world, let us not forget where it all began.
Peace! Rev. Kati
As we follow the liturgical calendar, January introduces us
to the "Baptism of Jesus".
Suddenly we find ourselves moving
from one beginning to another, from Jesus' coming among us in the flesh,
celebrated during the Christmas season, to his coming among us in
ministry. It is his baptism by John that
inaugurates this ministry. This was
Jesus' new start. The Christian faith
teaches that a new start is endlessly possible.
It is provided by a personal encounter with the risen and living Jesus
Christ. He offers the opportunity and
the resources to make a new start, despite our shortcomings and stubbornness to
let go and let God. Baptism is about new
beginnings, as it allows us to rid the soul of those things that would keep us
out of relationship with God. Baptism is
a renewing as it refreshes our attitudes, and gives us the courage to follow
the path God has set before us. Let us
meet Christ face to face and begin again by letting go of all that hinders our
growing into the person we were created to be.
Let's throw out the "old" and bring in a "new"
prosperous way of journeying with our God. Peace! - Rev. Kati
I love new things, especially new
years. Every twelve months we have the opportunity to reboot our lives
should we so desire, dawning a fresh, new page. There is something
incredibly liberating about a new year. It is a celebration of optimism
and hope, a sense that the world is renewed and its possibilities are
unlimited. Some of my favorite words are optimism,
opportunities, possibilities, and faith. Recently I read that every
January, one of the authors' for Guidepost Magazine likes to designate a single
special word and use it to shine a light on the year ahead. She calls
that word her "spiritual lens", focusing on how she can grow,
deepening her faith and discovering greater inspiration in the everyday moments
of her life. Instead of making a New Year's Resolution, how about
selecting a specific word and make it your "spiritual lens" upon
which you can focus on growing and deepening your faith in God? Life is
meant to be traveled in a forward direction with God. Here is a quote
that I think will help you to remember the message of traveling forward in life
with God; "Don't let your rear-view mirror be bigger than your
windshield". Peace be with you!
~Rev. Kati~
~Rev. Kati~
This is truly a time for us to reflect on the wonder of our God, who loves this world so much that we were given the gift of Jesus, who came to free us from darkness and lead us to His light. God chose to live with us, to save us from violence by showing us the true
way to peace; to save us from greed by showing us the way to compassion, and to show us the way to self-giving love. I pray for all to open themselves to experience this incredible love. May God's light shine upon us and bring us to wholeness in our hearts, minds and souls.
Peace!
~Rev. Kati~
way to peace; to save us from greed by showing us the way to compassion, and to show us the way to self-giving love. I pray for all to open themselves to experience this incredible love. May God's light shine upon us and bring us to wholeness in our hearts, minds and souls.
Peace!
~Rev. Kati~
We are nearing the end of the second week of the season of advent. Last Sunday we lit the candle of peace. Have you ever wondered what true peace is? I am quite sure we all have different understandings and definitions. For the most part peace is understood as an unexplainable inner quietness that leaves our souls and minds at perfect rest even in the midst of an intense situation. This season of Advent calls us to live out this time of hope and peace in all we say and do. Advent peace and hope is placing a vision of God's realm in our minds and then living toward it. It is acting as if there will be a glorious future and then working to ensure it with all that we have. When it comes to peace, let us be reminded of these words from Nelson Mandela: "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all people live in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal I live for and hope to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die". May the peace of God give you peace, courage and wisdom to be about influencing harmony and equality for all.
Peace! Rev. Kati
Peace! Rev. Kati
Some people consider the season of Advent as a time of quiet waiting when it really should be a time of active searching! It is the searching for the spark of Jesus in others, renewing our own light from God, and looking for hope when people say there isn't any. Our faith centers around how Jesus Christ, born into this world as a small spot of light in the darkness, helps us to believe, and live like we believe, that love, forgiveness, redemption and hope have a part in every choice that we make.God bless each of you as you travel your brightly lit spiritual path. Amen.
November 28, 2013- God of all blessings, source of all life, Giver of all grace: We thank you for the gift of life: for the breath that sustains life, for the food of this earth that nurtures life, for the love of family and friends without which there would be no life. We thank you for the mystery of creation: for the beauty that the eye can see, for the joy that the ear may hear, for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder, for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves. We thank you for setting us in communities: for families who nurture our becoming, for friends who love us by choice, for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks, for strangers who welcome us into their midst, for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding, for children who lighten our moments with delight, for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future. We thank you for this day: for life and one more day to love, for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace, for neighbors and one more person to love and by whom be loved, for your grace and one more experience of your presence, for your promise:to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation. For these, and all blessings,we give You thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
November 17, 2013-
Creator of all Life, You are the One who calms the storms, provides our shelter and our strength. We turn to You in this tragic time of massive devastation and death. Interceding for your people in the Philippines and in other parts of Southeast Asia, joining our hearts, our prayers, and our cries with theirs; we urgently request your comfort and support for this nation. We know you are sadden by the the suffering, and you feel the the pain of their loss. Come to Your people in a way that only You can, for You are the God of mercy and grace. Be the shelter for the thousands whose homes have now become debris or washed away with the waters. Be the healer for the wounded. Be the comforter for many who weep and for the many who search through the debris for their loved ones. "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." {Psalm 36:9} Amen.
Creator of all Life, You are the One who calms the storms, provides our shelter and our strength. We turn to You in this tragic time of massive devastation and death. Interceding for your people in the Philippines and in other parts of Southeast Asia, joining our hearts, our prayers, and our cries with theirs; we urgently request your comfort and support for this nation. We know you are sadden by the the suffering, and you feel the the pain of their loss. Come to Your people in a way that only You can, for You are the God of mercy and grace. Be the shelter for the thousands whose homes have now become debris or washed away with the waters. Be the healer for the wounded. Be the comforter for many who weep and for the many who search through the debris for their loved ones. "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." {Psalm 36:9} Amen.
November 10, 2013-
A Prayer for Veterans Day
Loving God, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country's heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America's victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. {A prayer byJoanna Fuchs}
A Prayer for Veterans Day
Loving God, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country's heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America's victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. {A prayer byJoanna Fuchs}
October 31st - A Prayer for All Saints & Souls
Merciful God, we thank you for your word; it is a lamp for our feet, a light for our path. We thank you especially that in the night of our grief and in the shadows of our sorrow, we are not left to ourselves. We have the light of your promises to sustain and comfort us. Through our tears, give us vision to see in faith the consolation you intended for us. In your mercy, grant us the unfailing guidance of your saving Word, both in life and in death; through Jesus Christ. Amen
Merciful God, we thank you for your word; it is a lamp for our feet, a light for our path. We thank you especially that in the night of our grief and in the shadows of our sorrow, we are not left to ourselves. We have the light of your promises to sustain and comfort us. Through our tears, give us vision to see in faith the consolation you intended for us. In your mercy, grant us the unfailing guidance of your saving Word, both in life and in death; through Jesus Christ. Amen
