Today is the second Sunday of Lent, our 40 day journey of preparation for Easter. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and self-examination, observed by fasting, prayer, and acts of service. It is a time of spiritual renewal to deepen one's relationship with God.
In Lent, we remember that our salvation is an unearned gift, that new life is a matter of faith, not of works, given as a free gift of grace. We gather as people guided by the promise of new life, a promise fulfilled by Christ, whose path we follow.
Today is the first Sunday of Lent, our 40 day journey of preparation for Easter. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and self-examination, observed by fasting, prayer, and acts of service. It is a time of spiritual renewal to deepen one's relationship with God.
We begin with a discussion of Jesus' temptations in the wilderness. We ask God to journey with us through our own wilderness, whatever that is. Even when we feel alone, God's grace is never far,
Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our series "Telling the Truth" by reflecting on change. Change is inevitable, and all change is loss. God speaks of new wine and new wineskins, of grace that cannot be confined to what once was. Jesus describes an alternative to the norms of society - the Beloved Kingdom of God - but we have to choose it. On the mountain of transfiguration, the disciples glimpsed God's glory shining through Jesus Christ. But it takes work to follow Jesus and pursue the Kin-dom alternative. We ask God to transform us so that we may listen, follow, and give ourselves in love.
Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our series "Telling the Truth" by reflecting on change. Change is inevitable, and all change is loss. God speaks of new wine and new wineskins, of grace that cannot be confined to what once was. Jesus describes an alternative to the norms of society - the Beloved Kingdom of God - but we have to choose it. We strive to be the good soil, ready to hear God's word, to understand it, and to bear fruit for this Kingdom.
Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our series "Telling the Truth" by reflecting on change. Change is inevitable, and all change is loss. God speaks of new wine and new wineskins, of grace that cannot be confined to what once was. We ask God to do a new thing in us, for the sake of the world.
Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our series "Telling the Truth" by reflecting on the current strife in our nation. The voices of hate and incivility are loud. If our nation is to survive and flourish, we must reclaim a common spirit - one that has been expressed throughout our history.
Rev. Ron Bartlow continues our series "Telling the Truth" by remembering Martin Luther King Jr. and the day set aside to remember what he worked for. Racism is wrong, but yet it is still all around us. We continue to challenge racism in all its forms.
Rev. Ron Bartlow introduces the series "Telling the Truth" by linking author Walter Brueggemann's idea that the prophetic role of the church is to "tell the truth in a society that lives in illusion, grieve in a society that practices denial, and express hope in a society that lives in despair" with the wisdom from television character Ted Lasso and feminist Gloria Steinhem, that "the truth will set you free, but first it will really piss you off."
Today is Epiphany Sunday, a celebration of Christ's manifestation and the revelation of Jesus, the light of the world, who came to dwell among us. We welcome guest preacher Rev. Mel Roberts, Campus Pastor and Executive Director of Tucson Wesley.
Today is the Sunday after Christmas! We have one combined worship experience today, with music, songs, and fellowship, led by Rev. Ron Bartlow.