Rev. Zach

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14      Revelation 1:4b-8       John 18:33-37 When I read this exchange between Pilate and Jesus, I can’t help but think of the game, “questions.” In this game, you answer a question with a question, and the first one to make a declarative statement is out. In fact, I think that would be a good way to start. Sam, would you come up and help me? [Sam and I trade questions, beginning with, “Can you imagine what it would be like to have Jesus as our King?” He responds with, “Are you saying that he isn’t?” from there we trade questions on the same topic.] OK, you win. I guess at some point we all just have to realize that faith requires us to make some declarative statements from time to time, and not just in church! In fact, the whole idea of celebrating the “Reign of Christ” came from our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters as recently as the 1920’s as a way of encouraging faith beyond the borders of nations. P...

1 Samuel 2:1-10     Hebrews 10:19-25     Mark 13:1-8 Let’s start with a little seasonal humor for a state that has two seasons: Miserably Hot and Tolerably Cold. “Hey, Fall, where you at?” Fall answers, “Rolin’ up with Winter by my side!” [This is followed by my uproarious and genuine laughter. No, really, I love to laugh! I keep laughing until others begin to join in.] Now, you may have just thought that I’ve lost my mind. You may have been laughing at me instead of with me, and that’s OK. Laughter is good and there is medical evidence to show that laughing offers healing to the body, and many believe it heals the soul as well. Laughter is good for the soul. In fact, you can google “ Laughing Yogi ” and find Hindu spiritual teachings based on the exercise of laughing. While we are obviously not Hindu, the idea of being intentionally joyful is a good thing for anyone, and I believe it is an indicator of the quality of our relationsh...

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17      Hebrews 9:24-28      Mark 12:38-44 As Jake and I planned the music for this Sunday we felt led to do things a little differently. Not only is the music in a different style, but our proclamation will be in a different style. I say this because Jake and I are going to offer it together, and hopefully, you’ll be a part of it, too. To begin with, I want to let you know a little about what goes into the average Sunday. We always start with the scriptures, and we usually stick to the lectionary texts. These are the ones selected by the National Council of Churches, and they bind us together with all who follow Jesus and move us through the seasons of the year reflectively. Today, given that we are doing a jazz service, Jake picked some tunes – and even wrote the anthem – in hopes of offering some basic themes of Christian faith that we are all going to weave together. Before that, though, I’d like Jake to share a...