Rev. Zach

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45  There is a lot to talk about in these texts today. I do hope that you will take some time for further reflection during the week because we would be here all day if I tried to address every morsel in the banquet of goodness that we find in the text today. I say that metaphorically, but did you know that Ezekial actually ate a scroll? That was back in chapter 3, and he said it was as sweet as honey!  You can say that I lack his level of commitment, and I will not argue that point. What I will say is that our reading in the Gospel of John is a tipping point in the ministry of Jesus. From this point, his destiny is set, and he is on his final journey to Jerusalem and the cross. We see that clearly in the beginning. Even Thomas gets it when he says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”  Of course, this passage is about more than the expectation of the cross. It is about the experience of resurrection and salvation! It is ab...

Psalm 23 ; Ephesians 5:8-14 ; John 9:1-41 Well, friends, whether you have given something up or picked up a new discipline or habit for the season of Lent, I have some good news for you. The good news is, of course, that Jesus loves you no matter what, and that we are almost to the halfway point of Lent! If you are struggling, be encouraged by the words of the prophet. “Whoa. We’re halfway there. Whoa–oh. We’re living on a prayer.” Ok, so that was Bon Jovi, but he speaks the truth in his own kind of way. Truly, I hope that you are being encouraged through deepened prayer or some form of spiritual practice. If you aren’t, It’s never too late to start. This may also be the point where some of you realize that something you’ve given up was not something you really needed in the first place. Of course, there is more to life than basic necessities, but the point of a time of spiritual discipline is to encourage a life of discipleship. As a community of disciples of the way of Jesus, we hav...

Exodus 17:1-7 ; Romans 5:1-11 ; John 4:5-42 As we move through the season of Lent, we have been reflecting on our scripture passages in light of the Six Great Ends (or purposes) of the Church. We started out with The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind, and last week I said that all the other the “Ends” flow from that one. Think of it as the foundation for the house. We are building on the expectation that this news of love and forgiveness is good news. In fact, it is my hope that any time you hear anyone say, “The good news is…” that your brain fills in “Jesus Christ,” because the good news of Jesus is that he brings salvation! Last week we heard that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” So we share this good news in the hope of salvation, not just for ourselves but for the world. Last week we also talked about The Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Childre...

Genesis 12:1-4 ; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 ; John 3:1-17 As we begin to reflect on the scriptures, I invite you to take a moment with me to consider how and where you have been sheltered. I don’t mean sheltered in the sense of being kept from knowing what is going on around you, but I suppose you could include that if you think of it in a positive light. Just take a moment and consider how and where you have received what you would consider shelter; safekeeping; being cared for, protected, or provided for beyond your own capacity to care for yourself. To get you in the right place for this I invite you to be aware of your physical self. Uncross anything that is crossed. Sit comfortably, but be grounded with your feet on the floor. Consider the weight and texture of everything you are touching. Take a deep breath and think of it as a gift from God. Let it out with gratitude. Now let your mind focus on a time you received shelter. Stick with your first thought, and think about how you felt (gr...

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 ; Romans 5:12-19 ; Matthew 4:1-11 The parades have passed, the King Cake is all gone, and the season of Lent has begun as we prepare ourselves for the severity of the cross on Good Friday and the joy of the empty tomb on Easter! Some of us imposed Ashes on our heads last Wednesday, but that does not mean we got any extra points. It just means we engaged in a meaningful tradition that reminds us of our mortality and the grace and mercy of God that holds us as we all get through this thing called life. In case you are curious about the season of Lent and the way ashes and other disciplines might help us to get ready for Easter, there is a video by Rev Anne Russ posted on our Facebook page. One thing I will say about Lent is that I am routinely asked whether or not Presbyterians give things up and why or why not. The simplest answer is that it doesn’t hurt, but God’s going to love you no matter what you do. The longer answer is that some people find that giving som...

Exodus 24:12-18 ; 2 Peter 1:16-21 ; Matthew 17:1-9 I want you all to know something. I have beautiful feet, and I bet you do, too. The Apostle Paul said to the church in Rome (10:15), “How beautiful are the feet of the one who brings good news!” and the good news is – yes, it is Jesus. More specifically it is that God revealed God’s self through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus so that we might know of God’s love for us. There’s a lot to unpack in that statement, so let’s just see what God's word has to say about all of that. Today is the day in the church year that we celebrate the “transfiguration” of Jesus, which we have read about in Matthew’s Gospel, but why does that matter? For that matter, what’s so good about this story? Is it a ghost story? Is it supernatural? Why does Jesus suddenly shine bright like a diamond, and what does it have to do with us? Quite a bit, actually, or at least it can. I realize that for some this story may seem a bit far-fetched. The proof...

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 ; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 ; Matthew 5:21-37 I want to begin by talking to those who are worshiping online. I’m thankful that you are with us today as an active and dynamic part of this worshiping community. I don’t know what you are going through – what brings you joy or burdens your soul – or why you need to be with us online instead of in person. Some of you live in different states. Some of you just aren’t able to “people” today, and that’s ok. You matter to us. You matter to God. Because you matter to God, you matter to us; and God is doing good things through us! Now, for those who are in the sanctuary today, I want you to know the same. In fact, I want you to tell someone near you that they matter to God. Make sure everyone knows it. If you’re online you are welcome to tell someone else the same. They don’t even have to be worshiping with us right now. Just text somebody! Now I want all y’all, no matter where you are, to repeat after me. I matter to God. You matt...