Sharing Our Gifts With Gratitude
November 18, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert We have an early Thanksgiving this year. I believe it is always held on the 4th Thursday of November and since the first of November fell on a Thursday, this is the earliest date that this national holiday falls. We know the story of that first Thanksgiving, or…
Gentle Among You
November 11, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert We gather today on this Veteran’s Day as we honor those among us who have served. We are also in the midst of November when we are mindful of Thanksgiving fast approaching and the many blessings of our lives. Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to remember and…
Tithing Justice
October 28, 2018 — Rev. Shirley Bowen “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others.” Pow! What an extraordinary idea! Tithing Justice,…
Serving Those That Are Hard to Serve
October 21, 2018 — Stephen Fox In the reading today Jesus talks to his disciples about serving those in need: Those in need of food and drink, clothing, those who are sick and those who are imprisoned. He says to the disciples, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of…
Deep Gladness
October 14, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Mark 10:17-31 New Revised Standard Version The Rich Man 17As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?…
World Communion Sunday
October 7, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert As we gather today, we join churches around the world as we celebrate what has come to be called World Communion Sunday. We gather to strengthen the ties within our community and to be reminded of the bonds we share with our neighbors around the world who follow…
Reflections on Worry
September 30, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Matthew 6:25-34 I’d like to begin by reading some passages from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter six. We hear the words of Jesus as he speaks to those gathered about the burden of worry and he invites us into a spirit of calm reassurance that even on the most difficult…
Welcoming the Children
September 23, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Our reading from Mark’s Gospel today is a story that demonstrates the importance Jesus placed on the children in his midst and reminds us yet again that children are our responsibility, that we are to care for them, value them for who they are, and respect them, ensuring…
Of Grief and Hope
September 16, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert This past week, we remembered that very painful day 17 years ago when we were changed forever. September 11th will never sound the same to those of us who have a full memory of that date. It’s hard to remember that day and yet, it feels altogether wrong…
In Praise of Teachers
September 9, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert We are now past Labor Day and schools at almost every level are back in session. Even if it has been years since we have attended school, I think it’s hard to forget the mixed emotions of back to school time as September comes around again. Since I…