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This Sunday we had a guest preacher, Margaret Wallace. Margaret said that people have shifts of obedience to God or something else and we should examine what we are obedient to God may not be a simple, clear cut path, but obedience to God can bring liberation and overwhelming joy.

Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon this Sunday was about our hidden resurrection life. Pastor Matt reminded us that, of course, Christians have a life beyond this earthly life. Matt emphasized that when Christ returns we will put on our new self.

Today David Walters, our Music Director gave a reflection on how we can use music to praise the Lord.

Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon this Sunday was about Jesus Christ holding our world together. Pastor Matt noted that because our world seems smaller due to technology and communication, etc., we think we should be able to control it. Matt emphasized that we cannot control it. He said that our hope needs to be in Christ because he is bigger than our world.

Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon this Sunday focused on peace instead of the violence of this past week. Pastor Matt told us we are all welcome in God's Kingdom. Matt said there is grace, peace, faith and love springing from our hope in Jesus Christ. He noted that the Gospel bears great fruit as it draws people in.

This Sunday Pastor Matt Johnson ended his sermon series on Isaiah's prophesies. Pastor Matt spoke about Jesus' life and purpose as the suffering servant. Matt noted that we, as Christians, can advocate for those suffering in our world by following in Jesus' steps.

This Sunday Pastor Matt Johnson continued his sermon series from the book of Isaiah. Pastor Matt emphasized that God values the hearts and plans of people who are focused on and open to Him. Matt reminded us that God is the potter and we are the clay.

This Sunday we had a guest in the pulpit, the Reverend Veda Gill the Director of Presbyterian Education in Pakistan. She is in Portland this week attending General Assembly. Reverend Gill spoke about accepting God's call in your life even though it wont be easy journey. Veda told us that God's grace will give you courage on your journey if you trust in God's power.

Today the sermon was given by a guest pastor, the Rev. Dr. Rob Hagan. Rev. Hagan spoke about stewardship. He explained that God's generosity should lead our hearts to be generous because God completes us.

The Face of Faith Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon this Sunday was about expectations of God in connection with faith. Using an example of a Roman soldier's humble faith, Pastor Matt emphasized the importance of recognizing God's goodness and authority in the world.

This Sunday Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon was about human attempts to try to understand the Trinity. Pastor Matt explained that the Trinity is complex and mysterious but it is essential because God wants a personal relationship with us. "God's nature is relationships." Matt said.

Today Pastor Matt Johnson reminded the congregation that God sent the Holy Spirit about 2,000 years ago on Pentecost. Pastor Matt noted that this fulfilled God's promise (to send a helper). Therefore, Matt concluded that, "God is with us and within us."

Pastor Matt Johnson spoke about the complex reality of our world. Pastor Matt noted, as in the scripture passage (Acts 16:16-24) that not every religious proclamation points toward Jesus. Therefore the church needs to be the example in this mixed up world.

Pastor Matt Johnson spoke today about the importance of obeying God rather than people. Pastor Matt suggested two basic ways to handle confrontation: trust that the Holy Spirit is at work and participate in a diverse community in faith. Finally Matt suggested taking Jesus' approach in a conflict. Don't respond immediately but take a "crucial moment to pause."

Pastor Matt Johnson spoke about the Bible being unlike an encyclopedia. It is a place to encounter God, find the resurrection and acknowledge it. Pastor Matt noted that because we belong to God, death is not something to fear.

This Sunday in place of Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon, there was a dramatic reading of The Passion from Mark 14:1 to 15:47. Pastor Matt, Jeff Sargent, Julia Sargent and Barb Schoof were the readers.

Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon today was focused on the woman who anointed Jesus. Pastor Matt described the hearts of five characters in this passage: 1) the chief priests, 2) the woman, 3) those in Simon's house, 4) Jesus and 5) Judas. Jesus described the woman's action of anointing him for burial as a beautiful thing. Finally, Matt posed a question, "Do I love Jesus like that woman?" Matt said, "We can be generous, not only with our money but with our hearts."

This Sunday Pastor Matt Johnson spoke about living each day as if it really matters. Pastor Matt told the congregation not to worry about when Jesus will return. When we try to predict the future we are pulled away from the center, which is Jesus, Matt explained.

This Sunday, Pastor Matt Johnson's sermon was focused on the only temple for worship in Israel. Pastor Matt told the congregation that Jesus was angry because outsiders weren't allowed to worship in the temple. Matt explained that Jesus not only ended the entire temple system then, but introduced a whole new way of praying for all people.

Today Pastor Matt Johnson defined "incarnational ministry" and explained that this was what Jesus did. He explained that the Way of Jesus was the Kingdom of God which was very different that the kingdom of this world. Pastor Matt told us that the Way of Jesus was the Way of the cross and it still is today.