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Sabbathmarks the time when God rested on the seventh day of creation, establishing a rhythm of rest and restoration for all creation.  Genesis 2:1-4; Exodus 20:1-11. (Mark 2:23-28)

I find myself asking, “Do we have a choice as to what happens to us in this life? And, why do bad things happen?”  Perhaps you ask these same questions.  Deut. 30:15-20 speaks of choices we get to make.  Explore what these choices are and how we might find life, even in the midst of […]

Our final Elisha Story has three distinct parts. The first is a spoof to show how frustrated the enemy king is by God’s prophet. The second is a typical “National Story,” demonstrating that God is on our side. The final part is a radical turnaround that subverts the national message for a wider one that […]

From the School of the Prophets in 9th century BCE Samaria to the banks of the Jordan in the first century, prophets have proclaimed the Word of God to people frustrated at every turn by corrupt leaders. Once the corruption is named, the liberation begins with the question, “What do we do now?” 

Sermon by Rev. Chineta Goodjoin of New Hope Presbyterian Church, Orange, CA

When we hear how Jesus reinterprets an Elisha story, we become aware of how resistance stories become legitimations stories when the audience feels privileged or entitled. 

We begin a series on Elisha the prophet by reading two stories that are all about persons who are oppressed by debt. It raises the question of the destructive nature of our own debt structure. 

“The Epiphany of the Lord” is a big “Ah Moment” for the magi, who discover that the prophecy of Isaiah had been fulfilled in baby Jesus.  But, King Herod turns this epiphany into a big “Oh No Moment.”  As we begin 2020, are we responding to Christ’s birth more like the magi (do our hearts thrill and rejoice) […]

The Jesus of Christmas song and scenery is the “sweet little baby Jesus.” The Jesus of Christmas script is the one who comes, destined to struggle and die. Both are true. 

In addition to Luke’s earthy Christmas narrative, we have John’s “long-haired theological stuff,” an homage to the breath-taking wonder that the Word became Flesh. 

The Christmas story is both a sacred part of our faith formation and a prophetic challenge to our comfort with the status quo. 

When Luke’s Christmas story, says “there was no room in the inn,” it points to a “displacement” that is repeated throughout Jesus’ life and even in his death. Advent prepares us for the one who “had no place to lay his head.” 

Life can be stressful on its own; and, the holidays bring even more stress to our lives.  Zechariah’s prophecy about his son John (Luke 1:67-79) provides the keys we need to survive and enjoy this week before Advent.  John the Baptist is the prelude to the real feast that God has in store ahead of […]

If we read the second story of Hagar as Hagar’s story and not as an aside to Abraham and Sarah’s story, we can see that God’s abundance is not a zero sum equation, but provides enough for all. 

If we read the first story of Hagar as Hagar’s story and not as an aside to Abram and Sarah’s story, we see that God is free, able, and willing to make one covenant with one people and enter another covenant with another people. 

When Paul writes to the church in Rome, he addresses them as something that can be translated in two different ways: “Called saints” or “Called to be saints.” Which is it? 

In our final look at the church in Antioch, we see how – though they were considered a church with an asterisk – they organized to carry out a relief mission for the church in Jerusalem, because they were also a church filled with the Holy Spirit.  

The description, “They were first called Christians at Antioch,” demonstrates that the church’s participation in an expansive view of God’s work and their willingness to reconcile with someone who had been their enemy made a powerful impression on their surrounding community.  

Continuing our theme of “The World Where It Happens,” we hear how the “mother church” in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to hold the new church in Antioch accountable. When we follow God into the world, we welcome accountability.