by Melissa Kelly | Jan 2, 2022 | Amy Epp, Christmas, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Discipleship is like the Spiderverse? This passage of John continues the story of the “Word Made Flesh” in John 1 with the story of Jesus’ first disciples. There are three things Pastor Amy can talk about in this passage: How the gospel of John is...
by Melissa Kelly | Dec 12, 2021 | Advent, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
A Great Feast Our final text in the Hebrew Bible, before arriving at the Gospel of John next week, is the beautiful poetry of Isaiah. We hear of God’s shalom vision: a great feast where thirst is sated and hunger no more; where none has need and we are shown that...
by Melissa Kelly | Dec 5, 2021 | Advent, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
The Bonesiest of No Bones Days & The Practice of Hope Ezekiel is having a “No Bones Day” (check out the links re: Noodle the 13-year-old pug to understand this reference!), and his people are having a whole “No Bones” season. Surrounded by the bleak and very dead...
by Melissa Kelly | Nov 28, 2021 | Advent, Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
The Messy Middle Advent is all about the messy middle. Smack dab in the middle of exile, destruction, and the crumbling of a people’s sense of identity, Jeremiah pens a letter encouraging his kindred to live now, thrive now. Build homes, grow food, and create...
by Melissa Kelly | Nov 21, 2021 | Amy Epp, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Light is Complicated The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. But light is complicated. It can burn and glare. The familiar and beloved song from the prophet is about military conquest and might, a leader whose rule is absolute. Yet it still...
by Melissa Kelly | Nov 14, 2021 | Megan Ramer, Narrative Lectionary - Year 4, Sermons
Justice First The prophets bring us beautiful poetry and powerful challenge. Amos is clear that justice must be established at the city gate, at the entry point, at the first. Everything else flows from that. Without justice at the start, God **can’t even** with our...
