Sunday, June 1, 2025

This week in worship, we will hear music, share prayers and receive the word as noted in the “Pentecost” story. The scripture is located in Acts, Chapter 2. I won’t go into too much of the passage now, but will say that it culminates with Peter preaching in the temple. I love this story because not only is it the culmination of the Pentecost story and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, it is also an outward expression of Peter’s forgiveness and call. 

As you may recall from the Gospel, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him. Sure enough, this happens. Remember the story? Betrayed by Judas, Jesus is arrested. Soon after, someone accuses Peter of being with Jesus. Peter denies this three times. Imagine the inner turmoil! Your friend has just been carried off by the authorities, the energy of the crowd that witnesses this is palpable, the crowd is looking to accuse others and save themselves, in response they are looking for anyone that can receive blame or guilt by association, all of this led to Peter’s denial. Later, Peter meets the resurrected Jesus. Jesus asks Peter (broken Peter, bumbling Peter, embarrassed Peter, betraying Peter), “Peter, do you love me?” Peter responds affirmatively. Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.” This happens two more times. 

Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus. Three times Peter says he loves Jesus. Three times Jesus acknowledges this love by giving Peter a task to do. I’m guessing that if Jesus would have simply told Peter he was forgiven that Peter would have had a hard time believing it. Instead, Jesus reminds Peter that he is more loving than broken. To seal it all, again three times, Jesus gives Peter a task: Feed my sheep. Jesus shows that Peter is forgiven by trusting him with the work of carrying on Jesus’ ministry.

So, when Peter stands up to preach in this Pentecost story, that is the wisdom he is carrying. He is loved and loving. He is forgiven and freed. He is broken, but not destroyed. May we all believe the same for ourselves.

Sunday, March 25, 2025

We have been reading the gospel of Mark for our Bible Study. (A quick commercial: if you are available at 9:30 am on Thursdays, we would love to have you there.) It is good to be together and seek a more profound understanding as we read, research, and bounce ideas off one another.

I have been reflecting a good bit on Mark's first and ninth chapters, which were the subject of our conversation a couple of weeks ago. In Mark 1:11, following Jesus' baptism, God says, "You are my son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased." In Mark 9:7, during the Transfiguration story, we hear the following from God, "This is my son, the Beloved, listen to him."

In the baptism story, it is unclear whether anyone has heard God's proclamation. The words from heaven are for Jesus himself. God addresses Jesus directly, and then, "Immediately," as the story goes, Jesus goes into the wilderness to be tempted. I wonder if this was the Wisdom from which Jesus drew his strength to survive the wilderness. Jesus heard God's Wisdom and affirmation, "You are my son. You are beloved. I am so pleased with you."

Later, using similar language, God addresses three disciples. Peter, James, and John, "THIS is my son. He is beloved. Listen to him." This proclamation comes amid miracle stories the disciples are seeing but still not understanding. They continue to wonder who Jesus is, why he keeps speaking of his death, and how he can heal. God's affirmation of who Jesus is, followed by a command to listen, seems to be what the disciples needed to hear. Soon after the transfiguration, the disciples try their hand at healing a boy but cannot do so. Jesus heals the boy instead, and when the disciples ask him how he was able to do this when they were not, Jesus explains to them that this healing was different from the others. This healing required prayer. Having heard the voice of God, they listen, they learn, and later in the book of Acts, we begin to see the fruit of their education.

These are two separate and powerful stories. When considered together, they speak of God's call to us. Like the disciples, we are to carry on the work and ministry of Jesus Christ. We read the stories that affirm who Jesus was and who Christ is. We are reminded that when Jesus was ridiculed, tempted, praised, challenged, supported, leaned upon, crucified, and resurrected, God was present, Jesus was beloved, and God was pleased with whom Jesus had grown to be. To know that this is our Messiah can strengthen our faith. To hear that God desired the disciples to listen and learn so they could represent Christ to the world, is a call to us to do the same.

As you consider how you represent the Messiah, know that you are supported, loved, and taught through Jesus' story. May your reflection upon this story give you strength for your journey. May you be reminded that you are beloved and God is certainly pleased with you.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

It is always interesting to me how much interest the world takes in the naming of a new pope. While a substantial portion of the world is Catholic, most of the world (around 80%) is not. Similarly, while Christianity is the world’s largest religion (Catholic and Protestant combined), it only makes up around 30% of the world’s faith.

Still, news casts, non-Catholic populations and a large percentage of the world tune in to understand what is happening with the naming of Pope Leo as the head of the Catholic faith.World leaders attended the funeral of Pope Francis and many will be present for the papal inauguration of Leo. Again, I find this interesting.

The Catholic Church continues to be the most powerful and influential Christian denomination. Maybe this is why we are attuned? Is it simply respect that compels world leaders to show up? Is it the history of the Vatican that calls to us? Pageantry? Tradition?

I tune in because I appreciate the reminder that leadership changes, the church changes, faith changes, but God is consistent and ever present and calling to us again and again to be the community of faith for our current time. Regardless of how we name our faith tradition or denomination within that faith tradition, God is calling to us even now to be the church.

So, I invite you to think about this for yourself. If you tune in, why? If not, why? What is calling to you to be engaged in faith? In THCC? In your relationship, encounter, belief in God? Consider these things, and I’m sure our faith community will grow stronger via your exploration and contemplation.

Now, I am inspired by the Catholic Church and their choice of Pope to lead them in this next chapter of their ministry. Always, I am inspired by the presence of God who continues to mold us and the church into that which is needed right now.

With gratitude for your faith, our shared faith and God’s faith in us,

 Mark

Sunday, May 11, 2025

The scripture passage for this Sunday has a lovely, feminine image of God. Appropriate for Mothers Day, right? It is nestled in apocalyptic discourse which doesn’t feel as appropriate. Nonetheless, here we are. It is always a good reminder that in the midst of beauty, we often find challenge. In the midst scarcity, we find hope. As we gather to celebrate those who mother, we are met with the same dichotomies. Some have mothers who were ideal, while others never knew their mothers. Some mothers were biological, while others were chosen. Some took to mothering naturally, while others struggled. Regardless, of our experience with mothers, Jesus reminds us that God desires to mother us in healthy protective ways. The question is, will we receive it?

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Hi,

Grace and peace to you.

What a privilege it is to begin to serve alongside you at Talmadge Hill Church! I look forward to meeting many of you this summer and pray that our time together will be meaningful, fruitful and aligned to the good work God is putting before us.

Lisa took care of writing a wonderful introduction for me and I look forward to rounding that out via sermons, conversations, meetings, coffee chats, etc. As noted, I really do look forward to getting to know you and hope that you will reach for me as you are ready. I will be reaching for you as well.

Until then, as I begin any new call, I pray Isaiah 43:19, repeating it and seeking the ancient wisdom made new. As it is helpful for me, I pray that it may be for you as well.  The passage says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?” It is a good reminder that God is already at work and our greatest task is simply to perceive it, to pay attention, to align with that which God is actively unfolding. THCC has such a rich history in service, leadership, faithfulness, and congregational engagement. This foundation is strong for THCC, and the trajectory of ministry that has been in the past carries forward to the future. God invites us to hold onto those things that continue to serve us and our purpose as Christians. We are also compelled, required even, to perceive the ways God is moving us in new directions. How good and exciting is this work and this time for THCC? Certainly, there is anxiety, but the love and compassion of God outweighs doubt and nurtures us into the new.

May God continue to bless us all, that we may be the hands and feet of Christ today.

With gratitude and hope,

Mark