Isaiah 5: 1-7; Psalm 80: 1-2, 8-19; Luke 12: 49-56 Pearl: The urgency to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Function: Picking up from last week our calling in Christ is to decisive action and representation of the kingdom of God no matter the ripples in the most intimate relationships and/or associations. I put the most weight on the words of Jesus from the pages of the Bible. So, these words today which are attributed to Jesus don’t seem to fit in with what we would expect from Jesus. … [Read more...]

“Verbs of Vocation and Worship” Isaiah 1: 1, 10-20; Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16; Luke 12: 32-40 Pearl: Genuine worship and devotion issues forth in real-life interventions on behalf of vulnerable people. Function: To move worshippers into a holy discomfort with a piety which lacks righteous action on behalf of vulnerable people. What does true worship and true devotion look like? This question is prompted by the prophet Isaiah’s tough words to the people of God in the southern kingdom … [Read more...]

Communion                                                                                   … [Read more...]

                                                                                                07/28/19—Meute Ask...Search...Knock Hosea 1: 2-10; Psalm 85; Luke 11: 1-13 Pearl: Pursuing God who pursues us, through prayer. Function: To motivate worshippers to engage the Lord in the Way/Name of Jesus. God’s people have always prayed. The “Shema” is the most frequently prayed prayer of our Judeo-Christian heritage. It is found in Deuteronomy 6: 4-5: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is … [Read more...]

                                                                        07/21/19 “Empowering and Equipping” Series: “You Will Be” Psalm 47: … [Read more...]

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Baptism/Trinity Sunday                                                                     06/16/19—Highland—Meute “Powerful Affirmations” Isaiah 43: 1-7; … [Read more...]

Pentecost                                                                                 … [Read more...]

Eden Mill Worship/Communion/Picnic                                              06/02/19—Highland—Meute “The Last Word is Grace” Revelation 22: 12-21; John 17: 20-26 Pearl: Grace relieves unbearable tension. Function: To behold the deep reality of the grace of God which overlays all things. Last week I finally got the rear brakes on my car replaced. I was driving around for some weeks with them rubbing and vibrating. I tried to use them as little as possible and was tired of … [Read more...]

Memorial Day                                                                         05/26/19—Highland—Meute “Spirit Prompter” Psalm 67; Acts 16: 9-15; John 14: 23-29 Pearl: The Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ Way Function: To move listeners to call upon the Holy Spirit to remind them of their loved ones, the things they should not forget, and mostly the Will and Way of Jesus. Whose voice do you most want to hear again? I am sure that might loosen some tears in your eyes as dear … [Read more...]