I am going to get back to some lectionary preaching in a few weeks, but this passage from Exodus 15: 21-27 is rich, rich, rich.  Even though my plan was more topical, the text pulled me into expanding on the idea of "why Hilltop?"  

These three weeks were (1)  Why Jesus? (2) Why 'the' Church? and finally (3) Why Hilltop?  

I think the real issue for us is the 12 Springs and 70 Date Trees at Elim.  And, not mentioned in the Sermon but true, is that they didn't stay there.  They kept going.  

Last week was "Why Jesus" ... this week is "Why the Church" which I answer pretty early but then focus on how the church IS the body of Jesus in the world.  

I wish I could say that tension and friction and self absorption was unique to our time, but Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 is dealing with a "me" thinking group in Corinth.  

Focus was to clarify for us at Hilltop who IS Jesus for us.  Used the UMC website on who the UMC says Jesus is ... this is less of an exegesis of a particular passage and more of a theological/didactic reflection on Jesus -- and maybe who he is not.  

Lois Elstad could not be with us yesterday but we sang her Happy Birthday.