Mindful Leader

Narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week Eleven -- The Scandalous Samaritan

 

This is the familiar story of the Good Samaritan.  This was acrtually extremely scandalous for Jesus to use this imagery.  Amy Jill Levine, Jewish New Testament Scholar at Vanderbilt, suggests that the image is someone coming to your rescue, that was so detested, that you would just as soon die rather than be helped by him.  Wow.  

This is an excellent text for us to examine in this most hostile of times.  How do we learn to listen to each other in a way to understand rather than to hate and reject?  

Narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week Nine -- The Woman Washes Jesus' Feet -- 900 version

January 29th, Ministry Moment -- Barbara Moeller

 

Barbara was a Interfaith Hospitality Network client several years ago.  IHN is now Family Promise but it is still providing the kind of love and Grace that Barbara addresses here.  This is a reflection on what it is like to be homeless.  

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Seven -- Elijah and the Widow

We are introduced this week to Elijah.  We see here Elijah in his apprenticeship as a prophet.  But it is an important time, an important moment.  This is from 1 Kings 17 with a touch of the end of 1 Kings 16 thrown in to help us get the idea of what is going on.  Two big ideas:  (1) Yahweh is a God of Life and (2) Yahweh's words matter. 

This particular sermon is from the 9:00 Service.   

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Two -- Genesis 15

Genesis 15 but more than that really.  This is really the introduction to Abraham and that faith tradition.  The reflection plays with the idea of promise as a commitment but also promise as worthy of recognition now because of future potential.  

September 11th -- 15th Anniversary -- A Meeting of the Secular and the Sacred

This is Pastor Emily Flemming's first sermon at Hilltop.  I apologize in advance for the sound quality.  Recorded from the choir microphone.  An excellent sermon.  Included a little music from the anthem .... 

Forgotten Women of the Bible -- Abigail

1 Samuel 25 -- and we look at Abigail.  Three main characters:  David, Nabal, and Abigail.  One shows true hospitality.  The others are more "meh" in their roles.