Mindful Leader

May 28th -- A Call to Unity

This the ravings of a lunatic on behalf of God urging unity.  

The text is Galatians 3: 23-29 and the sermon primarily dwells on Paul's context with a strong focus on the baptismal formula he is using about Jews/Gentiles, Free/Slave and Man/Woman.  I could NOT pull up the word "crescent" when discussing the various symbols on graves for those being remembered on Memorial Day -- Cross (check), Star of David (check), and Crescent and Star (all I got out was Star, didn't get the Crescent).  Forgive me.  

I obviously have gotten to a place where I think we are too often, majoring in the minors.  I know there are many who find me deluded.  

It is my style to preach elements of the sermon in the statement of the theme, the scripture reading, the message itself, and then during the benediction.  

This is from the 10:30 service and the "Smith" party is a 95th Birthday Celebration with Pearl Smith.  

May 7th, 2017 Music at Hilltop

 

The Children's Choir was not not near a microphone, or we would have included them on this.  This is the Chancel Choir, Women's Trio, Congregation and Roberta on the organ.  The balance on the Women's Trio is very good - wait for it to go to the acapella.  Wow.  

Our theme was 'who is welcome at the Lord's table' and the Ethiopian Eunuch passage from Acts 8 framed our reflection.  

Hilltop Chancel Choir -- Born to Die

Easter Sunday Anthem - Born to Die.  

narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week Thirteen -- Industrial Strength Joy

 

This reflection is drawn from the Luke 15, three parables.  The liturgist will only read the first two to provide context, and then I re-tell the third one.  A parable familiar to us.  

Narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week Six -- Peter makes himself vulnerable

 

This is from Psalm 90 and Luke 5.  

Emily Flemming and I are trying a little different approach.  We are going to read the other's scripture before the sermon with a teaching moment.  

This reflection is more from the Luke than the Psalm, but it gets to both.  I have been talking a little about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) of Jesus and how he has done, and offer Peter up here as a good example of how he has made himself open to the idea of possible change, and from that, a new vocation.  

Narrative Lectionary -- New Testament Week One -- Advent 4 - Luke and Mary

 

Luke 1: 25-46 or so.  This is Mary meeting first the Angel Gabriel, and then her cousin. I think it is interesting that she is perplexed before Gabriel offers the potentially scandalous portion of her task.  Aren't we often perplexed when we are told we have found favor in God's eyes.   

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Eleven -- Daniel and Advent 1

 

Pastor Emily continues our "romp" through the Hebrew Bible with an Advent look at Daniel.  She reads from Daniel 6 but the reflection is more than Daniel 6 ... 

The podcast starts with the statement of the theme which draws from Elijah and 1 Kings where Yahweh does not speak in the earthquake or the wind or ... but rather ... in a small, still voice.  

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Nine -- Isaiah, Simon Peter and the Election

 

I am not sure what exactly to call this sermon -- is it Listen to the Pain?  This may be as political as I ever get on any one sermon.  

Narrative Lectionary -- Old Testament Week Five -- The Golden Calf

Exodus 32 and the Golden Calf saga.  What are our own Golden Calves?  

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.