Preacher: Julia Baker Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20 I love the winter ocean. My boots crunch over the frozen sand where crystals of waves, salt in movement have frozen. A churned gray-blue sea and sky. Even the light is more subtle, catching flecks of freeze and illuminating them from within. Standing on the lip edge of the…
Author: washingtoncitycob
Breathe (Reflections from Minneapolis)
Breathe. When you don’t know how to respond or your hatred is rising up, focus on the most basic of human actions: breathe in, breathe out. Our breath is a prayer, even when we do not have the words to speak. Most of you know I was in Minneapolis this week. Last week (Thursday), siblings…
Invitation
Preacher: Christie Dahlin Scripture: John 1: 29-42 I am in the midst of starting a Mennonite church in Portland, Maine. After being a pastor at an established church in Boise for a couple years it is a very different experience to try to start something new. While there has been some exciting movement, some good…
Jesus Gets in Line
Preacher: Dana Cassell Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ baptism well into the scene of John hanging out by the Jordan River. John has been out here in the Galilee, baptizing people from Jerusalem and Judea and all over the region for, he is preaching, the repentance of sins. People streamed out…
Cliffhangers, stargazers, and a murderous tyrant
Preacher: Jenn Hosler Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18 Have you ever been engrossed in a really great book or TV series or multi-part movie, only to hit the end and the next part isn’t available? During this winter break, the final episodes of Stranger Things released, and I was talking with a family member about the series….
The Holy Innocents
Preacher: Julia Baker Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 When I saw that the gospel lectionary passage for this 3rd day of Christmas was The Holy Innocents — I wanted to pass. The story of King Herod and his plan to get rid of the infant Jesus before he can grow up to be a threat. Jesus is…
Glittering Leaf- Love a Child
Preacher: Nathan Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Luke 2:1-20 A Mystery As I thought of love and the coming Christ child, the red leaf glittered. How and why? I wondered. There is almost a metallic character as the morning sunlight passed through. What is it that makes this growing energy-producing panel, which I mundanely…
New Life from a Stump (Holy Hope)
Preacher: Jennifer Hosler Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 This week, I was catching up with a parent at my kid’s school, knowing that they had visited their older adult parents over Thanksgiving and that they were tasked with hosting an extended-family-Thanksgiving. I asked how it went and he said, “I don’t know why we always put it…
A Highway in the Wilderness
Preacher: Dana Cassell Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 Last weekend, I got to go with my friend Emily to an AMAZING local quilting shop here in Virginia. Emily needed some supplies for several projects she’s working on for Christmas gifts, and I tagged along. I am not a quilter or a crafter at all, so I did…
Wholeness in Dark and Light
Preacher: Christie Dahlin Scripture: Luke 1:68-79 Blessed are you, the Most High God of Israel–for you have visited and redeemed your people.You have raised up a mighty savior for us of the house of David,as you promised through the mouths of your holy ones,the prophets of ancient times: salvation from our enemies and from the…
Washington City Church of the Brethren 