By: Julia Baker John 11: 32-44 The last 10 years of my life I have been an apprentice to grief. Most of it centered around losing people — through the end of relationships anddeath. Often one grief touches all other pain, the personal tender spills out rubbing up against the grief when I see a…
Author: washingtoncitycob
He came not to be served but to serve
By: Dana Cassell Mark 10:35-45 My good friend Lauree died last month. She was 90, enjoyed good health right up until the end, and died on her own terms, just like she lived. And she sure did live. Lauree was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known, and her mind was creative and powerful….
Conflict
By: Dana Cassell Mark 9:38-50 I learned a lot about ministry in the first congregation I served. One of the lessons was from the senior pastor, Jeff Carter. When people had reactions to something that felt outsized to everyone else, when we couldn’t figure out exactly why someone was upset about a small change in…
BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING
Phillippians 4:4-9 The day after a relationship ending betrayal — the Spirit gifted me a profound mercy that flowed into my shattered heart and mind. I woke with this verse Philippians — “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What shimmered that day to…
Angelic Snack Cakes
Preacher: Dana Cassell Scripture Readings:1 Kings 19:4-8 I love this story about Elijah. Elijah is a huge, looming figure all over scripture. He’s a big-time prophet in the Hebrew Bible, and an explicit reference point for who Jesus is and what he’ll do in the New Testament. Elijah’s life is filled with drama: He brings…
Bread
By Nathan Hosler Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 This was the 15th day of the second month. Approximately 45 days since they were liberated from slavery. And they were in the desert wilderness. And they were hungry. The wilderness has often been a place of testing. Much later, Jesus will go into the…
Miracle Love
Guest Preacher Julia Baker Backward Miracle Every once in a while we need a backward miracle that will strip language, make it hold for a minute: just the vessel with the wine in it— a sacramental refusal to multiply, reclaiming the single loaf and the single fish thereby. I am often asked what my poems…
The Steadfast Love
Rev. Dr. Nate Hosler Lamentations 3:22-33, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 [Scripture texts found at the end] “The truth is, we think church is for people living in the “after” picture. We think church is for taking spiritual Instagrams and putting on our best performances. We think church is for the healthy, even though Jesus…
Garden Peace
Sermon by Dana Cassell Scripture: Psalm 86 On the greenway in the park where I walk the dog every day, someone has spray-painted the flower planters: Money for war, But can’t feed the poor. I see that graffiti nearly every day, but this week, as I was reflecting on Psalm 85, it seemed particularly appropriate,…
The Wily Seeds of the Kingdom
Guest Preacher Dana Cassell Mark 4:26-34 During the pandemic, I got really into gardening. I started volunteering at my local food pantry and community garden, the Parktown Food Hub, and then got hired to be what they called the “Garden Minister.” I was super excited to find a new community garden just a few minutes’…
Washington City Church of the Brethren 