April 6 - Pastor Charlie Swartz - 1 John 2:7-17, Luke 24:13-16, 28-31 - All of us want to be more and more filled with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we believe that this happens solely as a result of prayer. The letter from John reminds us that the Holy Light of God fills our lives when we do a very concrete action. Do you know what this is?
April 13 - Pastor Charlie Swartz - II Corinthians 3:17-18, John 8:32 - We are told that the Holy Spirit is working to mold you and I more and more so we look, act, feel like Jesus. How do we cooperate with Him?
April 20 - Pastor Vonna Thomas
We have another "I Am" statement in our Gospel passage this week. Jesus makes the now familiar statement, "I am the way, the truth and the life". There's lots to unpack in that statement. What's also intriguing to me in this passage is Jesus' words, "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father." What do you think and feel when you read those words? Is your reaction one of disbelief? How can I do greater things than Jesus? Yet that is what Jesus said. I invite you to reflect on these statements this week. Blessings on your reflection!
April 27 - Pastor Charlie Swartz - "Violence: Response of the Weak" - Last week many of us were challenged and inspired by a Palestinian Christian named Sami Awad. He talked about his life In Bethlehem immersed in the violent conflict with the Israelis. He taught us fom Jesus that non-violence is the only Christian response to oppression and enemies. Is that true? How can we fight for peace - peaceably?
