Posts by Pastor

October 27, 2024 ~ 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   The story of Blind Bartimaeus acts as a bookend in Mark’s gospel.  It closes out a long section that began back in chapter eight, when Jesus healed another blind man – only that time, Jesus had to lay hands on him twice before the man could see clearly.  But this whole section has come to its climax here in chapter 10, where we’ve been walking with Jesus this...

October 20, 2024 ~ 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   James and John want to be on top.  They want to sit on either side of Jesus in his glory. The other ten disciples are angry about this.  Picture them looking at James and John and saying, “You arrogant, selfish, and presumptuous sons of Zebedee.  Who do you think you are?”  It sounds like James and John are pretty full of themselves.  Their egos are inflated and...

October 13, 2024 ~ 21st Sunday after Pentecost and Indigenous People’s Sunday Rev. Beckie Sweet   What a blessing it is to hear today’s gospel text from the First Nations Version of the New Testament.  Each time I turn to this offering of our Sacred Scriptures from the perspectives of our Indigenous siblings, I wonder why I don’t use it more often.  The terminology, particularly, speaks deeply to my soul.  Calling Jesus,...

October 6, 2024 ~ World Communion Sunday Rev. Beckie Sweet   I can still remember the feeling of excitement and anticipation I felt getting into the family station wagon. I was 7 years old. It was a cool summer morning, and the car was packed with suitcases, bags, and a cooler for our trip to the river ~ The St. Lawrence River where we had recently acquired a camp. I wasn’t in charge of packing the car or the cooler. I...

September 29, 2024 ~ 19th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   I have always loved preaching on the book of James.  This book is supposed to be a letter from a caring and correcting pastor named James.  But truthfully, James’ letter is really an exceptionally long sermon on practical Christian living.  Although this is our fifth Sunday focusing on James’ writings, we have covered less than half of the book!    As we have...