April 24, 2020
April 26, 2020 Rev. John Steitz Hospitality as Communal Solidarity. Two disciples are walking back to Emmaus a few miles outside of Jerusalem. They are joined by another traveler. They engage in dialogue as they walk. Arriving at their home they urge the traveler to stay with them. Hospitality is essential: it is almost evening… Read More »
April 17, 2020
Question for Reflection According to the gospel, Christ’s wounds were not erased by the resurrection. In fact, he invites Thomas and the other disciples to touch his wounds to bring the disciples back to faith. How might we in the church use our wounds to help others come to faith? Household Prayer: Morning Holy One,… Read More »
April 10, 2020
Sermon. 4. 12. 20 Easter Sunday Rev. John Steitz Jesus had been executed on a Friday. His battered body had been taken down and quickly put in a grave before sunset and the beginning of the Sabbath. Now on Sunday morning, before dawn, Mary goes to the grave to complete the burial preparations there… Read More »
April 9, 2020
Holy Thursday April 9, 2020 Rev. John Steitz My family’s faith tradition is in the Episcopal Church which celebrates the Eucharist every Sunday. Eucharist is Greek for Thanksgiving. It is an act of thanksgiving to God. After becoming a member of the Religious Society of Friends I felt led to attend theological… Read More »
April 5, 2020
Sermon. April 5, 2020 (Palm Sunday) Rev. John Steitz The text for Palm Sunday has Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey and a colt. Is Jesus riding on the donkey, the colt, or somehow on both? In order to unpack this somewhat awkward entrance we need to frame it within the context… Read More »
March 29, 2020
Sermon March 29, 2020 Rev. John Steitz The prophet Ezekiel was active during the time of the Babylonian exile, roughly between 560 and 590 BCE. About six centuries before Jesus’ time. Babylon has conquered Israel. The surviving leaders and many of the people have been forced to move to Babylon, living in exile. In… Read More »