I recently came across a post that Rachel Held Evans published in March 2013 called “Holy Week for Doubters.” In it, Rachel describes the questions that many of us fear asking on Holy Week; the deep questions of faith and doubt. Those questions can often catch more of our attention on Holy Week, as we attend …
Author Archives: Pastor Melissa
Frank Underwood, Tony Soprano, and Judas Iscariot
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t heard many sermons that focus on Judas Iscariot. And that kind of makes sense. This week I re-read all four accounts of Judas betraying Jesus, and I found them far more shocking than I ever have before. Typically in the telling of the Passion Narrative, Judas’ betrayal …
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A Guide To Eucharist
As we approach Holy Week there are a number of texts that will need their fair share of time, so I thought I’d start working through them a bit early. Palm Sunday is tomorrow (you can read about it here or listen to me preach about it here), and I will celebrate it with some friends …
Climbing Trees
Confession: I was a back-pew sitter for three years of my life. I was young and enthusiastic about the ministry I witnessed at the new, hip church I began attending, but I sat in the back row. I remember feeling welcome in the services, but not in the community. The church was happy to have …
Gratitude and Attitude
We have a funny little saying in our household: “Gratitude and Attitude.” I came up with it one day while my husband and I were shopping. Early in our relationship I learned that my husband reviles shopping, especially in malls. One day we had to go to a department store to get him new jeans. While he …
Getting Lost
When my niece was a few months away from turning two, she found a new favorite toy. It was a very large balloon in the shape of the number “50” that my dad received for his birthday. Because my niece loved it so much, we kept it around the house for a few weeks …
God and Weddings
My wedding day was the best day of my life thus far. I have heard so many wedding horror stories, and have even witnessed weddings in which the bride and groom are stressed out, strung out, and ready for the whole celebration to be over, so they can get back to their normal routines. Our …
Who’s To Say?
I was watching the news last night (a dangerous thing to do these days) and listened to a number politicians espousing their very staunch, determined views about an array of national and international issues. What struck me most was the tone with which they spoke. It seems to me that the strong-willed resolve they portray to the nation …
Spiritual Insurance
My mom got a speeding ticket last week. When she got home, she shared that she had even seen a police car and reminded herself to slow down, but her speed crept up again and another cop pulled her over. I can fully relate to this experience — I drive with a heavy foot. While my mom …
April 15th: Tax Time
Taxes are an especially controversial topic in the current presidential election. I have little interest in spouting my political views on this blog, but I think that most people can agree that the 2016 election has sparked energy, concern, and even anger and anxiety among many in the United States and around the world. And one …
Pastor Melissa 