Recently, during my vacation in Africa, I witnessed firsthand the many facets of human suffering. I visited people who were mourning the loss of loved ones, their hearts heavy with grief. I met friends and family members who were in the grip of illnesses like cancer, their bodies failing but their spirits yearning for hope. I saw families torn apart by strife, friendships fractured, and children burdened with depression.

Even in the midst of this suffering, there was light—a spark of hope urging us to trust in a power greater than our pain. This mix of joy and sorrow, celebration and despair, mirrors the intricate design of our lives. It is in our darkest moments that we often become most aware of our need for God’s redeeming love.

Most of us are fairly familiar with the Beatitudes, Matthew’s version of these sayings from Jesus. We aren’t as well versed in the Sermon on the Plain, which is our text from Luke for this week. There is some overlap between the two, of course, but there are also some significant differences. We tend to turn to these sayings for comfort, to find blessings in our everyday life. Certainly, we can still do that. But there is more in these words, and some of it is a little hard to take. “Rejoice in that day,” Jesus says, not about good things that happen, but about suffering, about being hated, about being rejected. This is not something we want to feel joy about. So, what is the invitation that Jesus issues here and how do we practice that as we worship?

Good morning, beloved! Today, we explore the transformative power of God’s touch and calling through Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11. These scriptures reveal that a single encounter with God can result in repentance, a mission, and an all-round permanent change.

Over the past few Sundays, we’ve talked about the gifts bestowed upon us by the Spirit—gifts given not for personal gain but for the common good. Today, I want to shift our focus from the gifts we’ve received to the call that God places on our lives and how we are to respond to that call, guided by love.

This year marks a significant time in our church. One of the major developments is that we have embarked on a new leadership structure—an exciting shift that holds great promise for how we work together as the body of Christ. Leadership is significant in the life of a congregation. But it’s not just about having leaders; it’s about having spirit-led leaders—those who are guided by God’s wisdom, strength, and vision for His church.

We stand early in the year, like travelers embarking on a long and purposeful journey. Our journey has just begun at a place called January, and our destination is a continent called December. This is no ordinary journey—it’s a spiritual and life journey that unfolds across a timeline we cannot shortcut or bypass. Along the way, there are challenges: detours, tornadoes, wars, technologies, hackers, bad groups, sickness, and disease. Yet, despite these obstacles, we travel with confidence because the Lord has equipped us with everything we need for this journey.

Last Sunday, we reflected on how our past experiences significantly shape our lives and our walk with God. From God’s perspective, these experiences, no matter how tough, are not wasted. They mold us into being vessels of honor, prepared for His purposes. Today, I want to build on this theme in light of Jesus' baptism and the preparation it signifies. Let me share a personal story as an example of how God refines us for His work.

As we embark on this new year, the words of the prophet Isaiah resonate deeply: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” These words, spoken to a people emerging from exile and darkness, call us to reflect on our own journeys and the divine light that guides us forward.

Today, we shift our focus to the boy Jesus, now 12 years old. In Luke 2:41–52, we find the only glimpse into His childhood, a story filled with lessons for us as we approach the new year. This passage challenges us to think deeply about how we and the younger generations can grow in wisdom, favor, and faith.

Through Mary’s story, and through our own experiences, we learn an important truth: God often begins with the small, the humble, and the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His greatest works.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice!” The essence of Christmas lies not in perfect circumstance, but in the enduring hope and love we possess in Christ.

December is a special season and it’s natural to be overwhelmed by the many “things”—the busy schedules, cherished traditions, and even our worries. Amidst our busy lives, it's significant to remember the essence: the presence and purpose of God guiding us each day.

Last Sunday, I mentioned two Greek words for time: Chronos and Kairos. Today, as we consider Jesus' statements in Luke 21:25-36 about the indications of the end times, these two notions of time will help us better grasp how to live as His disciples—ready, faithful, and hopeful.

Every one of us has likely faced situations where we felt the need to defend ourselves—whether in a job interview, presenting our credentials to prove we’re the best fit, or in a moment of conflict, trying to clear our name. The world tells us we must fight, prove, and survive.

Waiting can be one of the most stressful and difficult situations in life. I've experienced several moments of waiting, and I can assure you that it's never easy. One of the most memorable moments was when our youngest, Marvin, swallowed a coin.

This week has brought significant change and, for many, a wide variety of feelings. We've felt the weight of recent elections, both nationally and locally, and we've mourned the loss of loved ones. We are in a season of transition and introspection, a time when we may feel uncertain or divided. In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of turning back to God for guidance, comfort, and support.

This story demonstrates what it means to live as saints—not as perfect people, but as people who testify to God's power in the midst of pain and adversity. The saints we celebrate today were typically ordinary men and women who, despite their doubts, grief, and losses, believed in God's promise of life and hope beyond despair. They are examples of those who, like Martha and Mary, believed that Jesus was the resurrection and life.

Have you ever walked through your neighborhood with someone who has never been there before, and watched them look around and then see what they see?  If not, try it sometime. It’s amazing what a new person will notice about your street that you just don’t pay attention to anymore. Perhaps that’s a bit like how the crowd felt when Jesus stopped and responded to Bartimaeus in today’s text (Mark 10:46-52).

Have any of you ever really thought about the definition or meaning of servant leadership or what we mean when we say WWJD?  We hear those words but, do we really stop and try and understand them?  Sometimes, I do think however that as humble as we think we might be, we can be challenged with being willing and wanting to serve, and simultaneously being humble.

In today’s readings, we meet two very different persons who, in their own ways, seek answers from God. Job is seeking God’s presence in the midst of his suffering, but the rich young ruler is looking for advice on how to receive eternal life. Both are searching for something deeper: Job wants to see God’s justice and sense His presence, whilst the rich young king seeks purpose and the guarantee of eternal life. These stories encourage us to seek God, especially when we face stillness, perplexity, and difficulty.