7 Pentecost A—7/19/20 Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:18-25; Pr. Scott Kramer One week ago I joined seven teammates on the Pacific Crest Trail. This is the fifth year in a row that we’ve chosen a section of the trail, with the goal of completing all 500 miles in the State of Washington. This year’s plan was to hike the 99 miles between White Pass and Snoqualmie Pass. We usually leave in early August, which has been practically ideal for weather and trail conditions. … [Read more...]
Head of the Parade
3 Pentecost A—6/28/20 Matthew 10:40-42 Pr. Scott Kramer Back in March our worlds were turned upside down by a virus. Back then, who knew that a virus was only the beginning? Not only do we continue to adjust our lives to the challenges of COVID-19. We also have experienced headline news that has demanded everyone’s attention: Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, George Floyd, to mention a few of the most prominent names. The ancient voice of God's prophets persists in our … [Read more...]
A Road Map for Our Time
T-shirt seen at recent Othello-Rainier march 2 Pentecost A—6/14/20 Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35--10:8 [9-23] Pr. Scott Kramer One of my friends told me this past week about an acquaintance who has been in anguish over the past weeks. This person has been agonizing not only about the death of George Floyd, but also about larger questions of racism in this country. She said, “I want to fight racism. I wish people of color would just tell me what to do!” It’s hard to fault … [Read more...]
Three
Holy Trinity Sunday—6/7/20 Genesis 1:1--2:4a; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Pr. Scott Kramer Finally, brothers and sisters…Put things in order,…agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. My wife and I were enjoying a hike this past week when we came across a sign. This trail sign … [Read more...]
I Can Breathe
7 Easter A—5/31/20 Acts 2:1-21 Pr. Scott Kramer This past Friday, I returned from a two-night camping trip with friends. Backcountry camping is finally allowed—thanks be to God! One of the great joys of the trip was breathing fresh mountain air. That’s always a joy for me, but now more than ever! Part of wearing a mask in public these past three months has meant breathing stale air. I’m happy to do that for the sake of other people’s health and well-being but it does get old. … [Read more...]
Eyes On the Prize
7 Easter A--5/24/20 Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11 Pr. Scott Kramer During ordinary times, many thousands of souls around the world every day say good-bye for the last time to close friends and family. People die, their loved ones grieve. Over the past three months many thousands more have experienced not only grief but trauma. The COVID-19 virus has suddenly and unexpectedly separated many who are living with the virus from their loved ones. Today’s story from Acts is the story of … [Read more...]
Love Over Fear
6 Easter A—5/17/20 Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 Pr. Scott Kramer Recently, I’ve been wondering how our current pandemic stacks up against pandemics of the past. Doing a bit of digging, I found that from the time our Christian scriptures were written until now there have been at least twenty major pandemics around the globe. Measured by the number of people who have died, it turns out that COVID-19 to-date ranks #15 on this list of twenty. What caught my attention more … [Read more...]
The “Morel” of the Story
True morel mushroom (left) and false morel (right) 5 Easter A—5/10/20 John 14:1-14 Pr. Scott Kramer Last week a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go mushroom hunting. He’d asked before and it hadn’t worked out but this time I was able to say yes, so yesterday—in separate cars, appropriately self-distanced--away we went! Steve has been doing this every spring for twenty-five years. Needless to say, he knows where to look for mushrooms! Now, I’d thought I was prepared. I’d watched … [Read more...]
Whom to Follow
Easter banner in the church 4 Easter A—5/3/20 Acts 2:42-47 Pr. Scott Kramer You just heard this reading from the Book of Acts: Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods, and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and … [Read more...]
Young Prophets
3 Easter A—4/26/20 Luke 24:13-35 Pr. Scott Kramer Today's question is the same one we heard last week: Can you see Jesus? Now on that same day, while two disciples were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. Maybe I’m the only one who finds that last verse interesting. …but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. For most of my life I understood that to mean God prevented them from seeing. But God does not … [Read more...]
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