Our Scripture for Sunday is John 4: 5-42, the story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well. Find the story shared here in the NRSV, the KJV, the Pirate's Bible, and the Message. Let these words lead you this week.
Peace
Pastor Pete
Monday, March 2, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Now That's The Good Stuff: John 3: 1-17 Our Scripture for Sunday, March 1, 2026
Our Scripture Lesson is John 3: 1-17, Nicodemus coming to Jesus:
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and
testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If
I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you
believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No
one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son
of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that
whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to
condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The
question I have about this passage is ‘when did Nicodemus put it
together’? When did he ‘get it’? Because Jesus is very clear that he has all
the tools to comprehend. Jesus puts it
flatly, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these
things?” (vs. 10).
There is a level of frustration in our
Lord Jesus whenever he deals with the religious leadership, Pharisee, scribe,
Sadducee, priest, etc. Jesus, described
as Rabbi, is out of the Pharisaic tradition.
He ‘speaks their language’.
Then Jesus goes on, 11 “Very
truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen,
yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I
have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe
if I tell you about heavenly things?”
The most well-known verse in the Bible
is a part of this dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus. It is so famous, the wrestler Steve Austin latched
on to it for his own name recognition.
There is no moment in the passage
where Nicodemus goes, “Aha! So that’s what you mean!!” So we have no way to tell if this Pharisee,
who came out under cover of darkness, hungry for the truth, was ever satisfied.
Or maybe we do. Because Nicodemus shows up again at the end
of the gospel, in John 19. Jesus had
died on the cross. It is well known that
Joseph of Arimathea, a leader and believer in secret (for fear of the Jews),
received Jesus’ body and buried it in his own tomb. But less well known, in verse 39, “Nicodemus,
who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came…THEY took the body of
Jesus…according to the burial custom of the Jews…”
Jesus’ usual mode of teaching is
storytelling, in the form of parables.
There are few places where he really ‘gets to the point’. He does with Nicodemus. Three times in our passage does Jesus use his
‘catchphrase’ that marks something as truly standout, “Very truly I tell
you…” Or as Shakespeare might say,
“Verily, Verily I say unto thee” in the King James.
Or, to quote Kevin Kline in
“Silverado”, ‘That’s the good stuff.’
Peace,
Pastor
pete
Thursday, February 19, 2026
A Theology (Meaning: how I think about God in regards to loving my neighbor) of Mission (Meaning: how I offer my strength in loving my neighbor)
The team that works our church's Food Pantry met this past week to plan and review and consider how we do-and do better-our church’s work with people who have food insecurity. I want to share a part of what we discussed, but with its Biblical and theological (theology being ‘how I think about God in regards to loving my neighbor') foundation.
As a pastor, it is my privilege to be involved in, an observer, and sometimes advocate for soul healing in our community. One byproduct of that for pastors is that we pick up a little knowledge about a lot of subjects. Often we, in turn, seek to use that knowledge to illustrate a point in a sermon or explain something in “layman’s” terms. In my experience, we tend to be 60-70% accurate in the broad concepts, but 15-20% accurate in the details. But folks get what we mean.
So, in an attempt to use “business” or “not-for-profit” language, we (I) laid out a broad vision for how to consider what we are doing when we do missions. There is a two-fold focus for missions. The first is “client” based, aimed to serving those who are in need (ala Matthew 25). The second is “partner” based, aimed to create those who will serve. There was, in my heart, a biblical foundation for this, that I did not take the time to share in the meeting.
But I want to here.
So here we go. Jesus fed the 5000. That gospel account I want to look at as a ‘case study’ for the broad principles of doing mission. It works well in the case of our food pantry. First, take the technical term ‘food insecurity’. I use that term and not the biblical description of ‘feeding the hungry’, because it has a more precise and yet a more general definition than ‘feed the hungry’.
Consider the 5000. In the biblical story, they’d followed Jesus far from their homes and immediate sources of food. In the crowd there may have been people who were without a home or a meal to go back to (the ‘typical’ understanding of ‘the hungry’). There may have been people who came because they did not have enough. But the food insecurity in the moment is that the crowd is far from home, so that the disciples suggested they should scatter to the surrounding villages to find food, that they were separated from their usual sources of home and nourishment.
Those who come to our Food Pantry may not be homeless or starving (or they might be). Other possibilities? They may be working people who can provide for themselves perhaps 50-75% of the time, but they do not make enough money to pay for food, and everything else, the rest of the time. They may have a sudden expense that demands they pull money from the grocery budget to pay it off. They may suddenly find themselves with a family member on their doorstep in need and not to be turned away. There are MANY reasons why people find themselves suddenly insecure about having enough food for themselves and their families.
To be insecure about having enough to eat is a horrible feeling. This term, food insecurity, it recognizes a broad range of reasons for needing to ‘get charity’ (it can be shaming to the person who wants to provide for their family) to provide food (it is a basic threat to our survival and well being) whether it be over the long term or for a single space of time when there just wasn't enough.
What this term is NOT is just the latest ‘fad’ to describe people in need.
So, in the feeding, Jesus was answering the need of food insecurity. To do so, he was providing faith-based ‘client’ services. These were the 5000 men, plus the women and children, who’d followed Him to hear Him teach.
But this was not simply a miraculous feeding. Jesus was accompanied by his disciples, he challenged them first to provide the ‘client’ services, then showed them how it was done. In the end, they gathered up the remainder of the food, 12 baskets full. This demonstrates faith-based ‘partner’ services. Yes, the disciples were being trained up as partners in the ministry of Christ, they were learning what do to.
Because
this was to be their calling. To serve ‘clients’
as Jesus was serving ‘clients’. And we
do see the results of this in the book of Acts.
The ministry of feeding the hungry became so large in the work of the
early church that the Apostles set up a specific ministry, the first Board of
Deacons, to care for the needs of widows and orphans, to administer the daily distribution of food in the community of faith.
The distinction for the church is one of great significance. 'Client' services are based on the presupposition that every person is a child of God, a sibling of our Lord Jesus. While everyone is welcome to join the church, that’s not the purpose of the mission. There is a stereotype about missions on “skid row”, preaching to the “bums”, that mandated "sermon before soup". It was based on a theological notion of ‘feed the soul then feed the body’. It also exploited people in their time of need.
‘Partner’ services in the church, in missions, is where we gather like-minded individuals who feel called to feed the hungry in Jesus’ name. It is an invitation to the whole congregation, and while it may not become their long term call, it is a place and a moment when we can fulfill the call to love our neighbor directly in their time of need. People who were once clients, who were food insecure, once they have found security in their daily bread, will often return as a partner to the mission to feed others.
‘Partner
services’ are based on the presupposition that we who believe in Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior are called to serve Him-in response to physical AND spiritual needs, to do as Jesus did.
I believe
this is how we should look at our missions. Whether hands on, like the Food Pantry and the Thrift Shop or by our giving, through our Mission Budget. We serve people, clients, for no reason other
than it is the right thing to do (love our neighbor). We join as partners in the service of people because
Jesus said this is the right thing to do (love our God).
When we do this, there is a third piece of the feeding of the 5000 we can expect to see. Call it ‘miracle’ services-from the Lord. As in the loaves and the fishes. One way to interpret how Jesus fed 5000 plus families from the five loaves and two fish is the miraculous presence of God to create all that was necessary. Another way to interpret how Jesus fed 5000 plus families is that as the young man shared all that he had, this led the rest of the crowd to share what they brought and that in this way, God’s spirit of generosity took hold among everyone. Perhaps the miracle was a combination of the two.
Either way, there were 12 baskets left over.
Either way,
God’s power baby.
If this rather lengthy diatribe makes sense at all, it is because God’s Spirit has been at work through the
people of our church, leading me more than I could ever presume to lead
them. If this is all nonsense, the nonsense is ALL mine.
Peace to You, Sibs in Christ,
Pastor pete
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The First Few Temptations of Christ (NOT a prequel to the movie where Willem Dafoe Played Jesus)
Our Scripture Lesson is the Story of the First Few Temptations of Christ from Matthew 4: 1-11:
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and
placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying
to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He
will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will
bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do
not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high
mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and
he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship
me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,
Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then
the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
We do not often realize that this is
the conclusion of the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist dips Jesus in the Jordan, the heavens open, God speaks, the bird comes down...but no splashy finish. Instead, the Spirit of God (the bird) immediately drives Him out
into the wilderness to go toe to toe with the Devil. The Devil is testing Him.
The first temptation is straight
forward. Jesus has been fasting for
forty days and forty nights. So the
Devil pushes on Jesus to use divine power to change over some rocks into
bread. (I wonder if that is similar to
converting water into wine?) But for
Jesus, the fast is done on purpose, in God’s purpose. He’s hungry but there is more to life than
eating (although that does push against my Presbyterian sensibilities I will
say).
Doesn't the second temptation feel like
the Devil wants Jesus to show off His phenomenal cosmic powers? Leap off the temple and let the angels catch
you! I picture the guy who dives off a
high platform into a tiny pool of water.
Jesus’ response is interesting. “Do
not put the Lord to the test.” In other words, “Do
not use God to show off...”?
The third temptation is a bribe, plain
and simple. Worship me and I will give
you all the kingdoms of the world and their splendors! Such is the presumption of the Devil. Jesus does not even acknowledge the Devil’s
presumption of dominating the world. He
simples tells the Devil to get lost!
That we worship God alone.
The title of the sermon this week is
“The First Few Temptations of Christ”, playing on the title of “The Last
Temptation of Christ”, a movie I remember growing up that was surrounded with
its own controversies. But then again,
when the popular culture considers Jesus, when is there NOT controversy?
There is a clincher verse (Hebrews 4:15) that follows
up this time of Jesus versus the Devil in the wilderness. It is a verse of great comfort to me. That Jesus was tempted in every way, but without
sin. He does what none of us can
do. And he uses that perfection to save
us by his death and resurrection.
Praise
the Lord,
Pastor
pete
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
If You Cannot Speak for Yourself, Who Will Speak for You?
As a pastor, I have the privilege of coming alongside many people in our whole church family (and beyond) when they are in healthcare situations. Nobody wants to think about ending up in hospital or rehab or long-term care. Ending up in a coma or unable to communicate. God forbid, so we push it away.
But I have
a question. Who will speak for you if
you end up being unable to speak for yourself?
Who, among the people whom you love and trust, will you trust to decide
medical things on your behalf if you are unable to? Painful as it might be, you will bless them by asking them to speak for you before they might ever be called upon to do so. You can make sure they understand what you want and the loving trust you are putting in them to speak if you cannot.
There is more you can do for them. Who will you name to consult with them if the decisions become truly big and scary? Whose love and input do you value to make such decisions? Ask them now, tell them who has agreed to speak for you, tell the person who would speak for you who they can talk to, who they can consult to help carry the burden of such decisions.
You may already be able to list those people whom you trust to speak for you, to consult on your behalf, but asking them now, deciding now removes a significant shock and surprise in the midst of an already shocking and surprising and unthinkable time.
In so doing, you set clear boundaries on who does NOT get to speak for you. Grief is overwhelming. People have their own beliefs and assumptions of what is right and wrong when a medical decision needs to be made. The key to a person who speaks for you, or who consults on your behalf, is that you trust them to decide according to YOUR wishes-even if they do not hold the same beliefs. In grief, people can become very vocal and demanding in their own pain over what they believe is the best thing to be done. Even if it is not what you want done.
Yes, make it your own fault how you want things done. Do not leave your loved ones fighting and blaming during those moments when they need to be leaning on one another for support.
This is the intention behind a Living Will. It is an official document that expresses your wishes and intentions in case the unthinkable happens. It can also state categorically whom you choose to speak on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself. Making clear what you want for yourself takes the burden off those who are trying to do the best for you. It is a gift of reasoned clarity in a time of unreasonable, grief-laden confusion.
I am not a lawyer, I am a pastor. That is the point of view I bring to this. And truth be told, it is rare that I have been witness and spiritual caregiver to such conflicts and divisions. But when it happens, it is so devastating to witness yet more pain overlying pain. And even if it never comes to a point of family division, of all the things that are out of control in these moments, this is one that, with planning, can be controlled, one less piece to be swirling in the chaos and pain of grief.
Pastor Pete
Monday, February 16, 2026
Sharing our Scripture for Next Sunday, February 22, 2026: The First Temptation of Christ
Our Scripture for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 is Matthew 4: 1-11.
The Spirit has driven Jesus out into the wilderness where He is tempted 3 times by the devil. This particular story is the Biblical origin of the popular television show "Lipsynch Battles". However, in its original, Biblical format, it is not a battle of music.
It is a battle of Scripture. The devil has a bible quote for every occasion. And Jesus has one to return. In this passage, the devil assumes he has control of the whole world. But Jesus corrects him on that overstatement.
The 22nd will be our monthly healing service. In our passage, we can see the origins of the power that we know is in the Lord Jesus as he heals us. May we be blessed to know his power.
Peace,
Pastor Pete
Monday, February 9, 2026
Sharing Our Scripture for Next Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 Matthew 17: 1-9 The Transfiguration.
In Our Story, after we celebrate that Jesus was Baptized for us, we celebrate that Jesus lives for us. How do we know this? Because God tells us so. God, the Almighty Father, spoke at the baptism of His Son and God speaks at the Transfiguration as well.
"This is My Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!"
And God speaks these words in a moment when the glory of heaven shines upon Jesus, in the company of Moses and Elijah.
You may notice that in the KJV and the Pirate Bible, the name is Elias and not Elijah as we are used to. Same person, different time of translating into English. The Pirate Bible uses the KJV as its basis for its delightful rendering of the language.
The video processing in Youtube asked for a Thumbnail pic to front end the video. Tilt your head, its the Transfiguration from our sanctuary's Stained Glass. I will know better next time how to take the picture so it doesn't flop to the side...probably...
Peace
Pastor Pete
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