Longings

Blessed Mary, Mother of God

Confused about Mary? You’re not alone. Some have placed her on a pedestal, others have treated her with neglect, while the rest aren’t quite sure what to do with her. That makes her one of the most misunderstood characters in the Bible. 
 
It’s understandable. After a starring role in the Christmas story, Mary makes just a few cameo appearances along the way. In response, some have rushed in and filled the gap with a confusing mixture of exaggerations and legend. While others, worried they’ll give her too much attention, have let her fade into the background. 
 
Sure, some have taken things with Mary too far. But equally true is that others have not gone far enough. From now through the end of January, we’ll be looking at the life of Mary; not just the Christmas part we’re so familiar with, but her entire story. Along the way we’ll separate legend from fact and uncover the story of this remarkable woman and the extraordinary role she played in the life and ministry of Jesus. 
 
Mary was a great example of faith and faithfulness. She carried Jesus to birth, then raised him. She heard him teach, watched him heal, and never doubted he could do the miraculous. She was fiercely loyal to Jesus all the way to the end. She never deserted him, even when Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him, and the rest fled and went into hiding. So she was there when he took his last breath, and again on Sunday morning when he rose from the dead. 
 
But her most important legacy was her simple faith. Was Mary devout? Probably. Was she pure in heart? Sure. But that wasn’t the point.  
 
You see, God didn’t chose her because she aced the Messiah Mommy ACT. Mary was convinced this great honor had come to her by the sheer grace of God. That is why, after the angel left, she sang not about how great she was, but how great was her God. 
 
The same is true with us. God is still showing up, telling people everywhere, us included, “you are highly favored,” and inviting us to respond in faith.
            
John Sommerville - Senior Pastor

Crucial Conversations

What did Jesus actually do? Seriously. How did he spend most of his time during the years he spent here on earth? Giving TED talks? Healing people? Telling stories, like the parables he’s so famous for? The answer? None of the above. You see, Jesus spent most of his time in conversation; conversations with people about life and faith. He spoke with the rich and famous, the poor and overlooked; with women and men, young and old, the educated and illiterate. He even had a conversation with the devil. Some of these conversations are familiar, others, not so much. 
 
During Lent, the six-week period of preparation for Easter, we’ll be looking at nine of these conversations. Our goal is to imagine what it would have been like to listen in as the conversation unfolded. If we put ourselves in the shoes of the person Jesus was talking with, we can allow the full impact of Jesus’ perceptive questions, compassionate words and insightful wisdom to speak powerfully into our current circumstances. So join us from now until Easter Sunday as we learn what we can from these crucial conversations.

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