Timberline Old Town

Text: Matthew 12:46-50 Matthew 13:53-58 Takeaways: Always remember, Jesus hardly made everybody happy. Being awake to the values of the Kingdom may sometimes look unpatriotic. Don't be a jerk. Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Luke 10:38-42 Takeaways: Three times this week, get in a good space and sit for 20 minutes. Take a fast from social media for 48 hours. Ask a busy person how they stay still inside. Read or watch a Bill Murray interview. Listen to The Liturgists Podcast interview with Richard Rohr.  Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Luke 9:1-17   Takeaways: In the next month, attend a live music performance. Sometime this week, eat fish with a friend and talk about dynamic compression or sports or music. Definitely Jesus Be grateful for dynamic compression. But always remember there is more.   Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

As circumstances allow, we like to have the visual artist(s) for the current month take a few minutes to give us a word about their art and what goes into it.

Text: Luke 7:36-50   Takeaways: Have a stare down with someone this week and count. Practice making eye contact with people. Have a conversation with someone you've been avoiding. For one whole day, drive the speed limit or under.   Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Luke 5:27-32 Takeaways: Who am I in this story? The one laying something down or the one picking something up? Both? Can I remember a time or times in life when I was awakened, when everything changed? Start a journal. Record the leaving behinds and the picking ups. Break a bad habit. Start a good one. Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: John 17:20-26   Takeaways: Who am I becoming? Who is becoming me? Is that a good thing?   Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Matthew 12:34-37   Takeaways: Pay attention & count this week how many sentences start with "I will..." Choose set times this week, every day, to pay attention and just listen.   Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Matthew 16:23-28 Takeaways: Remember that pride goes before a fall Remember who is following whom Take inventory: Where might I be feeling a little too good about myself? And...remember that even after the fall, Jesus still wants us to be with Him.   Benediction: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; May the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One— Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer— rest with you now and forever more. Amen.

Text: Proverbs 31:1-9 Philippians 2:1-8     Benediction: May God, the brightness of the universe, bless us. May Jesus, the light of the world, disturb us. May the Holy Spirit, energy of the cosmos, strengthen us. May we be blessed with the power to speak and live the gospel all of our days. Amen.

Text: Matthew 5:14-16 Takeaways: What voices do you need to stop listening to? Think of one person who needs to know they belong. Let them know they do. Keep open house; be generous with our lives.   Benediction: May God, the brightness of the universe, bless us. May Jesus, the light of the world, disturb us. May the Holy Spirit, energy of the cosmos, strengthen us. May we be blessed with the power to speak and live the gospel all of our days. Amen.

Text: John 15:14-17 Takeaways: You are my friends, if you love each other.   Benediction: May God, the brightness of the universe, bless us. May Jesus, the light of the world, disturb us. May the Holy Spirit, energy of the cosmos, strengthen us. May we be blessed with the power to speak and live the gospel all of our days. Amen.

  Text: Luke 6:30  Takeaways: Give to everyone who asks you Listen to the voice; the voice will tell you what to give   Benediction: May God, the brightness of the universe, bless us. May Jesus, the light of the world, disturb us. May the Holy Spirit, energy of the cosmos, strengthen us. May we be blessed with the power to speak and live the gospel all of our days. Amen.

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:4 Proverbs 8:1-17   Takeaways: Is there a truth that I have stopped hearing because the voice has gone silent? Is there a truth that I am withholding from someone I love? This week, ask someone who loves us what we need to start doing and what we need to stop doing. This week, practice radical listening to our best friends.   Benediction: May God, the brightness of the universe, bless us. May Jesus, the light of the world, disturb us. May the Holy Spirit, energy of the cosmos, strengthen us. May we be blessed with the power to speak and live the gospel all of our days. Amen.

Easter felt like a party this year, and we were reminded of what matters. Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.    

As a guide through the Lenten season, we are reading Alicia Britt Chole's 40 Days Of Decrease as a congregation and allowing it to inform the teaching each Sunday morning.  Text: Luke 9:28-44 Takeaways: Do I want something to be true more than I want to find Truth? Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.

As a guide through the Lenten season, we are reading Alicia Britt Chole's 40 Days Of Decrease as a congregation and allowing it to inform the teaching each Sunday morning.  Text: Isaiah 55:1-3, John 18:37-38 Video: 4'33'' by John Cage Takeaways: The sound of God is not limited to our notions of a voice. If you recognize the truths of Jesus, you recognize the sound of God. This week, conduct your own performance of 4'33". Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love

As a guide through the Lenten season, we are reading Alicia Britt Chole's 40 Days Of Decrease as a congregation and allowing it to inform the teaching each Sunday morning.  Text: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 Takeaways: When we go into rooms this week, instead of thinking "Here I am," let's think, "There you are." Spend one whole day not looking at our own reflections. Begin every day this week saying out loud "I am Abba's Child. I am beloved." Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.

As a guide through the Lenten season, we are reading Alicia Britt Chole's 40 Days Of Decrease as a congregation and allowing it to inform the teaching each Sunday morning.    Text: Luke 18:35-19:10 Takeaways: Knock the hustle Jesus is surprising if we allow him to be. Don't look past what is in front of you. Where or by whom do I need to allow myself to be seen? Who do I - actively or passively - isolate? Read a good poem Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.

As a guide through the Lenten season, we are reading Alicia Britt Chole's 40 Days Of Decrease as a congregation and allowing it to inform the teaching each Sunday morning.  Text: Acts 16:1-10 Takeaways: In the story, there is movement Wherever we go, Jesus is there Take a walk this week, see what happens Pay attention to the coincidences Benediction: May all that is unforgiven in you be released; may your fears yield their deep tranquilities; may all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love.