First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

The Good News is that God's love for us in Jesus Christ catches us by surprise – because God always loves us and the whole world more. What Jesus does in his testing in the wilderness and at the wedding at Cana should catch us by surprise. It's not the way the world works – but it points us to the way the world ought to be.

Jesus teaches us how to be fully human, and then invites us to be salt and light for the world. How we live our lives teaches something. It makes a difference in the world not only through direct cause and effect – but it also ripples out in what people see and what people hear; in how we convey, in our lived-out lives, what matters most and what it means to be human. We learn by living – and our living teaches something too.

The Beatitudes describe how God is infusing the world with good. They give us a lens – that draws us into a vision –that comes to life in the lives we live. What we learn with Jesus is nothing less than how to be fully human.

Jesus invites us to ask questions – to seek understanding beyond what we know now;  to learn and grow; and to learn to live together in the complexity of the things we can't yet comprehend.

As part of the humanity we have in Jesus Christ, God gives us the capacity to learn from our mistakes, and help set the world right.

Standing knee-deep in the waters of baptism, we find our true humanity in Jesus Christ. Jesus embodies and invites us into that full humanity – the fullness of life lived out in mutuality, sharing, love, healing, and peace.

On Epiphany Sunday, we consider the two journey stories that we find in Matthew 2 -- the journey of the Magi seeking the Christ, and the journey of Joseph, Mary, and Joseph as they seek refuge in Egypt. In a world of disruption and power-over, God accompanies us and empowers us to find our way to the new life birthed in Jesus Christ.

Into a menacing world, in Jesus Christ, God is birthing a new humanity, grounded in human decency and overflowing with tender mercy.

God longs for a just world, ordered to center the well-being of the poor and vulnerable.

In a world of violence and war, we long for peace. In our longing, we find God already longing for us, ready to teach us the ways that lead to peace.

God empowers us to see the good that God is doing in the world, give thanks, and then live out our gratitude in ways that keep putting more and more good into the world.

In troubled times, God is creating and inviting us into simplicity of living and relationships grounded in peace.

Out of the rubble, God encourages us to rebuild: Something will rise up out of this, and we will build it together.

God keeps watch with us over the trouble in this world. We, then, keep watch for how God is on the move, and join together in God's healing, saving work.

Empathizing with Elijah in the cave, guest preacher Rev. Scott Quinn invited us to think of the stories that hold us back; to notice the nearness of God; and to know that we are seen, heard, and held.

Even in calamity, God is near, inviting us to build and plant and live to heal the world.

God exhorts us to pray for all people – including our leaders – so that all people may live free.

Constancy is a quality of God: "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever." We are called to live our lives consistently with God's steadfast love.

Over the breadth of Scripture, humanity encounters God, not only in the bright light of day, but when the shadows fall, and the world becomes still. At night, God keeps close, and we will not be left alone.

Jesus rejects the world's separations and the “politics of disgust,” and insists that we welcome everyone to the table of community and shared power.

During “ordinary time” we walk with Jesus through the ordinary days of his life, just as he walks with us through the ordinary days of ours. Jesus invites us to see things as they are, to let go of attachments that hold us back, and to embrace the way of the cross that leads to life. 

In his healing hands, Jesus sets the whole world free. In the work of our hands, God's handiwork can come to life, as well.

What is hindering you from living into the grace-filled economy of Jesus?

Revelation invites us to say Amen to God's sovereignty in Jesus Christ, creating a new heaven and new earth, right now and forever. Amen – so be it in me, so be it in us. Come, Jesus, Come. Let today be the day.

In the apocalyptic imagination, God gives us a wild and lively vision of a world to inhabit now. The old order of things has come to an end. Behold God's new heaven and new earth. Live it now.

Power-over wants us to stay quiet and lukewarm. That's how power stays in power. In the complexity of life, God is near, encouraging and empowering us to stand where we know we ought to stand.

At the midpoint of the year, we pause to refresh and reset, returning to the 7 spiritual practices that ground us in the new thing God is doing in every new day.

The wild hope of our imagination finds its sure footing in Jesus Christ, the one who enters into the deep suffering of the world and is sovereign from there.

God's healing imagination comes to life in our collaboration and cooperation – inviting us to an economy of mutuality and a politics of compassion and freedom.

Beyond the caves and fear of domination, God empowers us to imagine and create a world better, brighter, and more beautiful than the struggle and suffering we are experiencing now.

God is willing to re-order the world to seek out and welcome everyone who is far from home. The Story of the Prodigal Son says to us: No matter where we are on the journey – no matter how far from home – no matter who we are – no matter what we've done – there is One who is willing to bring us back home.

 In bewildering times, empowered by the Spirit, “what we can do” is the steady work that flows out of our baptism. 

In baptism, we enact what has always been true: God loves and welcomes everyone.

With the women at the empty tomb, we proclaim this Resurrection truth: Everything that lies ahead is life.

On Palm Sunday, as we turn toward the cross, Jesus joins us in the deep suffering of the world, with tender mercy there, too.

As Mary anoints Jesus, they embody for us a world based on sharing, reciprocity, and tender mercy.

We consider the call of the Parable of the Lost Son, with Rev. Floyd Thompkins preaching (Pastor, St Andrew Presbyterian Church, Marin City)

In our fear, God comes to us with the gifts of presence and possibility for a future in which we are not alone.

Our world these days can feel utterly disorienting. As we cry out in lament, we find God not far off, but near... in the midst of the suffering, joining our lament, and calling us into life. Psalm 22 invites us to lament (loudly); to listen for lament (the suffering of the world); and to draw near (to God and to each other).

In his testing in the wilderness, Jesus turns from evil and turns toward the Way that will lead to the cross – a way that leads us to life.

The glory of God in Jesus comes to life on the mountain top, and in everyday acts of healing, and in us.

In a world fueled by enmity and retribution, Jesus commands love: Love God. Love others. Love yourself. Love your enemy. Love everyone. No exceptions.

In these days of turmoil, God's grace meets us where we are and empowers us to be both humble and bold, in the name of Jesus.

The Body of Christ lives out love for the well-being of all people. It's the love we see in Jesus Christ – “the kind of love that longs for the well-being of the beloved.” It's a love that never forgets the vulnerable. It's a love that always seeks the common good. 

Grounded in Christ, empowered by the Spirit, we engage the work that is ours to do in the world. The Spirit gifts each of us with particular gifts that together we embody for the common good.