In today’s gospel (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus tells another parable as a way of teaching us that receiving God’s grace changes people. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer taught, God’s grace is not cheap, it comes at a great cost upon the cross. Once we receive this costly grace, our lives are never the …
The Church of the Past.. This week, we read in the letter to Philippians about Paul’s faith story. What he once believed no longer holds him back. His encounter with Christ has him looking forward to eternal life in heaven. How about you? What in your past holds you back? …
Live Like Christ… During September, our worship has focused on who we are as Christians and how we share that with others. And in this focus, we’ve seen how God has demonstrated God’s love, forgiveness, generosity and grace. This final Sunday is where it all gets put together – living …
A great tool that Shepherd of the Hills uses for offerings and other donations is known as Simply Giving. You no longer will have to fill out a form in the office when you start, change or stop this automatic service. What’s more – you can also direct other donations …
Last week, we identified that we are forgiven and are asked to do likewise to others. And on the heels of that message, we are further given more outrageous news – that the kingdom of God is unlike anything we knowPoor Jonah. The guy never could get comfortable. Jonah had …
The what is this: we are also a people that forgives others. Today our perspective is broadened by the good news that God’s forgiveness is not based on our idea of fairness, but rather on abundant, unimaginable grace. And we are called to go and the same. It’s not an easy …
SUMMER AT THE MOVIES: As Good as it Gets The summer is winding down and this is the last week of our “Summer at the Movies” series. We begin this week with the following scene: A burning bush in the distance, a voice commanding Moses to take off his shoes, …
The sight of school supplies in the stores signal that a new season is coming. It brings me excitement – because I still love school supplies even though I no longer teach or am in school. And I am also excited because it means that a new program year at Shepherd …
Summer at the Movies: Raising Helen: In the second to last week of our summer series, we will focus on how God calls unlikely people to be his servants. We begin in Exodus, where five women defy the Pharaoh and save a young boy’s life. Our movie, “Raising Helen”, is …
Last week, we met Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph. And learned that Joseph, though an inquisitive and unique boy, was also somewhat of a thorn in his brothers’ side. And things being things, we last saw Joseph being led to a life of slavery in Egypt.Fast forward a number of years …