See & Be Radiant

Rev. Tayler Necoechea

No matter how dark things are, God is light beyond light, and no darkness can overcome it. That light is here in the person of Jesus, in the true light of the world. As we look to this light, we see God’s glory, and we too radiate with the love and hope with which it shines.

Epiphany | January 5, 2025

Created for God's Glory

Mary Fitchett

God proclaims to the community in exile that they are loved, precious, and created for glory. These words of grace counteracted the words of the Babylonians, who despised them and made them forget their belovedness. 

As we remember our baptisms we too can remember God’s abundant love for us– a grace that was ours before we even knew it! 

Baptism of the Lord Sunday | January 12, 2025

Stand Firm in Faith

Rev. Tayler Necoechea

In the face of earth-shaking crisis, how do we stand firm in faith? God (and the prophets) continue to give us signs of God’s faithfulness, and hope. 

For the people of Isaiah’s day, messianic hope was a seed being planted. Today, we cling close to Emmanuel, Jesus, God with us.

January 19, 2025

Shocking & Amazing

Rev. Tayler Necoechea

Though the ancient city of Jerusalem was once seen as unshakable, Isaiah laments the destruction of the great city. 

But this is not the end of this story! God promises to intervene and challenges the religious to expect God to do something “shocking and amazing.”

January 26, 2025

Who Do You Trust?

Rev. Allie Rosner-Bass

With the Assyrian empire threatening destruction, Judah goes to Egypt for help - against the advice of the prophet, who declares that they should trust in God’s protection, not Egypt’s strength. 

What does it mean for us to trust in God rather than the powers of the world? How do we do that without being passive?

February 2, 2025

Nearing Exile

Rev. Tayler Necoechea

Near to his own death, King Hezekiah is tempted by his own foolish pride as he shows the Babylonians his amazing earthly treasures. 

Through the prophet Isaiah, God warns him that all of his wealth (including his descendants) will one day be carried away to, with nothing left. In times of crisis, we might be faced with a similar choice: trust in the riches and power of the world, or in the Lord? 

February 9, 2025

Comfort, O Comfort!

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

As the people of Israel remain captive and vulnerable in their exile, Isaiah proclaims a rich, powerful hope. This hope is not wishful thinking, rather one that comes from the covenant relationship Israel has with God. 

There is hope in exile because this is not the end of this story; God’s people will find the comfort they’ve been longing for because God will bring peace and restoration. 

February 16, 2025

Root Out of Dry Ground

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

When we’ve been through it, we are not the same. Neither is the world around us. And still, God is there. And still God pours out life for us. And still there are signs of hope all around - hope and imagination for a new future, born out of the suffering and struggle. While we hope, imagine, and move into the promised future, we grieve, as we cannot go back to the way things were. 

February 23, 2025

Dawn Breaks Forth

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

What do we do when we don’t know what else to do? How do we ultimately find hope amidst despair? We turn to one another, and take care of one another, including and seeing one another, putting our hearts with one another - along with bread, shelter, clothing. We turn to justice and righteousness, trusting that in this care and love of one another, we will see and know God. And God’s light will indeed break forth like the dawn and we shall all be healed.

Transfiguration Sunday | March 2, 2025