We like to think we have all the answers, but what can Philip and the Ethiopian he encounters on the road teach us about the searching we have left to do? Listen as Oakhurst member Robin Ficklin-Alred explores the story of the Ethiopian’s baptism in Acts.
May 2, 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Very few of us are familiar with shepherds these days. The closest we come is an occasional encounter with the sheep sometimes seen grazing on weeds and underbrush around town. So what should we understand about Jesus as the Good Shepherd? Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West wonders about modern-day shepherding.
What a friend we have in Jesus? Is that just a sweet, sappy song from a too-simple individualized salvation theology? Or is this concept grounded in the Gospel of John, offering a radical idea of friendship with Christ that gives us an opportunity to grow and expand this theology throughout our lifetime. What does it mean to us now, to be friends with Jesus.
We often associate Jesus’ friend Thomas with doubt, and he is usually called “Doubting Thomas.” But all Thomas does is ask for what he needs. Is that doubt? Or is that simply being persistent and clear with God? Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West explores this post-Easter encounter with Jesus.
Requiem and Resurrection. That is the reality and the paradox of Easter. But the paradox of Easter is also the Good News of Easter. No matter what you are carrying, or what you are looking for in the future, Easter is able to hold it all. Listen as Pastor Lauren Colwell talks about this Easter paradox, especially in a year of Zooming from Easter to Easter.
Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West relates the events of the first Palm/Passion Sunday to the recent actions involving Georgia Representative Park Cannon. What is power? What is resistance? What is rejoicing? What is resilience?
“I will put my Law in their minds and on their hearts.” (Jeremiah)
Our themes this Sunday are Remove and Rebuild. But what are we removing? And what does it mean to rebuild? Listen as Karen Bryant Shipp explores this text and these questions.
In a bizarre story occurring in the book of Numbers, the NRSV translates, “Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.” Is there something we are missing in this passage? And if so, how might that missing puzzle piece change the way we understand our world and our place in it? Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West explores this passage.
Our reactions are natural, our desires to save the world are genuine, AND we are called to work even harder than that. Listen as Pastor Lauren Colwell reflects on our tendencies to jump to action, and asks some questions about what we can do.
When Jesus was confronted in the wilderness with temptations and pestered all through his life by the expectations of others, even his friends, he had to say No, in order to say Yes to his authentic ministry. When their preconceptions were challenged with the vision of a future that they had thought impossible, Abraham and Sarah had to say No, in order to say Yes to the purpose God had in mind for them. Listen as Karen Bryant Shipp reflects on saying No to say Yes!
