By Joel A. Hess - “For they were afraid!” That’s the end of Mark’s gospel. After being told that Jesus had risen from the dead, they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone—for they were afraid! The last words of Mark are … Continue reading For they were afraid! Happy Easter
By Paul Koch - Today is the celebration of the pinnacle event in all human history. Today we rejoice in the great working of God who interceded at a specific moment in time to overturn the power of darkness and sin and death. This is the dawn of a new day and the promise of … Continue reading Behold, this is our God
By Paul Koch - How is this night unlike all other nights? It is a significant night to be sure, but just what is it that makes it so important? Well, for starters, this night marks the initiation of the great events of our Lord’s passion. If you were to say that our Lord’s story … Continue reading Forgiveness is in the Blood
By Joel A. Hess - Welcome. On behalf of the family of the deceased, I would like to thank you for being here. You have come to a funeral of sorts this Good Friday, haven’t you? Well, that’s what they say, I suppose. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to … Continue reading Whose Funeral Is It?
By Cindy Koch - The darkness is coming. I feel it lurking at the end of this long, sad week. Those of us who have been here before have been waiting for these tragic footsteps into the shadows. Even though we know what is coming, there is no escape from where we must travel. Retracing … Continue reading Five Lies that Kill Jesus
By Paul Koch – On Tuesday, I read news that the last male northern white rhino had died. Named Sudan, the rhino is survived by two females, and while scientists have hope for in vitro fertilization to save the species, the outlook isn’t very promising. The head of the wildlife conservancy that was caring for … Continue reading Watching Extinction
By Jeff Pulse - The Old Testament lesson for the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), March 25, 2018, is from the Book of the Twelve: Zechariah. The text is Zechariah 9:9-12 and is the prophecy of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what is now called the Sunday of the Passion. This is the … Continue reading OT Encounters: Zechariah 9:9-12 – The New King
