May 2023

MAY 2025

JANUARY 2025

FEBRUARY 2025

APRIL 2025

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Greetings Friends!

Driving last week I praised God when I saw a gorgeous blue bird!  Her colors were amazing and I was delighted not just by her beauty, but that I had witnessed a sign of the arrival of spring, and the presence of the wisdom of God in creation!  In the book of Job chapter 12, Job says this, (The interpretation in The Message) 

“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on.

Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.

Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand— Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature?”  (Job 12:7-12, Message)

God’s grace and wisdom is everywhere in nature, and as humans, we have been tasked by God since Adam, to be good stewards of the earth, and to exercise care for all of God’s creatures, the large and small, the magnificent and the bizarre.

Here at St. Paul’s, we have decided to repurpose our community vegetable garden, by planting a flower garden that supports local wildlife.  We are hoping that birds, bees, and butterflies, are just some of the creatures who will visit our garden for refreshment and shelter. 

This is a drawing of the garden space that we are building to share with our wildlife friends!  If you have a green thumb, love digging in the dirt, or suspect that you have an inner gardener waiting to bloom, please call the office or reach out to Tracey Lasslett, Carol Raughley, Kathy Ertle, Alisa Nixon or Pastor Deb.  

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The beauty of creation is all around us. I invite you to take a moment, or even an hour today to Praise God and contemplate the magnificence of the earth, and listen to the stories of her creatures, as you wonder at the miracle of nature.

Your Sibling in Christ,

Pastor Deb

MARCH 2025

.Greetings Friends!

Blessing for Holy Week and a Joyful Easter!

In John’s gospel, at the Last Supper as Jesus was preparing his followers for their life in the new community, Christ’s new body, the church, after his death and resurrection, he said,

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5, NIV)

Jesus reassured the disciples in his day that in the midst of the uncertainty following his death,  they were to continue in God’s love, sharing with everyone, all that Jesus had taught them. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they were freed to live in the hope, joy, and confidence of the Christ.

As with the first disciples, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live into this community of life, disciples giving witness and testimony to the presence of God’s love in the world and in our lives. We also continue to share Christ’s goodness, participating in God’s mission in the world, and working for justice and equity for all people.

We face many uncertainties at this time as individuals and as members of communities. As members of St. Paul’s, in the body of Christ, centered in the True Vine, amid obstacles and unpredictability, we continue to navigate changing culture, financial issues, and the challenges of developing partnerships with folks in other faith communities as well as the greater culture.

Feel Jesus words washing over you, hear them deeply….we abide in the vine, and the vine abides in us, as we bear fruit, experience pruning, and develop in spiritual maturity. As vines, branches, leaves, buds, and stems, which are flexible, pliable, and connected not only to our source, but to one another. Jesus the true vine is our source of life and hope, and we can trust that the Holy Spirit is leading us in our lives as individuals and in community today and always.

Your Sibling in Christ,

Pastor Deb