Luke 24: 36-48
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Last Sunday, I suggested in my sermon that I wanted to spend the next few Sundays exploring what it meant for us to have a vision for our church. In the context of the resurrection, in these Sundays after Easter Sunday, the disciples had visions of Jesus that compelled them to begin to form the earliest Christian communities. I would like us as a church to have such visions – compelling images that inspire us to act in ways that are transformative. (more…)

John 20: 19-31
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

A few months back in February, at our annual meeting, I asked those of you who were there to help us envision our church in some new and exciting ways.  Those of you who were there may remember the conversation.  Today, I want to resume that conversation with you.  For the next couple of Sundays I want to talk to you about visioning the church.  I want to share with you some ways of doing that, and I hope together we can begin to envision our church in some new ways. (more…)

Music classes for our Littlest Angels will start on Sunday, May 4, 11:30-12:15 a.m. in the church library. Additional dates are May 18, June 1 and 8. Children from birth to age 7, and a favorite grownup (or two), are invited to share this special time together! Come ready to enjoy your child in this musical setting. Edith Tresner, a preschool music teacher with 17 years of experience, will be leading these classes for you and your children. The wonder and love of God, through music and movement, will be explored. For more information contact Edith at 232-3250. Bring a friend, and we’ll see you there!

John 20: 1-18
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper
Christ is risen!  That traditional affirmation captures the spirit of this day.  Today we celebrate and rejoice in the most fundamental and basic belief of our faith: that Christ has risen – that death does not hold us – that we are transformed by God’s grace from death to life, as Christ was transformed through the resurrection.   Today we awaken to the marvelous good news that has shaped our faith over the past 2,000 years: the tomb is empty.  Christ is risen! (more…)

Mark 11: 1-11
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Sometimes, I wonder where God is.  Not that I’m depressed.  But given the fact that the sun is just one of billions of stars, and that around any of those stars might spin planets much like ours, and that the universe stretches endlessly in every direction, and that most of that universe is deep, dark vacuum, and that my life will only span a short, micro moment in the time span of the universe…well, where is God in that?  Where is God in our realization that our struggles, which seem so critical and so huge to us, that those things which seem so important to us, will be washed away into irrelevancy by the waves of time?
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John 12: 20-33
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

As we approach Holy Week, the significance of Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem comes into focus. Jesus will be glorified, but not as we expect. (more…)