Apr 1, 2024 1:14 AM America/Los_Angeles
So How Does It End?
On Easter morning, Pastor Jen considers why Mark ended his gospel story with more questions than answers. How might we find the risen Christ among us?
Series
Mark's Easter Eggs: Stories Within Stories
The Gospel writer of Mark has a literary device known as “The Markan Sandwich” in which he inserts a story in the middle of another story in order to drive home a deeper meaning for both stories. Join Pastors Jen and Jacob on the way to the cross this Lenten season as they explore and examine the hidden “Easter Eggs” within these stories scattered throughout the Gospel
Mar 29, 2024 5:56 PM America/Los_Angeles
Good Friday Meditation
In the shadows of Good Friday, Pastor Jen takes us to the final hours of Jesus’ life and examines the fact that everyone was frustrated and angered by his refusal to answer their questions. In what ways do we still try and force Jesus to say and do what
Mar 28, 2024 5:56 PM America/Los_Angeles
Grace Upon Grace (Maundy Thursday)
The story of the Last Supper comes right in the middle of Jesus telling his disciples that Judas is going to betray him and that Peter is going to deny him. And yet, Jesus still sits down with these two men and shares a meal. Jesus informs them that they
Mar 25, 2024 10:32 AM America/Los_Angeles
A House of Prayer for ALL People
Pastor Jen brings us another Easter Egg from the Gospel of Mark. Join her as she examines the symbolism of the withered fig tree that Jesus curses and compares it to his infamous “Temple Tantrum,” during which he quotes the prophets Isaiah and Jeremia
Mar 18, 2024 5:49 AM America/Los_Angeles
Let The Flame Burn Brightly
In Mark 14, the Chief Priests and scribes are conspiring to find a way to secretly put Jesus to death. But in the middle of their plans comes the story of an unnamed woman with an alabaster jar. Her small act of kindness serves as a subversive act of good
Mar 12, 2024 6:40 AM America/Los_Angeles
But Now I See
In the blockbuster movie Inception, the characters travel into a dream within a dream within a dream. This week, Pastor Jacob explains that the Gospel of Mark is a story within a story within a story. But what all of these layers of stories reveal is that
Mar 4, 2024 4:57 AM America/Los_Angeles
When it's Tempting to Jump Off the Cliff
Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. One of the UCC seminaries, PSR is a progressive, multidenominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually
Feb 26, 2024 1:22 AM America/Los_Angeles
The Cost Of Discipleship
When Jesus sends the disciples to do ministry in the Gospel of Mark, the story of their ministerial exploits is interrupted by a flashback to the death of John the Baptist. We continue our series on a unique aspect of the Gospel of Mark where one story is
Feb 19, 2024 5:13 AM America/Los_Angeles
Stories Within Stories
Pastor Jen kicks off our Lenten sermon series by introducing the concept of a Markan sandwich and invites us to examine two stories that are intentionally placed together in the Gospel of Mark. What is Mark trying to tell us about Jesus’ purpose through