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We're back after a week away, and although we have different scripture passages and different themes, we have discovered that they heart of both tracks are the same...that action tells the story of what we value, and who we are. And in some ways, it really is a simple as that. Simple to hear, to learn, to know, yes, but the work of a lifetime to enact. So we accept the challenge, and live into a life that bears fruit.

Two stories today on the irreplaceable value of community - both from the Gospel of Luke. The first is a banquet with some unique invitees, after a first round of refusals. Which begs the question: what are we being invited to, now? And, knowing it doesn't last, can we value the richness of what's in front of us? The second story celebrates a paralyzed man and his determined, supportive, creative, roof-breaking, rule-breaking friends, who will not stop until they get this man the help he needs. Jesus admires their faith - and this week we, too, will celebrate the good news of those facing similar challenges with courage and strength, the love and support of their families, and the compassion and creativity of their communities.

There's a lot of overlap this week between our two threads, as Aaron tackles stories of hunger, bread, and justice, and Paige explores harvest, gathering and community. And of course, holding it all together, is the theology of Communion...that we are inherently connected, that there is abundance when we share, and that we are empowered by the God of liberation. This week is a reminder that there is Good/God in this world, and that we can be a part of that.

Two different Fall Series, two different (very different) scripture passages, but a lot in common this week, as we explore the threads that run throughout our passage from Matthew and then Galatians. There we find core ideas about authority, identity, and community, and how these things come together in the Christian project. It's a bit messy, but then real life is. Dive in with us, and see what we can discover together.

Today, the rubber really hits the road on both of our Fall Sermon Series tracks. Aaron and the good folks in Dundee hear the good news of the work SEVA does for bringing sightedness to those in need around the world, paired with multiple stories of how that is central to Jesus' ministry, too. And the Batavians hear the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, and ask, "What if this is not just about grace, but about actual economic justice in the real world?" (Hint: It is.) Join us for Good News in real life.

It feels that way sometimes, doesn't it? That the rejoicing, the forgiveness, are commands for Christian life, and not following through is a danger. But that is a misreading of not just the texts we have this week, but of the entire tradition of the faith. Aaron starts out with the Good News, that from our faith tradition's very beginning, we have understood the presence of God, the purpose of human life, to be JOY. And the parable Paige is looking at this week, as difficult as it is, is also about living in that joy, that freedom, that place of relationship, through letting mercy transform us. We hope you can listen this week, as we dive into joyful living, spiritual consequences, and the witness of our faith tradition to who God is, and who we are.

The "-ber" months are upon us, which means new sermon series at both churches. The Dundee church is waiting to hear Good News, love at work in real life, and the Batavia congregation is looking at the lectionary track, which is an amazing run of parables. The Good News starts on Sunday with a look at the late, great Dolly Parton, and the way she lived love into the world in ways big and small. And in Batavia, we ask with his disciples why Jesus insists on teaching in parables, which seem to both reveal and conceal at the same time. As the Fall arrives, there will be great stories, love scattered willy nilly, and Good News afoot.

Well, it's been a hot second since we've posted. (And by "hot second" we mean two months.) Thank you for your patience as Paige recovered from an ankle injury and the surgery that was necessary. But we ARE back, just in time to close out both our Summer Series'. And we do that with a bang, both congregations, and pastors, and paths focusing on the biblical call to give our attention, our lives, to the ways of the Kingdom, and not to the temptations around us. Two radically different passages, with the same general theme. (Go figure.) It's good to be back, friends. See you next week.

We're covering a lot of ground today! With Aaron out of town the next two weeks, we're previewing not only this Sunday, but June 21 and 28. We also cover Pride celebrations in Batavia and Dundee, reflecting on the nature of welcome and the challenge of unity and diversity in the Fox Valley. In Batavia, we're got three new stories: "A Church for All," "I'll Love You Forever," and "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," which will shape our next three weeks. In Dundee, we've got at least two stories to focus on: that of Zacchaeus and the other of the "rich young ruler." What happens when we say yes to Jesus and our life changes? What happens when we say no and it doesn't?  Thanks for your patience while we're away for two weeks. See you soon!

Our Summer Series' are off and running, and this week we will talk about Mark's story of the healing of the Woman with the Hemorrhage, the tale of The Velveteen Rabbit, and the power of love to connect, and heal, and transform. There's a lot to imagine as we take up some of our favorite stories this week, both Biblical and "secular." Join us if you can.

Pentecost, the wild, untamed unboundaried arrival of the promised Holy Spirit. It' s exciting, and inspiring, launching visions for the future and excitement for the present...and the Institution of the Church. Because, in order to hold on to what is good, there have to be some guardrails. The dance between Inspiration and Institution, Spirit and Stability, Freedom and Fence. It's all there in the text...so dive in.

This week, Jesus gets out of the way - or tries to, anyway. The disciples are once again waiting on him to work wonders, and it becomes clear they will never step into what is next while he is still there. So, after promising them the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to lead them into their new season, he is taken up into heaven - and they still need to be booted away from that moment, as they were getting stuck staring at the clouds. How about us? What kind of distractions do we use to keep us from the work to which Jesus called us? What would Jesus think of a Church that worshipped him (which he didn't ask his followers to do) but didn't live what he taught (which he did)?

What a week to be the Church! Here in Dundee, we're celebrating our 185th Anniversary, where we'll hear stories of our less-than-promising ancestors but grow in appreciation of the great legacy we have inherited. In Batavia, we're doing different church work: gathering for funerals and remembering the God in whom we live and move and have our being. In all this - in the blessed, the messy, the constancy and change - we look for the abiding love of God, who has seen us through this far, and will carry us into a faithful future.

The Gospel of John never disappoints. And this week's passage is a big one, touching on grief, comfort, empowerment, unity, and the work of building something that will last. We're in John 14:1-14, with a short side quest to 1 Peter chapter 2, as we explore together all of these themes, and more.

Two paths diverged in a yellow wood, and strangely went parallel to each other for quite a while. We are both going with different themes this Sunday, but the overlap is notable. One church will be observing Earth Day, another the lectionary's snapshot of the Early Church in Acts 2, and both led us to conversation about interconnectedness, what we owe other living beings, and the nature of community, be it a local faith community, or this world we live in. Join us as we traverse these paths...they go some interesting places.