Luke’s sequel to his Gospel – the Acts of the Apostles – begins with the final act of Jesus’s earthly ministry. The Risen Lord gives instruction and words of commission, and then ascends into heaven. Though Jesus goes “up”, he does not go away. He ascends but is not absent. Instead he is powerfully present in a new transcendent way – a…

In this story from Acts, Paul witnesses of his faith in the intellectual center of Athens. Paul accommodates his message to this unique setting by commending his listener’s spiritual curiosity, finding common ground, and speaking of God’s revelation in Christ. Though the idolatry of the city outrages him, Paul speaks with great grace and respect toward his listeners, providing a model for…

Easter 5 Service is now online and streaming. The Apostle Peter admonishes a suffering church community to embody the truth that they are “living stones” in God’s “spiritual house”. To this end he encourages them to nurture an appetite for spiritual growth so they can “grow together” into the truth that they are God’s people in the world. “Living stones” should be…