Michael Bayard Woods was born on July 14, 1947 on North Island Air Station in San Diego, CA. Growing up mostly between Pacific Beach and El Cajon, CA, surrounded by love and music, Michael had a go...  Read More

It feels poignant that this week we visit Jerusalem in our Advent story and the city is known as “the city of peace.” Certainly we’ve been focused on the difficulties of prevailing peace in this turb...  Read More

Our lives and stories are often shaped by that which is out of our immediate control. This was true in the moment of the Roman decree that would turn into the story of hope for the world. On this firs...  Read More

Wherever you find yourself this Advent season—whether you are brimming with hope or weighed down by despair—I invite you to join me on this journey. In worship, we will explore the places that shape t...  Read More

Throughout Jesus’ story and the story of the early church, we see examples of the Holy Spirit working through unlikely people. We know that God continues to be present with us in the person of the Hol...  Read More

As much as everyone loves to give and receive presents, the magi serve a more important function. They are outsiders. They are not Jewish and do not understand Jewish ideas about a messiah. They don’t...  Read More

It’s easy for us to condemn Herod. There’s no question that he was power-hungry and wicked. It’s much harder for us to come to terms with the fact that, in spite of everything Herod did, God’s love an...  Read More

In this session, we’ll get to know Elizabeth and Zechariah. We’ll consider our dreams and the ways that God changes our plans....  Read More

John 18:33-37 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?...  Read More

Scripture Reading Mark 13:1-8 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these grea...  Read More

Scripture Reading Colossians 1:15-20 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whe...  Read More

Gathering in Grace to combat loneliness and isolation. As the days grow shorter and the air turns colder, it can be easy for some of us to retreat into our homes and our own worlds, especially as t...  Read More

As this series draws to a close, we may feel more or less resolved in our openness to each other. Loving our neighbors–including relatives, coworkers, acquaintances, strangers–as ourselves is no simpl...  Read More

Today, we continue our worship series that invites us to extend ourselves beyond the divisions we feel in this world. This week, we consider what it means to respect each other, irrespective of our di...  Read More

Today, we continue our worship series that points us toward connection in a world of divisions. The root of the word “human” is the same as the word “humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.”...  Read More

Georg B. Gehrung...  Read More

Ronald Leslie Richter...  Read More

Marcus Hugh Reynolds...  Read More

Evelyn J. Panos...  Read More

Iris Maxine Lucke...  Read More

I love to tell the story… The Hymn “I Love to Tell the Story” is an old classic written in the late 1800s about expressing joy and enthusiasm of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ by telling people h...  Read More

Today, we continue our worship series that invites us to consider the qualities that will help us navigate the divisions we are experiencing in our world. This week, we consider compassion. Why do we ...  Read More

Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what ...  Read More

This October, we embark on a spiritual journey together. In a world where some may seek to divide, we will respond as Christ teaches us—with compassion and kindness. We will campaign not for any polit...  Read More