SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 4, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ –

I know we’ve all had days at the office or at school or just in general when, at the end of the day someone asks, “how was your day?” and the answer is, “tough!” It happens to everyone and it happened to Jesus. He’s been teaching, preaching, healing and he comes home to Nazareth. He’s in his ‘home church’. Everyone’s impressed, admiring, amazed even until… someone asks, “isn’t this Mary’s son?” Meaning, “you know, we don’t really know who his father is. Who does he think he is? Is this really who they’ve all been talking about?” It gets ugly quick. You can sense they want a miracle. I think we see Jesus on the defensive, taken aback. But the point is not the smallness of his neighbors or that he’s constrained and scripture says, unable to "do any deeds of power except to lay his hands on a few sick people and cure them.” Really? Our lesson is what happens next.

I know it’s a holiday. Don’t forget it’s a holy day as well. Be present here or online. Let's establish and reclaim community.

There's love to share – and joyful work to do!