On this Trinity Sunday we look to Scripture, tradition, reason and experience to talk about God in a way that informs our understanding of what it means to be made in the Image of God and how that influences who we are as the church today
On this Trinity Sunday we look to Scripture, tradition, reason and experience to talk about God in a way that informs our understanding of what it means to be made in the Image of God and how that influences who we are as the church today
On Pentecost we look to the culmination of Passover, the Counting of the Omer, and Shavuot to see the Jewish routes that help us understand the particular Pentecost event described in the Acts of the Apostles and how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit inspires and empowers us in bringing forth the Kingdom of God.
On Pentecost we look to the culmination of Passover, the Counting of the Omer, and Shavuot to see the Jewish routes that help us understand the particular Pentecost event described in the Acts of the Apostles and how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit inspires and empowers us in bringing forth the Kingdom of God.
The Ascension of Jesus doesn't mean that Jesus is absent from us but rather that Jesus is both present and exalted! We look at the ways in which Ascension is depicted in art, cartoons and movies to make sense of the differences between symbols and literal meaning.
The Ascension of Jesus doesn't mean that Jesus is absent from us but rather that Jesus is both present and exalted! We look at the ways in which Ascension is depicted in art, cartoons and movies to make sense of the differences between symbols and literal meaning.
Join us as we take a look at The Gospel of John's theology around the Trinity, Jesus' final return and Jesus' last words to the disciples before the crucifixion.
Join us as we take a look at The Gospel of John's theology around the Trinity, Jesus' final return and Jesus' last words to the disciples before the crucifixion.
Join us for worship at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays at The University Church, 4747 Hill Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. All are welcome.
Join us for worship at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays at The University Church, 4747 Hill Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. All are welcome.
As we journey through the season of Easter, we encounter John's account of Jesus describing the abundant life using the images of sheep, shepherds, thieves, and hired hands. The abundant life turns out to be one laid before God to be picked up again in ways that exceed our greatest expectations in terms of doing no harm, doing all the good we can, and staying in love with God.
As we journey through the season of Easter, we encounter John's account of Jesus describing the abundant life using the images of sheep, shepherds, thieves, and hired hands. The abundant life turns out to be one laid before God to be picked up again in ways that exceed our greatest expectations in terms of doing no harm, doing all the good we can, and staying in love with God.
In this post-resurrection encounter with Jesus, two travelers have their eyes opened and discover that salvation has indeed come to God's people.
In this post-resurrection encounter with Jesus, two travelers have their eyes opened and discover that salvation has indeed come to God's people.
In John's Gospel, Jesus appears following the resurrection amidst confusion, doubt and fear. Clarity, certainty, and fearlessness do not seem to be prerequisites for an encounter with the risen Christ.
In John's Gospel, Jesus appears following the resurrection amidst confusion, doubt and fear. Clarity, certainty, and fearlessness do not seem to be prerequisites for an encounter with the risen Christ.
On this Easter Sunday we look to John's Gospel account of the discovery of the empty tomb to discover how Jesus appears to the least likely of people in the midst of sorrow and weeping.
On this Easter Sunday we look to John's Gospel account of the discovery of the empty tomb to discover how Jesus appears to the least likely of people in the midst of sorrow and weeping.
The big question as Jesus entered Jerusalem was, "Who is this?" and Matthew answers the question with signs and symbols that point to Jesus as King, Messiah, Savior, son of David, and Lord. Knowing who is points us to the outcome of the Jerusalem story - the Lordship of Christ over all the world.
The big question as Jesus entered Jerusalem was, "Who is this?" and Matthew answers the question with signs and symbols that point to Jesus as King, Messiah, Savior, son of David, and Lord. Knowing who is points us to the outcome of the Jerusalem story - the Lordship of Christ over all the world.
As Easter approaches, we see resistance to the message of Jesus mount as a plot to end his life takes shape. Can the death of one man really take the place of the death of many, or is something missing from such an idea? The resurrection lies in an unexpected future at this stage of the story and the leaders of the Sanhedrin press ahead without understanding exactly what they are plotting.
As Easter approaches, we see resistance to the message of Jesus mount as a plot to end his life takes shape. Can the death of one man really take the place of the death of many, or is something missing from such an idea? The resurrection lies in an unexpected future at this stage of the story and the leaders of the Sanhedrin press ahead without understanding exactly what they are plotting.
In John's account of the healing of a blind man by Jesus we see how the text proclaims that Jesus is Lord (while Caesar is not) and that Jesus is the revelation of God (YHWH) in the world. The text calls us to a journey of penitence as we approach Easter week.
In John's account of the healing of a blind man by Jesus we see how the text proclaims that Jesus is Lord (while Caesar is not) and that Jesus is the revelation of God (YHWH) in the world. The text calls us to a journey of penitence as we approach Easter week.
In the familiar story of the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus seeks to symbolically repair the historic damage to the covenant by including the people of Samaria, a group that were often excluded and marginalized at that time. Jesus opens the door through an encounter and a conversation, showing us how to restore broken covenants and move towards a fuller realization of the Kingdom of God.
In the familiar story of the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus seeks to symbolically repair the historic damage to the covenant by including the people of Samaria, a group that were often excluded and marginalized at that time. Jesus opens the door through an encounter and a conversation, showing us how to restore broken covenants and move towards a fuller realization of the Kingdom of God.
While John 3:16 is perhaps the best known verse in the New Testament, the two preceding verses, which explain the context by reference to Moses and the events of the Exodus, often pass without comment. We see in these verses the parallel between Moses and the Exodus journey, and the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. During Lent, we focus on the tools of Lenten discipline to help free us from whatever it might be that enslaves us and prevents us from loving God with all our heart, soul, and might.
While John 3:16 is perhaps the best known verse in the New Testament, the two preceding verses, which explain the context by reference to Moses and the events of the Exodus, often pass without comment. We see in these verses the parallel between Moses and the Exodus journey, and the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. During Lent, we focus on the tools of Lenten discipline to help free us from whatever it might be that enslaves us and prevents us from loving God with all our heart, soul, and might.
Even Jesus was tempted! And his temptation was to ignore the great prayer of Deuteronomy 6, the Shema, and to use his heart, soul and strength for his own benefit and not for the benefit of all Israel. He overcame that temptation and ultimately, through his journey to Jerusalem, overcame the power of all that enslaves us, even to this day.
Even Jesus was tempted! And his temptation was to ignore the great prayer of Deuteronomy 6, the Shema, and to use his heart, soul and strength for his own benefit and not for the benefit of all Israel. He overcame that temptation and ultimately, through his journey to Jerusalem, overcame the power of all that enslaves us, even to this day.
