Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSVue) “The Lord spoke to Moses…Thus shall you bless the people of Israel.” And so we continue this commandment, praying for the blessings of God’s presence, protection, favor, and peace on our brothers...

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 (NRSVue) Jesus “on the way.” Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, which means he is forging ahead to Calvary and the cross. Our goal is to have “the dust of the...

Genesis 9:8-17 (NRSVue) Forty is a number you often see in Scripture. It rained for forty days and forty nights when Noah, his family, and the animals were in the ark. Moses was a shepherd...

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9 (NRSVue) The Transfiguration gives us great hope—Jesus’ destiny is our destiny. Like Jesus, we have the promise of being transfigured—shining like the sun. When Jesus’ resurrection glory was foreshadowed in the bright...

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31 (NRSVue) Isaiah says, “God works for those who wait for him.” With an Isaiah 40 faith, when we’re feeling grounded—we trust somehow, some way, we’ll mount up with wings like eagles. With an...

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20 (NRSVue) Jesus began his “beach ministry” along the Sea of Galilee when he called out to the fishermen brothers Simon and Andrew and James and John, “Follow me!” Notice what Jesus said...

Scripture: John 1:43-51 (NRSVue) The Magi responded to Jesus by kneeling before him and offering gifts. Another vital response to Jesus is getting up off our knees and following him. For the Christian, leadership is...

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVue) Christmas and Epiphany are the bookends of Christmastide. Jesus didn’t receive his presents from the Magi until Epiphany, which we celebrate 12 days after Christmas (we actually add a few days...

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NRSVue) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria....

Dear Immanuel Family and Friends, The Appalachian chain of mountains in eastern North America has afforded generations of persons who have lived near them, or travelled to them, an opportunity to experience their majesty and...

Scripture: Luke 2:8, 15-20 (NRSVue) Do you know who were the first people to announce that salvation has come to earth in the Christ child?  Was it dignitaries? The in-laws? Fox or CNN news? Social...

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14 (NRSVue) You can’t find Bethlehem or tell the Christmas story without the angels. Angels appeared three times to Joseph—giving guidance, direction, and protection to the holy family’s harrowing journey to Bethlehem. The...