Hello, beautiful Body of Christ!

As I’ve continued to settle in this week, I’ve been learning vital things they forget to teach you at seminary, like zoning and subdividing, easements and rights-of-way, and just how much joyous exuberance a church full of musical theatre day-campers can hold (hint: a LOT!). I’ve been thinking about that verb “settle” and the myriad ways we use it: settle down, settle in, settle accounts, let the dust settle – all of them suggesting new equilibrium that gradually emerges from any process of change. (More problematically, there’s also “settler” – but also the hopeful sense of “settling” as reconciliation, which re-sets all our ways into right relationship with one another and with God.) I extend my heartfelt thanks to the folks who have been especially helpful to my continued “settling in” and to our finding new, transforming equilibrium as church family this week:

• our incredibly hard-working and creative Property Development Committee, architectural team, and project manager who shared a two-hour briefing with me
• Chris Wensley, Ashkon, and our summer worker Christopher who kept everything dry by clambering up on the roof in Wednesday’s downpour and who may be slightly less enthusiastic about Leviticus 26:4’s promise that the Lord will “give you your rains in their season” as a result. “Praise the Lord in the heights”, indeed!
• our indispensable and dedicated office manager, Natasha, who knows all, anticipates every need, and plans ahead like a logistics specialist (and who needs to stop answering emails in her off-hours!)

In our lectionary readings for Sunday, prepare for some unsettling… In the coming weeks, we’ll encounter readings from the prophets that let loose with unsettling and highly imaginative curses. We’ll dig into Amos 7: 7-17 in this Sunday’s homily and consider what “prophecy” means for us in this time and place. How does Amos address God’s people who have gone astray from God’s best vision for how we are to be? Is it effective? And how does the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-37 take a different tactic towards creating the Kingdom vision of God’s justice and equity?

Looking forward to feasting with you at the Table this Sunday,

Yours in Christ and in community,

Rev. Sarah

“The church is only the church when it exists for others…not dominating but helping and serving.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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This Sunday July 13, 2025 we will holding a Service with Holy Communion. 

Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin:
Sunday July 13, 2025

Preacher:  Rev Sarah Lehman 

Presider:  Rev Sharon Salomons 

Our Musician is Hyejung Jun and Choir

To access the livestream, click on the button below.
Previous livestreamed services and sermon notes can be found on the website here.

Image: Image taken by Marion Porter of the Memorial Garden and her butterfly