Lainey Johnston teaches us a prayer: Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble. Be with me, Lord, I pray.

Original sin does not live inside us, it is born through our choices. The great sins of our world were created choice by choice by choice.

What we do matters to God. We can frame it as harsh judgment, or we can frame it as God wanting life for us, and life abundant.

God took our sin and suffering and planted it in the ground, planted it in a womb. Gave it the quiet and darkness it needed to transform.

We are all “citizens with the saints” because of our baptism, adopted members of Christ’s royal family.

At its best, at its most loving, holding people accountable tells them that their presence and gifts are essential, that they belong.

When we refuse to give up on people, when we refuse to separate justice and love, we practice a greater love.

Jesus calls Zaccheus “a son of Abraham,” reminding the people that he is really one of them, too, and no longer an enemy.

Covenant is how we practice being with one another so that when conflict arises, we have a safe container in which to hold it.

We are all teachers. Because the way you live is a lesson to all who witness you.

Do the good thing now. Find joy now. Pray for the home you have now. Work for the thriving of the community you have now.

Our Stewardship campaign is how we commit to one another, how we commit to planting the seeds of God’s love in this place and beyond.

We can let go knowing that not everything depends on our own efforts. We can rest, trusting that we are cared for.

The balm I press into my wounds is the healing salve of this fellowship. What we experience here together.

The lost sheep matters. When the lost sheep suffers, Jesus suffers. We, the Body of Christ, suffer.

Are we ready to step into God’s vastness that is present in ourselves? Which brings us to Deacon Laurel. A galaxy unto herself.

Let’s not read the letter to the Hebrews or any other part of the Christian Testament as trumping Judaism, as completing Judaism.

As all natural things do come to an end, the time has arrived for my leave taking from St. Luke’s.

We’re taught in so many ways that conflict is so bad that it’s better to have a false peace than it is to tell the truth.

The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, JD made the Kingdom of God manifest with her life.