Posts from Pastor Dan Holt
11/6/2016 Maddening, life-giving grace Jonah
For All Saints Day, we have Jonah running away from God’s call to go to their hated enemy and asking them to repent that God might show mercy. God brought him back through the fish – a dark, mysterious place that is deep under the water. Give a listen to see how God still […]
Posted on November 7, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
10/23/16 God’s Forever Promise 2 Samuel 7
The Lord made a promise that a descendant of David would rule on the throne forever. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus who died and was raised to rule forever. Through Jesus forever comes to us. And it makes a huge difference for us living out our short and uncertain lives.
Posted on October 24, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
10/9/16 From Turning Away to Turning Toward Exodus 32
The people of Israel became afraid when Moses did not return as expected. They turned from the Lord and took matters into their own hands asking Aaron to make them a god. He made them a golden Calf. In a world that can feel like a spiritual wilderness, we too can feel fear […]
Posted on October 10, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
9/25/16 Sermon: God’s Working for Your Good
Joseph’s story is one where God can seeming hidden or even missing. So much is wrong: a father’s favoritism, Joseph’s arrogance, the brothers’ jealousy and hatred, slavery and deceit. Yet somehow how God worked it for good. This is a hopeful word for us who can wonder if God is working amidst […]
Posted on September 26, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
Eating of the Tree
We are beginning our Narrative Lectionary in this Fall season with the Story of the Man and the Woman in the Garden of Eden. For me, the power of this story is that it is an ongoing story of our lives in the here and now. Listen in and see if that works […]
Posted on September 12, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
8/28/16 Sermon: What about the phrase: Just have Faith!
Our “ask the pastor” series continues with a question around the comment, “Just have Faith!” The person saying that is trying to encourage us to have faith. But often we receive those words not as encouragement but judgment. What is going on here? There is about a 30 second lag before […]
Posted on August 29, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
8/21/16 Sermon: What about our Loneliness?
Loneliness can be a powerful experience for us. How do we understand it? How do we as God’s people respond to it? Listen to Pastor Dan’s words on this.
Posted on August 22, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
Violence Again
Violence again. Rage pouring through a sniper rifle at our police officers. More wounded, many weeping. Trust undermined. Suspicions raised. At most worship times we sing, “For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord … Lord […]
Posted on July 8, 2016 | Posted by Pastor Dan Holt
Orlando and July 4th
I am writing this shortly after the terrorist attack in Orlando. It looks like an ISIS inspired terrorist attack by an angry young Muslim man. For whatever his reasons, he decided to kill and wound people in the LGBT community which has already suffered so much from hate crimes. I am sad and sick about […]
