The Pain and Gain of Authentic Relationships by Pastor Anderson, based on Matthew 18.

Authentic Relationships and HopeChest

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: I'm doing something unusual this week. I'm posting a remembrance of someone who can be celebrated a week from now, Hildegard of Bingen, who died on September 17, 1179. She was an extremely gifted and productive medieval nun, a Benedictine abbess. She was a writer, philosopher, mystic visionary, medical writer and practitioner, and composer, to name a few of her accomplishments. She often emphasized the gift of Christ, the Word-made-flesh, and the fact that He entered our created world. She also stressed the importance of using the gifts God has given. On one occasion she wrote the following about music: "The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony. Don't stop singing." I thank my friend and former colleague, Sally Canapa, for reminding me of Hildegard of Bingen's birth date.

Psalm 103:1-12

SERMON by Pastor Schultz based on Matthew 16:13-20.

"What Does Your Bible Say about You?" by Pastor Anderson, based on Matthew 16:21–28.

“Is God Still God When You’re a Dog?” by Pastor Anderson, based on Matthew 15:21-28.

SERMON by Pastor Schultz based on Matthew 14:22-33.