October 1, 2025 Midweek News
Hello church!
Last Sunday we finished our four-week series “Quest: The Awakened Traveler” by exploring the idea of ‘returning home.’ We are living through a cultural moment right now that is undergirded by and seeking to increase fear. But what if we didn’t allow ourselves to be dominated by fear?
In our scripture about Jesus as the vinegrower from John 15, Jesus tells his followers they have been cleansed and pruned. Through his teachings, and seeing his miracles, they’ve let go of the fear of pain, illness, and death. They cut those lies out of their lives. They know that life with God is one of love. It’s personal and communal, its transformational, and compassionate. When they return home from their personal experience of Jesus and all their travels, Jesus invites them to keep his commandments. To love one another. To keep the traveler’s mindset – abide with him – in all they say and do.
Rick Steves’ reminds us that travel helps us to savor, to wonder, to love the world and its people. To remember, as Psalm 36 says, that God’s steadfast love for all people is like mighty mountains. All people are welcome to take refuge under God’s wings. God cares for us all, inviting us to be connected to the vine and one another.
In our final clip from Rick, he shares the moment when – as a teenager– his eyes were opened to seeing the world as one human family, under the umbrella of God’s care and love.
2 minute clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYcvjQuP4OM
And here’s a bonus clip. I know some of you are disciplined journal users. In this video, Rick shares his journal practice and how it’s helped him “travel with purpose.” The same practice may help us journey through faith like a pilgrimage, creating intentional space to reflect on our growth over time.
Here’s the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK3o7yY3wfA
Join us this Sunday in person or online at 11am as we celebrate Holy Communion and our connection to the Body of Christ around the world on World Communion Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Jared