A National Conversation on Race
On the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last sermon, a call was made for a national conversation on race by Rev. John H. Thomas, the President of the
Continue readingIslands of Resurrection
New Testament Reading John 20: 19-31 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met
Continue readingThe Mystery of the Missing Body
New Testament Reading John 20: 1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone
Continue readingHosanna: The Joy of Consciousness
New Testament Reading Matthew 21: 1-11 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into
Continue readingProphetic Clergy at First Congregational UCC
On Sunday, April 6th, Reverend Israel Alvaran preached at First Congregational UCC. Rev. Alvaran is a minister of The United Methodist Church (UMC) from the Philippines. He was granted asylum
Continue readingThe Road to Easter Passes through Good Friday
Philosopher Cornel West often tells a story about how he went by a church in Washington, D.C. on Maundy Thursday and saw a large sign outside that said, "The Grave
Continue readingThe Story of Laz
Once upon a time, there was a great big farm full of wonderful fruits and vegetables. There were huge trees loaded with red apples. There were bushes with giant, juicy
Continue readingThe Heart of the Matter
John 11: 38-53 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha,
Continue readingA Shepherd’s Midlife Crisis
At the tender age of 16, David was considering retirement—at least from the profession of sheep herding. Life expectancy in Israel back in the year 1005 wasn’t that long, so
Continue readingA World without War
Members of First Congregational UCC put their faith into action when they joined the March 15th peace march and rally in Portland. The event marked the 5th anniversary of the
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