Scripture Readings Genesis 28:10–19a Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 Jacob’s Ladder Quilt, Artist Unknown (American, Date Unknown), on the Huntington Print Shop. Last week, we watched Jacob close one of the Bible’s most absurd deals; trading a bowl of lentil stew for his twin brother Esau’s birthright. In the days that follow, Jacob once again takes what was meant for his brother—this time by deceiving their sick and blind father in

Harriet Powers (1885 - 1886) Bible Quilt. In 1963, writing from the Birmingham jail, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded the country that “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." Twenty years later, another giant of the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Jesse Jackson, reached for a similar image—America, he said, is not a blanket woven from a single thread, color, or clo

The Fabric of the United States Flag by Kreg Yingst (2026) Instagram @psalmprayers. Did you know that of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 12 were Presbyterian? This past week, our General Assembly (GA) was asked to consider an overture concerning this history. It proposed that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) formally recognize the distinctive role Presbyterians and the wider Reformed tradition played in the founding of our nation. The overture pointed out

Scripture Genesis 12:1–9 Romans 4:13–18 Matthew 9:9–13 "Rainbow" by John August Swanson. Have you ever had to move to pursue a calling? Those of us in this room who are pastors, would likely say yes. We heard God’s call, and so we may have moved to pursue our seminary education, and then again to enter the ministry. Perhaps you moved to pursue your education. To seek new job opportunities. Or to serve in our armed forces. Those of you still in high s

Trinity by Kelly Latimore Icons. Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4 Matthew 28:16-20 In the beginning... God created the heavens and the earth. God separated the light from the darkness—day and night. And at the end of that first day, God paused, looked upon this rough sketch of creation… in all its binary simplicity… and saw that it was good. What begins as a story about opposites—about binaries—quickly becomes increasingly complicated… God separates

Pentecost by Kelly Latimore Icons How do you tell someone you love you? Perhaps you just say the words—using one of the approximately 7000 languages worldwide. Or perhaps you show it. Through gifts, like bringing home their favorite snack. Through gestures, like throwing them a birthday party. Through acts of service, like doing the chore you know they hate. Sometimes it’s as simple as holding hands. The most effective way to tell someone you love them is a way that they

Scriptures: Acts 1:6–14 1 Peter 4:12–14; 5:6–11 John 21: 1-14 Lunchtime Rest, by Johnson, William H., 1901-1970. From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. The disciples wanted to know if Jesus was going to make it all better. “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” They wanted to know, will Jesus save their own troubled nation? Would they be redeemed from their

Scripture Texts: Acts 7:55–60 John 14:1-14 Colorful Architecture by Paul Klee. In 2018, my spouse Ames and I found ourselves at a crossroads. We were discerning our next step. Ames had finished his master’s program, and we weren’t sure whether to stay where we were for his PhD or move somewhere new. I had struggled to find my place in that small town in Idaho, so at first, I assumed I’d be ready to leave. But as we weighed our options, something unexpected happened. I didn’t

“Shepherdess” by Menashe Kadishman. Since the joy of Resurrection Sunday, we have turned our attention from the life and ministry of Jesus to how Jesus’s life and ministry inspired the acts of the apostles. It is the story of the early body of believers, as they learned to live as resurrection people… to live as the body of Christ after Jesus' departure. Modern Christians have often asked, What did life look like among these early believers? Well, first, these early believer

Read John 10:1-10 I have a question—What does it mean to be a sheep? Calling someone a "sheep" is a way of saying they just go with whatever other people are doing, instead of thinking for themselves. They go along with the crowd. They do whatever powerful people tell them to do. It’s not a kind thing to call someone, and it makes sheep seem stupid. But sheep are not stupid. Did you know that Ames and I used to be shepherds? These are some photos of our sheep. Sheep are

Matthew 28:1-10 Goodness is stronger than evil Love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness. Life is stronger than death. These words, were first penned by Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of the Anglican Church in South Africa, and one of the giants of the South Africa’s liberation struggle. And originally he wrote these words as a prayer. Goodness is stronger than evil Love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness. Life is stronger

"The Message for All Ages" is is a simple and inclusive message, designed to be understood and valued by children and adults simultaneously. Scripture Matthew 28:1-10. Friends, Happy Easter! Today on Easter Sunday, we tell the story of how two of Jesus’ best friends, both named Mary—Mary & Mary—went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried… I imagine that they were really sad on that day. They had just seen their friend die… and it was just awful. But when they got there, d

Scriptures: Mark 11:1-11 Message for All Ages Hi Friends! I have a question— What does a king look like? Well, let’s think about it… How does a king get around? Maybe a carriage… a fancy car… Or his own personal plane…? In Jesus day, a king would ride on a big horse. One that made them feel tall and powerful. And how does Jesus get around? And what does he ride when he comes into the city? A young horse,

Scriptures: Matthew 23:23 John 8:2-11 There is Good by Hannah Garrity (Inspired by Matthew 23:23) At Highlands, we’ve begun sharing a weekly Message for All Ages to engage young people in ways they can understand. This week, in light of recent allegations about Cesar Chavez, we addressed the difficult topic of sexual abuse and learned about the incredible Dolores Huerta. I have a question—Do you know who this is? No? That’s okay. Her name is Dolores

Today on the blog, we have two messages that were shared this past Sunday for Highlands first "Children's Chapel." It was a special time for our young people to help lead and to celebrate the gifts of our growing intergenerational community. The first was the Message for All Ages. Together, the young people (ages 9-18) read Matthew 19:13-15 as a skit, and then we all sat down for this conversation. I have a question? Can I ask you all a question? Have you ever been left out

Far More Abundantly by Lauren Wright Pittman (Inspired by Ephesians 3:20-21). A couple years ago, the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church in Black Mountain, North Carolina, began searching for a new mission statement. They wanted something that would truly ground the life of their community. But as the committee worked, they struggled to find language that felt authentic and relevant. Then, one day, a committee member pointed to the words carved into their Communion Table—“Ha

This week, I read the story of a woman named Sara Cook. Over three years, eight back surgeries, and more than two dozen hospital visits, Sarah, only 43-years-old, was buried in medical debt. Before the injury, she had worked as a nurse. She had struggled to keep working, but then the injury developed an infection, and things got worse from there. The infection triggered unpredictable seizures and so she was now permanently disabled. She couldn't drive or walk without a cane

On the day Ames and I got married, a miracle occurred. We had our wedding on the top of one of the gorgeous rolling hills of North Idaho, at a church camp 30 minutes outside of town. Just minutes before the ceremony began, my parents realized we’d forgotten a guitar. My best friend had flown in from California to sing during the service—and suddenly, there was nothing for her to play. There was no time to run back into town. No backup plan. Just that sinking feeling of, Oh

At the beginning of this series, I introduced the River of Life exercise—a creative way to reflect on your story by imagining your life as a river. Later today, during Coffee Fellowship, I’m going to invite you to actually try it: …to sketch the bends and turns of your journey—places you’ve lived, people and moments that shaped you, and even the waterfalls you somehow made it through. It’s a reminder that none of our lives are stagnant. The only true constant is change—we are

"It’s a Delicate Balance" by Christi Belcourt ( Métis - apihtâwikosisâniskwêw / mânitow sâkahikanihk ), 2021. This past week, I traveled to Fort Collins to attend an event called “Everything Done in a Good Way,” a collaboration between the Native Memory Project—an organization dedicated to preserving stories and traditions for future generations—and Council Tree Covenant Church. Over two days, members of a delegation from the Wind River Indian Reservation led us in ceremon