This word from our pastor, Rev. Sterling Severns, was originally published on June 11, 2020.
Blog
Sabbath | February 14, 2021
We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.
Sabbath with Us
The day is shaped by freedom. We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest.
Today is Transfiguration Sunday, where we remember Jesus’ transformation in appearance before his disciples. We traditionally celebrate this by lighting candles together.
Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation. You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.
Prelude Option 1: Epiphany Guided Contemplation Video
Prelude Option 2: Reflective Readings
Prelude Option 3: Transfiguration Benediction
We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature! This week we will light a candle together at the end of the service, as we traditionally do for Transfiguration Sunday.
Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)
Scripture Passage: Luke 9:28-45
Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 7:1-17 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.
More Opportunities
There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.
Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!
If you’d like to take part in our worship by recording a testimony, prayer request, or scripture reading, please contact us!
Going Deeper: Life Cycles of a Congregation
Where do you think our little church falls on the life cycle?
We all know that churches tend to move through cycles, inevitable and natural for us to do so. Our willingness to look into the mirror and share what we’re seeing is important. Are we all seeing the same image of our little church when we look into the mirror? We are indebted to Dr. Tracy Hartman, one of our beloved members, for introducing us to “Life Cycles of a Congregation”
Tracy-Hartman-lifecycles-“Savy churches will constantly engage in the ongoing work of renewal….. and move with courage into the risks involved in living into. “
-Dr Tracy Hartman
Comment below or add your thoughts to our Communal Journal.
Pastoral Reflection: The Right People
Pastor Sterling Severns tells the story of a pastor modeling sacrificial love, and talks about God sending us just the right people at just the right time.
Who has come into your life at just the right time? How have you seen God in the people around you?
Sabbath | February 7, 2021
Sabbath is the culmination of Creation. We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.
Sabbath with Us
The day is shaped by freedom. We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest.
Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation. You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.
Prelude Option 1: Epiphany Guided Contemplation Video
Prelude Option 2: Reflective Readings
We will meet at 11am (Eastern) on Livestream. This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature! This week we will hear stories of healing, and take communion together. Please prepare the elements (bread or cracker and drink) before the service.
Join us on Livestream at 11am (Eastern)
Scripture Passage: Luke 7:1-17
This week’s hymn: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. This week we’ll study Luke 7:1-17 together. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.
More Opportunities
There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.
Parents can contact Jerusha to receive interactive materials like coloring pages and sticker sheets to use during Worship!
If you’d like to take part in our worship by recording a testimony, prayer request, or scripture reading, please contact us!
Does Church Size Matter?
Pastor Meg Lacy Vega talks to us about how congregations function differently depending on their size.
This podcast is a supplement to our ongoing discernment dialogue as we explore what God has in store for our congregation and the universal church. We invite you to listen each week as we share thoughts, articles, questions, and ideas about our discernment process.
You can read more about church size dynamics in the article Leadership and Church Size Dynamics: How Strategy Changes with Growth by Time Keller.
Introduction: Who are we?
Pastor Sterling Severns introduces our season of holy conversations. This video was shared at the January 31 Annual Business meeting before breakout groups took a first look at our initial survey results.
2020 Year End Financial Report
Where does Tabernacle stand financially?
The Finance Committee shared with us a year-end report as well as the following documents. Please take a minute to review this important information regarding the financial status of our church. Thank you, Finance Committee, for leading us as we steward what we’ve been given.
Pastoral Reflection: The Gift of Remembrance
Pastor Sterling Severns remembers old friends and those who have left us in one way or another.
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
– 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Who comes to mind when you remember those in the church who are no longer with us?
Sabbath | January 31, 2021
Sabbath is the culmination of Creation. We set aside the Sabbath day for the purpose of holy rest, sacred connection, and life-giving worship. Read more about our approach to Sabbath.
Sabbath with Us
The day is shaped by freedom. We encourage you to set time aside for three unique movements: PRELUDE, communal GATHERING, and CIRCLES. All of these are times of holy rest.
Begin your day with a quiet, reflective time with God at the place and time of your choosing. This material is intended for personal meditation. You may want to be in a quiet place and light your own personal candle, but you may also just be sitting in your car waiting for an appointment. Where you are is not the point. The point is that you are taking the time to be quiet and listen so that you may walk through your day in communion with God.
Prelude Option 1: Epiphany Guided Contemplation Video
Prelude Option 2: Reflective Readings
This week we’re meeting on Zoom instead of Livestream from 11 to 11:45AM (EST) because of the possibility of snow.
This is our time to come together as a congregation and worship as one. We love to see guests and old friends drop in, so please say hello using the chat feature!
Scripture Passage: Luke 6:1-16
This week’s hymn: I Love to Tell the Story
Connect and experience spiritual growth in meaningful conversation and biblical study with a small group of people in a Tab Circle. To sign up for a Circle or learn more, click here.
More Opportunities
There are many ways to connect with us, on Sundays and beyond! You can find more information about our Sunday School classes, Bible Study groups, prayer gatherings, and discipleship series on our online calendar.
If you’d like to take part in our worship by recording a testimony, prayer request, or scripture reading, please contact us!