So as some of you may have heard through the grapevine, we had some water issues at the church on Tuesday. We had a few drips in one of the hallways in the education wing, water backed up in the courtyard and went under the doors out into the hallway, and we had a few small leaks in the sanctuary roof. Probably the most significant though was water that came up from the base of the wall in one of ...  Read More

Looking Back to SundayFriends, as we start off the week, I wanted to just go back to Sunday to not only drop a 48-hours-later reminder of the core message from Sunday but also to share the photos that were in worship so you can see them a bit clearer.Our table story on Sunday was Matthew's version of the Last Supper which, as I shared, is the single most shared "table story" of Jesus since we hear...  Read More

1 Chronicles ReadingsHere is the Bible Project's videos doing an overview of 1 and 2 ChroniclesI am not going to go through every day's readings in 1 Chronicles as there is a great deal that is repetitive from 1 Kings.  In some ways it will feel like you're reading the same thing all over again.  And in some ways, you are.  But it is coming at it from a different perspective and written at a diffe...  Read More

2 Kings & 1 Chronicles PassagesThe story of Josiah is a beautiful one but it is a story that feels like it came too late.  There was so much built up that one person couldn't undo it all.  And then when Josiah dies in battle, his work is then undone by his successor.  And we see the ending of Judah as 2 Kings closes. Sigh.  Here is the Bible Project's videos doing an overview of 1 and 2 Chronicles...  Read More

2 Kings PassagesThe 2 Kings passages has several HUGE moments in the history of Israel / Judah.  One is the beginning of the Exile - the Assyrians conquering Israel and taking many of the people into exile while resettling the land.  Think about this in light of current middle eastern / Israel / Palestine situations.  19:14ff - Hezekiah's prayer is so powerful, honest, and searing.  And after all ...  Read More

So going forward, I'm going to do something different with the readings.  I'm going to be posting in 3 day chunks and just comments on key parts that stand out among those three days.  So there won't be commentary on every passage but instead questions and significant things that arise for me in what I have read.  And I hope also speak to you as well!!2 Kings PassagesHonestly not a lot to say abou...  Read More

One of the many reasons to be grateful for kids who are in their 20s is that I can sit in the backseat of our car on a raod trip with Scout cuddled up next to me and one of the kids is driving! Ah freedom!Speaking of freedom, as we all know, this weekend is the 4th of July - the 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Wherever you may be, I hope you have a wonderful ce...  Read More

Tomorrow (June 28), we will be gathering for worship in the Fellowship Hall for a different kind of potluck and a different kind of service. You don't need to bring food - it will be provided (menu below). But here's what I hope you will bring with you. You can bring one or more of these things:Fresh EngagementTasty CuriosityScrambled MisconceptionsThe service is going to be quite different from a...  Read More

Dear RJC Friends - first off, this message is coming directly from Pastor Ed. In case you are wondering if this is legit, I'm writing this at my standing desk in my office and looking at a bunch of legos and Scout's dog bed in front of me.The reason. I share that is because there is a scam message that many of you have received from someone impersonating me. I'm going to first tell you what to do ...  Read More

Friends, this photo has been working on me a lot since I photographed it on Monday.  It was a big part of my most recent Imago Scriptura post and I shared this:On Monday, Winton Lake had flooded again and the benches were just above the waterline. In the photo, the bench isn’t moving, but the water is stirring all around it and reflecting the mottled clouds in the cyan sky. It was unique to see in...  Read More

Thanks for helping to make RJC more visible in the community!  Below are images of the options and here's the link for the online ordering formRJC Logowear Ordering...  Read More

Friends, this morning's sunrise was begging to be shared.  Wow.  And I almost decided to not go to the lake this morning.  So glad I did.  Above is a panorama of 8 photos stitched together and then below are a few others from the morning.   The heavens are telling the glory of God... Psalm 19:1 I've had several requests since yesterday morning for a copy of Scout's commencement address so I wanted...  Read More