It is so good to be back. I enjoyed my first Sunday. The international flavor of the morning service, as well as the international food fair, spoke so well of Trinity. You are making this a warm and welcome environment! Thank you!
Some ten years ago, God planted a seed in me. It was a challenge to write a book on the Gospel of John. This was, in my mind, crazy. I have always found the Gospel of John to be mysterious. Some refer to it as top down versus bottom up. That is, it begins with creation in 1:1, while the other gospels begin with Bethlehem. John is its own book, unlike the other gospel accounts. I did not even want to attempt a book on a book that intimidated me. In 2017, Under an Open Heaven was published.
I wrote the book while away in the wilderness of NE Washington. In ways bordering on the mystical, I met God, and he guided me. Hence, I feel an attachment to this book that is different from every other book in Scripture. I hope to share something of this journey with you in the weeks I am here.
Holy Week is coming up, so we will look at the conversation with Pilate. At Easter, I will look at the conversation with Peter (John 21), speaking to the issue of God’s restoration of failures. Then we will go back to chapter 2 and go forward.
In the weeks I am here, I hope to be available where needed. If you want to get together, please let me know through Carol at the church office, or through email.
Please pray for colleagues, friends, and family members to come to Good Friday and Easter services.
Pray for—
-God to speak to us through the Gospel of John. We will look at the conversation in John 18-19 this Sunday
-God to guide us as we identify candidates for the Pastoral Search Committee
-God to continue to heal and transform us into a healthy community
-God to work through Trinity to reach the culture around us
