“Collective Hope”

By Rev. Dr. Karen Schuder

Easter Message on Luke 24:1-12

April 21, 2019

A couple of months ago when my husband Steve and I were in Honduras with a team of people from Seattle, we helped build a house in Pedra Atala, a children’s home for about 40 children. When we arrived in Tegucigalpa we did not know what we would be doing, we only knew we were going to help build a new house so more children could be nurtured by the wonderful staff there. We had some possible tasks in mind like putting up sheet rock or painting walls. So when we were directed to a very large pile of bricks and told to move them to the second level by throwing them, my brain went blank.

“Moved By Grace”

By Rev. Dr. Karen Schuder

Message on Genesis 45:1-15

February 24, 2019

We all have stories. Stories of who we are, where we have come from, what we have experienced, what we desire or dream of. Right now I would like you to take a couple of minutes to jot down a few things about your story: where you grew up, your family, what you enjoy doing, your hopes…

“Prodigal Son or Forgiving Father?”

By Rev. Dr. Karen Schuder

Message on Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

March 31, 2019

This story Jesus tells about a son taking his inheritance before his father has died, squandering it and returns home out of desperation to a father who runs out to bring him back home is a powerful example of what grace looks like. The theme song for this story surely could be: Amazing grace how sweet the sound…. You know the song. Amazing grace is a beloved and powerful hymn that touches hearts on many levels. When I sing or hear Amazing Grace I am reminded of many things, including a sermon I gave many years ago.

“Now”
Rev. Dr. Karen Schuder

Text: Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve, 2018

Now it is Christmas Eve. Now we are celebrating the gift of God’s love in the birth of Jesus. Now it is time for singing Christmas Carols, for being with family, for eating good food. Bring on the holiday traditions, smiles and meals. Yes, Christmas is a time to celebrate, but it is also so much more. Yet how often expectations based on what we see Christmas as the perfect time for the perfect gifts and meal with the perfect family can make it hard to see and experience the more of Christmas. What we want to see shapes how we see and it is only when we let go of expectations that we can really see the beauty of what Christmas means for us now.