This week, our readings are on the not so cheerful topic of the impermanence of life and the futility of our life’s work. Here in Silicon Valley, that is a hard message to hear, but of course the good news is that life here is not all there is to our life in Christ. Instead, in Colossians we read, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 If we focus all of our attention on our success here on earth, we will always ultimately be disappointed, because life here and treasures here do not satisfy, even if we achieve them. Instead, they leave us wanting more or feeling empty. However where our treasure is, there our heart will be also, and it is when our hearts are in Christ that we are rich towards God and truly fulfilled.

In our readings this week, we hear about Abraham entertaining angels, the Psalmist question of who may abide in [God’s] tent, and Mary and Martha hosting Jesus and his entourage in their home. I can’t help but notice a theme of hospitality, and the different ways Abraham, Sarah, Mary and Martha responded to the opportunity to show hospitality to God in their homes. Besides making me question my own hospitality towards friends, family and neighbors, it also makes me wonder about how I show hospitality to the presence of God in my life. I hope you will come join us this Sunday to worship together and explore this question.

In our Gospel this week, Jesus sends out 70 of his followers to go before him into ministry, and they come back rejoicing. In his instructions there is wisdom for our journey as well. For like the 70, we are also sent out into a mission field that is in our front yard, in our daily lives. The hazards, opportunities, challenges and blessings we encounter, deepen and shift our understanding of God and our love for his people. Come join us in worship and fellowship this Sunday!

Ever have one of those days when everyone around you seems to turn their back on you, ignore you or even worse, act like you don't exist? Well, in our readings for Sunday, God seems to be having one of those days with Israel. God responds to Isaiah's prayer asking for divine deliverance by saying, "I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; who say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." In other words, where were you Israel when I was ready and waiting for you? But what comes next is very scary for Israel, because God now lets them know how angry he is with them. " These (things that you did) are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. Behold, it is written before me: “I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together, says the Lord; because they made offerings on the mountains and insulted me on the hills, I will measure into their lap payment for their former deeds.” So Israel, be prepared because judgment is coming. But, and this is a big but, God also acknowledges that there will be a righteous remnant left that is worth saving. Thus He declares, "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there." This will be a long time coming, but in Jesus we are restored as Abraham's offspring, and heirs according the promise. In Galatians, Paul reminds us, "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus and heirs through hope of His everlasting covenant." Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Pentecost Sunday is the birthday of the church, the day we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples gathered in Jerusalem after the Ascension of Jesus. The Holy Spirit equips, empowers and directs us, both individually and as the Body of Christ. Our worship and our unity are sustained by the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit is how God dwells in our midst as we gather, proclaim the Word, and sing praises to our God and King. This Pentecost we have the added joy and honor at the 10:30 service, to welcome a new Christian into the family of God. Please come join us!