The Olympics start next week. Athletes from around the world will gather in Tokyo over the next month for the Olympics and Paralympics. We thought it could be fun (and meaningful) to follow the Olympics and reflect upon what they teach us about life and the Christian faith. What do they show us about […]

  We stand on the edge of a new season. For the last year-and-a-half, we have lived through the season of COVID. Much of my interaction with the congregation has been through online worship and Zoom. Last week, due to the dramatically-improved situation in Austin, Oak Hill moved into our final stage of reopening. The […]

  This Sunday, Americans around the country will celebrate their freedom. We’ll grill hamburgers, eat watermelon, and shoot fireworks to celebrate our freedom as a nation. We Americans love our freedom. It is central to who we are. The Christian faith has something to say about freedom. According to the Bible, God longs for people […]

  This week I’m concluding a sermon series entitled “Treasure the Gifts.” Over the last several weeks Pastor Laura and I have reflected on some of the gifts and blessings we have received over the last year: acknowledging the importance of every person, including those we often overlook; recognizing our need for community; claiming the […]

  As we (at least in the United States) begin to emerge from the challenging season of COVID, Pastor Laura and I are preaching a sermon series entitled, “Treasure the Gifts.” While it’s a time to look forward to the next season of life, it’s also a time to reflect. Each week we are reflecting […]

  It’s hard for us to read the story of Mary and Martha without finding fault with Martha. That’s been the traditional Christian interpretation for many years. But we’re not fair toward Martha by finding fault with her – any more than Martha was fair with Mary when she complained about doing all the work. […]

  I feel like I’m beginning to emerge from a long tunnel. After 15-months of slogging through the dark, I’m beginning to see glimmers of light. I might even call it “normalcy.”  I’ve gone out to eat – twice. I gathered with friends on Memorial Day. We sat around, visited, and laughed. This Sunday Oak […]

  Several years ago I came across a question from Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her ministry among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa asked her question in response to the complaints of one of her fellow sisters. The sister had missed a train and […]

This Sunday is Pentecost. Pentecost began as a Jewish festival 50 days after Passover. It commemorates the giving of Torah to the Hebrews as they journeyed through the wilderness after slavery in Egypt. For Christians, Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter. It recalls when God sent the Holy Spirit upon the 1st disciples in Jerusalem. […]

  On Sunday we will recognize and bless seniors graduating from High School, vocations school, and college. On top of the normal experiences of education, they have endured the joys of school during a pandemic. Some will continue their education. Some will get jobs. Some don’t know what comes next. Transitions in life can be […]