T.J. Lucas

Summer Sabbath We made it to summer—though not officially until later this month, close enough to breathe a sigh of relief that the cold of winter and storms of spring are falling away. Now it’s time for flowers, sunshine, warmth, and more light! For my family, we celebrate the last week of school with the annual carnival that comes to town in Vandergrift, near our home. It isn’t as big as others or perhaps even as big as it used to be but it is a great way to kick off summer break for the...

This Is Not the End of Your Story 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11 · John 17 My grandma gave me a cross. She found it at a yard sale — no idea whose home it lived in before, what prayers were said beneath it, whose tears fell in that room. She just saw it and thought of me. And I treasure it. But it doesn't look like what you'd expect. It's not the beaten, suffering Jesus we're used to seeing on a crucifix. He's not slumped. He's not in agony. He is in robes, head lifted, arms *raised.* It's an...

Rev. T.J. Lucas What Is Manna Monday? Each week after Sunday's message, this is your invitation to keep the conversation going between you and God. Like manna in the wilderness, it comes one day at a time — a brief recap of where we've been and a gentle nudge toward where we're headed. The practice of Dwelling in the Word isn't Bible study. It's something quieter and more personal. It's showing up to the same passage each day and listening for what God might be saying specifically to you....