SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Church attendance (actually, temple attendance) was encouraged – meaning required. I haven’t seen statistics, but an attempt at obedience was expected. Hence the two characters of our text: a Pharisee and a tax collector.

At first glance the narrative is straightforward – on one side of the temple, a well-heeled Pharisee. On the other side, a crestfallen, guilt-ridden, ‘please don’t notice me’ tax-collector. The two fellows who couldn’t be more dissimilar, but are remarkably alike in their unrecognized need.

This Gospel Sunday, we baptize Jaxon Patrick Brock. At 2:30 p.m. we’ll celebrate All Hallows (and processed sugar) at Trunk or Treat. At 4:30 p.m. we feed the unhoused with the Navigation Center. All in service to Jesus’ beloved for the abundant joy that is promised.

In anticipation,