Opportunity or Obligation?

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • October 15, 2024

Our "being" can inform our "doing".

We live in a time ripe with opportunities to transform the world through God's love. For many, this is an incredible chance to deepen their faith and put it into action. These are the people who, when they see a need, jump in wholeheartedly.


Yet, others feel overwhelmed by the world's problems. Instead of engaging, they struggle to discern where they're called to serve. When they do get involved, it often feels like an obligation. I'm sure most of us have experienced both scenarios—eagerly embracing opportunities and feeling burdened by obligation.


This Sunday, we'll explore what it means to be people of faith and action. We'll discuss discernment, how we're called to serve, and how our "being" can inform our "doing."


It's important to remember that even Jesus didn't do it all. He didn't meet every need. He left people waiting to be healed. He left one town to preach in another. He took time to rest and pray. He got tired. He never interacted with most people on the planet. He spent thirty years preparing for only three years of ministry.


Jesus didn't try to do everything, and yet, he did everything God asked of him.


Join us this Sunday as we delve deeper into being people of faith and discern what we are called to do.

READ THE BULLETIN

DEVOTIONAL MOMENT


whenever I feel helpless 

in this overwhelming world


I become a helper


oh, oh

my love


on the days

when it feels like

I have no power


I serve others


you see,

whenever I wash

the world's feet


my hands

immediately 

stop shaking.


      john roedel

Lessons from Woodstock: Music Sunday at The Garden

May 29, 2026
Woodstock was more than a festival. It was a moment when people chose peace over violence, community over division, and love over fear. Those values still speak to our culture today--calling us to show up, stand together, and create a world that works for ALL. Join us Sunday, June 7 for Music Sunday at The Garden when the rock band Opening Day will take over our service. Opening Day is a psychedelic band from Indianapolis led by songwriter and guitarist Casper Willow. Blending a vast palette of experimental, progressive, and art/folk influences, the band crafts immersive live experiences designed to offer audiences a moment to pause, feel, and reconnect. This mini concert will feature songs by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Santana; Led Zeppelin; The Grateful Dead; The Who; Janis Joplin; and Joan Baez among others. See you there!

The Art of Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 26, 2026
What does true community look like? How can we cultivate a closer, stronger, more loving one where we all thrive, belong, and prosper? Where isolation and fear divide us, the church can be a beacon of unity and love. Community is more than a gathering of people; it is a chosen interconnectedness, a tapestry woven together by the divine within us. While we may find ourselves part of a community by circumstance, we can also join and co-create them with intention. This Sunday, we'll reimagine the meaning of community, why it matters, and how we can lovingly, compassionately, and joyfully cultivate it in our lives. Join us for "The Art of Community."

Addressing Hunger with the Power of the Pen

By Mike Ransom • May 19, 2026
Hunger is Rising — and God Calls Us to Respond

The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 19, 2026
We All Lose Sometimes

The Power of the Pen

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 12, 2026
On Sunday we will participate in our annual Bread for the World letter campaign and be reminded of “the Power of the Pen.” It is a time each year when we acknowledge we live in a world where there is more than enough for all to eat. We acknowledge Hunger is a policy choice, not an inevitability. In a season of division in our country followers of Jesus are called to put pen to paper. It is a season when we are reminded Jesus commands us, not just to "pray for the poor," but to be God's hands and feet, taking action to ensure the needy are fed. In a democratic society, the "pen"—our letters, emails, and phone calls to legislators—is a tangible, effective tool for justice, turning compassion into public policy. Join us Sunday as we welcome representatives from Bread for the World and share in The Power of the Pen.

Welcome to Mothering Sunday

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • May 5, 2026
This weekend, we invite you to return to your mother church, The Garden, as we celebrate the beautiful tradition of Mothering Sunday! Originating in England on the fourth Sunday of Lent, this special day has deep roots stretching back to the 16th century when families would gather at their "mother church" for a communal service. Over the years, it blossomed into a joyous occasion where children express their love through gifts, flowers, and heartfelt cards for their mothers. Today, Mothering Sunday reminds us not only to honor our mothers and mother figures but also to cherish the nurturing spirit within our community. Let us come together to acknowledge the love, support, and guidance that shapes our lives.  Join us as we celebrate the vital role of mothering in our journeys and how each of us is called to nurture one another. Don’t miss this heartfelt service filled with reflection, love, and connection!

Home, Sweet Home

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 28, 2026
Creating Space for Spirit, Connection, and Grace

Whichever Way You Turn, There is the Face of God

By Betty Brandt • April 24, 2026
Betty Brandt explores moving beyond traditional hymns toward a spirituality rooted in peace, love, and shared sacred wisdom.

We Are Family

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 21, 2026
Have you ever heard the phrase “blood is thicker than water”? Many people assume it comes from the Bible and refers to the strength of our biological family ties. But what if there’s more to it than we’ve been led to believe? This Sunday, we’ll explore the surprising origins of this saying and what it really invites us to consider. We’ll also welcome our Big Give recipient, Safe Families for Children , as we reflect on what it means to be family in the deepest sense. Together, we’ll take a fresh look at another timeless idea: “It takes a village.” Who makes up our village, and how do we create communities of love, comfort, and safety? Join us Sunday for "We Are Family" as we explore the meaning of belonging, connection, and the families we form along the way.

Seeds of Hope

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • April 14, 2026
This Sunday at The Garden, we celebrated creation and explore the profound connection we share with our planet. We looked at the text from Genesis where humanity is called to have dominion over creation. We considered what that means to claim this responsibility and duty to care for and protect creation. Together, let's uncover how our faith compels us to be stewards of creation.