Pastor Hannah’s Weekly Notes and Reflections

Pastor Hannah’s Weekly Notes and Reflections regarding our Faith Exploration and Worship services are listed here, newest to oldest:

Sunday, April 19, 2026
This Sunday during our 9:30 Faith Exploration time, we listened to an episode of the “Church + State” podcast and thought about what happens when there is political or theological disagreement between those we love. You can listen to the full episode here: Highest Power: Church + State EP116 by BNG.

During our Worship time, we read the story of the “Walk to Emmaus” in Luke 24:13-25 and thought about the different ways that we experience Jesus in our own lives. Take some time to reflect on these questions:
1. Do you ever feel like you’re “missing out” on experiencing Jesus? In what ways do you experience or see God in your own life?
2. Who are the people that accompany you in your faith journey, who help you ask the difficult questions and sit with you in your wondering about Jesus? If you don’t have these people, how could you go about finding them?
3. Do you struggle to read the Bible? What often gets in the way of you exploring the Bible for yourself?
4. What do you think happens when we take communion together? Why do you think practicing communion is important?

Sunday, April 12, 2026
This Sunday, we had a time of Faith Exploration at 9:30 a.m. where we listened to an episode of the “Church and State” podcast and thought about the dangers of Conversion Therapy from a Christian perspective. You can listen to the episode here: Highest Power: Church and State EP114 by BNG
Take some time to reflect on this topic:
1. The podcast claims that Transgender individuals are the “least of the least of these” in America today. 2. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. In what ways can our church increase its efforts to welcome and include LGBTQ+ in the life of our church?
4. What obstacles do you face with embracing inclusivity in your own life and in the church?

During our 11:00 a.m. Worship service, we examined John 20:19-31 and thought about how our fear, doubts, and questions are sometimes considered distractions in our faith. But, throughout this scripture, we see that God meets us in the midst of our stubborn faith.
Reflect on these ideas:
1. When doubt or fear shows up in your life, do you tend to hide from it or engage with it? Why?
2. Who (or what) helps you find peace and courage when you feel stuck, afraid, or unsure?
3. How would you answer the question, “Why Christian?” Why do you continue following in the ways of Jesus?

Sunday, April 5, 2026
This Sunday, we celebrated Easter together! We read John 20:1-18 and thought about what it means to cultivate new life. Take some time this week to reflect on the following questions:
1. Where have you experienced hope or new life emerging in the midst of darkness or difficulty?
2. What might it look like to move from simply grieving what is broken to actively nurturing what could grow?
3. In what ways are you being invited to create, restore, or cultivate goodness in the world around you?