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, June 7, 2026
On Sunday, we were grateful to engage in a thoughtful and meaningful discussion centered on Jewish perspectives regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. We are thankful for Allan Rose amd his willingness to share his experiences and insights with honesty and care.
As we continue reflecting on what justice looks like in Palestine, we are intentionally grounding our conversations in the lived experiences of real people rather than solely in the actions of governments or political systems. By listening to one another’s stories and honoring our shared humanity, we are invited to grow into a community that is more compassionate, more open, and more deeply committed to justice for all.
This Sunday, although I wasn’t able to be with you in person, I found myself thinking of you all and giving thanks for the ways you continue to gather in worship and community. I’m grateful that you were able to share in a meaningful time of worship, reflection, and encouragement together, especially with the presence of your guest. Even from afar, I am deeply appreciative of the kindness, hospitality, and warmth that define this community. It is a gift to be part of a congregation that so faithfully welcomes others and supports one another.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
On Sunday, we continued our conversation on justice in Palestine and Israel, taking time to reflect on the historical roots of the conflict and the ways we engage with those who hold different perspectives in our own communities. As you move through this week, consider how your own posture, conversations, and actions might grow into deeper advocacy for justice, particularly for Palestinians, refugees, and all those impacted by systems of oppression, including American imperialism.
This Sunday marked the fifth Sunday of the month, which meant we gathered for a hymn sing service. Together, we lifted our voices in songs of faith, spent time in prayer, and read scripture as a community. It was a joyful and spirit-filled morning, shaped by both praise and connection. There is something especially meaningful about worship that invites participation and shared expression, and it was a gift to experience that together. I’m deeply grateful for each of you and for your openness and willingness to embrace new rhythms and expressions in our life of worship.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
On Sunday, we had the “Justice Table” – a gathering on the 4th Sunday of every month where we have a potluck brunch and listen to an introduction on a social justice topic.The Justice Table topic guides the next month’s Faith Exploration discussions that take place at 9:30 a.m. before the service. This Sunday, I introduced the topic of Justice in Palestine and Israel. We thought about the stories we’ve heard from Palestinians and by Palestinians on the ongoing conflict in their homeland. We discussed how our response to the conflict can be rooted in the experiences of people not in the political agendas of their respective governments. As Christians, we are called to see, love, and care for people who are in distress, and in order to do this, we have to listen and learn from the experiences of others. Take some time this week to reflect on these questions:
1. What are some questions you have about the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel?
2. What stories are you hearing about Palestinians?
3. Where do you get your news, stories, and information from? How can you make sure you are hearing a variety of voices and perspectives?
Resource – YouTube Video: Justice in Palestine and Israel
Sunday, May 17, 2026
On Sunday, Dale Gentry led our Faith Exploration time, wrapping up our month-long study on Christian Nationalism. He led us to think about where we get our values and morals from, and why those might be different than the Christian nationalist perspective. Please see the attached links for more information regarding Christian nationalism.
CNN’s Pamela Brown Interview with Doug Wilson
Pamela Brown has a sit-down interview with Doug Wilson covering a range of what he believes about Christianity, civic issues, and Christian Nationalism.
Source – YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFeIO0ZjdF8
4 Megachurch Pastors Discuss Christian Nationalism | Live Free with Josh Howerton
Pastor Josh Howerton includes 3 other pastors of megachurches in a discussion on Christian Nationalism. They are pastors who support their own versions of Christian Nationalism. The video is two hours and fifteen minutes long.
Source – YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c874lvYWR9
On Sunday, we gathered together to read scripture, pray, take communion, and sing together. I preached a sermon on Acts 1:1-11 and talked about the ascension of Jesus. Throughout my sermon, I challenged us to think about how the ascension reorients our perspective from an inward and upward perspective to an outward one. We also thought about the terminology “the kingdom of God” and wondered what the kingdom of God is like. To continue thinking on these themes, reflect on the following questions:
1. When you think about a world shaped by love, justice, and peace, what feels most hopeful? What feels most out of reach?
2. Where do you notice the pull to focus only on your own needs or understanding, and what might it look like to shift your attention outward toward others?
3. Who are the people or places around you that are often overlooked, and how might you begin to show up with greater awareness, care, or inclusion?
17 May 2026 – Video
17 May 2026 – Manuscript
Sunday, May 10, 2026
During Faith Exploration this Sunday, Kevin Cooper led us in a discussion about the role that scripture plays in the Christian Nationalist movement. We talked about how they use a more literal interpretation of scripture (often focused on the Old Testament), and that their theology often does not focus on the teachings of Jesus. We thought about how the way scripture is interpreted continues to suppress women within Christian nationalism, and how we tend to focus on the Gospels in our study of scripture. Join us again next week for our continued discussion on Christian nationalism, and check out this link with resources about Christian nationalism: Christian Nationalism Resources
During Sunday’s Worship, we read John 14:15–21 and reflected on the power of love. Jesus teaches us that God is revealed through the love we show others. As you continue thinking about the power of love in your life, consider the ways God’s presence is made known through your compassion, faithfulness, and care for others. Reflect on this week’s sermon with the following questions:
1. How have you experienced love in your life?
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in showing love to others?
3. What is one way that you can increase your demonstration of love for others this week?
Living Love Sermon Video
Sermon Manuscript
Sunday, May 3, 2026
On Sunday during Faith Exploration, we continued our conversation about Christian nationalism. We reflected on the CNN documentary, “The Rise of Christian Nationalism,” and explored some of the core elements of this ideology. Throughout the discussion, we noticed how Christian nationalism often centers on fear, power, and control. We also considered how practicing greater inclusion, remaining open to having our perspectives challenged, and striving to follow Christ more faithfully might be a faithful response to the Christian nationalist ideology.
Join us next week for another Faith Exploration conversation, and explore additional resources on Christian nationalism here: Christian Nationalism Resources
On Sunday during our traditional worship service, we gathered to sing, pray, read Scripture, share in communion, and hear the sermon. I preached from 1 Peter 2:1–10, focusing on the themes of finding our foundation in Christ, pushing back against Christian nationalism, and being built up together in our faith in Jesus. It was a meaningful morning of fellowship, community, and challenge, and I hope you were as encouraged by our time together as I was.
To engage more deeply with these themes, reflect on the following questions:
1. What do you think the dominant expression of Christianity is within your community? Within our country?
2. How does this image impact the way you express and practice your faith?
3. In what ways could you practice being more “ genuinely, authentically, loudly, deeply, unapologetically, Christian” this week?
Sermon Video
Sermon Manuscript
Sunday, April 26, 2026
On Sunday, we had our inaugural “Justice Table” potluck and justice theme introduction. We watched the CNN documentary, “The Rise of Christian Nationalism” as an introduction to the following month’s Faith Exploration themes, where we will discuss the Christian response to Christian Nationalism in greater depth. Please join us for these intentional, thought-provoking, and actionable conversations at 9:30 a.m. on the first three Sundays of each month.
To see a list of definitions and resources related to Christian Nationalism, click here: Christian Nationalism Resources
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?