A Trellis for Sacred Stories

Pearl Church exists to cultivate three rhythms—Sacred Story, Common Table, and Divine Love. In fact, these rhythms work together. We often say, “At Pearl, we express a Sacred Story and extend a Common Table that animate life by Divine Love.” But how exactly do we cultivate these rhythms? And is it possible to cultivate these rhythms outside of Pearl? This sermon series will explore the metaphor of a trellis to help us thoughtfully discern the sacredness of our stories, commonality of our tables, and animations of our lives as we seek to cultivate robust living marked by flourishing.

Sabbatical Reflections

Pastor Mike reflects on his summer sabbatical, and some of the goodness which grew up for him during this season away.

A New Gospel (Matthew 4:12-22)

What is it to be a community? What binds people together? Over the ages, we humans have tried many answers to these questions—shared enemies, religious belief and ritual, political allegiance, common heritage, charismatic leaders and more. In times of instability, change and division, like our own, the questions take on a new life, as we wonder how we can imagine a common life together in a time of such division. In this series on the book of Matthew, we’ll explore how this Gospel intends to shape a new community of shared life in those called to into the way of Jesus. Setting aside both empire and religious tradition, Jesus subverts king and kingdom with the open invitation to the kindom of God.

A New Creativity (Matthew 4:1-11)

What is it to be a community? What binds people together? Over the ages, we humans have tried many answers to these questions—shared enemies, religious belief and ritual, political allegiance, common heritage, charismatic leaders and more. In times of instability, change and division, like our own, the questions take on a new life, as we wonder how we can imagine a common life together in a time of such division. In this series on the book of Matthew, we’ll explore how this Gospel intends to shape a new community of shared life in those called to into the way of Jesus. Setting aside both empire and religious tradition, Jesus subverts king and kingdom with the open invitation to the kindom of God.

A New Awareness (Matthew 3:1-17)

What is it to be a community? What binds people together? Over the ages, we humans have tried many answers to these questions—shared enemies, religious belief and ritual, political allegiance, common heritage, charismatic leaders and more. In times of instability, change and division, like our own, the questions take on a new life, as we wonder how we can imagine a common life together in a time of such division. In this series on the book of Matthew, we’ll explore how this Gospel intends to shape a new community of shared life in those called to into the way of Jesus. Setting aside both empire and religious tradition, Jesus subverts king and kingdom with the open invitation to the kindom of God.