A Message from Pastor Kaji

Click here for Pastor Kaji’s sermon playlist

Dear Church:

This Sunday we gather around the mystery of Jesus’ words: “The wind blows where it chooses.” The Spirit refuses to be controlled, sweeping into our lives in unpredictable, transformative ways.

I’m also glad to share some important updates in the life of The Park:

Town Hall & Annual Meeting
We will hold a Congregational Meeting after worship on Sunday, November 9, and our Congregational Vote on Sunday, November 16, also after worship. 

Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in person. 

Halloween Candy Drive
We are still collecting candy donations for our neighborhood Halloween distribution. You can either bring donations directly to church or order from our online wishlist. Thank you for helping us offer joy and sweetness to our neighbors.

Finally, on a personal note, I will be traveling to Berkeley tomorrow as my father, A.B. Spellman, receives the American Book Award for his poetry book Between the Night and its Music. Please join me in celebrating this incredible accomplishment! 

Study Guide: John 3:1–10

Focus: “The wind blows where it chooses…”

1. What do you make of Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night?

2. Jesus speaks of being “born from above.” What do you think it means to be reborn?

3. How do you experience the Spirit’s presence as unpredictable or uncontrollable in your own life?

4. The wind cannot be contained or explained. How might this mystery invite you into deeper trust with God? 

5. Where do you sense the Spirit blowing in our church and community today?

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

Scripture:
John 3:1-10 (Year C, p. 323)

1 Now there was a member of the Pharisees, Nicodemus was his name, a leader of the Jewish people. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you came from God as a teacher for no one has the power to do these signs that you do without God (being) with them.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly truly, I say to you, if a person is not born again, from above, they will not be able to see the majesty of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Jesus, “How can a person be born after having become old? Surely no one is able to enter a second time into the belly of their mother and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly truly, I say to you, no one can enter the majesty of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 Whatever (or whoever) is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I say to all of you, ‘You must be born again, from above. 8 The wind (like a spirit) blows where it chooses and you hear the sound of it, but know not from where it comes or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus replied and said to Jesus, “How are these things possible?” 10 Then Jesus replied and said to him, “Are you a teacher of Israel and these things you know not?