A Message from Pastor Kaji

When I read this week’s passage from 1 Peter 2, a number of questions come to mind. Do you want to be a stone? I suppose this depends on what a “living stone” might mean. Does it mean rigidity? Stuckness? Or might it mean something quite different? (Hint: notice that belief is a key theme in the passage.) 

In your preparations, I invite you to think about the “rocks” of your life. What makes someone (or something?) a [metaphorical] rock? What does it mean to you to know they’re there?  

Finally, I do hope that you will join us this Sunday after worship for Bible Basics: A New Study for Beginners and Beyond. If you find yourself curious about the Bible, but don’t know where to start, or maybe you’ve been reading it for years but want to revisit the fundamentals, I’ve designed this class with you in mind. In this 30-minute session, we’ll explore the structure of the Bible, learn how to navigate its books, chapters, and verses, and dive into key themes like creation, covenant, and redemption. Whether you’re completely new or looking for a refresher, this study will provide tools and insights to help you engage with Scripture confidently. Join us for an interactive, welcoming introduction to God’s Word, where we’ll discuss how the Bible speaks to our lives today.

Can’t wait to see you on Sunday! 

Pax Christi,

Pastor Kaji

SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 2:4-10 (Year B, p. 535-6):

4 Come to Jesus, a living stone, although rejected by humanity yet chosen and precious to God. 5 And are yourselves, like living stones, being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Thus scripture contains [the following]:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen, precious;
and whoever believes in that stone will not be put to shame.”
7 To you all who believe then, a precious honor; but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stumbling stone,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble over the word “disobeying, disobedient” by design. 9 Yet you all are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own possession, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of God who called you out of shadow into God’s marvelous light.
10 Once not a people,
but now God’s people;
once bereft of mercy,
but now rich in mercy.