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Lights in the Tunnel, A Sermon on Hope

Surrounded by Rachel W. It was Easter morning. My mom woke me up before the sun was even up. She took on this brave task because, the night before, I was crazy enough to agree to go to an Easter sunrise service with her. I rolled out of bed and threw something on. Just enough to be presentable. We arrived at the foot of the hill and parked among several other vehicles from church members. We greeted others as they arrived. Or at least, my mom greeted. I grunted. Then we started our hike. See, we weren’t just going to Easter sunrise service at our church, we were going to a sunrise service at the Peace Chapel. The Peace Chapel is owned by Juniata College but we know a guy so we were allowed to use it for services now and then for the church. It is situated at the center of an open field at the top of a large-ish hill. The chapel is a 40-foot circle composed of 53 rough-cut, salt-and-pepper blocks of granite. It’s a spectacular setting that overlooks the surrounding mountains and
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Living in the Margins: A Sermon Among the Chaos

I preached this sermon on Sunday, August 21. The Tuesday before, my dad was admitted to the hospital for a flare up of his ulcerative colitis. I was also hosting my sister-in-law's baby shower that Saturday. It was a hectic, scary, and exciting week and I'm pretty sure I blacked out from the moment I got the call to the end of church on Sunday. Here's the result of that week's work: Scripture Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Message: Living in the Margins August 21, 2016 “Let the little children come to m
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"Remember..."

Scripture Mark 14:12-16 ( NRSV ) 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.  Meditation We are here to remember the meal shared in fellowship, the feet washed in service, the bread broken and the wine poured in sacrifice. But at the beginning of the evening is preparation. Jesus sent his disciples to prepare for Passover , a remembra
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Cost!: A Lenten Sermon on Mark 10:17-45

Scripture Mark 10:17-45 Message: Cost! March 13, 2016 Rachel Witkovsky Cost March 13, 2016 Rachel Witkovsky Jesus was upfront with the disciples from the very beginning. He told them then and has told them over and over again what this journey is and what it will lead to. He told them there would be suffering and that he was going to die. But he also told them of the resurrection. The literal journey becomes a symbol of discipleship, of following Jesus. The disciples sometimes imagine that the journey will lead them to glory, but Jesus keeps clarifying, “Not without first going the way of the cross (Geddert, p. 196)!” The disciples are not quite sure what to make of it all, but they are along for the ride. They may not have grasped the magnitude or the truth in his words yet, but they are walking with him on this rode regardless. And they’re about to come to a milestone on this journey. They are about to reach Jerusalem. (Geddert, p. 196) In his Believers Church Bible Comm
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Tea for Two and Then Some

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On May 3 (yes, I'm behind, lol) I went to a tea with...well, let's just say, some of my female relatives. There were too many to name them all. We had a blast! The teas are held about four times a year and it's a great way to spend some time together in a special way.  I've always been into tea parties and tea time rituals. This is a very casual feeling tea, though we do dress up a bit, and the food is always amazing. Check out the menu for yourself: I need to find a recipe for that soup, oh my goodness. It was all so good! I couldn't finish my dessert so I took home a little doggy bag. Can't wait till the next one! Hugs & Hearts, Rachel
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Lent 2015 Day 4: Psalm 46:10

Day 4 : Psalm 46:10 Read : Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God!     I am exalted among the nations,     I am exalted in the earth.” My Prayer : I try.  I try to be still.  I sit.  I wait.  I scratch my ear.  I push up my glasses.  I think about eating a cupcake.  Then I catch myself and try to be still again.  I don't know why it's so hard, God, to just give you a few minutes.  You deserve so much more.  I'm sorry, Lord, for letting you down, Time after time, When you give me everything .  Please help me to be intentional during lent.  To find time to be still And listen for you magnificent voice.  Amen.  Prompt from Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with My Pen by Rachel Hackenberg
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Lent 2015 Day 3: Humility

Day 3 : Humility (I know it's not actually Day 3, but I'm catching up. Trust me.) Read : Isaiah 40 1-2 “Comfort, oh comfort my people,”     says your God. “Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,     but also make it very clear That she has served her sentence,     that her sin is taken care of—forgiven! She’s been punished enough and more than enough,     and now it’s over and done with..." ...27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,     or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me.     He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.     He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.     And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired,     gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out,     young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait
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