Category Archives: Lent

Fear, Forgetfulness, & Faith

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Hedy Collver

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them … Continue reading →

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No More

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Hedy Collver

The church where I serve as Senior Pastor is just a few miles south of Stoneman Douglas High School, where yesterday seventeen people were murdered, many others injured, and countless more deeply traumatized. I am heartbroken. Again. And I’m just … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Random Thoughts | Tagged action, fighthate, heartbroken, livelove, Stoneman Douglas | Leave a comment

Dreaming of Peace

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Hedy Collver

[Transcript of a sermon delivered at Plantation UMC on February 11, 2018.] Peace. Up there with a cure for cancer and winning the lottery, it is one of the things people pray for the most. Peace for our world. Peace … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent | Tagged church, God, God's Love, Jesus, peace, politics, shalom, Work | 1 Comment

Blessed

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Hedy Collver

Matthew 4:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version) When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent | Tagged Beatitudes, Blessed, God's Love, Holy Week, hunger, Inigo Montoya, Jesus, justice, Lent, love, Makarioi, Makarios, Matthew 5, meek, merciful, mourning, peacemakers, persecuted, Poor in spirit, pure, righteousness, thirst | 1 Comment

Living Water

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Hedy Collver

John 4:7-15 (New Revised Standard Version) A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent | Tagged faith, gift, God, God's Love, grace, hope, Jacob's Well, Jesus, judgment, Living Water, love, Messiah, Photina, Samaritan Woman, shame, St Photina, thirst, water, Woman at the Well | 3 Comments

Called to the Wilderness

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Hedy Collver

Matthew 4:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent | Tagged authority, beloved, call, called, comfort, communion, God's Love, Israel, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Lent, love, Matthew 4, rebel, security, temptation, wilderness | 2 Comments

Don’t Be Afraid!

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Hedy Collver

Matthew 28:5-7 (New Living Translation) Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Pondering Scripture | Tagged angel, Don't be afraid, Easter, fear, Good Friday, Jesus, love, Matthew, Matthew 28, phobeo, risk, women | Leave a comment

Risen from the Dead

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Hedy Collver

Matthew 27:57-61 (New Living Translation) As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Pondering Scripture | Tagged death, Easter, fear, God, God's Love, grave, grief, Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, life, loss, love, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Matthew, Matthew 27, Pilate, rebirth, resurrection, tree | Leave a comment

Palm Sunday & Holy Week

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Hedy Collver

Ephesians 4:1-6 (New Revised Standard Version) I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Pondering Scripture | Tagged bold, call, elpis, Ephesians 4, gentle, God's Love, Holy Week, hope, humble, Jesus, kaleo, klesis, love, loving, Palm Sunday, parakaleo, patient | Leave a comment

Indescribable Joy

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Hedy Collver

John 20:14-16 (New Living Translation) She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the … Continue reading →

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