Tag: fruit of the spirit

Pastor’s Notes 6/12/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Whenever you go into a house, first say, ‘Peace be with this house.’ If someone who is peace-loving lives there, let your greeting of peace remain on that person; if not, take back your greeting of peace.
–Luke 10:5-6

Social courtesies have always come more naturally to my wife than me. It is a wonder that I every get invited anywhere, Trish is always the one who is mindful that we must offer a small gift upon entering someone’s home.

That practice emerged in ancient societies where hospitality was sacred. Travel was dangerous. Strangers could either threaten the peace of a household or strengthen the bonds of community. So, gifts became symbols of trust and mutual care. To offer a blessing when entering a home was to say, “May goodness dwell here. May this place know safety, rest, and wholeness.”

That gives fresh meaning to Jesus’ instruction in Luke 10. As the disciples go from town to town, Jesus tells them: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’” The word underneath that greeting is shalom. It is a peace that is not simply the absence of conflict, but deep well-being, harmony, justice, healing, and right relationship. Jesus tells them to enter each home bearing peace as their gift.

And then comes the curious line: “If anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.”

Jesus seems to understand something about the vulnerability of offering peace. Not every home will welcome it. Not every heart will receive it. Not every community will choose reconciliation, compassion, or grace. Yet Jesus tells the disciples not to fear that rejection.

Today, we live in a world where peace often feels fragile. We extend kindness and sometimes receive suspicion. We offer welcome and sometimes encounter resistance. We work for reconciliation and sometimes discover division runs deep. Yet Jesus reminds us that our responsibility is not controlling the outcome. Our calling is simply to keep showing up as bearers of peace.

That may be one of the clearest ways we live as ambassadors for Christ, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians. We become people who carry peace into the spaces we inhabit. We practice hospitality. We widen the table. We create belonging. We refuse to let cynicism or hostility have the final word.

And even when peace is rejected, we do not lose ourselves in the process. The peace of Christ returns to us, steadies us, and sends us onward again. I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit and reflect upon the gift of Peace.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 6/5/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
–Luke 15:7

There is a familiar story about a little girl walking along a beach after a storm. Thousands of starfish had washed ashore, scattered across the sand. One by one, she hurriedly picked up those around her and tossed them back into the sea.

An older passerby stopped and watched for a moment before saying, “Why are you doing this? There are far too many. You can’t possibly save them all. What difference does it make?”

The little girl bent down, picked up another starfish, and gently threw it back into the water.

“It matters to this one.”

Some versions of the story say others nearby began to notice too. Instead of dismissing the effort as too small or insignificant, they joined in. And together, they made a difference.

This Sunday we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit with a focus on joy. In Luke 15, Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves behind ninety-nine sheep to search for one that is lost. And when the sheep is found, there is rejoicing. Joy. Celebration. Not because of some grand victory witnessed by the world, but because one mattered.

It is easy to assume joy only belongs to the mountaintop moments of big celebrations, major accomplishments, and extraordinary days. But the joy of the Spirit often appears in smaller places: daily kindness, faithful presence, gentle encouragement, helping one person, growing one more day, bearing one piece of good fruit.

In Luke chapter 6, Jesus also reminds us that good trees bear good fruit. Sometimes simply growing fruit should be enough. Sometimes the quiet work of becoming who God created us to be is already something holy and beautiful.

I look forward to worshipping with you in the Chapel or on YouTube this Sunday as we celebrate the little joys of each of us.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 5/29/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
–Galatians 5:22-23

Do you notice that little phrase above that leads us into Galatians 5:22?

“By contrast…”

It is such a simple transition phrase, and we seem to experience it much more than we spell it out with the turn the phrase in a sentence. Sometimes life feels like a long series of contrasts and contradictions: fear and courage, loneliness and connection, bitterness and grace, death and resurrection.

Paul uses that phrase after describing the ways people and communities can unravel when life becomes centered only on self-interest, division, anger, rivalry, or endless consumption. He speaks candidly about the kinds of behaviors and attitudes that slowly erode relationships and leave people wounded and disconnected from one another.

And then comes the turn: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

This Sunday we will spend time reflecting not only the contrast Paul saw in the churches of Galatia, but the contrasts we recognize in our own lives, relationships, communities, and world. What does it mean to nurture the kinds of things that bring life instead of diminishing it? How do we become people shaped more by the Spirit than by fear, resentment, or self-protection?

I look forward to worshipping with you in the Chapel at 9:30 this Sunday, or on YouTube as we consider together the fruit God longs to grow among us.

Brett