​Pastor Dave reminds us how quick we are to judge, even with incomplete information. We see what we expect to see, so we will only see God if we expect to see God. Easter is not a commemoration of a past event, but a celebration of what God is doing now. We are called to be an Easter people, who see the power of God at work in the world, among us, within us, and through us.

​Out of the depths we cry to you, God. Rev. Stina Miller explores the parable of the Prodigal Son. Do you see yourself in one of the figures in the parable? God's indiscriminate prodigal grace does not operate based on merit or just desserts; grace is simply grace, lavishly and lovingly offered.

​Pastor Dave discusses Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem, a reminder that God responds to our failures and stumbles with lament, not condemnation. In our worst moments, we are given the opportunity for new life.

​Pastor Dave begins Lent by talking about Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, and the idea that self-centeredness is at the root of sin, and it often keeps us from becoming the people we are called to be. 

Guest pastor Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, the President of the Pacific School of Religion, shared a message about what it means to wrestle with the heaviness of being Middle Aged — to reconcile our past and our future — as Joseph does in our scripture reading for today. As a nation, world, and people, we need to reflect on the impact we've had on one another through colonialism, displacement, and inequality, and also on our hurting planet, and help our children learn from our mistakes and move forward with hope and possibility of what might be. 

​When it comes to our faith, it's not about checking boxes, it's about constantly trying to improve — but not in the competitive way that's so common in the Bay Area. Instead, we should apply a high bar to loving others, experiencing growth, and, if we stumbled yesterday, getting back up to try again today.