January 18, 2026
Dear friends in Christ grace and peace to you. The text for this week’s message comes from John 1:29-42.
“What are you looking for?” (vs. 38) This a question asked by Jesus of the disciples who were following him. As I look out on those gathered for worship on Sunday mornings I wonder; what are you looking for in your church? Why are you here? What is it you hope for by being here today?
As director of MACA (Mondovi Area Clergy Association) I sometimes run into situations where someone is asking for financial help beyond the scope of MACA’s resources. MACA offers stipends for groceries, gas and occasionally a one night stay at the local hotel. On occasion and more so recently, we get requests for help with paying rent or making house or car payments. Because we live outside of town I don’t usually see these people face to face. Folks asking for that kind of assistance will walk into or call one of the churches in town and so I don’t get to see their reaction when they are turned down. Some, I’m guessing are disappointed or even angry. The misconception I think is that churches are wealthy and have unlimited resources and owe its members something. I heard of someone asking if a church could pay for reroofing a member’s garage. The reasoning was that, “My dad did so much for your church, the church owes him that.”
Jesus asked the disciples following him; “What are you looking for?” The disciples following Jesus knew that he was a man out of the ordinary. They knew that Jesus offered something they couldn’t get anywhere else. Jesus offered them community, shelter and peace.
What is it you are looking for as you gather for worship? If you are hoping to find wealth, power and or fame you are going to be disappointed. My hope is that you gather for worship hoping to escape the ugliness of the world we currently live in if just for a moment. My hope is that you gather for worship to be among people who do not judge you for who are and accept you as you are; a child of God, just as we all are.
What are you looking for? Jesus doesn’t offer us worldly possessions, fame or fortune. What he does offer us is a place to gather in peace. In this worship space, God willing, we will learn to love one another, to listen to the voice of God and to learn from him.
May the peace of God be with all of you as you seek what you are looking for.
Michael Isaacson
January 11, 2026
Dear friends in Christ grace and peace to you. The text for this week’s message comes from Isaiah 42:1-9.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. (Vs. 3-4)
What does justice on earth look like to you? Many, if not all of us can point to what we deem to be injustices around us. We want criminals dealt with severely and in a timely manner. We want fraudulent people and organizations punished and made to pay amends. We want the wrongs righted. We’re quick to point to other people or groups of people who are clearly promoting injustice; at least in our minds. We want justice. But what is justice?
A question I’m wrestling with as I read this passage from Isaiah is this: have I looked internally as a cause for some of the injustices I see in my immediate world? There are many global injustices, but what about my own injustices? When I lose my temper and unintentionally say things to loved ones that are hurtful. How is that just? When I’m negligent in seeing that my neighbor needs help and decide that I’m too busy with my own problems and think someone else with more time can help out. How is that just? If God is concerned about injustice, then he is concerned about all injustice which means that I fall into that category because I’m guilty as charged.
But the good news for all of us is that God doesn’t give us what we deserve which is eternal condemnation. But rather, God gives us grace. God forgives us and allows us to try again and again to live righteous lives. How good it is then to hear that “a bruised reed he will not break.” (v.3). These words remind us that we are but a life hanging by a single thread, which is exactly where we stand before God on our own. Like it or not our lives are unraveling before our very eyes, hanging over the abyss of hell that we deserve, except that God does the unexpected. At the very point when it seems like there’s no hope, when there’s no future, when that final break is about to occur; God doesn’t break the reed. He doesn’t cut the line. Grace is proclaimed. A new start is given and we are called to do our part to promote justice; beginning by looking within ourselves.
May the peace of God be with all of you as discern what is right and just in your life.
Michael Isaacson
