Pentecost is a tale of wind and flame that becomes flesh and bone before our very eyes and ears – one that we can touch and taste and experience in our very bodies. While the day of Pentecost begins in the loneliness of loss and separation, in its mighty wind and crown of flame, we see connection – God and us – us and us. No separation – a leveling of power-over, a lifting up of all we are, and a radiating out so that no one is left out.

The Way of Resurrection is “enfleshed freedom” – an end to every separation and the freedom of every body. By the power of the Spirit, the Way of Resurrection moves us ever and always into more healing, more freedom, more life.

Radiating out with God’s expansive embrace, the Way of Resurrection unfolds in the complexity of human relationship – in the complexity of community.

In the Way of Resurrection, the Spirit radiates out in ever-expanding circles of embrace. In the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we see that God welcomes everyone all the way in.

The "Way of Resurrection" is embodied in us. In the Body of the Risen Christ, "Stretch out your hand to heal and bring to life signs and wonders in the name of Jesus."

We are witnesses to the Resurrection in what we have seen and heard, and in the lives we live.

The Good News of Easter Morning is a Word of life, love, and abounding grace.

As the Hosannas! of Palm Sunday fade, and as the NOs of Holy Week begin to build, Jesus continues to say YES.

Jesus is the Christ we follow into the suffering of the world, who raises us up into life.

Out of our fear, Jesus calls us to take courage, trust, and walk out into the storm – like Jesus, with Jesus – to sink and rise up again.

Forgiveness can come to life in many forms. Jesus encourages us that we can find (and extend) forgiveness in more ways than we think.

Jesus seeks out and calls Peter (and us) into relationship - into community that embodies good news for the poor, healing for every hurt, and freedom from every oppression.

In experiences that are beyond us, God is always bigger, always stronger, always moving the world toward justice, healing, and peace.

Embodying good news, Jesus heals, and takes on the powers, and takes a breath, and keeps on moving.

God is always calling us, always inviting us to pay attention, listen, and live.

What glad news of justice do you bring to the world?

On the wilderness road to freedom, God supports and sustains the weary. God encourages us to join the hard work of freedom with humility and mutuality, in ways that also help create some rest for the weary.

Jesus interrupts a world already in progress, and turns power on its head.

Simeon and Anna hold the Christ child and proclaim: This is God’s saving help come yet again, once for all – light and liberation for all people.

With folks all around the world, today is the day we tell the story: In the birth of the Christ, the fresh presence of God comes to life in the fullness of humanity.

Joy is “the fresh presence of God... the fresh action of God,” rising up from the steady and sure saving action of God across all time. Joy is God’s forever longing for human flourishing. In this sermon, we consider “joy because” of the goodness we experience in life, “joy notwithstanding” the challenges and sorrow of life, and “joy against” everything that seeks to harm human flourishing.

In a hurting world, Jesus invites us to keep watch for the Advent of God in every moment, as together we make the long journey toward joy.

Listen in as Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr preaches at First Pres San Anselmo.

Our experience of grace and gratitude is not in any way bound or determined or limited by circumstance. In Jesus Christ, God’s grace reaches us and embraces us even in the mire and the muck.