Pasadena Mennonite Church

Rooted in Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Tim Reardon, preached on James James 1:22-27; 2:18-26. Tim begins with a story of the desert fathers — or better yet, “desert parents” — a dialogue between Abbot Lot and Abbot Joseph, his elder. The question ultimately posed by Abbot Joseph, “Why not be completely changed into fire?” is contrasted… Read more

On September 23rd, Lauren Murtidjaja led us in a reflection on Mark 9:30-37, and James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a. James seems to be writing a “tough-love letter to the diaspora. The diaspora was dealing with partiality and favoritism — caught up in appearances. Most of us can relate at some level: we like to be seen in… Read more

On September 16th, Tim Reardon led a reflection on James 1:1-12 — emphasizing that justice cannot be seen as separate from the cross. James talks about a double minded person as one who wants to hear the gospel but not do it. Tim reminds us that the cross is a revelation of injustice. The cross… Read more

We often separate “social justice” from more “religious” ideas of holiness, but Jesus does not artificially separate these. He teaches us that the tree and the fruit are intimately tied together. A tree is known by its fruit, and it matters who we are and what we do. But this is not a call to… Read more

On July 15th, Madeleine Cameron spoke to the PMC shared a sermon with PMC that she’d prepared during an internship in Fresno, where she’s preparing to take part in a community project following her graduation from Fresno Pacific University. Read more

On July 8th, Tim Reardon referenced David Benner’s book Surrender to Love, asking our congregation, “Imagine God thinking about you — what do you think God feels when you come to mind?” Though we might have various responses, he went on to describe that we are created out of love by a God whose essence… Read more