1 Peter 4: 10-11 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all …
In this Faith Story, a quiet morning walk becomes a holy encounter. When a dog and a young fox unexpectedly play together at sunrise, the moment feels like a living glimpse of Isaiah’s peaceable kingdom, where fear gives way to joy and unlikely companions share the same ground. This story by Betty Schroeder invites us …
The greatest threats often come after the miracle. As joy spreads through Bethlehem, darker plans take shape in Jerusalem. King Herod’s fear turns deadly, and the lives of innocent children hang in the balance. Once again, those who know the truth must decide how far they are willing to go to protect it. In this …
Faith does not always stay safely within walls. Sometimes it must walk unfamiliar roads. Having escaped King Herod’s palace, Tabitha, Adam and Darius find themselves racing against time along the highway to Bethlehem. What began as a warning becomes a battle for lives and for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Along the way, courage is …
Some acts of faith happen far from crowds and pulpits. They begin quietly - in a workshop, with ink-stained hands and ancient words. When twelve-year-old Tabitha arrives in Jerusalem disguised as a boy to help restore King Herod’s library, she expects long days of careful work and little else. Instead, she finds friendship in unexpected …
Jane Metcalf December 2025 We use words like wind or breath to articulate our experiencing the Spirit of God. In their book Fearfully and Wonderfully, leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and Christian writer Philip Yancey, look at how the Body of Christ is analogous with how the human body works. They point out that our …
Our Advent Faith Stories inspired me to share a verse that has helped me in difficult times. In recent years, my faith has been tested. Four years ago, my Mom, Dad and I were diagnosed with COVID. I had symptoms first, though light, and only needed a new inhaler. My parents weren’t as lucky. Their …
Last January I shared my experience with my Star Word “Journey” and I am still on that journey. When I received my new Star Word “Clarity” I knew that my journey was about to become clearer. On January 13, 2024, I wrote two acrostic poems and two prayers. I would like to share them with …
Waiting in my pew to head toward the alter for communion, I prayed to God that I would receive a star word that would help me “grow in my faith.” I didn’t look at the star until I returned to my seat. My 2024-star word was grow. Immediately, I got super organized. I assigned a monthly spiritual category that …
I started working at St. John’s two years ago. My very first Sunday was January 8, 2023 – Epiphany Sunday. I was immediately introduced to the St. John’s tradition of receiving a Star Word. There are a few reasons behind this tradition. First, the Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, …
