[RCL] Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Caesarea Philippi was a Roman town in Northern Israel right on the Syrian border. There were many religions in the area. The pagan people worshipped in fourteen different temples. Herod the Great built a large temple for the Romans to worship Caesar. In addition, just outside…

At various points in our lives we need to “step up to the plate.” As scary as some of these times have been, they usually have been moments that have initiated some transitions in our lives and offered us the opportunity to draw upon the memories of our early years. The lessons for today lead…

When the story from the Hebrew Scriptures opens, the Hebrew people have been living in Egypt for about as long as Europeans and Africans have been here in North America. A new pharaoh — or king — begins to rule Egypt. Because slave labor is important to the well – being and economy of his…