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October 20, 2026

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IMAGO DEI: Giving From What We Have Received

Then Jesus said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." – Matthew 22:20-21

Religious leaders tried to trap Jesus in many ways as he threatened their understandings, their control, their comfort, and their power structure. They think they have him between a rock and hard place when they ask him if it is “lawful to pay taxes (to the Romans) or not?” If he says “No,” then they can turn him into the Roman authorities for tax evasion. If he says “Yes,” then Jesus’ poll numbers will plummet, as the people are distressed to have to pay taxes to the Empire that oppresses them with troops marching through their city streets who could abduct or even execute citizens in their way without any real accountability for such actions.

The Roman coin bore the image of the Roman Emperor. Jesus indicated that it was therefore appropriate to offer the Roman coin (which Jesus did not even have in his possession) to pay the Roman tax. However, Jesus took the idea further than his accusers intended (and likely to what most matters to Jesus) and indicated that we are to give to God that which is God’s. What belongs to God? The coin belongs to the emperor because it bears the image of the emperor. Whatever bears the image of God is therefore what belongs to God. What bears the image of God?

We do.

Jesus reminds us to give ourselves to God. We are to offer ourselves, our attention, our energy, our love to God. As we do this, we awaken to God’s attention already give to us, we receive God’s energy and love. We are filled with love that will not let us go, compassion that is without limit, life that is abundant and full. From this place of generous receiving, we can then give. From this place of being offered so much, we can better live lives of self-offering, we can more fully be the gifts that God made us to be, loving our neighbor, including the stranger and the enemy.

How have you given yourself to God in this past week? What have you received as you have done so? What have you discovered you then could offer to others?

I look forward to continuing to live into the truth that we and all others are the Imago Dei/Image of God and to discover how we can be part of what God is doing that brings healing and hope alive in the world.

Love,

Pastor Michael

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Watch our Pastors' other messages online: click here.

Upcoming Schedule

All Links to Zoom or to sign up

are in the calendar below

Ponderings Class

Wednesdays, 10:00 am, on Zoom Big Topics for Big Ponderings

During October and November we honor our “time of memory” with a series remembering some of the good and bad of our “saints.”

October 21: Successes and Sins of the Saints: The “Country”
October 28: Successes and Sins of the Saints: The “community”

Centering Prayer

Wednesdays, 12:00 noon, on Zoom

Thursday Spiritual Formation Group

Thursday group meets via Zoom (except the second Thursday of the month when we have Taizé worship) 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Tuesday Spiritual Formation Group

Tuesday group meets in Rooms 3/4 and on Zoom 11:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Centering Prayer

Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, meets in Room 1

Spiritual Tiramisu Tuesday Tuesdays, 3:00 pm on Zoom

Join us for an interfaith time of fellowship and reflection with members of Christian, Baha’i, and Jewish communities. Share a prayer, poem, scripture, and reading in a warm, welcoming space, or just be present. It is a spiritual tiramisu. Lift your heart and connect across traditions. You can come once or come weekly.

Click here to see the Birthday and Anniversary List for November.

Wednesday, October 21

9:00 Worship Arts Team Rooms 5/6
10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, Ponderings, Zoom Click on Study Link or use Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
2:00 pm Worship Arts Meeting Zoom
6:00 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Bell Room
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary

Thursday, October 22

8:30 am Men's Breakfast Beyond Bread on Ina and Oracle
9:00 am Stitch Witches McNear Hall Rooms 5/6
1:00 pm Primavera Meal Prep Kitchen
6:30 pm Spiritual Life Group Zoom Click here to sign up

Friday, October 23

10:00 am AA Meeting McNear Hall Rooms 7/8

Saturday, October 24

9:00 am AA Meeting McNear Hall Rooms 5/6

Sunday, October 25

8:30 am Communion and Contemplation Service Chapel
9:30 am Worship Service Sanctuary and Online Worship; click on the Livestream and Recorded Services box on that page. (click on the box after 9:25 am)
10:30 am Ministry Fair Courtyard
No Funday Zoom
6:30 pm Kindred Choir Practice Rooms 5/6

Monday, October 26

1:00 pm Compassion on the Border Meeting Room 3
2:30 pm Custodial Campus Cleaning Entire Campus

Tuesday, October 27

11:00 Carol Bogg's Memorial Service Sanctuary and McNear Hall
No Spiritual Life Group
No Centering Prayer Time
3:00 pm Spiritual Tiramisu Tuesday Zoom Click here or use Meeting ID: 890 2939 3533 and Passcode: 225495
6:30 pm Kadampa Meditation Room 1

Wednesday, October 28

10:00 am Spiritual Life Group, Ponderings, Zoom Click on Study Link or use Meeting ID: 622 421 179 and Passcode: 118704
12:00 Noon Centering Prayer Zoom Click on Centering Link or use Meeting ID: 890 1364 9732 and Passcode: 769422
6:00 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Bell Room
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary