Live Oak Church of the Brethren

12/25/2024

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. -Luke 2:4-7

11/21/2024

We remember.

10/05/2024

08/29/2024

Sometimes, we expect others to know what we're thinking, feeling, how they've hurt us. Sometimes, we expect an apology without expressing why we believe we're owed one. Sometimes, we give them the silent treatment or the cold shoulder.

But how can others know our thoughts and feelings if we haven't told them? How will they ever know they've hurt us or caused us pain if we haven't told them. How can a person apologize to us if they don't know we feel wronged by them in some way? How can we expect any one to know any of this if we don't use our words to tell them?

And likewise, when others wish to share with us their thoughts and feelings, we need to listen, without reacting, in order to understand them. If someone tells us how we've hurt them and caused them pain, we need to listen so we can understand, and in turn, offer a sincere apology and work towards repairing the relationship. We don't react, respond, or interrupt. We listen and we understand. And when necessary, we apologize.

08/21/2024

Image from the

08/18/2024

The church building is closed tomorrow. Worship is being held off-site followed by the annual church picnic up in the mountains.

08/16/2024

Found on

08/15/2024

08/15/2024

There's a lot of hate in our country right now and a lot of hate being thrown at the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. For being who they are and who God created them to be. For loving who they love and being loved by who loves them. For who they're attracted to (and who they're not) and who's attracted to them.

Chances are you know someone that's gay, le***an, bi, trans, q***r, or is curious and questioning their gender and/or sexuality. They could be your child or grandchild, sibling, neighbor, coworker, best friend, a member in your church. Chances are it's someone whom you love and admire deeply, someone who loves and admires you just the same.

But your response to the LGBTQ2SIA+ community reveals that your love has limits and conditions. Such love is not love at all.

Now, a lot of the hate being spewed towards the LGBTQ2SIA+ community comes from the one place it shouldn't. THE CHURCH! People who call themselves Christians, believers, followers - all professing faith in Jesus and a commitment to follow him. To follow Jesus is to live our lives as he lived his. Jesus' life was a life of love. Love for God, neighbor, stranger, and enemy. In other words, love for everyone and all people, excluding no one.

For the people who follow Jesus to hate LGBTQ2SIA+ persons is hypocrisy of the highest form. Hate, judgment, and condemnation are diametrically opposed to the life and teachings of Jesus, the life we are to emulate and the teachings we are to follow. Further, when you hate a person that is gay, bi, pan, you hate Jesus, To paraphrase Matthew's gospel, "for when you did not love them, you did not love me." And you reveal that you hate yourself. For you are to love your neighbor as yourself. Both of which were said by Jesus.

Stop hating people that God loves, that Jesus embraces, that the Holy Spirit lives in. Stop the hate.

And learn to love. Learn to accept. Learn to affirm. Learn to embrace.

If you can't do that, if you won't do that, then leave the LGBTQ2SIA+ community alone and mind your own business.

Cause your hatred of and obsession with these beautiful and wonderful children of God is just plain weird.

Rant over.

08/13/2024

presents Pride in the Park 2024.

08/10/2024

Violence, hatred, fear-mongering, and opposition will not usher in the Kindom of God.

08/07/2024

If following Jesus ain't gettin' you into trouble, you're not doing it right. I'm thinkin' of that good trouble John Lewis spoke about, that holy trouble Jesus got himself into.



Image found on Following Jesus