December 2023 Advent devotional: “Topsy-turvy” by the Rev. Hannah Hawkinson
In her song, Mary, the mother of Jesus, praises God for turning the world upside down--or perhaps, turning the world right-side-up! Gather's annual Advent devotional focuses on the Magnificat song of Mary (see Luke 1:46b-55), as well as parallel topsy-turvy stories of...
Fall 2023: “Holy places,” a three-session Bible study by the Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
Physical places often shape our identities, relationships and faith. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it,” Paul writes. Part of what this means is that faith doesn’t just reside in our thoughts or emotions. Faith resides in our whole bodies,...
Summer 2023 Bible study: Salvation Now by the Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen
Session One: Promised Salvation Now—Jesus Brings Wellness Of all the gospel writers, John is uniquely concerned about the effectiveness of Jesus’ immediate presence. One clue is his regular use of the word “now,” a tiny but powerful word which appears more here than...
May 2023 devotional: Love in action The art of intergenerational hospitality by Sarah Carson
Love in action The art of intergenerational hospitality by Sarah Carson In writing to the Romans, Paul advised this early Christian community: "For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body...
Winter/Spring 2023 Bible study, “The Ten Commandments” by The Rev. Christa von Zychlin
The Ten Commandments by the Rev. Christa von Zychlin Join Gather magazine and revive your soul in 2023 with a four-session study of the 10 commandments. ELCA pastor and Bible study author Christa von Zychlin will help us see how these commandments are more than they...
Advent 2022 devotional: Good things come in small packages
by Becca Ehrlich We Americans often have way more stuff than we actually need. The average American home has 300,000 things in it. As a country, we are constantly adding to our possessions and building bigger and bigger homes to fit everything. No matter how much we...
Fall 2022: Jesus and nature: Teachers of Faith
Jesus and nature: Teachers of Faith by the Rev. Sara Olson-Smith Jesus often turned to the natural world in teaching, opening our eyes to see creation not just as something to be cared for, but as our teacher and kindred. It is no mistake that Jesus, who lovingly...
Summer 2022: Crafted in Christ — A summer of rest and renewal
by the Rev. Katie Hines-Shah For summer 2022, participants will enjoy a three-session Bible study that uses the concept of quilting to explore rest, renewal and Christian community. We’ll discuss Old and New Testament readings as we consider the patterns we follow and...
Winter 2022: The kingdom of God by the Rev. Mark Allan Powell
The Rev. Dr. Mark Allan Powell, the author of Gather’s four-part Bible study on “The kingdom of heaven,” has responded to questions about session 4. Thank you for sharing your concerns and questions. The kingdom of God: What does it mean for God to be in charge? by...