In: Abiding in Christ Through Life’s TransitionsRev. Kristen Hawley greets parishioners on Mother’s Day and reflects on last year’s sermon word “with,” introducing this year’s word from the Gospel: “in,” or “abide.” Drawing from Jesus’ promises (“I am in my Father,” “the Spirit will be in you”) and Paul (“In him we live and move and have our being”), she describes “being in” as the central lens through which life is interpreted, like a marriage serving as the nucleus that steadies everything else. She situates the Gospel in the disciples’ anxious transition before the Ascension, noting Jesus offers not a “spiritual GPS” but presence through the Holy Spirit, continuing Christ’s life among them. Using C.S. Lewis and nesting dolls, she emphasizes God’s indwelling closeness and invites congregants to remember they are already in God, live in love, and be a welcoming, life-giving church amid life’s changes.00:00 Mothers Day Welcome00:12 Last Years Word With01:24 Todays Word In02:33 What It Means To Be In03:36 Marriage As The Center04:36 No Map Just Presence05:21 Gospel Context And Transition07:26 Promise Of The Advocate09:08 Indwelling Not Distance10:55 C S Lewis And Nesting Dolls13:03 Abide In Me Looks Like Love14:11 Steadiness Through Transitions15:02 A Church Alive In Christ17:25 Final Invitation To Live In
