In the first resurrection story in John, we explore the fear of the disciples and how they separate themselves from their own mission.

Finding joy in life by sharing peace
Easter 2C  |  John 20:19-31

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/04/27/living-beyond-fear-finding-joy-in-life-by-sharing-peace/

Living beyond fear (Easter 2C)

When the disciples run into Jesus, Peter acts like a fool, jumping into the water. Peter is the way into that feeling, to examine ourselves.

Intimacy, love, and discipleship
Easter 3C  |  John 21:1-19

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/05/04/too-close-to-jesus-intimacy-love-and-discipleship/

Too close to Jesus? (Easter 3C)

This week’s gospel wrestles with authority and identity in faith and politics, and thankfully, in Jesus, we have both teacher and messiah.

On faith, love, and mixed identities
Easter 4C  |  John 10:22-30

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/05/11/the-christians/

The Christians (Easter 4C)

Returning to the Last Supper, to the scene of great anxiety and fear, Jesus delivers a message of love when they are tempted to hate.

The will and practice of being more like Jesus
Easter 5C  |  John 13:31-35

text and more https://drewdowns.net/2025/05/18/loving-people-the-practice-of-being-more-like-jesus/

Loving People (Easter 5C)

Jesus makes a promise to his disciples about presence and peace that is fundamentally different than the promises of the world.

True peace, the Spirit, and actually living
Easter 6C  |  John 14:23-29

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/05/25/the-promise-true-peace-the-spirit-and-actually-living/

The Promise (Easter 6C)

Jesus prays, not just for his followers or for us, but for all peoples to find unity with him — an embrace of the transformative love of God.

an incredible oneness in love
Easter 7C  |  Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/06/01/one-serious-prayer-an-incredible-oneness-in-love/

One Serious Prayer (Easter 7C)

The Ascension of Christ is our opportunity to reflect on our relationship to Jesus, as followers and present participants.

the Ascension and modern discipleship
Ascension  |  Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/05/29/jesuss-leave-taking-the-ascension-and-modern-discipleship/

Jesus’s Leave-Taking (Ascension Day)

Before the Pentecost event, Jesus reminds his followers that their work and comfort come are the same: relational and active and loving.

Jesus’s teaching on (in)dependence
Pentecost  |  Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 (25-27)

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/06/08/befriending-the-spirit/

Befriending the Spirit (Pentecost)

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is told to people mocking Jesus for inviting them to love God more than they love mammon.

the seductive power of wealth is a rejection of faith
Proper 21C  |  Luke 16:19-31

text and more: https://drewdowns.net/2025/09/21/on-not-reading-it-wrong-choosing-god-over-money/

Blindspots (Proper 21C)

Drew is an Episcopal priest and blogger living in Western Indiana who is obsessed with building up a vibrant and authentic church and 90’s era dreampop. He is the rector of St. Stephen's in Terre Haute, Indiana. While working on an MFA at Emerson College, Drew was called to a new ministry that transcends both decaying structures and 50’s era ugliness. His blog is about seeking an authentic faith that is expressive, worshipful, artistic, and transformative.