We celebrate moms and all of those people who provide nurture and care for us. And for many of us, that's our moms. For many of us, that's an aunt, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher. And so we celebrate that work uh today and the ways that it has played out in our lives and the ways we're able to serve other people uh through that kind of care. [00:11:43] Making vertical captioned clip



What has always been true in each version of the series is that it examines the human condition. That's really what sci-fi does is it examines the human condition. It takes a look at who we are and then makes these suppositions about what life will be like if we move forward differently is if we move forward unchanged. What what comes of us as a people? It's a close examination of humanity taking the issues of the day and projecting them into the space of the future. [00:14:14] Making vertical captioned clip



The fact that this piece of scripture has limited the participation of women in the fullness of ministry is a loss for the church. Full stop. It's a loss for the kingdom. It's a loss for the message of Jesus Christ. And I'm hopeful that more people who study this passage and who consider it thoughtfully will only increase the number of people who recognize that we are all called as we are made into the fullness of God's kingdom and the ministry of Jesus Christ in kingdom building. [00:22:20] Making vertical captioned clip



Learning how to study difficult or confusing passages is important work. It's hard work, but it's important work. It raises for us questions about what the Bible is and how it is we're to interact with it in our daily lives. So, we're going to use this particular kind of third rail scripture, if you will, to dive into this work today. [00:22:47] Making vertical captioned clip



I delayed going to seminary for many years because the person who was a spiritual influence in my life. Any number of people um told me that they would never go to a church where there was a woman as a pastor. And and so I just kept delaying it thinking I I I must be misunderstanding my call. I I just didn't have a model for it. [00:24:20] Making vertical captioned clip



If we're interpreting something as literal, how did we determine to do so there and not other places? There's a famous book called a year of living year living biblically. women, women living biblically where uh this writer, I commend this book to you, takes uh every piece of scripture about uh many pieces of scripture about how women should live and tries to live it faithfully. And as you read it, you'll realize how nearly impossible it is. [00:30:30] Making vertical captioned clip



We are all interpreting scripture. To claim that we are not, that we're just reading it and doing what it says without interpretation is dishonest. It's dishonest because we don't have a choice. Our brains are in the business of interpreting or making sense. And we bring our experience and our traditions and our prior knowledge to the table without even meaning to. We bring our cultural lens to the table because we can't leave home without it. [00:31:28] Making vertical captioned clip



The Bible is a human book that reveals the divine. It is an inspired work. It is divinely inspired but it is written by human hands. The only inherent truth and the Bible says this. The only inherent truth is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh. It's not an eitheror with the Bible. It's not either that it's divine or it's a human book. It's both. [00:32:01] Making vertical captioned clip



We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole. as a whole. The Bible is a library of all different kinds of literature. When we receive a love poem from someone, right, and they go, "Oh, your eyes sparkle like the vastness of the whatever." We don't go, "Oh, right. Is there a problem?" Right? You are to me like the mountain is strong. I'm not that tall. I mean, we we understand that poetry, right, is a certain kind of literature. [00:32:54] Making vertical captioned clip



The text we just read from first Timothy is the only text in all of scripture that explicitly sets a limit on women to be silent. And if taken literally, I think it actually contradicts the larger chapter it sits in, which whose purpose is to discuss public prayer specifically. So what does the Bible say about women in ministry if we're to interpret it in light of the whole? [00:34:04] Making vertical captioned clip



The conversation that Jesus has with the Samaritan woman at the well is the longest conversation Jesus has with anyone in all of recorded scripture. Why would Jesus spend all that time talking theology with a woman if he doesn't hope she's going to share it with someone else? And it is a theological conversation. I hope you'll reread it. [00:35:40] Making vertical captioned clip



So, do we allow one particular and I would suggest limited interpretation of a sentence or two in First Timothy that is the only scripture of its kind on the role of women to be the lens through which we view everything else? Or could it be that the more Bible believing approach, if you will, would be the opposite? [00:36:54] Making vertical captioned clip



First, it's the reason we're called to learn in community. We're called to learn in community. We certainly study and we read individually, but we also come together in community where we can share knowledge, where we can share understanding, where we can share perspective, and together we can help one another learn more about who God is and consider what that means for us. [00:42:57] Making vertical captioned clip



We read scripture to learn more about the character of the God who has been at work throughout human history and made known in the person of Jesus Christ. That's why we read scripture. Many of you have heard me tell this story before. I just shared it with my friend Greg earlier this week, but I'm going to tell it again. [00:43:59] Making vertical captioned clip



If my life has any story to tell with my words, with my doing, with my very being, I want it to be the story of the God who is with us. I'm a preacher because I want that to be the story and the course of your life as well. Amen. [00:48:42] Making vertical captioned clip

Certainly! Here's the cleaned-up, readable version of the transcript with appropriate line and paragraph breaks, preserving the original words and correcting obvious AI mistakes:

---

Hey. Good morning, Vine Church. We are so delighted that you decided to join us today. We got some mimosas back there, and we got some little snacks if you guys would like to partake of that. But we also invite you now to stand and join with us as we worship together in song.

I have seen dreams and move the mountains
Hope it doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
Everybody falls sometimes
Got to find the strength to rise from the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone could feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
Stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You got to face the clouds to find the silver lining

I've seen trees and move the mountains
Hope it doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

What you think impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
They decide to take that step out on the water
But it'll be all right

Life is so much more than what your eyes see
You will find a way if you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope it doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I see miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope it doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

That's what faith can do

Even if you fall, sometimes you will have the strength to rise.

I was a wretch. I remember who I was.
I was lost. I was blind. I was running out of time.
Sin separated. The breach was far too wide.
But from the far side of the chasm, you held me in your sight.
And you made a way across the great divide.

Left behind heaven's throne to build it here inside.
There at the cross, you paid the debt I owed.
Broke my chains, freed my soul.
For the first time, I had hope.

So thank you, Jesus, for the blood of life.
Thank you, Jesus, you have washed me white.
Thank you, Jesus, you have saved my life.
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light.

Took my place, laid inside my tomb of sin.
You were buried for three days, but then you walked right out again.
And now death has no sting and life has no end.
For I have been transformed by the blood of the Lamb.

Thank you, Jesus, for the blood of life.
Thank you, Jesus, it has washed me white.
Thank you, Jesus, you have saved my life.
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light.

There is nothing stronger than the wonder-working power of the blood.
The blood that calls us sons and daughters.
We are ransomed by our Father through the blood.
The blood.

There's nothing stronger than the wonder-working power of the blood.
The blood that calls us sons and daughters.
We are ransomed by our Father through the blood.
The blood.

Thank you, Jesus, for the blood applied.
Thank you, Jesus, it has washed me white.
Thank you, Jesus, you have saved my life.
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light.

Saturday was silent. Surely it was through.
Since when has impossible ever stopped you?
Friday's disappointment and Sunday's empty tomb.
Since when has impossible ever stopped you?

Oh, this is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the praise make a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I'm coming out
I'm going to live, going to live again

This is the sound of the dry bones rattling
Pentecostal fire stirring something new
You're not going to run out of miracles anytime soon
Resurrection power runs in my veins, too

I believe there's another miracle here in this room
This is the sound of the dry bones rattling
This is the praise making a dead man walk again
Open the grave, I'm coming out
I'm going to live, going to live again

This is the sound of the dry bones running
My God is able to save and deliver and heal and restore anything that he wants to
Just ask the man who was born on the bones of Elisha if there's anything that he can do
Just ask the stone that was rolled in the garden, what happens when God sets the rules?
I feel it moving now. I feel it now. I feel it now. Do it now. Do it now.

This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the sound of dry bones rattling
This is the sound of dry bones rattling

Amen. Would you join me in a word of prayer?

Let us pray.

Heavenly God, we thank you, Lord, that you bring us to this space and that as we gaze up into the stars, we can take a look deeper inside.
So God, as we continue our sermon series on Star Trek and Star Wars, Lord, help us to have the wonder of you and the wonder of creation.
Thank you so much, Lord, for bringing us to this space. We ask that you anoint Pastor Katie as she brings the word today.
Help us to glorify your name and to be in awe of you.
We thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

And good morning, Vine Church. You may be seated.

Happy Mother's Day. And to those of you at home, glad that you are worshiping with us today, wherever you find yourselves.

Today, we celebrate moms and all of those people who provide nurture and care for us.
And for many of us, that's our moms.
For many of us, that's an aunt, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher.
And so we celebrate that work today and the ways that it has played out in our lives and the ways we're able to serve other people through that kind of care.

We're continuing our Treks and Stars sermon series, where we're looking at Star Trek and Star Wars as just a way for us to go into the gospel together.
If you were here last week, you know that I'm doing this sermon series under duress.
I am not a super fan or an aficionado of either series.
But everyone I work with on staff is.
And so I held them off for as many years as I could and finally relented.

Some of you, after the first sermon last week, sent me emails this week with your special Star Wars theories and suggestions, and you wanted to go deep.
And I'm afraid I disappointed you when I responded with emails that sounded something like "neat."
But I want to tell you that if you are looking for a deep conversation partner with sci-fi, the whole rest of the staff are your people.
They're waving. They want this. They're longing for these emails to come to them.
Their email addresses are in your worship guide.

Having said that, I did also confess to you last week that it's not that what I normally view is higher brow.
It's just that a sermon series on the Real Housewives is less, I don't know, depth to it.
But I've learned, I'm learning to really appreciate sci-fi.
And so, I confess that to you.

As today is Mother's Day, when we were lining up the sermon series, we decided to pick a strong female character as our jumping-off point.
And so today we're looking at Lieutenant Uhura, who comes to us from Star Trek.

A little bit of history for you if you're not a Trekkie:
The series Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry in the mid-1960s.
It's gone through many iterations since then, and I have found myself in deep trouble when I try to refer to something I've learned about Star Trek with a real Trekkie, and they go, "Oh, you mean The Next Generation?"
I'm like, "Ah, shoot. Did I say it? I said it wrong. I said the wrong one."
There's a lot of them. It's turned into this really incredible universe.

But what has always been true in each version of the series is that it examines the human condition.
That's really what sci-fi does: it examines the human condition.
It takes a look at who we are and then makes these suppositions about what life will be like if we move forward differently or if we move forward unchanged.
What comes of us as a people?
It's a close examination of humanity, taking the issues of the day and projecting them into the space of the future.

Now, Gene Roddenberry had a complex relationship with faith, and it's been interesting for me to read about it.
You can find lots of information if you look.
Last week, we talked about George Lucas, and he had this really intentional process of faith.
Rodenberry's is a bit more complex.
But what is clear is that values around cooperation, peace, dignity, respect for diversity, reliance on reason—these were important to him to include in what he created.

He was certainly an imperfect man of his time, but the series somehow managed to move, I think, humanity forward in important ways.
Rodenberry pretty clearly rejects dogma or doctrine that's imposed and encourages this kind of spiritual searching.
He's credited with advancing diversity on popular television, including the role of women in key positions on the bridge of the starship Enterprise.

Thus, my Mother's Day T-shirt gift: a woman's place is on the bridge.
He’s credited with this.

Lieutenant Uhura is a translator and a communications officer.
She's the key to solving all sorts of issues throughout the series.
She eventually even becomes a commander of the starship Enterprise.
She was one of the first Black characters in all of popular television to play a role that wasn't menial.

That wasn't menial.
Whoopi Goldberg, in her autobiography, says that when she was a young child, she saw Lieutenant Uhura on television and she ran and yelled to her parents, "I just saw a Black woman on television and she wasn't a maid."
It astounded her to have this model, this representation in front of her.

Michelle Nichols is the woman who played Uhura.
She was mostly a stage actress, a singer, a Broadway star.
She portrayed the character the first year and then considered leaving the series to go back to the stage, which was her more preferred home.
And from her own telling, she changed her mind and stayed with Star Trek after she received time—after she spent time with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who explained to her that her character was playing an important cultural role.

Apparently, he told her that Star Trek was the only show that he and Coretta Scott King allowed their children to watch.
And this is the quote she says from Dr. King:
"Don't you understand? For the first time, we're seen as we should be seen. You don't have a Black role. You have an equal role. You are our image of where we're going. You are 300 years from now. And that means that where we are, you are 300 years from now, and that means that's where we are, and it takes place now. Keep doing what you're doing. You are an inspiration."

In the later 1970s, NASA used Michelle Nichols in a campaign to encourage women and African Americans in particular to consider the field of science and to work in space aeronautics as a career.
Take a look at this brief clip from a Smithsonian contact establishment video.

Seeing someone like Lieutenant Uhura on that stage and always right behind the captain's shoulder was a big thing.
I felt I could probably do that, too.
Well, she's the most important person on the bridge.
When Lieutenant Uhura says "Captain," everybody turns around to look.
You cannot help but fall in love with her.

Starfleet Command extends greetings to Commissioner Beiel of the planet.
And remember, this wasn't really the 23rd century. It was the 1960s, at the height of the civil rights movement.
The vision of her on the bridge as a member of the crew was such a powerful message to African Americans at the time of what might be possible.

Analysis sector:
I didn't see any other women playing roles like that when I was growing up.
You know, they had either some domestic job, or they might have been actresses or dancers.
African Americans saw the show and went, "You know, like, we're on TV."
She presented a totally out-of-the-box opportunity for us to think, "Hey, that might be possible."

There were southern stations that told NBC, "Well, we're not going to run the show because you have a Black woman on the bridge, and there's a place for you on the starship Enterprise. We're all going to the stars. Not some of us, not just white men. We are all going."

There were many little girls—Black, white, yellow, brown, red, green—who wanted to be.
And the clip that was edited awkwardly, I apologize, where it says that many southern stations wouldn't play the show, the woman explaining what Gene Roddenberry said to studio executives, includes a word we don't use in church.
That's why that part was cut.

But he said, "No, this is the way we're going to do this show. Representation matters."
There was plenty of resistance to the representation of a woman on the bridge and a Black woman.
So Star Trek pushed the issue as far as they could.

In 1968, they wrote a script with one of the first interracial kisses on television, between the wildly popular and handsome Captain Kirk and Uhura.
I was going to show it to you, but it's very hard to watch.
So you may Google it yourselves after church, or if the sermon gets boring, go for it.
It's dramatic, and yes, it's silly, but it was so important.

According to William Shatner's recollection, the scene was supposed to be filmed two ways: one with the kiss and one without, because they feared it wouldn't be shown on television.
They needed an option where it wasn't included.
Shatner and Michelle Nichols refused, and they filmed every shot—including the kiss—so there wouldn't be an option of not using it.

I told that story to my kids as I was preparing this sermon, and they were like, "Wait, why?"
Because they couldn't fathom that television wouldn't show diversity.
I'm thankful for that.
It doesn't mean we've arrived, but I'm thankful for that truth.

So, we chose this topic—the importance of representation, the importance of disruption, the importance of standing for something even when there's significant power behind an opposing view.
We decided to allow it to inspire us to look at a controversial piece of scripture today about the role of women, particularly the role of women in the church.

It comes from 1 Timothy.
For generations in the church, this scripture has been interpreted by many to mean that women should be silent in the church—more specifically, that women should not be pastors and certainly cannot be in positions of leadership over men.

I'm sure everyone is waiting with baited breath to find out where I fall on the issue.
Not really.
But I think it deserves discussion, thoughtful discussion, for several reasons.

First, the fact that this piece of scripture has limited the participation of women in the fullness of ministry is a loss for the church.
Full stop.
It's a loss for the kingdom.
It's a loss for the message of Jesus Christ.
And I'm hopeful that more people who study this passage and consider it thoughtfully will only increase the number of people who recognize that we are all called as we are made into the fullness of God's kingdom and the ministry of Jesus Christ in kingdom-building.

And secondly, because learning how to study difficult or confusing passages is important work.
It's hard work, but it's important work.
It raises questions about what the Bible is and how we are to interact with it in our daily lives.

So, we're going to use this particular kind of "third rail" scripture, if you will, to dive into this work today.

Now, I know for a fact that people feel passionately—this is clearly not a past-tense issue in the church.
Conversations about the role of women, women in ministry, have been really alive this week.
This week, as a new pope is elected and all sorts of questions are raised again in other denominations or practices.

Let me say: we recognize a universal church—one God, one church—and we see different interpretations played out.
But we recognize one another as siblings.
Right?
So, this is not offered as disrespect but as a way to interpret scripture.

I know for a fact that people feel passionately about their interpretation of this scripture because they've told me so—many times, in many contexts.

And before I tell this story, I want to name clearly that I am a person of incredible privilege and I always have been.
So, this story is not an effort to say I have it bad, but simply an anecdote—an entry point—to recognize that this issue continues to play out.

My whole career—over 20 years in ministry—when I began, I didn't have a female pastor model.
I didn't have a woman as a pastor.
And I delayed going to seminary for many years because the spiritual influences in my life, many of whom I trusted, told me they would never go to a church where there was a woman as a pastor.

So I kept delaying, thinking I must be misunderstanding my call.
I just didn't have a model for it.

When I did go and began to step into ministry, I had plenty of people tell me it was the wrong choice.
They would quote some version of 1 Timothy and say something like, "I'm just a Bible-believing person," or, "I'm from a Bible-believing church."
You've heard me say before: when people say that to me, I desperately want to ask, "What book? The Bible?"
As if the rest of us are reading Vogue or something as our definitive text.

I'm a Bible-believing person as well.
Here's one story:
Years ago, I was doing a graveside funeral service.
It was a service where part of it was in the church and part graveside.
The whole funeral was graveside.

I was wearing my robe, a stole, and a clergy cross that literally has the Methodist symbol on it.
There was a program with the name of the church I serve and my full title.
There was no other pastor presiding with me.
In short, there was no way to misunderstand who I was and what I was there to do.

As I conducted the service, I became very aware of an older gentleman who was just staring at me—not in the kind of way like Brian, who's just so invested right now, waiting with baited breath.
It was more in an uncomfortable way.

When the service was over, I was greeting people, speaking to the family and friends of the deceased, and I realized this man was behind me, just off my shoulder, waiting.

When everyone had cleared, he came up to me.
I extended my hand, and he took it and shook it, then said, "I don't believe in lady pastors."
And everything in me wanted to say, "Well, this must be a big day for you," as if I were the Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy.
I mean, I could have said, "Here it is," but I didn't.

I said, "Well, I'm Katie, and I'm delighted to meet you."
He asked, "Are you ordained?"
I replied, "Yes, sir. I am a United Methodist Elder in full connection."
He went through a series of questions, and we were still shaking hands.

It was one of those long, awkward moments, and not every story about this kind of interaction ends this way, but I want to tell you how this one ended.

He shook my hand for a few more seconds, looked at me, and said, "I was sure I would never like a lady pastor, but I think you've changed my mind."
A slow clap.
Wow. That was like an afterschool special, Chris—that was beautiful.

A nice slow clap.
Thank you for that.
Thank you for that.

Representation matters.
Slow clap.

So, let's dive into this piece of scripture that has been interpreted differently over time.
It comes from 1 Timothy, which is a letter written by Paul to the church in Ephesus.

"Let a woman learn in silence with full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She is to keep silent.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control."

This is the word of God for us, the people of God.

Let's dive in.

Now, the issue for me—those who interpret this as an inherent, errorless directive—is that if you back up a few sentences before that, not chapters, but just a few sentences, here's what you'll find:

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
Also that the women should dress themselves in moderate clothing, with reverence and self-control, not with their hair braided or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God."

No hair braided, no gold, no pearls, no expensive clothes.

So I ask my Bible-believing friends:
Do the same churches that don't ordain women or allow them in leadership also refuse to allow women in their church with braided hair or wearing a pearl stud or a gold ring?
I've never seen it applied that way.
Feels a little bit selective to me.

Or, if we're going all-in with the idea of inherency in Paul's letters, here's a fun one:
Paul says at least four times in his different letters that when we see one another, we should greet each other with a holy kiss.
Who puckered up on their way in this morning?
How did it go for you, Mark?
Everyone should wear chapstick next week.

I could go on and on, of course, and I don't mean to be dismissive.
I'm aware that this comes with a little bit of snark, but I do think we need to consider thoughtfully and reasonably our interpretive lens.

If we're interpreting something as literal, how did we decide to do so here and not in other places?

There's a famous book called *A Year of Living Biblically*, where a writer takes every piece of scripture about how women should live and tries to live it faithfully.
As you read it, you'll realize how nearly impossible it is.

We are all interpreting scripture.
It should lead us to some questions:
Why are we selecting what's literal and what isn't?
Is it because of our own cultural context?
Is it because of the ways we were taught?
Who does that serve?
Is there a reason behind it that we should ask some questions or at least be thoughtful about?

I'll say it again: we are all interpreting scripture.
To claim that we are not—that we're just reading it and doing what it says without interpretation—is dishonest.
It's dishonest because we don't have a choice.
Our brains are in the business of interpreting or making sense.
We bring our experience, our traditions, and our prior knowledge to the table—often without even realizing it.

We bring our cultural lens because we can't leave home without it.

So, here's what I want us to hear:
I believe the Bible is a human book that reveals the divine.
It is an inspired work—divinely inspired—but it is written by human hands.
The only inherent truth in the Bible is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh.

It's not an either/or: divine or human.
It's both.

When we say the Bible is God's Word, we don't need to be threatened by the fact that it has a complex history, contains complex themes, stories, and accounts, and that everyone who reads it interprets it.

Number two:
We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole.
The Bible is a library of many different kinds of literature.

For example, when someone shares a love poem—"Your eyes sparkle like the vastness of the universe"—we don't go, "Oh, right. Is there a problem?"
We understand poetry is a certain kind of literature.

When someone shares a letter from their grandmother saying, "You are the single best human being that ever lived," we recognize it's a personal letter, not a universal command.

Different types of literature serve different purposes.
So, we look at any individual text in light of the whole Bible.

For example, the passage from 1 Timothy is the only scripture that explicitly limits women to be silent.
And if taken literally, it seems to contradict the larger chapter, which discusses public prayer.

What does the Bible say about women in ministry if we interpret it in light of the whole?
Romans 16, for instance, mentions Junia among the apostles, as a standout.
Anna is a prophet.
Phoebe is a deacon.
Paul refers to Priscilla as a co-worker in Christ.
In Acts, women at the tomb are the first preachers—telling the men, "He is not here; He has risen."
The fact that they are believed and the men call it an idle tale is dramatic irony.

In John, the woman at the well is credited with leading many Samaritans to Christ because of her testimony.
She is celebrated as an evangelist.

Jesus' longest recorded conversation is with the Samaritan woman at the well.
He spends a lot of time with her, not reprimanding her, but encouraging her to go and tell.

The Old Testament also has examples:
Deborah was a prophetess and judge.
In 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, Huldah was sought out for her profound interpretation of scrolls.
Miriam was a prophet.
Esther saved the Jewish people through her boldness.

So, do we allow one limited interpretation of a single verse in 1 Timothy to be the lens through which we view everything else?
Or is the more biblical approach the one that considers the entire witness of Scripture?

At Pentecost, in Acts, we hear:
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit."
Which of them?
Your sons and daughters.
Your young men will see visions.
Your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

Number three:
In your listening guide, we consider the specific context when interpreting individual texts.
To better understand what’s happening in any specific passage, it’s wise to learn about the historical and cultural setting.

In first-century Judaism, for example, the instruction in 1 Timothy might be countercultural because women learning was often discouraged.
In fact, there was plenty of instruction that women couldn't learn, according to tradition.

From Paul's perspective, he might be offering a correction to a particular group of people in a context where women were learning.

Also, the Greek word translated as "silence" in that passage is used elsewhere in the next chapter and beyond, translated as "quiet," "respectful," or "peaceful."
This suggests that the command may not be an absolute for all women at all times.

Many scholars believe Paul was addressing specific false teachings in Ephesus, where some pagan practices involved women as mediators of spiritual truth—believed to be the first spiritual beings, needing to be sought out for spiritual insight.

Paul's correction might be emphasizing that women are not superior to men in spiritual matters.
He instructs them to go directly to God in prayer, quietly and respectfully.

He is combating Gnostic heresy prevalent in Ephesus, which suggested women were divine or spiritual beings, and that goddess Artemis protected women in childbirth.
Paul corrects this, affirming that God is the author and protector of all life.

In short, Paul is writing to a specific community at a specific time, aiming to correct misunderstandings.

If you're like me, you might feel frustrated at this point—wondering why we can't just read and apply the Bible straightforwardly.
Why do we need to learn about first-century Judaism or Greek words?

Well, thank you for that honest question.
First, we are called to learn in community.
We study individually, but we also gather to share insights, understanding, and perspectives—helping each other grow in faith.

Second, the Bible is both accessible and complex.
It's meant to be read and heard, but also studied carefully.

So, we should ask:
What do we understand the Bible to be?
How should we approach it?

My answer:
We read scripture to learn about the character of the God who has been at work throughout human history, made known in Jesus Christ.

Let me share a story:
As I was finishing my Hebrew Bible class in seminary, my professor—a scholar and archaeologist—came in on final exam day.
He placed a stack of blue books and exams on the desk with a loud thud.
My heart sank—thinking, "That doesn't sound good."
He then pulled out a small pocket Bible, leaned on the desk, and said, "I don't know how you're going to do on this exam. I hope you do well because I think this information matters. But what I do know is, all of you are hoping to go into ministry in some way."

He held up his Bible and said,
"This is the story of God's extraordinary care for all of creation. Remember that, and you'll do well."
He then put it in his pocket, and we took the exam.

I didn't write "God's extraordinary care for all" on every answer, but I thought it was clever.
It made an impression on me that one of the greatest minds in the field emphasized understanding the context, but at the end of the day, the core message is that God's care for all creation is the key.

Every type of literature—story, letter, prophecy, poem, dream—speaks to the extraordinary care of the God who loves us and is with us.

So, here are three simple ways I invite you to engage with scripture when you choose to do so:

1. What did this passage mean to its original hearers?
2. What part does it play in the Bible's overall witness?
3. What does God seem to be saying to my life, my community, and the world through this passage?

And the fourth, personal step:
How do I apply it?

Remember, I am called to be a teller of God's story, and so are you—whoever you are, whatever your story.

I want you to know: you are also called to be a teller of God's story.

Even more important than any interpretive argument I could make about 1 Timothy or any other scripture is this:
I am a preacher because I have experienced the grace and goodness of God, and I can't keep it to myself.

I'm a preacher because God's love is so great, I can't simply claim it for myself and remain silent—except in limited circumstances.

If my life has any story to tell, I want it to be the story of the God who is with us.

And I pray that the course of your life also reflects that story.

Amen. And amen.

Would you pray with me?

God, we give you thanks for your word.
We thank you for this sacred text that reveals your love and care for us.
We thank you that through Jesus Christ, we see the fullness of your Word made flesh—your Word lived out in boundary-breaking, gracious, loving, healing ways that lead us to be just, gracious, and loving people ourselves.

God, we confess that we have fallen short—each of us.
We bring to the table stories, experiences, teachings, and contexts that can make it hard to hear you clearly.
We ask for forgiveness for ways we have failed to love you by loving others.

As we come to this table, we thank you that you do not hold our failures against us.
We thank you that your grace frees us—frees us for joyful obedience, new paths, and new ways.
Help us to set aside what needs to be set aside.

Use this food to fill us and to make us more like you.
We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We come to this table to remember—the night before Jesus was betrayed, when he gathered with his friends for a holy meal.
He took bread, broke it, gave thanks, and shared it, saying, "This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
In a few days, his body would be broken, and it wouldn't make sense. It would be confusing and frightening. But he told his friends—and us—that he is with us always, even to the end of the age.

After supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and shared it, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me."
This cup is a sign of hope, of new life, of God's love for us just as we are.

So, we come to this table each week to remember—to remember together.
It's another way we are in community, because it's easy to forget.
It's a time to be restored with God and with each other.

In a moment, you will be invited to come forward to receive a gluten- and allergen-free cracker, then dip it in the juice.
Return to your seat, and spend some time in prayer—talking with God about forgiveness, worries, hopes, or gratitude.
You might visit the prayer wall or lift up prayers for others.

Let us pray.

God, pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and juice.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ, that we might be transformed into more of you.
Use us as we are. Shape us to be more like you.

Thank you for this holy meal.
Thank you for the people we share it with.
Thank you for your presence here with us now.
Thank you for the story of your love, which gives us hope and freedom.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

You don't need to be a member of this church—or any church—to come and taste and see.
It's God's invitation.
We simply set the table, and it is prepared for you.

Won't you come?

[Music continues]

You're singing over me
You've been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You've been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights till I'm found, leaves the 99
I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it
Still, You give Yourself away

All the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You've been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

All the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Amen. What a joy to worship together.
And again, happy Mother's Day.
I hope you find time today for a phone call or a moment of gratitude—whether for your mother, a mentor, or someone who has nurtured and cared for you.

I recognize that Mother's Day isn't joyous for everyone.
There are complex relationships and feelings.
If today is difficult for you, please reach out—me or someone else—so we can be a place of care.

And if you're visiting with us today, please fill out the connect card with your contact info, prayer requests, or ways you'd like to get involved.
It's a great way to communicate, and sometimes people even doodle on it!

Thank you for your generosity.
Your giving allows us to be the church.
There’s a QR code in front of you for one-time or recurring donations.
Your support helps us plan for the future.

Today, all our usual Sunday activities are happening.
Stretch and Sip, our yoga church service, is at 5 p.m.—in person or online.
At 6 p.m., we have various groups:
Children’s Jump Worship,
Grassroots for 4th–6th graders (who will be doing a cleanup in Dunloring Park next Sunday),
Youth Group, and
Apply, an adult Bible study that looks at today’s scripture and how it applies to our lives.
Tonight, Brian Ourn is leading.

Next Sunday, immediately after church, Grassroots will be doing a community cleanup.
They’ve coordinated with Fairfax County and received resources for that.

Our young people are also advocating for themselves—writing letters to local schools with curriculum suggestions.
We’re proud of them.

If you have a child or neighbor in that age group, send them our way.

Many other things are happening in the life of the church.
Please take a look and find ways to get involved.

Would you stand if you're able and receive this blessing?

May the nurturing and caring love of God—the God who wraps us like a mother hen with protective wings, the God who provides gracious love and friendship for the journey—dwell with you richly.

And may you go from this place to be a teller of God's story, in peace.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

[Music continues]

My God is able to save and deliver and heal and restore anything that he wants to.
Just ask the man who was told on the bones of Elisha—there's anything that he can do.
Just ask the stone that was rolled in the garden—what happens when God sets the rules?
I feel it moving now. I feel it doing it now. I feel it doing it now.
Do it now. Do it now.

This is the sound of dry bones rattling.
This is the sound of dry bones rattling.
This is the sound of dry bones rattling.
This is the sound of dry bones rattling.

Have a great week, everybody.
Please keep worshiping together.

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Let me know if you'd like any further adjustments!

Subject: Empowered Voices: Celebrating Inclusion and Representation in Faith

Dear The VineVa,

I hope you are reflecting on the powerful reminder that representation matters and that we are all called to be tellers of God’s story.

Last Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day by looking at Lieutenant Uhura from Star Trek—a groundbreaking character who showed us the importance of inclusion and breaking barriers, especially for women and people of color. We wrestled with a difficult passage from 1 Timothy that has often been used to silence women in the church, and we explored how scripture calls us to look deeper, to interpret in context, and to recognize the full witness of God’s work through women in ministry and leadership. Ultimately, we remembered that the Bible is a human book revealing the divine, and that Jesus Christ is the true Word we follow, inviting all of us to participate fully in God’s kingdom.

I want to challenge you to consider how your own assumptions and interpretations shape your faith and community. Don’t settle for easy answers or selective readings—ask what the whole story of scripture says about who God calls and equips. And if you find yourself wrestling with hard questions or old barriers, remember that God’s grace is bigger than our limitations, and that your voice and story matter in building the church we are called to be.

Blessings,
The VineVa Team