JUSTIN’S FRIDAY CONTEMPLATIONS

Connecting to the Portico Community

Is Evil Winning?

By Justin LaRosa | June 3, 2022

(See Hyde Park’s pastoral statement at the end of this message)Many congregations gathered on Monday at The Portico for the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality‘s Justice Ministry Celebration. We…

Gathering Gatherers for The Gathering

By Justin LaRosa | June 3, 2022

Gathering Gatherers for The Gathering. Say that 3 times fast. It is a tongue twister. As The Portico Leadership team is planning and preparing for the fall weekly worship launch.…

Stop and Smell the Roses

By Justin LaRosa | May 19, 2022

Have you stopped to smell the roses? Here’s what I mean: When was the last time that you paused to celebrate transformation in your life, in a loved one’s life,…

New Name & Time

By Justin LaRosa | May 13, 2022

Friday ContemplationThings are cooking at The Portico. Here are a number of the exciting developments that I hope you will be a part of:New Time & Name. The Gathering meets…

Light in the Perfect Spot

By Justin LaRosa | May 6, 2022

Beam of Light: I returned yesterday from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Words are insufficient to describe the majesty and power of the experience. The above image was taken…

Wave the White Flag!

By Justin LaRosa | April 22, 2022

EASTER: Wow, what a morning! The Sunrise Service at Water Works Park was beautiful and powerful. Over 450 people gathered in a beautiful space to remember and respond to the…

Rise!

By Justin LaRosa | April 8, 2022

Friday ContemplationI am super pumped for all of the things going on at The Portico. Sunday is The Gathering at 10:30 and The Community Meal. We are building Mindi’s house.…

Give Grace!

By Justin LaRosa | March 26, 2022

Friday Contemplation: Forgiveness is complicated! Everyone wants it, but not everyone offers it (especially when others aren’t remorseful). Rembrandt’s masterpiece tells one of my favorite stories in the Bible from…

Find Your Piece

By Justin LaRosa | March 17, 2022

Friday Contemplation: Find your part! Each piece of the above wall/mosaic makes up the whole. The Apostle Paul (aka Saul) flushes this “every part matters” idea out in a few…

Spring Forward

By Justin LaRosa | March 11, 2022

Friday Contemplation: Spring Forward! Sunday the clocks move up at 2 a.m. to 3. Join The Gathering on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and the Community Meal at noon. Usually I…