In the Gospel of John, Jesus says to the disciples, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever … the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I...
I am really enjoying my unexpected extra 4 months to serve as one of your pastors. I deeply appreciate all your best wishes and inquiries into what my life will be like after I leave at the end of February. If you look up the word “retire” in a dictionary,...
As we enter the week leading up to Christmas, it might be busy around your house. We have to-do lists and the days seem to be flying. Amidst the busyness, however, you might also be caught up in the cyclical pattern of the year — time collapsing, taken back to...
Many still find the familiar and ancient words of the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed comforting and powerful. Even if after all these years we are not sure about the holy catholic church or the descent into hell. Or why is it necessary that we affirm that Jesus...
This Advent season, we are joyfully able to bring back some of our favorite children’s ministry traditions, including making Advent wreaths, decorating the gingerbread church, and our family Christmas Eve Nativity service. Some of them have had to be modified a...
As we enter winter and daylight hours are waning, as we walk through Advent, the theme of light and darkness is all around us. As each candle in the wreath is lit, we move closer toward the light that symbolizes Christ’s coming. As we sit in this time, waiting,...
Jesus got up from the table took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him…After he had washed their feet, had put on his...
It has been a week of blessings, big and small, unexpected reminders of God’s goodness and God’s people’s generosity. I’ve heard stories about our members tending to one another and to their neighbors, sometimes literally washing another’s feet. I know you are caring...
“Faith in Numbers.” Really? What does that even mean? The world is probably split, 50/50 as to those that HAVE “Faith in Numbers” and those that do NOT have “Faith in Numbers.” So, here’s a take on “Faith in Numbers.” Annually, we as a church of Faith, gather...
When Gentleness appears on the list of the Fruits of the Spirit, I usually wonder what kind of implications it has. Gentleness like non-violence? Gentleness like a calm and stoic demeanor? Gentleness like powerlessness? Gentleness like compassion? Gentleness like...
