Among the words that Paul addresses to the Christians of Ephesus and beyond are ones that speak to us in these problematic days of COVID-19 when our physical unity as a community of faith is diminished for the sake of health and safety. In Ephesians 4:1 he writes, “I...
by Lana Burske, Director of FPC’s Weekday Preschool Center Every April in the United States one week is set aside to celebrate the young child, age birth through age 8, and recognize our responsibility to their health, education, welfare, and future....
My nickname for Luc is “Stretch”… he has been my saving grace these past few weeks. Each morning he teaches me about God’s love and grace in this solitude and isolation that can percolate anxiety and fear. We first head outside for...
“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it,...
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard,...
Our days in confinement and isolation are surely providing more time and opportunity for catching up on our reading lists and our neglected correspondence. A retired Methodist minister friend of mine with whom we have vacationed together for a week every year since...
A couple weeks ago, before we knew how COVID-19 would soon affect our lives, I attended one of the Lenten yoga classes with the youth small groups here at FPC. I walked to the church from my apartment, yoga mat tucked under my arm, and wondered what the evening would...
We are people of the Book, and in times of danger and worry we turn to the Good Book for strength, courage, comfort, and wisdom. The one full chapter from the Bible many of us know by heart is the 23rd Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie...
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they...
While the coronavirus pandemic has for a while dramatically altered our customary ways of living, working and even being church, it also has the potential for being a great and needed tutor for us as a people, if we are willing to learn from it. I said in a recent...
