Blog (Page 4)
News and thoughts
Pastor’s Column – Aug 2022
Oxford Dictionary defines play…as “an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children.” And then there’s the sea, wide and deep, with its countless creatures – living things, both small and large. There got the ships on it, and Leviathan, which you made, plays in it. Psalm 104:25-26 (CEB) As I write this article we are gearing up for the first day of vacation bible school. Knowing the adults who are helping and the kids who are signed…
Pastor’s Column – July 2022
She began her sermon with a question, “What is the address of the church?” Those in the pews did not know whether they should respond or not. To be honest, her question felt like a trap and they did not want to fall for it. She asked the question again, “what is the address of the church?” One congregation member who found the silence unsettling raised his hand and gave the mailing address of the church. She said, “Very good.…
Pastor’s Column – May 2022
New Life is Right Here Maybe todaywe can take a moment.Maybe todaywe can silence the inner critic.Maybe todaywe can leave perfection at the door.Maybe today we can allow ourselves to behere.Maybe that’s all that matter.Maybe this sunrise is for you.Maybe these Hallelujahs are for us.Maybe the hope blooming in my chestis for us.Maybe the resurrection was not just about God’s body,but is about our body.Maybe this new life reaches all the way to the edges.Maybe we are free to live…
Pastor’s Column – Apr 2022
Water Marks Jesus probably kneeled down.He probably took Peter’s heelin his handsto wash his feet.And I wonder if they both thought of Jacob—the heel-grabber,the trickster who wrestledwith God.I wonder if it felt like a do-over,a fresh start for creation.I wonder if the basin overflowedwhen Jesus poured the water out.I wonder if it splashed,leaving water marks on the floor—proof that love was really there.I wonder if I would have let Jesus do the same.Would I have been like Peter and said,“Not…
Pastor’s Column – Mar 2022
God of compassion, you know how we rebel against you. You know how we doubtand fear and hold back, when you call us to freedom and to partnership in Jesus Christ. God forgive us. Free us by the power of the cross, that we may serve you without fear.Grant us your peace through Jesus Christ who was faithful to the end. Amen. I have gotten it wrong. I… Rev. Pastor Keith have done what was not pleasing in God’s eyes.…
Return to in-person worship (again)
To our Grace Church family and friends, As promised, church council has been meeting regularly to review the possibility of returning to sanctuary services. We met again on Feb 14 and agreed to return to in-person worship services this Sunday, Feb 20. Case numbers have returned to where they were in Nov, and hospitalizations are back to where they were in Dec (and are trending in the right direction) We will continue to follow the safety protocols that were in…
Souper Bowl of Caring 2022
It is again time for the Souper Bowl of Caring. We’ve actually been talking about it during announcements in worship for several weeks, but I was a little slow getting it posted here. for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me Matthew 25:35 (NRSV) The quote from Matthew is central to several of our core values, namely, love and welcoming community.…
Pastor’s Column – Feb 2022
But the land that you are crossing over to occupy is a land of hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky, a land that the LORD your God looks after. The eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 11:11-12 It may just be me, but I don’t find comfort in phrases like “this was all part of God’s plan,” or “God must…
Worship update – 2022-01-28
Last night (27 Jan), Church Council held a special meeting to review the current state of Covid cases in Fairfield County. While the number of cases has peaked and is coming back down, it was decided that they are still higher than we would like. So, for the next at least the next two weeks (through 6 Feb), we will remain online-only for worship. Council will meet again in two weeks and re-examine the data. In the meantime, you can…
Temporary Return to Online-only Worship
…in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 2:3b-5a You may already have heard last evening’s call from Pastor Keith via DialMyCalls, but in an effort to spread the news as far as possible we’re sharing the letter from Council here as well. January 10, 2022 Dear Church Family and Friends, Happy New Year! …