Blog (Page 4)
News and thoughts
Pastor’s Column – Nov 2022
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. Psalm 100, the message 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and…
Pastor’s Column – Oct 2022
“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow.” Deuteronomy 10:18 For the past couple years my grandmother has been going through her things and offering sentimental items to any grandkid that wants them. Knowing my love for history and being a pastor she has passed on a number of daily devotionals from my Great Grandpa Weller (b. 1889). The verse I shared above comes from the month of October in one such devotional. The teeny tiny book measures…
Pastor’s Column – Sep 2022
In times of despairTania Yadira Martinez Tadeo The time will come when your path will turn abrupt, In which the fog will be so dense That you won’t be able to see beyond the next step.Desperate you will scream and hear only the echo of your voice. You will try to continue as usual,Focused on everything you need to do;A futile race against timeThat will only leave you exhausted.You will feel confused,You will think you have lost your way,And you’ll…
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.…