pastor’s column (Page 5)
Pastor’s Column – Apr 2021
And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. Mark 16:3-4 The resurrection of Christ is transformative. It changes everything! No longer will death have the final word, but life…
Pastor’s Column – Mar 2021
by Rev. Sarah Are Reprinted with permission. God never begins letters with the words,“I hope this finds you well,”For those words imply distance.Instead, God begins God’s letters to you with the words,“Remember when?” Beloved child,Remember when we dipped our toes into the water?Remember when we dove right in?Remember when the ice cream dripped down our handsAnd the cicadas sang their song,And the seasons changed,And the days were long?Remember when we fell in love and the world was new?Remember when our…
Pastor’s Column – Feb 2021
We used faith as a shield against the false notion that anyone has the power to inflict pain, limitation, despair, or any condition upon us. We in the movement decided to actualize our belief that the hatred we experienced was not based on any truth, but was actually an illusion in the minds of those who hated us. -pg. 25 Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America, by John Lewis I have been praying this…
Pastor’s Column – Jan 2021
Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It ledthem on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! Matthew 2:9-10 (The Message) I wonder, what was it like for the Magi following that star in the eastern skies? Were there days when they questioned if it was the right direction? Were their eyes so fixed on the destination that they…
Remembering
O God of hosts, our faith renew, and grant us, in your grace, To join the songs sung by the saints in every time and place. Come, Let us Join with faithful souls, New century hymnal 383, verse 4 I’m writing this devotion from an empty sanctuary, having just arranged the candles that will be lit in remembrance of loved ones this coming Sunday for All Saints Day. Each candle is a life. Each life was not perfect or without…
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
As I write this article, Gum trees at the parsonage are only now just beginning to reveal Fall’s arrival with red tipped leaves. It is subtle and easy to miss, but preparations are underway. Trees don’t need to be told when winter is coming. Trees can feel it in their roots and know it is time to care for itself. Through Spring and Summer we sat under the shade of green leaves as chlorophyll overwhelmed the tree as a…
Pastor’s Column – Sep 2020
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed I know their sufferings.” Exodus 3:7 Since the birth of our son, Jessica and I have been hearing a lot of crying. It is Jamie’s way of alerting us to something he needs. Either he is hungry, he is cold, he is hot, he has the hiccups, he needs his diaper changed, or…
You are a Child of God
“For in Christ Jesus you are all children, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3: 26, 28 You are a child of God. Have you stopped to think about that recently? No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,…
How Long, O Lord?
How Long, O Lord? ~Psalm 13 If there was a prayer of the year, it would be Psalm 13. How long, O Lord? How long until we can reunite with loved ones without fear of contracting or spreading the Coronavirus? How long do we have to wear unflattering masks that are both hot and uncomfortable? How long until we can safely sit down in our favorite restaurants with close friends? How long until we can worship together in the sanctuary?…
…from the pastor
Dear Friends,We are starting to see the slightest signs of spring. In between the days of gustingwinds, snow and sleet we get glimpses of what is coming. There is some learning and skills inbeing able to see these signs. It reminds me of this quote from Thoreau: “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids,but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in oursoundest sleep.” -Walden It is not…