Pastor reflections
This is a special time of reflection on the arrest, trial, and crucifixion story (known as “The Passion”) leading up to our celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday (April 20). April 13, 2025 — Palms to Passion Sunday (8:30 a.m.) For many years, Holy Week has begun with the story of Jesus’s triumphant … [Read more…]
This past Wednesday, we woke up to the results of our latest national election. Some were elated about the results. Others were (and are) despondent in the belief that our nation faces great peril. Most of us, both liberal and conservative, have been here before, feeling joy at times and sadness at others. In a … [Read more…]
Read Romans 12: 1-8 (MSG) and Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV) Some scriptures preach themselves and make the preacher’s job easy. Others take some hard work, and others are deceptive. They may seem to have an easy message at face value but after spending more time with them, things just get more and more obscure. Like a … [Read more…]
Read Matthew 15: 10-28 When our son was in high school one of the teachers interested some students in starting a debate team. The students spent time with an issue and researched pros and cons so that they could support one stance or another depending on which side they were given. Our son learned the … [Read more…]
Prayer inspired by Genesis 32: 22-31, Psalm 17: 1-7, 15 and hymns as noted* O God,Savior of those who seek refuge, 1our hearts are restless.2The night is long; we are weary from wrestling,grappling with disease and dis-ease,the coronavirus and the racism virustwisting, turning, yearning for relief.We are worn out;our spirits limp.Oh, that our hearts might … [Read more…]
Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17: 1-7,15 When I was young, there was a show that came on late Saturday afternoons on a local TV station: Wrestling from Roanoke! These were professional wrestlers who came to Roanoke to entertain crowds of people in an arena as well as on TV. They acted like they hated each other … [Read more…]
Scripture focus: Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24 We as a society aren’t good at being alone with ourselves. (This isn’t breaking news!) Many of you are retired, I know, and live by yourselves or with your spouse, but I imagine there was an adjustment period between the ending of your or your spouse’s professional vocation and … [Read more…]
Focus scripture: Matthew 11: 28-30: Come to me, all you that are wearyand are carrying heavy burdens,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Anyone weary? … [Read more…]
Psalm 13 (NRSV)How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I bear pain in my soul,and have sorrow in my heart all day long? Our cry goes up: “have you forgotten us God? Have you forgotten me? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?” Do … [Read more…]
Read Psalm 86: 1-0, 16-17 Song for the day: His Eye Is on the Sparrow Has anyone not felt discouraged recently? Sometimes I feel discouraged, especially these days. We don’t need to think hard to come up with discouraging things. It’s been difficult to keep worry and sadness at bay. Not being able to be … [Read more…]
Bird watching brings me pleasure – it is relaxing, it hones observation skills, it nudges me to find out more about a particular bird’s habits or song or flight patterns or nest. It’s an innocent low-cost pastime. I’m on the email list of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (one of the few non-church related emails … [Read more…]
