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Weekly Worship Bulletin, Sunday December 3, 2023
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Pastor’s Corner October 26, 2023
Dear Friends, Here we are, the final week of our annual stewardship drive. Since June we have been taking a look at how we “give” so that God’s kingdom can be increased here on earth. We’ve talked many times about how generous God is with us, blessing us with family, community, homes, food, and so […]
Pastor’s Corner August 31st 2023
Dear Friends, We had a lovely “blessing of the backpacks” two weeks ago, just before school started. Some of our youth and children came forward and we blessed them and their bags, in addition to praying for the teachers and other staff at our schools, so that they would feel supported by FCC and led […]
Pastor’s Corner November 17th, 2022
“For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating;” Isaiah 65:17-18a The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a message of hope to a […]
Pastor’s Corner October 8th
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” Arthur Ashe At the close of a recent Weight Watchers meeting our workshop leader left us with the above quote. Although short and simple, it really resonated with me. So often we want to be somewhere else and do amazing things. In our […]
Pastor’s Corner September 22nd, 2022
“…opportunities are often disguised as problems…” John C. Maxwell In a recent Minute with Maxwell the presenter John Maxwell discussed the word “opportunities.” He shared his reflections on why more people do not embrace the opportunities that come their way. While many people do, he suspects that many of us do not because “…opportunities […]
Pastor’s Corner September 8th, 2022
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther When I googled the phrase “quotes about prayer” several items popped up. Prayer is such a central part of the spiritual life, no matter what faith tradition one follows. There are so many forms of […]
Pastor’s Corner August 25th, 2022
5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7but if we walk in the light […]
Pastor’s Corner August 4th, 2022
“Insults have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.” Psalm 69.20 How often have we yearned for pity from others and, like the Psalmist, have not found it? I know that, when this happens to me I […]
Pastor’s Corner July 21st, 2022
“When I graduated from college my father said that if I would do three things every day intentionally I would be very successful. He said ““John, believe in people, value people and unconditionally love them.”” John C. Maxwell, Minute with Maxwell In his Minute with Maxwell on the 14th of July John Maxwell […]
Pastor’s Corner June 23
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.” Psalm 42:11 I know I have mentioned it before, but I will say it again. The book of Psalms is one of my favorite parts […]
Pastor’s Corner June 9th
“You change the world by being yourself.” Yoko Ono Recently, I went to a meeting at a large church here in Lincoln. As I walked into the entry hall I noticed a coffee bar over to the side. I thought to myself, and I think I said it out loud to my companion, […]
Pastor’s Corner May 26th
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Matthew […]
Pastor’s Corner May 12, 2022
“Commitment is the key.” John C. Maxwell In a recent Minute with Maxwell leadership expert John Maxwell shared the above quote. It was a saying he had laminated so he could carry it with him in his pocket. He latched onto that saying during a particularly difficult time when he was moving through a […]
Pastor’s Corner (4/7/2022)
One of my favorite poets Ann Weems wrote a poem that sums up the experience of Holy Week. Her poem “Holy Week” begins: Holy is the week… Holy, consecrated, belonging to God… We move from hosannas to horror With the predictable ease of those who know not what they do Our hosannas sung Our palms […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/17/2022)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. –Romans 12:13 I want to begin by thanking everyone for sharing in my celebration of 35 years in the ordained ministry. One thing I really cherish about this congregation is your willingness to live out the Apostle Paul’s invitation […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/3/2022)
“A lot of people believe they are successful because they have everything they want. They have added value to themselves. But I believe significance comes when you add value to others and you can’t have true success without significance.” —–John C. Maxwell This really struck a chord for me when I heard it for […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/17/2022)
“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22-23 During our recent DOC/UCC Clergy Retreat at the Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler, we had the opportunity to hear Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow talk about his recent book In Defense of Kindness: Why it Matters, How […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/3/2022)
“A snow day is a little gift from the universe.” Have you noticed how excited people get about a snow day? I think the above anonymous quote says it well. As children, we knew that a snow day meant a day off from school. But I don’t think children are the only ones to get […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/20/2022)
In a recent “Minute with Maxwell” video, the presenter John Maxwell focused on the topic “Be Enthusiastic.” He elaborated on this topic by presenting a tribute to his recently deceased father Melvin. His tribute included some of the advice Melvin gave to his son. Melvin lived to the age of 98. At the age of […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/6/2022)
“Baptism consists of getting dunked or sprinkled. Which technique is used matters about as much as whether you pray kneeling or standing on your head. Dunking is a better symbol, however. Going under symbolizes the end of everything about your life that is less than human. Coming up again symbolizes the beginning in you of […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/16/2021)
“If you realize how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.” Peace Pilgrim In a recent “Minute with Maxwell,” John Maxwell shared the above quote as one of his statements of strength. He shared the recognition that we cannot totally eliminate negative thoughts, but we can choose to not dwell on […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/2/2021)
O come, Desire of nations, bind all people in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Stanza 7) This is one of my favorite Advent hymns. Perhaps it is the […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/18/2021)
“It is your decisions, and not your conditions, that determine your destiny.” Tony Robbins In a recent “Minute with Maxwell,” John Maxwell shared the above quote. As Maxwell pointed out, we cannot control the conditions in our lives. However, we can choose to be “victims” or “victors.” His reflections really hit home for me and […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/4/2021)
“The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the LORD said […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/21/2021)
As I mentioned in my last Pastor’s Corner, one of the things that drew me to the John Maxwell Team and their leadership training was what they call the “John Maxwell Team DNA.” The DNA of this organization aligns with my perception of the church. The founder and leader of this organization is John C. […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/7/2021)
During my Study leave this year, I participated in the International Maxwell Certification training. Due to problems with my leg, I was unable to attend in person, but I was able to do the training virtually. It was an intense experience and I am still processing all I learned. One of our opening presentations was […]
Pastor’s Corner (9/23/2021)
“The future is focused on what one does now, we are not bound by our past.” —John Maxwell Team Member Recently I participated in a John Maxwell Leadership Team Zoom meeting focused on the topic “The Law of the Rubber Band.” This topic came from the book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Personal Growth by […]
Pastor’s Corner (9/9/2021)
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the new “Seminarians in Residence” at First Christian Church, so Pastor Karen asked if I could guest author the Pastor’s Corner this week to tell you a little more about my program. As some of you may know, I am entering into my fourth year in the […]
Pastor’s Corner (8/19/2021)
For some of us the great transformation from the inside out comes gradually. For some of us it comes swiftly. But for all of us it comes inevitably as we unite more closely to the One who brings the yeast, salt, wind, and fire of the new creation-the deep self we have always longed to […]
Pastor’s Corner (8/5/2021)
“If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17, NRSV) As many of you know, I have begun a new venture with the John Maxwell Team. At the end of August, I will be attending a certification training event in Orlando, […]
Pastor’s Corner (7/22/2021)
In my final reflection on leadership expert John Maxwell’s book Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, I want to explore his final two comments about the importance of dealing with adversity. As you may remember he described several key reasons to embrace adversity. Adversity creates resilience. Adversity develops maturity. Adversity pushes the envelope […]
Pastor’s Corner (7/8/2021)
As I mentioned in my last Pastor’s Corner, leadership expert John Maxwell talked about the importance of dealing with adversity in his book Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know. He described several key reasons to embrace adversity. Adversity creates resilience. Adversity develops maturity. Adversity pushes the envelope of accepted performance. Adversity provides greater […]
Pastor’s Corner (6/24/2021)
In his book Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, John Maxwell talks about the importance of dealing with adversity. He described several key reasons to embrace adversity. Adversity creates resilience. Adversity develops maturity. Adversity pushes the envelope of accepted performance. Adversity provides greater opportunities. Adversity prompts innovation. Adversity brings unexpected benefits. Adversity motivates. […]
Pastor’s Corner (6/10/2021)
“Many things in life just happen, but positive change isn’t one of them. Changing anything in our world requires someone to be the catalyst.” — John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins In the book Change Your World, authors John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins walk the reader through the various steps that lead to making […]
Pastor’s Corner (5/20/2021)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15.13 In the past I have been told that I am an optimist. I do not think it was meant as a compliment. When I read […]
Pastor’s Corner (5/6/2021)
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 May is Mental Health Awareness month. While this awareness is always important, it seems particularly important these […]
Pastor’s Corner (4/22/2021)
Life is not made up of crises. Life is made up of little things we love to ignore in order to get on to the exciting things in life. But God is in the details. God is in what it takes in us to be faithful to them. God is in the routines that make […]
Pastor’s Corner (4/8/2021)
“I have discovered over time that the cross is supposed to take its toll on us. It forms us to find God in the shadows of life. Ironically enough, it is the cross that teaches us hope. When we have survived our own cross, risen alive from the grave of its despair, we begin to […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/18/2021)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 42:11 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 The English word “hope” can be found in the […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/4/2021)
Christian life is not sustained only by private acts of prayer, justice and virtue. It is sustained in community by gathering ritually around the Word of God and through the breaking of the bread. However, it is important to understand that this kind of gathering is not simply a social one capable of only doing […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/18/2021)
To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. All our actions must have their origin in prayer. Praying is not […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/4/2021)
“If you have ever felt yourself aging and losing both the health and tautness of a young body and the opportunities that come with that and been powerless to turn back the clock. If you have ever felt the world slipping away from you as you grow older and ever more marginalized. Then you have […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/21/2021)
“What Jesus wants from us is not admiration but imitation.“ Ronald Rolheiser In my article for the last Messenger, I mentioned the book “The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality” by Ronald Rolheiser. In that Pastor’s Corner I wanted to reflect on his thoughts about the incarnation. In this article I […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/7/2021)
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/17/20)
“A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…” –Isaiah 11:1-2 In his book Gracias! A Latin American Journal, priest and author Henri J.M. Nouwen described his thoughts on the above passage in […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/3/2020)
In his book Soul Survivor: How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church, author Philip Yancey shared the stories of those who helped shape his thought and faith. His chapter 13 described one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen. Nouwen grew up in the Netherlands and became a Roman Catholic priest. He became […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/19/2020)
“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” —Virginia Satir I had only been in the Czech Republic for a couple of months when Thanksgiving rolled around. It was a normal workday in the Central Church Office in […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/5/2020)
A friend recently introduced me to the work of John C. Maxwell who is a motivational speaker and pastor. He is a modern leadership guru who has written several books and gives presentations on leadership all around the world. As I was exploring his name on the internet I was struck by a video I […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/22/2020)
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/8/2020)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28 This passage from Romans comes from one of my favorite portions of scripture. The 8th chapter of Romans is one of Paul’s most poetic. The introduction to this letter in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible tells […]
Pastor’s Corner (9/24/2020)
I have to confess to my brothers and sisters that I have “retirement envy.” As I listen to a couple of my ministry colleagues who are in the process of retiring, I feel a bit jealous. It’s not that I want to leave FCC, but I think it is an expression of my “COVID weariness.” […]
Pastor’s Corner (9/10/2020)
There are times I feel really discouraged by all that is happening in the world today. It seems as though division, injustice, and fear rule the day. Many around the country are dealing with unprecedented natural disasters, riots continue to rock major cities, and many people are struggling with unemployment. We also continue to struggle […]
Pastor’s Corner (8/27/2020)
“…and looking back across the years I can see that you were constantly there.” Musician and Composer Kemper Crabb “Doulos” The Vigil The above words come from an album, yes an album, by the musician Kemper Crabb. It was one of my favorite albums during college, but, it was purged during one of my many […]
Pastor’s Corner (8/13/2020)
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 During these days and months of dealing with COVID-19, it often seems that the real guiding principle is the common saying “we […]
Pastor’s Corner (7/23/20)
“The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love.” Author, Jack Kornfield This quote really struck me as finishing touches are being added to our prayer garden here at FCC. Pictures can be found on our website and our Facebook page that display the […]
Pastor’s Corner (7/9/2020)
“This book is ultimately about the basic struggle we’re all in, the struggle to be fully human and to see that others are fully human.” Ibram X. Kendy Whenever I want to deal with something, I turn to books. I’ve been described as “bookish” throughout my life and I embrace that description. We find ourselves […]
Pastor’s Corner (6/25/2020)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light […]
Pastor’s Corner (6/11/2020)
“The Church condemns violence, but it condemns indifference more harshly. Violence can be the expression of love, indifference never.” Graham Greene “Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.” Martin Luther King, Jr. As we move from Pandemic to Protest, one element that disturbs many […]
Pastor’s Corner (5/24/2020)
“As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency.” Caroline Kennedy I was struck by the above quote in my Gratitude calendar last week. As we struggle to discern the date for resuming public worship at First Christian, concerns about […]
Pastor’s Corner (5/7/2020)
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35 (NRSV) General Minster and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), […]
Pastor’s Corner (4/23/2020)
“Love people, hold them in your heart.” Susa Talan One of the gifts I bought for myself this past Christmas was a daily “Gratitude” calendar. I saw it in the calendar store as I was shopping for others and it, almost literally, jumped off the shelf at me. In my desire […]
Pastor’s Corner (4/9/2020)
“I am grateful to God– whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did– when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. “ II Timothy 1:3-4 Paul wrote this letter to […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/26/2020)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Mt. 3:17 My 33rd ordination anniversary on 15 March was probably one of the most unique ones I’ve had. Since it was the first Sunday without corporate worship it felt a bit odd, kind of like a snow day. But now that the weeks […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/12/2020)
Each week we produce a newsletter, we have a staff meeting with myself, Mark Miller, and Kelly Tyrrell. This is a time that we come to consensus on projects, update one another with our progress, and encourage each other to maintain our good work. One thing we do each week is take turns opening with […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/27/2020)
“I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love, and by reading and meditating on the Word of God.” […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/13/2020)
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/23/2020)
“To listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.” –Poet and Spiritual Adviser, Mark Nepo In my Pastor’s Corner for the first Messenger of 2020, I talked about the Benedictine pillars of stability, conversion, and obedience. In that article I focused on the pillar of stability. This […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/9/2020)
As many of you may know, I recently became a Benedictine Oblate. It is an invitation to deepen the spiritual life by following the Rule of St. Benedict. As a part of this spiritual journey I’m learning a lot about Benedict and his Rule. There are 3 foundational elements to the Rule that I think […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/12/19)
The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/14/19)
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” French Proverb Noted author Diana Butler Bass begins her newest book Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks with the above quote. Bass has written nine other books with a focus on American religion and spirituality. She was guest speaking in Lincoln this past weekend, November 8-10. In […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/31/19)
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/17/19)
“For you I am a bishop, with you, I am a Christian” St. Augustine This quote comes from St. Augustine’s sermon “On the Anniversary of His Ordination.” Last week, I had the privilege of attending a retreat for pastors in which one of our presenters told us this quote. […]
Pastor’s Corner (09/26/19)
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers. […]
Pastor’s Corner (09/12/19)
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6 What a joyous weekend we just had as we celebrated the 150th anniversary of our congregation. About 50 of us gathered at Wyuka Cemetery on Saturday September […]
Pastor’s Corner (08/29/19)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in […]
Pastor’s Corner (08/15/19)
“Always we begin again” St. Benedict The author of the Rule and founder of the Benedictine order reminds us that life is full of new beginnings. I am particularly mindful of this promise as we transition from summer to fall. As students are at the end of their first week of school here in Lincoln, […]
Pastor’s Corner (07/25/19)
After saying farewell to them, he went up to the mountain to pray. Mark 6:46 After feeding the multitude, Jesus says farewell to the crowd and goes off to a mountain to pray. Undoubtedly, he was tired and ready for some rest and renewal. It must have been difficult for the crowd to say goodbye […]
Pastor’s Corner (07/11/19)
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me […]
Pastor’s Corner (06/20/19)
While living in Prague, Czech Republic I was impressed by all the bridges. Many of them were newer and accommodated heavy traffic. However, the oldest and most well-known bridge is Charles Bridge which was built centuries ago. Due to its age and importance it had been made into a pedestrian bridge that accommodated visitors from […]
Pastor’s Corner (06/06/19)
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11 The author of Psalm 32 invites us to “be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” Although there are reasons that many of us feel tremendous sadness, there are also ample reason to be glad and […]
Pastor’s Corner (05/16/19)
“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40 For my Pastor’s Corner I want to invite you to read this article from our Outreach Team. The Outreach […]
Pastor’s Corner (05/02/19)
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13 In my previous Pastor’s Corner I invited us to ponder the process of repentance and forgiveness as outlined by Marjorie Thompson in her six-session study entitled […]
Pastor’s Corner (04/18/19)
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. – Luke 23:33-34 Throughout Lent […]
Pastor’s Corner (04/04/19)
“Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.” Karen Salmansohn At our most recent Outreach Team meeting, Team Leader Elaine Parman shared the above quote. She shared it as an invitation to guide our thinking about our ministry of Outreach on behalf of FCC. It also struck me as a powerful way of […]
Pastor’s Corner (03/21/19)
As a Mission Coworker with World Missions we had a mantra that really resonated for me; “We do mission in partnership.” This has really been a theme for me throughout my ministry. This sense of working in partnership is part of what attracted me to service here at FCC. This congregation nurtures and fosters ministry […]
Pastor’s Corner (3/07/19)
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. – – Luke 4:1-2 As the Messenger rolls out this […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/21/19)
Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” – – Luke 9:35 Arguments about who can be considered God’s Chosen have divided the faithful throughout the ages. In this passage from Luke, which we’ll read on the 3rd of March for Transfiguration of the Lord, we have […]
Pastor’s Corner (2/7/19)
Then David took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine Goliath. – I Samuel 17:40 Last Saturday, Feb. 2nd, 20 leaders from FCC gathered in the conference […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/24/19)
“Honor Our Past, Embrace Our Future” Happy Anniversary! As the Messenger goes out today we mark the actual date of the founding of FCC, January 24, 1869. During our stewardship campaign last fall we had the theme “Honor Our Past, Embrace Our Future.” As we officially enter our 150th year we are invited to embody […]
Pastor’s Corner (1/10/19)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13 It seems a bit ironic that the last book of the Bible talks about God as the beginning and the end. As we move into the beginning of a New Year, many of us are undoubtedly […]
Pastor’s Corner (12/13)
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” – – Luke 1:38 This year we’re exploring Advent through the eyes of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In our daily devotional I Am Mary Carol Howard Merritt invites us to traverse these weeks of […]
Pastor’s Corner (11/01)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 The Messenger will come out on the 1st of November, All Saints Day. As I ponder my Pastor’s Corner for this edition of our newsletter, I’ve had a number of things float through my mind. Initially, I had thought I’d […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/18)
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, […]
Pastor’s Corner (10/04)
“For we are God’s servants, working together.” 1 Corinthians 3:9 While living in Prague I came to appreciate the beauty and functionality of bridges. The Vltava River flows through the heart of the city and several bridges link the various parts of the city to one another. The Charles Bridge is world famous and dates […]