Pastor John’s Corner
We declare this to be a season of hope, joy, and love as we merge into the Advent and Christmas season. And why shouldn’t we. This is the month we celebrate the birth of God’s Son. Angels announced his arrival. Wise men came from distant lands to see him. The very celestial sky was lit up by his star for all the world to see.
The night was still, cold and crisp --- when suddenly the sound of a newly born baby rang out from a stable in a little town called Bethlehem, in Judea. That awesome cry of an infant’s first breath of earthly air announced the arrival of God as he would walk on this planet in human form for 33 years. This baby would grow to experience the same feelings and emotions and joys and sorrows and pain and death that we humans do.
For the skeptic or agnostics among us who may say “Even it it’s true, --- so what?” I would say this; I find this story to be awesome; because you see, God created us to experience all of those emotions, and He created the emotions too; but --- God couldn’t know the true impact they have on us because he had not experienced them from our level. But – God cared enough about us, and He loved us enough to come to earth and experience everything we experience from our level. And, for me, knowing that God cares enough about me to want to know why I feel and act the way I do, fills me with hope and joy and a sense of pure love.
As you experience your Christmas season, by all means, please continue to support our local Lord’s Pantry through our Blessings Jar. Take note of and support the First Presbyterian Church 2009-10 Winter Clothing and Blanket Collection. Support the Veterans of the Cross offering and drop a little in the Salvation Army bucket each time you pass one. Have a Holy Spirit filled Christmas.
I wish you Christmas peace,
Pastor John
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Pastor John's Corner- November 2009
November has arrived and that brings the beginning of Daylight Savings time, colder weather, Thanksgiving and the onset of your Christmas shopping --- and the first Sunday of Advent. It is a month of change.
It seems that about the first of November each year, the American society begins to have a collective sense of guilt and compassion. You will soon be receiving all kinds of mail telling you about the hungry and the desperate. The pictures will be of people dressed in rags and obviously homeless. Quite frankly, most of this is just effective marketing designed to reach some level of sympathy and a higher level of your checkbook. Are there good causes out there? --- Yes; but --- before you start sending out checks, do a little research and find out how much of your money is really going to overhead for some organization and how much of your donation goes to actually benefit those you intend it to.
If all of the above makes me sound harsh and hard, --- I’m certainly not. I do however hate the fact that it often seems the only time this country gets a collective conscience is when people start feeling guilty for all they are about to eat. That’s not the spirit of Thanksgiving nor is it the spirit of Christian love.
I do sincerely hope you will take every opportunity to recognize the desperation that many people in this country are finding in themselves this year. People who last year were donating to others are now finding themselves is the line waiting for free food from a food bank. By all means, give please support our local Lord’s Pantry. Take note of and support the First Presbyterian Church 2009-10 Winter Clothing and Blanket Collection. Clean out that section of your closet where the clothes shrunk on their hangers since last year and give them to someone else. Support Operation Christmas Child, give to our Blessings Jar, or drop a little in the Salvation Army bucket each time you pass one. Have a generous Thanksgiving.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
It seems that about the first of November each year, the American society begins to have a collective sense of guilt and compassion. You will soon be receiving all kinds of mail telling you about the hungry and the desperate. The pictures will be of people dressed in rags and obviously homeless. Quite frankly, most of this is just effective marketing designed to reach some level of sympathy and a higher level of your checkbook. Are there good causes out there? --- Yes; but --- before you start sending out checks, do a little research and find out how much of your money is really going to overhead for some organization and how much of your donation goes to actually benefit those you intend it to.
If all of the above makes me sound harsh and hard, --- I’m certainly not. I do however hate the fact that it often seems the only time this country gets a collective conscience is when people start feeling guilty for all they are about to eat. That’s not the spirit of Thanksgiving nor is it the spirit of Christian love.
I do sincerely hope you will take every opportunity to recognize the desperation that many people in this country are finding in themselves this year. People who last year were donating to others are now finding themselves is the line waiting for free food from a food bank. By all means, give please support our local Lord’s Pantry. Take note of and support the First Presbyterian Church 2009-10 Winter Clothing and Blanket Collection. Clean out that section of your closet where the clothes shrunk on their hangers since last year and give them to someone else. Support Operation Christmas Child, give to our Blessings Jar, or drop a little in the Salvation Army bucket each time you pass one. Have a generous Thanksgiving.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pastor John's Corner October 2009
Pastor John’s Corner
Summer has officially passed us and we are now well into the fall season. I look forward to this season every year because I love to sit and watch the farmers as they get out in the fields and begin to gather in the harvest. It reminds me that we are fortunate to be involved in taking care of the resources that God had given us and to be involved in taking care of our brothers and sisters around the world with the crops that this community harvests.
October also gives us a chance to give of ourselves through the Neighbors in Need offering. This offering will be collected on October 4th and we will leave the envelopes out and available to you for at least one more Sunday. Two thirds of the NIN money is used to support the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice’s initiatives. Much of the rest of the money goes to support our Native American neighbors in the Uinted Church of Christ. Please consider giving to this offering.
We have also begun our fall Bible study, entitled “The Jesus I Never Knew,” a book by Philip Yancey. I invite all of you to come on either Sunday evening at 6:30 pm or on Wednesday Morning at 10:00 am and join in this discussion.
Finally, I want to invite the members of St. Lucas to come and join in the singing with our choir. Music is one of the ministries of our church and our dedicated few that have been participating in this ministry for years would love to have you join them. Think you don’t have the voice for it? I challenge you to come and find out that there in harmony in numbers. Remember, God hears the same sounds from you as you sing along in the privacy of your car or in the shower. If you’re good enough to sing for God in private, we want you to join us to make a heavenly chorus!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
Summer has officially passed us and we are now well into the fall season. I look forward to this season every year because I love to sit and watch the farmers as they get out in the fields and begin to gather in the harvest. It reminds me that we are fortunate to be involved in taking care of the resources that God had given us and to be involved in taking care of our brothers and sisters around the world with the crops that this community harvests.
October also gives us a chance to give of ourselves through the Neighbors in Need offering. This offering will be collected on October 4th and we will leave the envelopes out and available to you for at least one more Sunday. Two thirds of the NIN money is used to support the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice’s initiatives. Much of the rest of the money goes to support our Native American neighbors in the Uinted Church of Christ. Please consider giving to this offering.
We have also begun our fall Bible study, entitled “The Jesus I Never Knew,” a book by Philip Yancey. I invite all of you to come on either Sunday evening at 6:30 pm or on Wednesday Morning at 10:00 am and join in this discussion.
Finally, I want to invite the members of St. Lucas to come and join in the singing with our choir. Music is one of the ministries of our church and our dedicated few that have been participating in this ministry for years would love to have you join them. Think you don’t have the voice for it? I challenge you to come and find out that there in harmony in numbers. Remember, God hears the same sounds from you as you sing along in the privacy of your car or in the shower. If you’re good enough to sing for God in private, we want you to join us to make a heavenly chorus!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Pastor John's Corner- September 2009
Pastor John’s Corner
God has continued to be generous and gracious to us. What looked to be a start of a potentially disastrous growing season has seemed to turn out well after all. I have to admit that I was beginning to be concerned --- and as I think about that, I am the first to say that I was forgetting to just let God handle the things that God handles. Like so many people do, I wasted time being concerned about things totally out my control when God had the situation under control the whole time.
A new church Christian Education year has begun and it is time for Confirmation to begin, choir practice to begin, the Youth Group to re-form, and Sunday school classes to rotate. Add to that another Bible study and this all adds up to the beginning of another busy nine or so months. As you can see, these are all opportunities for you to serve God and your church. I can assure you there are any numbers of ways that the church can use help. I thank the many of you who continue to serve as liturgist and occasionally give the Children’s moment. However, I also know that there are always others that could be helping with this duty. Please consider signing that little sheet of paper that comes around.
It is, of course, also time for our youth to be going back to school, whether it is grade school, high school, or college. I think that if there is anything I would like to have you consider, it is that education, whether Christian education or formal education, really should be a family affair. Helping kids with homework, listening to their needs and their concerns about what goes on in their life is the surest way to keep up on your child’s social development. As your children make it through each day of school, just remember this; your smile and or hug in the morning --- may be the most reassuring part of their entire day. Don’t miss an opportunity to show your kids how much you love them.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
God has continued to be generous and gracious to us. What looked to be a start of a potentially disastrous growing season has seemed to turn out well after all. I have to admit that I was beginning to be concerned --- and as I think about that, I am the first to say that I was forgetting to just let God handle the things that God handles. Like so many people do, I wasted time being concerned about things totally out my control when God had the situation under control the whole time.
A new church Christian Education year has begun and it is time for Confirmation to begin, choir practice to begin, the Youth Group to re-form, and Sunday school classes to rotate. Add to that another Bible study and this all adds up to the beginning of another busy nine or so months. As you can see, these are all opportunities for you to serve God and your church. I can assure you there are any numbers of ways that the church can use help. I thank the many of you who continue to serve as liturgist and occasionally give the Children’s moment. However, I also know that there are always others that could be helping with this duty. Please consider signing that little sheet of paper that comes around.
It is, of course, also time for our youth to be going back to school, whether it is grade school, high school, or college. I think that if there is anything I would like to have you consider, it is that education, whether Christian education or formal education, really should be a family affair. Helping kids with homework, listening to their needs and their concerns about what goes on in their life is the surest way to keep up on your child’s social development. As your children make it through each day of school, just remember this; your smile and or hug in the morning --- may be the most reassuring part of their entire day. Don’t miss an opportunity to show your kids how much you love them.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Pastor's Corner, May 2009
I love the Easter Season. It is a season of refreshment; refreshment of the earth, refreshment of all the flowers and trees, and refreshment of our faith as we once again celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I love the dedication of our choir members as they work hard to put together a program worthy of presentation as praise to God. I also love the fact that we have well attended worship services during Easter and I thank you for making our services a success. The sound of so many voices lifting up praise and prayers to God is the true sound of love. I love the fact that families use this season get together and share meals together and worship together. Yes, indeed, Easter is a joyous season.
One the other side of the coin though, for me personally the downside is that I know that our pews are going to be emptier for a little while. The planting season has begun and our farmers and their family members will be busy getting the corn planted and then the wheat harvested. However, when I do occasionally frump about the lack of attendance on a given Sunday, I remind myself that it is the hard work and efforts of people right here in these two congregations that contributes to feeding the world. In my book, that is exactly the work God would have you do. So, I pray for a safe planting season and a bountiful harvest.
I want to appeal to the youth of our congregations once again. We need your support to keep the youth group going. Our leaders have worked very hard to bring you a well rounded program. If there are things you would like this group to become involved in and would then support, come on out and get involved.
God’s speed,
Pastor John
One the other side of the coin though, for me personally the downside is that I know that our pews are going to be emptier for a little while. The planting season has begun and our farmers and their family members will be busy getting the corn planted and then the wheat harvested. However, when I do occasionally frump about the lack of attendance on a given Sunday, I remind myself that it is the hard work and efforts of people right here in these two congregations that contributes to feeding the world. In my book, that is exactly the work God would have you do. So, I pray for a safe planting season and a bountiful harvest.
I want to appeal to the youth of our congregations once again. We need your support to keep the youth group going. Our leaders have worked very hard to bring you a well rounded program. If there are things you would like this group to become involved in and would then support, come on out and get involved.
God’s speed,
Pastor John
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pastor John's Corner for April
Pastor John’s Corner
At long last spring has arrived. I don’t know why this winter has seemed so very long since after-all we didn’t actually start getting any really bad weather until after Christmas. But I’m glad to see the flowers blooming and see the gold finches turning back to their summer yellow.
Spring always brings with it the Easter season. This year we will celebrate Palm Sunday on the 5th of April and then Easter on the 12th of Easter. As usual we will have our Easter Cantata at St. Lucas at 7:00 a.m. This will be a parish event and I hope all of you will attend if you are in town. This year’s Cantata will be “Lord of Glory.”
We have had such a wonderful attendance at our spring book discussion of The Shack. I thank Julie Wallis for taking this task on. She has done a marvelous job of getting us through the book and leading us in discussion. For me though, it didn’t matter if you loved or hated the book. The fact that we had 25 people attend regularly and share their comments was a beautiful thing. I plan to look at other things that we might do together to generate covenantal discussion.
With the Easter season and each new flower we see blooming in the yards and in the fields we are once again reminded of the glory of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Just as the flowers that die off in the fall and go dormant only to rise again in the warmth of spring full of beauty, so did our Savior lie dormant in his grave for three days. But --- come the third day, a miracle of beauty did occur. Christ arose from that cold dark grave and exclaimed that no longer can death be the victor. Through Christ, our salvation had been secured.
I hope all of you will continue to make our worship services a priority in your life. I also want to wish our farmers a good and safe planting season.
God’s speed,
Pastor John
At long last spring has arrived. I don’t know why this winter has seemed so very long since after-all we didn’t actually start getting any really bad weather until after Christmas. But I’m glad to see the flowers blooming and see the gold finches turning back to their summer yellow.
Spring always brings with it the Easter season. This year we will celebrate Palm Sunday on the 5th of April and then Easter on the 12th of Easter. As usual we will have our Easter Cantata at St. Lucas at 7:00 a.m. This will be a parish event and I hope all of you will attend if you are in town. This year’s Cantata will be “Lord of Glory.”
We have had such a wonderful attendance at our spring book discussion of The Shack. I thank Julie Wallis for taking this task on. She has done a marvelous job of getting us through the book and leading us in discussion. For me though, it didn’t matter if you loved or hated the book. The fact that we had 25 people attend regularly and share their comments was a beautiful thing. I plan to look at other things that we might do together to generate covenantal discussion.
With the Easter season and each new flower we see blooming in the yards and in the fields we are once again reminded of the glory of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Just as the flowers that die off in the fall and go dormant only to rise again in the warmth of spring full of beauty, so did our Savior lie dormant in his grave for three days. But --- come the third day, a miracle of beauty did occur. Christ arose from that cold dark grave and exclaimed that no longer can death be the victor. Through Christ, our salvation had been secured.
I hope all of you will continue to make our worship services a priority in your life. I also want to wish our farmers a good and safe planting season.
God’s speed,
Pastor John
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Pastor John's Corner- February 2009
The season of the Epiphany is almost half over. Epiphany literally means “to reveal” and we associate it with the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. By doing so, it is said; they revealed the Christ Child to the world as a Savior for all people not to just a select few people or a particular society.
Let’s think about that theme of “to reveal” for a moment and in particular, think about what we can do to “reveal” the spirit of Jesus Christ to others. In order to reveal, we must discover and I’d like us to focus on the discovery and reveal process this year as a parish. Let’s begin by asking ourselves a series of questions: “Are we the best that we can be?” “Are we using all of the talents that God has given us?” “Am I personally serving God to the best of my ability?” “What am I doing to help my church serve the community in which I live?”
I suspect that if we take some serious time for reflection we will find that we, personally or as a faith community, have barely touched the surface of using the talents that God gave us. So, here is a list of things I’d like you to think about and maybe you too can come up with an epiphany.
1. How can we develop a “Prayer Chain” for each church or
maybe even a parish-wide one?
2. Finish this sentence: I think _______ would make our worship
services more inspirational and or vital, and this is what I can
do to help.
3. Finish this sentence: I really wish our church would _______
and this is what I can do to help.
Three simple questions to think about; and yet they all require thought and personal involvement. They require working together and planning and volunteering. I’m betting if you ask yourself these questions and then share your answers with each other that a ground swell can occur and we can accomplish great things for 2009. Ask God for help; He’s always there!
Pastor John
Let’s think about that theme of “to reveal” for a moment and in particular, think about what we can do to “reveal” the spirit of Jesus Christ to others. In order to reveal, we must discover and I’d like us to focus on the discovery and reveal process this year as a parish. Let’s begin by asking ourselves a series of questions: “Are we the best that we can be?” “Are we using all of the talents that God has given us?” “Am I personally serving God to the best of my ability?” “What am I doing to help my church serve the community in which I live?”
I suspect that if we take some serious time for reflection we will find that we, personally or as a faith community, have barely touched the surface of using the talents that God gave us. So, here is a list of things I’d like you to think about and maybe you too can come up with an epiphany.
1. How can we develop a “Prayer Chain” for each church or
maybe even a parish-wide one?
2. Finish this sentence: I think _______ would make our worship
services more inspirational and or vital, and this is what I can
do to help.
3. Finish this sentence: I really wish our church would _______
and this is what I can do to help.
Three simple questions to think about; and yet they all require thought and personal involvement. They require working together and planning and volunteering. I’m betting if you ask yourself these questions and then share your answers with each other that a ground swell can occur and we can accomplish great things for 2009. Ask God for help; He’s always there!
Pastor John
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Pastor John's Corner- January 2008
Pastor John’s Corner
I truly do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know Kathy and I certainly did. It was wonderful to see the sanctuaries all decorated and to once again hear the old and familiar Christmas Carols. I was really impressed by the youth of the parish as they performed in the Christmas Pageant. And of course no Christmas would be complete without the youngsters doing their part of the Christmas program. It was wonderful too to see large attendance at each of our Christmas Eve services.
The year 2008 was beset with bad weather in the spring and bad financial news for not only our country but for the world in the fall. History was made though as this country elected its first President of a mixed race. I don’t know about you but, I take pride in saying that President-Elect Barrack Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ. I guess though, --- the thing that I take away from this election is the hope that just maybe, this country is beginning to “get it”! We are all children of God and there is just no room for things like racial bigotry and hate in any society that claims to be God fearing and or professes to be a “Christian nation.” I wish the new president and our country well as we begin a new era in our country’s destiny.
We have just completed a very successful year in the parish. Each church has gained new membership in addition to those gained through the confirmation process and we frequently see visitors in the pews. I’m thankful to see our St. Paul’s “Scriptures and Donuts” program going strong and I’m also grateful to see good attendance at our Bible study programs. I’m looking forward to the Lenten season when Julie Wallis will be presenting a book discussion series on W. Paul Young’s fictional novel “The Shack”. I hope many of you will attend.
I wish you a very spiritually rewarding 2009. Study your Bible and share your faith with someone who may be searching for help to get through the year. God bless you all.
Pastor John
I truly do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know Kathy and I certainly did. It was wonderful to see the sanctuaries all decorated and to once again hear the old and familiar Christmas Carols. I was really impressed by the youth of the parish as they performed in the Christmas Pageant. And of course no Christmas would be complete without the youngsters doing their part of the Christmas program. It was wonderful too to see large attendance at each of our Christmas Eve services.
The year 2008 was beset with bad weather in the spring and bad financial news for not only our country but for the world in the fall. History was made though as this country elected its first President of a mixed race. I don’t know about you but, I take pride in saying that President-Elect Barrack Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ. I guess though, --- the thing that I take away from this election is the hope that just maybe, this country is beginning to “get it”! We are all children of God and there is just no room for things like racial bigotry and hate in any society that claims to be God fearing and or professes to be a “Christian nation.” I wish the new president and our country well as we begin a new era in our country’s destiny.
We have just completed a very successful year in the parish. Each church has gained new membership in addition to those gained through the confirmation process and we frequently see visitors in the pews. I’m thankful to see our St. Paul’s “Scriptures and Donuts” program going strong and I’m also grateful to see good attendance at our Bible study programs. I’m looking forward to the Lenten season when Julie Wallis will be presenting a book discussion series on W. Paul Young’s fictional novel “The Shack”. I hope many of you will attend.
I wish you a very spiritually rewarding 2009. Study your Bible and share your faith with someone who may be searching for help to get through the year. God bless you all.
Pastor John
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