Pastor John’s Corner
On Ash Wednesday, we met as a parish to celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season. The confirmands worked very hard to put together their service and I thought they did an excellent job of presenting the service for us. They deserve our congratulation for a job well done.
At that service one of our confirmands gave us a brief history of why we put ashes on our forehead, why we celebrate Lent and Ash Wednesday. Her research was a good and well presented series of facts. However, I hope that all of you will take time during these next few weeks to step beyond the facts of why we celebrate Lent. Lent really is a period of solemn prayer and reflection on the current state of our personal relationship with God. Many people will “give up something” as an act of contrition during this period. The something that we give up is supposed to represent a sacrifice on our part in recognition of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Therefore if your sacrifice is indeed a trivial thing, then you trivialize the sacrifice that Christ made. In other words, giving up chocolate hardly equates to Christ giving up his life.
I heard of a church sign the other day that said “Now Open Christmas through Easter!” I thought that was a pretty neat sign because it hits home to many church goers. Our attendance at the two churches says fairly consistent and we can do so very much better. For those of you who come every Sunday, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But --- it is up to you to make those calls to relatives and friends who miss frequently and invite them to join us again. We would love to have them worship with us again.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Friday, February 26, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Pastor John's Corner February 2010
Pastor John’s Corner
I hope by now, you have taken the chance to lift your spirits and take a whole new look at the year 2010. We have been concentrating on just that for the past five Sundays. If our two congregational meetings are an example, I’d say we have made a great beginning.
Congratulations to our newly elected council members and continued good luck to the returning members. You all have a lot of work ahead of you for the coming year. But as I said in my letter to the members of the St. Lucas, when we all work together to accomplish what we feel to be the work of God, we will continue to be successful.
On February 17th, we will celebrate Ash Wednesday with our annual confirmand-designed and run Combined Parish service. As is traditional, we will have communion and the imposition of ashes as part of the service. The service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s. I hope you will come and celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is a period of prayer and reflection for the faithful. We use the six weeks to reflect on our relationship with God and with our fellowman, and make improvements where needed. As part of our Lenten program this year, our Bible Study/Book Discussion for Lent will be called Fearless, based upon the Max Lucado book by the same name. Julie Wallis and I will be offering this Bible Study together. I hope you will take the opportunity to come and talk about how we can use the power of the Holy Spirit to get past those things that worry us and take our mind off of the blessings that God has given us.
Blessings,
Pastor John
I hope by now, you have taken the chance to lift your spirits and take a whole new look at the year 2010. We have been concentrating on just that for the past five Sundays. If our two congregational meetings are an example, I’d say we have made a great beginning.
Congratulations to our newly elected council members and continued good luck to the returning members. You all have a lot of work ahead of you for the coming year. But as I said in my letter to the members of the St. Lucas, when we all work together to accomplish what we feel to be the work of God, we will continue to be successful.
On February 17th, we will celebrate Ash Wednesday with our annual confirmand-designed and run Combined Parish service. As is traditional, we will have communion and the imposition of ashes as part of the service. The service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s. I hope you will come and celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is a period of prayer and reflection for the faithful. We use the six weeks to reflect on our relationship with God and with our fellowman, and make improvements where needed. As part of our Lenten program this year, our Bible Study/Book Discussion for Lent will be called Fearless, based upon the Max Lucado book by the same name. Julie Wallis and I will be offering this Bible Study together. I hope you will take the opportunity to come and talk about how we can use the power of the Holy Spirit to get past those things that worry us and take our mind off of the blessings that God has given us.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Friday, January 1, 2010
Pastor John’s Corner- January 2010
Welcome to 2010 --- the end of the first decade of a new century. Scientists and doctors tell us that babies born this year are almost guaranteed to see the year 2100. Wow, --- one wonders what changes to the world they are going to see as they grow into their adulthood.
I noted with interest that one of our parishioners made comment on Facebook about how quickly all of the Christmas decorations and songs etc. disappear after Christmas day. I totally agree with her. It seems that the great “well, that’s over” sets in as soon as the last gift is opened. People rush to the malls etc. to exchange those gifts they really don’t want and to spend their new gift cards on some hot item. In the process of getting Christmas over with, so many people pack away their Christmas cheer and spirit along with the trees and ornaments, and I think to myself how sad that is. I pray that none of you have fallen into the post-Christmas humdrums. If so, let me know. I have some parishioners to visit in our nursing homes that would love to have you come along with me and sit and talk and pray with them once in awhile. I guarantee it will help you as much, if not more than it does them. I’m blessed to get this spirit renewal twice a month on visitation day.
This has not been a gentle decade for the world has it? In fact I would call this the “decade of fear” which I will address during my first sermon of the year on the 3rd of January. We’ve worried about everything from terrorism, to economic woes, to worldwide flu epidemic. We’ve watched people lose their homes and their jobs due to nothing more than greed at the highest levels. We’ve seen business after business close and unemployment continue to rise.
This can drive us all a bit nuts if we let it. But --- I refuse to let it get to me. God created us and God loves us. God will show us the way through all of these worries if we will trust in Him and rely on His guidance. So, --- when I wish you a Happy New Year, --- that is exactly my wish for you. Have a happy – healthy --- Holy Spirit filled 2010. Pastor John
I noted with interest that one of our parishioners made comment on Facebook about how quickly all of the Christmas decorations and songs etc. disappear after Christmas day. I totally agree with her. It seems that the great “well, that’s over” sets in as soon as the last gift is opened. People rush to the malls etc. to exchange those gifts they really don’t want and to spend their new gift cards on some hot item. In the process of getting Christmas over with, so many people pack away their Christmas cheer and spirit along with the trees and ornaments, and I think to myself how sad that is. I pray that none of you have fallen into the post-Christmas humdrums. If so, let me know. I have some parishioners to visit in our nursing homes that would love to have you come along with me and sit and talk and pray with them once in awhile. I guarantee it will help you as much, if not more than it does them. I’m blessed to get this spirit renewal twice a month on visitation day.
This has not been a gentle decade for the world has it? In fact I would call this the “decade of fear” which I will address during my first sermon of the year on the 3rd of January. We’ve worried about everything from terrorism, to economic woes, to worldwide flu epidemic. We’ve watched people lose their homes and their jobs due to nothing more than greed at the highest levels. We’ve seen business after business close and unemployment continue to rise.
This can drive us all a bit nuts if we let it. But --- I refuse to let it get to me. God created us and God loves us. God will show us the way through all of these worries if we will trust in Him and rely on His guidance. So, --- when I wish you a Happy New Year, --- that is exactly my wish for you. Have a happy – healthy --- Holy Spirit filled 2010. Pastor John
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Pastor John's Corner December 2009
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
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
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
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