Category: Minister’s Blog

This Sunday we prepare for the Advent season, which begins December 2, by talking about new beginnings. We will examine the story of Ezra and the new beginning he was a part of as the Israelites returned from their captivity in Babylon. Because the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new church year, it presents us with the opportunity for a new beginning in our faith, a recommitment to our own spiritual growth. I hope you will join us as we begin this journey together.

This Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday.  In our sermon, we will examine the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus.  All ten were healed, but only one person returned to Jesus to express his gratitude.  While all were certainly thankful to be freed from this terrible disease, only one went back. From this story, we will consider how we can be more than simply thankful when we experience God’s grace. Join us for our worship service at 10:00 and for our Thanksgiving meal following the service!

This Sunday we look at the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. While we typically think of this story in terms of Jesus being upset with the presence of money changers in this holy place, Jesus was teaching a larger truth. And that message remains important to us today if our faith is to remain relevant to the world around us. Join us this Sunday at 10:00 as we explore this key event in the life of Jesus. And don’t forget to join us for social hour at 9:00.

This Sunday is All Saint’s Sunday.  For many of us, there is a sense of mystery as to what happens when those we love have passed.  While we believe in a life with God in heaven, while we feel assured it exists, we don’t know how it functions, what it means for those who have gone there. And particularly relevant for All Saints Sunday, we wonder how we can still relate to them.  Join us this Sunday as we examine these topics and remember those we have lost.  Also, don’t forget to join us this Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. for our Trunk or Treat.

With Halloween coming up next week, this Sunday we will consider the manner in which fear plays a role in our spiritual lives. Just as we can get spooked during this time of year by things which are not a real threat, in our faith we can build up fears in our minds which keep us from moving forward into the future God has planned for us. We will examine the fear which built up in the minds of the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, and how easy it is for us to fall into the same trap of embracing fear rather than having faith. We hope to see you Sunday for worship at 10:00 and social hour at 9:00. And don’t forget to join us for Trunk or Treat on Halloween night from 5 to 7.

Our sermon this Sunday will examine the idea of holding back. We will look at the accounts of two people from the Bible – Achan and Ananias. Both of these men tried to hide things from their communities and from God. While they thought that holding back would benefit them personally, in the end they only hurt themselves. Many times we too hold back what we have to offer because we fear what we will lose. But this desire for self-preservation comes at the cost of our authenticity and sincerity. I hope you will join us for social hour at 9:00 and worship at 10:00.

This Sunday, we will be looking at an often overlooked book of the Bible written by an often overlooked prophet, Hosea.  Hosea presented a powerful message to the people of Israel in a pretty shocking way. And although God had a difficult message for the people, there was also a powerful message of hope and renewal – a message that continues to be a promise for us today.  Join us this Sunday for our worship service at 10:00 and our social hour at 9:00.  And don’t forget to sign up for a time to have your picture taken for our new church directory.

This Sunday, we conclude our sermon series of words to describe our church with the word “reconciling.” When we hear the word reconcile, we think of relationships that have been restored between spouses or friends.  But reconciliation takes on a larger meaning in the context of the church.  From the story of Jacob and Esau, we will consider the steps necessary to be reconciled, finding peace with one another and God.

This Sunday we continue our series of sermons looking at words to describe our congregation.  We continue this week with the word “covenant.” The word “covenant” is one of the most important themes throughout Scripture.  God makes covenants with Noah, with Abraham, with the people of Israel. We experience a new covenant in the coming of Jesus.  There is an aspect of God’s willingness to make covenants with us that we often overlook. And from this we learn an important lesson about how we should live as the people of God.  I hope you will join us for our worship service this Sunday at 10:00 and our social hour at 9:00.

This Sunday, we continue to examine words to describe who we are as a church with the word “sanctuary.”  When the think of this word, we often think of the room in the church where we hold the worship service.  But this week we will consider another meaning.  The church is meant to be a place of sanctuary, a safe place for those who fear they may not find a home elsewhere, for those seeking refuge. Join us for our social hour at 9:00 and our worship service at 10:00.  And don’t forget our ministries for children and youth continue this Wednesday with a meal at 5:30 and the program at 6:00.