Posted by jbrudvig |
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Soon we will be entering the season of Advent and another busy time of holiday preparations, Christmas programs, family traditions, travel, and never-ending to-do lists. Amid the chaos of our busy lives Advent invites us to make time for Sabbath renewal. But given all that has happened during the past year, many may struggle to experience the “hope, love, joy,…
Posted by hlewis |
When I was in college, I was given lots of opportunities as a young musician. I directed and accompanied church choirs; taught piano lessons and keyboard classes; and played and sang for weddings and funerals. It was a great way to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and start to really see how I could bring joy and comfort to others through music.
I did try to avoid difficult situations,…
Posted by tgraham |
I've had to do a lot of stepping up in my life. I've done it with disdain, indifference, fear, excitement, need, commitment, and so on. But how often do I purposely step down? When do I let others step up? Why should I let others step up?
I think this is a very important question for parents. Your 2-year-old says, "ME DO IT!" and if you're like I was you cringe and hover. I cringed and…
Posted by svanbaale |
This Sunday will be quite eventful. It is Reformation Sunday, Confirmation, and also Halloween.
Reformation is the anniversary of the day Martin Luther is said to have posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther chose that date, the evening before All-Hallows Day (also known as All Saints Day), because he knew the…
Posted by rgarza |
It has been an interesting 2021. When will things get back to how they were and we can continue where we left off? Time always tells, and patience is what we will need from here on out.
The three readings for today all speak of what joys will come for those who followed Jesus — through the tough times, the sick, the weeping of sorrow, the blind, and many others.
We all have gone…
Posted by jloos |
My kids LOVE to sing praise songs in the car. Often my minivan looks like a full-on revival is taking place, with someone belting out the chorus while another is clapping along. I am sure it is quite a sight to those next to us.
What I love about this time together in the car is two things — one, my kids are worshipping God and two, they are doing it out of a pure, natural…
Posted by jbrudvig |
Recently I came across a fascinating story recounted by M. Scott Peck. At the center of the tale is a once-thriving monastery that over time has been reduced to a shell of its former glory. The abbot, concerned that the few remaining elderly monks could not sustain the ministry, went to the woods surrounding the monastery to pray.
Deep in the woods was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby…
Posted by hlewis |
This week we lift up this scripture from Mark 9:37: “Whomever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me … and the One who sent me.”
Our church works hard at being welcoming, especially by inviting our children and youth to lead. They have been encouraged since they were little to stay in the pews even when they’re noisy. They have sung in children’s choir, acted and…
Posted by tgraham |
Today I will be willing to work toward transforming, knowing it’s always ongoing and forever.
My own transformation probably … NO, not probably, it absolutely … happens when I have such soul pain that I become willing to review and receive my thoughts honestly. That honesty is the key to greater success
in making long-term changes that bring peace through creating…
Posted by svanbaale |
He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37)
No one wants…