When I teach Old Testament I often say you really need to know these two words: exile and exodus. People can picture exodus, that moment when the Red Sea was parted by Moses and the people of God exited slavery in Egypt and trounced through the desert seeking a new life. But Read More...
As your pastor I want to be strong. But I would be lying if I told you have not had some sleepless nights and some melt-down moments. At times my heart feels full and I know for certain that we will emerge stronger at the end of this. But at other times Read More...
Fifty women with white hair slip demurely into the carved wooden choir stalls, bow their heads to pray and then sweetly sing “O God break the teeth in their mouths.” I was shocked. Is this phrase really in the Bible? A few minutes later we sing, “Let those who seek to hurt Read More...
By Lisa McLeish, Director of Early Childhood Programs I n spite of my effort to only watch the news for the weather forecast, the other news of the world makes itself known. The excitement and happiness of the Chief’s Super Bowl win seems so long ago as we are inundated with the Read More...
By Tyler Heston, Minister to Youth It’s easy to be anxious in our world today. As November 2020 grows closer, our country is nervous about what’s next. Life as normal is coming to a halt across the globe as COVID-19 spreads. On top of these things and the plethora of personal concerns Read More...
A virus. A tornado. A rapidly shifting political scene. And that was just by Wednesday! How do you and I as people of faith, respond to the volatility? First, the virus. Jesus focused much of his energy on healing the sick. Without antibiotics or IV’s, Jesus had compassion on those with incurable Read More...
By Catherine Stark-Corn, Minister to Families and Children One of my most cherished memories is of the church’s family mission trips to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The drive could be a bit long, especially with younger ones who were tired of car games, toys, sitting, being told to Read More...
“I have no problem giving up alcohol for the 40 days of Lent” my friend told me. “But if I try to say no to a glass of wine other times of the year, it seems impossible. I don’t know why that is.” This conversation with my friend got me to thinking Read More...
'I wish you were either hot or cold, but you are lukewarm,' says Jesus to the church in the book of Revelation. Guilty as charged. There are too many days that my faith feels lackluster. Sometimes my prayer life feels like going through the motions but I wish my prayers were more Read More...
The world no longer trusts Christians who ʻlove Jesus but do not seem to love anything else,” writes Richard Rohr, in his latest book, The Universal Christ. Valentine’s Day is a good day to reflect on what we love, who we love, how we love. My earliest memory of Valentine’s Day is Read More...
By Matthew Thompson, Director of Music I have always loved going to church! I know it may seem odd to most but for some reason, church, especially worship and music called out to me from a young age. I was around 12 years old when I began playing the organ and accompanying Read More...
By Dr. Mike Graves, Scholar in Residence One of my good friends finished off 2019 by reading his 52nd title of the year. Unless a person’s diet of reading is limited to Dr. Seuss or Daniel Tiger, a book per week is impressive. Of course, my friend is a professor, so reading is part Read More...
She was on the drill team and worked in the library to pay her tuition. He was on a football scholarship. These small town/farm kids met at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana, Texas in 1955, fell in love and got married two years later. From their love, came my sister and me Read More...
By April Booth, Director of Children's Ministries One Sunday during the children’s sermon we talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and how he loved people and the ways he showed love by serving them. As we talked about things we’ve done to serve – working in the garden at Urban Farming Guys Read More...
By Rev. Joe Walker, Minister of Congregational Care The Pope slapped a woman’s hand. Perhaps you remember the New Year’s Eve incident: As he was leaving a receiving line an overzealous pilgrim grabbed the Pontiff’s hand pulling him off-balance. Pope Francis reacted by slapping her hand and barking at her before his Read More...
