The wonderful songwriter, Bruce Cockburn, upon learning of the death of a fellow musician wrote: There you goSwimming deeper into mysteryHere I remainOnly seeing you where you used to beStared at the ceiling'Til my ears filled with tearsNever got to know you Suddenly you're out of hereGone from mystery into mysteryGone from Read More...
One of the most important aspects of the "emerging church" movement is the idea of inclusiveness. Many research organizations and reports are noting that people no longer search for a church based on "brand" loyalty. Fifty years go if you were a member of a Christian Church like Country Club and you Read More...
One of the great highlights of my career has been the opportunity to serve with my colleague and friend, The Rev. Dr. George B. Gordon. During the last six years together in ministry, we have laughed and cried, prayed and dreamed, planned and studied, worshipped and welcomed in ways that have blessed Read More...
One of my pet phrases to say to visitors who express a desire to return is, "The doors will be open!" I want anyone who walks through our doors to know that they are open for everyone. When we keep the doors of the sanctuary open for all we are proclaiming to Read More...
God is bigger than we are. I suppose that statement is an obvious truth, one that all of us would agree with, but there are times, especially during political seasons, when this basic truth is forgotten, ignored or twisted. I mentioned in a recent sermon that both parties have tried recently, in Read More...
As we move further into the political season that is before us, I hope people of faith, especially Christians, will be able to treat those who disagree with them with graciousness and kindness. Christian folks like us cannot control the action of the two parties as we move closer to election day Read More...
Do you remember the parable Jesus told about a man who owned a vineyard? You can find it in Matthew 20. The short version is this: A man owned a vineyard and needed help to harvest the grapes. Early in the day he found some workers. He promised them $100. Later in Read More...
By now I am almost certain that most of you know that this Sunday, August 17th will mark the beginning of a new time format for worship. There have been articles in the newsletter and the bulletin insert in every issue for about two months. The task force assigned to study the Read More...
I was ordained 20 years ago. On that day there were many mentors, friends and family members who participated in the service. My great friend, Doug Dornhecker, delivered a brilliant sermon, one that I read and reread at least once a year. Dick Wing, my mentor and one of the finest preachers Read More...
The church in the United States has an image problem. David Kinnaman, in his book, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why It Matters, explores the problems that Christianity is experiencing with the emerging generation of 16-29 year olds. He says they “reject Jesus because they feel rejected Read More...
A few weeks ago in a sermon I said, “We are called to leave fear behind.” Lara Schopp, our Director of Communications, sitting in the pews listening to the sermon, picked up on the line, “leave fear behind.” She suggested that we use it more often. I liked the idea but I Read More...
