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Annual Pastor's Report 2018

“On the ship of the church there are no passengers, all members are the crew.” From the Charter of Church of the Savior, Washington D.C. During 2018 we celebrated our faith in communion, in baptism, in marriage, and in the lives of those who have joined with the saints in heaven. We continued to face the challenges that we share with other communities of faith. During 2018 we have seen an increase in the things that divide us in our world. It appears that we have lost the ability to come together and reason with one another. Anyone with an opposing view or thought is to be villainized, shouted down, defeated, and destroyed. We are called to be peacemakers in a “Game of Thrones” world. So, as we look toward the new year, we can see that we have our work cut out for us. We need to be building bridges of faith within and without our church and the communities in which we live. We need to be striving to see the possibilities instead of the barriers. We need to put our faith to work,
Recent posts

The Best News Ever

What follows is my sermon for Easter Sunrise Service delivered at St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Luthersburg, PA. The Best News Ever The story of the Jesus as told in the new testament is called the Gospel which means Good News. Jesus himself said that he had come to bring the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand.   The term Good News can be found 16 times in the four books called the Gospel, and an additional 13 more times in the rest of the books of the New Testament. Now I have what may seem like a strange question.  Why are you here this morning?  I mean, did you get up extra early this morning, get cleaned up and drive to this spot for some good news? I am going to make an assumption.  I think it is a pretty safe assumption, but an assumption none the less.  I assume that you are here this morning because you are a Christian.     You claim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has made a mark on your life and you are here to celebrate the news of

Restoring Honor

As I watch news stories about people attacking others over a political preferences and then blaming the violence on the other side, one of the many questions that comes to mind is how will you restore your honor when the election is over. The one talent most needed these days is the ability to unite.  Unfortunately, it appears the only thing politicians and political parties are good at is division.  After the name calling, egg throwing, suckered punching, and political games, how will you regain the honor lost?  How will you unite those you have alienated?  How will you govern all the people? We have heard the promises before.  Promises to unite, to do what is best for all the people only to be disappointed by governing to one side at the expense of the other.  This is not what makes a great leader or a great government.  We have too long settled for mediocre in our leadership.  Where are the leaders who will look beyond the political parties and govern for all the people. I welco

Jesus Loves ME!

"Jesus loves me, this I know" is not just a children's song, it is an anthem for all of us, regardless of our age, Somewhere along our growing up, most of us stopped singing the simple song of our childhood.  But the truth of this wonderful song does stop when we reach adolescence.  "Jesus loves me" is a truth that we need to remember through out our lives. It is a needle of truth that we tend to loose in the haystack of the world.  It is the most precious and powerful thought to touch our humanness.  In spite of my failings Jesus loves me. Considering my struggles, Jesus loves me.  Because of my humanness, Jesus loves me. And Jesus loves you too.  To quote the apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome, "Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus."  Nothing.  What is that for which you are most ashamed?  It doesn't change this truth, Jesus loves you.  What is the worst thing you have done in your life?  Jesus loves you.  What i

The Joy of the Lord

Most Christians are familiar with the end of Nehemiah 8:10.  "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." The challenge would be to see if how many would know the full verse. "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." KJV Here is what happened. Jerusalem's walls were in ruins, having been destroyed by one invader after another.  Nehemiah was named governor of the region and began the task of rebuilding the falls of the city.  It took 52 days for the people to rebuild the walls and the gates of Jerusalem. A day was set aside to celebrate the completion.  As part of that celebrate, Ezra, the religious leader at the time was asked to read the laws of Moses as given by God.  On that morning, Ezra read till noon, and as the people began to understand how they had sin

Hard Words

The sixth chapter of the Gospel of John spends a lot of time dealing with bread and eating.  But it isn't till the end of this long chapter that Jesus gets to the meat of the lesson.  Everything is going along fairly smoothly, even if not fully understood. Then Jesus announces that his flesh and blood is the main ingredients of the saving meal. Jesus said, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."   John 6:56-59 NRSV This is one of the most difficult text to read.  It is disquieting, even gross.  No wonder many of those who were following Jesus at the time walked away. People walked away because they could not see beyond the hard words.  Up to this point, they enjoyed the image

MASH - The Sermon Series

I am beginning to put a peliminary outline for a possible sermon series based on MASH.  Mobile Active Spiritual Helpers! I still have to nail down the scriptures and sermon themes. Suggestions are welcome. Watch for future updates.