Once crimson poppies bloomed out in a foreign field,each memory reminds where brutal death was sealed.The crimson petals flutter down,still hatred forms a thorny crown.– Stanza 1, Remembrance Wise and compassionate God, you know as well as we do that the wounds of war are slow to heal, and sadly, some wounds continue to festerContinue reading “From the Pastor: A Prayer for Veterans Day”
Author Archives: First Presbyterian Church
Not Now, Not Yet
One of Scripture’s many blessings comes its invitation to see ourselves in its story. With the insight of the Holy Spirit, you see yourself in a character, living in a community, having a conversation with another. Maybe even with the Lord himself! The poetry of ancient psalms lifts your heart to God in praise andContinue reading “Not Now, Not Yet”
A Voter’s Guide
Uncomfortable as it often is, naming the elephant in the room can be a risk both faithful and fruitful. I thus climb out on the limb of preaching to bring you a Word about Tuesday’s election – a voter’s guide, if you will. Please know that I share from the heart of a pastor notContinue reading “A Voter’s Guide”
Hang in There, Parents
So apparently, being a parent is hazardous to your health. A few weeks ago, the U.S. surgeon general declared the ailing mental health of parents be an urgent public health issue. “Being a dad is the toughest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Dr. Vivek Murthy wrote in his health advisory to the nation.Continue reading “Hang in There, Parents”
When Love Finds a Home
Listen, now, to the Word that God has spoken;listen to the One who is close at hand;listen to the Voice that began Creation;listen even if you don’t understand. At that moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and he prayed, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from thoseContinue reading “When Love Finds a Home”
An Oily Beard
During his 1860 run for the White House, then-candidate Abraham Lincoln received a letter from an 11-year-old girl that some believe helped get him elected president. As the tale is told, the girl urged Mr. Lincoln to grow a beard because she surmised that whiskers would hide the drab homeliness of his face and improveContinue reading “An Oily Beard”
He Said What?
In the lead-up to this morning’s Scripture lesson, the Gospel of John records Jesus likening himself to bread and telling people to eat his flesh and drink his blood. The Lord’s graphic language is turning some people off. Anything that smacks of cannibalism tends to do that. We’ll shortly learn that some of the Lord’sContinue reading “He Said What?”
There Was a Wedding …
There was a wedding, in Cana of Galilee. Jesus and his chums were on the guest list. Being average men, I tend to think that – under their breath, in low, grumbly tones – the apostles were muttering in complaint, “Oh great! We have to go to a wedding.” Let’s be honest guys, few ofContinue reading “There Was a Wedding …”
Towel-Waving
Pastor Grant M. VanderVelden shared this message at the funeral for Bill R. Withers, M.D., on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, Iowa. Literally until the day he died, Bill actively served as an ordained elder of this church. In the Presbyterian tradition, ordained elders and pastors equally share in leadership,Continue reading “Towel-Waving”
Good Kids
The anguished conversations all begin with an eerily similar lament from a heartbroken parent: “Tyler (or Natalie) used to be such a good kid. I just don’t know what went wrong.” It’s a new era for parents and their young adult children. The baton-pass from one generation to the next is taking longer than itContinue reading “Good Kids”