Sowing seeds is always an act of faith that always feels risky and feeble. How can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Some seeds won’t germinate and instead remain buried in the ground. Of those seeds that do, some of the weak sprouts must be weeded out for theirContinue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the Third Candle of Advent”
Author Archives: First Presbyterian Church
From the Pastor: A Christmas of Sacrifice
December 10, 2020 Members and friends, To stem the spread and ease the burden of COVID-19 on our community, Session voted Tuesday night to extend our suspension of in-person worship through Sunday, Jan. 10. Sadly, that includes the Christmas Eve service. At our meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the elders and I will re-evaluate ourContinue reading “From the Pastor: A Christmas of Sacrifice”
Something New Begins
The gospels of Luke and Matthew tell the Christmas story as we much prefer to have it told. But the gospel of Mark takes a much-different tack to welcome Jesus to our world. Mark skips all the stuff of peace on earth and mercy mild and gets right down to brass tacks. His version of events opens with a quick nod to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah and a cameo appearance by John the Baptist.
Video meditation: Lighting the Second Candle of Advent
John the Baptist calls God’s people into the journey of repentance and transformation. (Mark 1:1-8) Similarly, we are called to prepare the way for God’s message of love and liberation to be shouted, heard and received. Those who dream make way for “righteousness and peace to kiss, for faithfulness to spring up from the ground.”Continue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the Second Candle of Advent”
Like Those Who Dream
Even as most of us are flipping the switch that turns on the holiday lights, the Church points us toward a Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent that looks ahead to that great, coming day when all the lights will go out – for good! As we prepare to celebrate assurance of theContinue reading “Like Those Who Dream”
Video meditation: Lighting the First Candle of Advent
The opening verses of Psalm 126 provide the theme for our celebration of Advent and Christmas this year: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” What does it look like to live as those who dream? The biblical characters of Advent and Christmas – John the Baptist, Mary,Continue reading “Video meditation: Lighting the First Candle of Advent”
From the Pastor: Love Often Demands Sacrifice
November 23, 2020 Members and friends, A colleague in ministry well expressed what life is like these days: It feels like we’re living in a soap opera jam-packed with over-the-top plot twists. As if the challenges of the past eight months haven’t been enough, COVID-19 cases again are on the rise, health-care workers are stressed toContinue reading “From the Pastor: Love Often Demands Sacrifice”
The Faith of a Few Friends
We’ve all seen it, and it’s a mighty disgusting sight: A little kid with a runny nose that’s gone amuck. All the world can see – though no one really wants to see – that this snotty little kid desperately needs a nose wiping. And that nauseating duty always seems to fall upon mom. ButContinue reading “The Faith of a Few Friends”
Mercy Within Mercy
Not long ago, a nationwide study surveyed people’s attitudes about forgiveness. The study found 75 percent of Americans feeling “very confident” that God has forgiven them of their sins and trespasses. But that rosy outlook turned muddy for interpersonal relationships. Only about half of the people surveyed felt certain that they’d forgiven others. While theContinue reading “Mercy Within Mercy”
Every Which Way But Loose
Pound for pound, this morning’s Scripture lesson from the Gospel of Mark packs quite the punch. This strange story of a man who daily lives with the unraveling of his mind easily ranks right up there with the most bizarre stories in the Bible. A man named Legion is labeled demonical, and the town residentsContinue reading “Every Which Way But Loose”