At a place called Marah, the Old Testament prophet Moses – at God’s command – tosses a mere stick into a pool of water too bitter to drink. That cane of wood no sooner splashes the surface when the waters turn sweet: Like the sultry spe-chew of a cold one popped open on a hotContinue reading “How Many Licks?”
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From the Pastor: A Prayer for Veterans Day
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”
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”
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”
On Labor Day: A Prayer
God of shop and marketplace, of farm and studio,Factory and shipping lane, of school and busy home: Bless the product of our hands.Redeem our work for Kingdom-use.By Your grace, our efforts stand,All offered up to You. There in Eden, You proclaimed that we should work the earth –Stewards over all we named, delighting in theirContinue reading “On Labor Day: A Prayer”
East Ellington Cemetery
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. … The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as withContinue reading “East Ellington Cemetery”
You Don’t Know Jack
Thanks to the likes of Mother Goose, everyone knows the nursery rhyme by heart: Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after. But wait, there’s more! Up Jack got and home did trot as fast as he could caper;AndContinue reading “You Don’t Know Jack”
A Spiritual Health Check-up
If you, like me, attended public school between 1966 and 2012, then you likely remember sweating, grunting, and groaning through the Presidential Physical Fitness Test — A grueling, gym-class ordeal that demanded sit-ups, pull-ups, a long-distance run, and several other selected feats of pubescent strength and agility. For the athletically inclined it was a chanceContinue reading “A Spiritual Health Check-up”
‘The Sun’s Coming Out!’
Pastor Grant M. VanderVelden shared this message at the graveside service for Vicki M. Gluck on December 12, 2023, at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa. Reflection by Stacy Lowe informs parts the message. When God seems far away – like when death comes calling and steals away someone we love, the candle of our hopeContinue reading “‘The Sun’s Coming Out!’”
When the Way Is Blocked
A battle of wills provides the drama in this morning’s Scripture lesson from the New Testament book of Acts. The apostle Paul has just returned from a busy mission trip on which he founded dozens of churches across the biblical world, and Paul is eager to hit the road again to check in with hisContinue reading “When the Way Is Blocked”