The season of Advent is a time of anticipation as we wait and prepare with hope for the birth of Jesus, and we’re called to wait actively. Opening ourselves to a different perspective can bring a sense of hope in the midst of despair – allowing joy to creep in no matter what. Opening to […]
God’s presence with us in sorrow and joy and God’s work through us to bring healing and hope are a promise for us to claim and a witness to God’s victory over suffering and death. Even our suffering can be transformed when we offer it to God just as Jesus’ death was transformed into the […]
We pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done” often, but how do we understand our place in it? looking at the bigger and longer story of God’s love and redemption, we are a part of that story as we journey with God and pay attention to God’s prompting in our lives. We opened worship […]
Prayer is not an exercise in getting what we want, but in nurturing a relationship with God through both speaking and listening. We struggle when God doesn’t answer prayers in the way we assume is best for us, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t attentive and faithful. Pastor Mary’s message is based on Matthew 21: […]
Most of us struggle with the questions of “why?” at one time or another. Whether it’s the pain of death, our own life situation or someone else close to us, whether it’s an overwhelming global problem like hunger and violence, or whether it’s the reality that some people have faced hardship that we cannot imagine, […]
Giving from a Biblical perspective is intentional, regular, generous, an offering of our first-fruits, proportional, and cheerful. As we seek to be faithful stewards, we grown in our relationship with God. Pastor Mary’s message is based on Luke 12: 22-34. To read it, click here. We also shared “Cheerful Giver” once again.
Jesus talked about money and possessions frequently and called his disciples to develop a right relationship with them – not as something to control us, but as something we use as a tool to serve God and others. Pastor Mary’s message is based on Luke 18: 18-30; I Timothy 6: 6-10; and Matthew 6: 24. […]
2019 Advent and Christmas Worship Brainstorming “Heaven and Nature Sing” November 4, 2019 The worship brainstorming was held at Deb Moon’s LeFleur Shoppe. We focused on the beloved song, “Joy to the World,” which turns 300 this year. Here is what we came up with: 2019 Advent and Christmas Brainstorming Summary For ideas on how […]
Our society tells us that what we have belongs to us, to use as we wish. The Bible tells us that everything belongs to God, and we are the stewards, or managers, of that which God has entrusted to us. How does this distinction change our understanding of giving? We shared the video, “You Don’t […]
“Membership has its privileges” is an ad slogan, but that’s not the case when it comes to the church. We’re called to be disciples and make disciples, which includes being faithful stewards of God’s gifts. We shared the video, “Cheerful Giver,” in worship. Pastor Mary’s message is based on Matthew 28: 16-20. Marcia Woodworth […]