I have often said that Mother’s Day may be the most difficult holiday upon which to preach. There are so many variables and differing expectations. Yet to totally ignore the occasion in the sermon never seems like the right thing to do, either. So, I thought I would share with you a little excerpt of my sermon from this past Sunday. The sermon was titled “Another Helper.”
Mother’s Day Excerpt Read Post »
I have been reading the Psalms this week and something has jumped out at me as never before. Many of the psalms view the past and the present with very differing thoughts. The present is seen as a cup half full, and often times much worse, questioning God’s lack of concern and action. However memories of the past focus upon the faithfulness of God, his acts of deliverance and consistent love. I guess people today complaining about the present and talking about “the good old days” is nothing new.
We entrust all these petitions to Your care, loving Father, confident in Your great mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is worshiped together with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
May 10, 2026 Bulletin Read Post »
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
May 3, 2026 Bulletin Read Post »
As is my custom, I am currently reading two books. I started reading both of them the same day a week or so ago. One is over 600 pages long, the other only 139 pages. However, in spite of the obvious disparity, I expect I will finish the “600 plus-er” first. Why? Well, for one reason the longer book is a large print version of a Tom Clancy novel. The other is a very technical, academic book with minute print. When reading the Jack Ryan Jr. novel I am having a difficult time setting the book down at the end of a chapter. The other book, “How (Not) to be Secular – Reading Charles Taylor” by James A. K. Smith, has my brain fried every 3-4 pages – so that it takes me 2-3 sittings just to get through a chapter.
Not Always Obvious Read Post »
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the one of the two disciples walking the road to Emmaus on Easter (Luke 24.13-35). Cleopas and his friend were not among the twelve, but may have been two the of seventy Jesus sent out. And they definitely were among the 100 or so who gathered in the upper room. They tell the Easter story in a very special way:
A Lonely Road Turned Around Read Post »
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
April 26, 2026 Bulletin Read Post »
This month as I make home visits I have been focusing upon the Easter story in the Gospel of Matthew. And this week, as I prepare to preach on Sunday, I am additionally looking at the part of the Easter story generally known as The Road to Emmaus. Something that has struck me about both accounts is how patient and kind Jesus is with his followers.
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
April 19, 2026 Bulletin Read Post »
I had a strange dream Tuesday night. Strange in content. Strange in that it had no apparent context with anything in my life. Strange that I remembered it.
Going Somewhere … Together Read Post »
