The Rev. Scott Hibben wrote an article a few years back that asked the question of whether or not we expect guest in our church. He talked about when one expects guest they do things differently. They spruce up the house making sure everything is just right. They may even purchase new things to replace old things but at the very least they will vacuum and dust and shove things into closets all to make things look nice and feel…
In August I preached about unity in relation to my opinion on how we as a United Methodist Church move forward through our disagreements regarding the current polity of the church’s view and stance on homosexuality. There is a great deal of consideration for splitting the denomination so it was good to hear from the letter of Ephesians that we are called to accept each other with love and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with…
In July I celebrated two years as your pastor! (How time files!) The first year I just began settling into my new ministry setting. Getting use to a new routine and worship service. I spent hours working on power point slides for worship which was brand new and very exciting to me. The second year I focused on getting to know the people of God a little more by spending time and having conversations. Lunch with the Pastor and Table…
June 24, 2018 2018 Annual Conference Report Theme: Creating Difference Makers in New Communities of Faith I was honored to be the Stuart Mt. Vernon United Methodist delegate to annual conference this year. I am pleased to report that the proposed budget for 2019 year is down $505,925 AND “ending net assets” continue to increase. Over the past few years we have had some honest attempts to critically analyze the work of the church and to budget…
June Pastor’s Pen As we enter in this season of Pentecost, the birth and life of the church by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am ever so mindful of the words that Jesus left with us, ”lo, I will be with you always!” What wonderful comforting and assuring words from our Savior. To know that Jesus will always be with us through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, but more importantly in this world…
Someone sent this to me in an email and it changed me: A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told…
I do not know the author of this poem but I thought it was creative. Enjoy and be blessed! THE U IN JESUS Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you’ll see it’s true, you can’t spell out JesUs and not include U. You’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name, for U, He was born; that’s why He came. And His great…
Seriously, I cannot believe how time flies by. On February 14, we celebrated the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday and on April 1st we will celebrate Easter. Oddly enough, it seems as though the faster that time goes by, the more you have to do and the less time you have to do it in. Thank God for lent! Lent is the time for one to slow down, take some time for God and yourself and reflect, re-evaluate,…
On November 26th, 2017, I preached on Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus is saying that when you feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome a stranger, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, and visit the imprisoned then we do it for him as well. That sermon way back in November has held my heart, mind and soul for some time urging me to do those things. It is my desire to love God more and serve…
The Christmas message spoke of the gift we have been given through the birth of a Savior. I ask you, have you received and opened our gift? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior and are you living a life reflective of his life? Has the church accepted the teachings and revelations of Jesus Christ and allowed it to lead its work of ministry? The New Year lectionary scriptures speak of the gifts that were brought…