Pastor’s Ponderings: Embrace the Holy Spirit ( Oct. 2024)
It’s the middle of October and Halloween is coming upon us. There are a lot of spooky and mysterious things associated with Halloween. But as Christians, how can we see God in the midst of all of the candy and talk about death and spirits?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: New & Old, As Long as it’s About Jesus! (Sept. 2024)
Times change. Sometimes we’re in familiar territory. Sometimes we’re “traditional”, sometimes we’re “contemporary”. Even Jesus changed the way He healed people depending on the circumstances. But the eternal constant is that we always point people to Jesus.
(Note: This is Pastor Mike’s first “Ponderings” article.)
Let Catacomb Praise Recharge Your Week!
Each week, Pastor Mike posts a short musical and Biblical reflection called “Catacomb Praise” on Facebook. If you don’t “do Facebook” or if you missed an episode, you can now view them on our church website.
Read MoreQuiz! Sermon on the Mount Sermon Series (July 2024)
In the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew Chapters 5-7, Jesus teaches His disciples (and us!) that our relationship with God is based on the heart, not on following a bunch of laws. During the summer (of 2024), Pastor Mike will preach a series of sermons on the “Sermon on the Mount.” To prepare, try this quiz!
Read MoreLenten Devotional 2024
The 2024 Lenten Devotional Booklet contains articles for each day during the season of Lent (2/14/24 through 3/31/24). They’re written by Christians from many walks of life, most of them are lay people. Use this booklet during this season to prepare for Easter.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What Has God Done for Me?
The song “My Tribute (To God be the Glory)” challenges us to consider the ways that God continues to bless us. What are these blessings? How do we thank Him?
Read More2023 Advent Devotionals
Throughout the four weeks of Advent (starting on Sunday 12/3), we have the opportunity to journey through a series of daily devotional articles. These articles are part of a booklet which is available at our church (no charge!). The articles are presented in electronic format in this website post.
Read More2023 Lenten Devotionals
Welcome to the 2023 season of Lent! In this period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, we examine our lives and adjust our life’s walk to bring bring us closer to God. We consider the roadblocks in our spiritual lives and look for the Spirit’s leading to find new paths. Use this booklet of Lenten Devotionals, written by “non-professional” members of a variety of churches, to help guide you through this special time of the year. Daily Devotions for Lent...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Using the Talents You Do Have (2/1/23)
Sometimes we keep trying to do things we can’t do and get frustrated because we loose focus on the things we CAN do. Pastor Jim submitted thoughts on this for the Feb. 2023 edition of Steeple Notes (our church’s newsletter).
Read MoreWhy Are We Here?
The United Methodist Church recently published an article entitled, “Re-Engage in the Mission of the Church.” Whether you’re part of the United Methodist Church, or of any church, or if you’re not connected to any Body of Believers, we all need to re-consider our “mission”.
Read More2022 Advent Devotional Booklet
The 2022 Advent Devotional Booklet gives daily devotional articles for the 40 days of Advent. And, this year, the booklet also includes devotionals for the 12 days of Epiphany. The entire booklet is presented here in PDF format.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What is Love? (9/22/22)
What is True Love? Can we love unconditionally, regardless of what someone says about us or does to us? Does love have strings attached (“I’ll love you IF…”)? In this post, we see how God is calling us to a deeper level of love and “good will” towards all people.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Set Free to Do Kindness (9/21/22)
What are our churches doing to bring relief, help, and hope to those in need, those who are poor, the immigrant? How can we be creative and bold in the name of Jesus to make a difference in our communities and in the world?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Using ALL Your Strength (8/16/22)
We often struggle without reaching out to God or trusting Him for His empowerment. Imagine what we could do in life, in our churches, in our communities, and in the world if we relied upon God’s Holy Spirit, using “all of our strength”?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Finding Clarity during Foggy Moments (8/9/22)
Have you ever gone through stretches in life where you felt confused or lost? Did your faith wane? Did you doubt God’s presence? In this post, Pastor Jim looks at those “foggy moments” in life.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Empowered to Forgive (8/6/22)
Years after being imprisoned in a Nazi Concentration Camp, a former guard approached Cori ten Boom and asked for forgiveness. Forgive someone who was part of an effort which killed over 6 million innocent people? Could you forgive him? God can…
Read MoreMissouri Dogs Go Into Pawstoral Care! (5/25/22)
A Missouri couple is working “outside the box” by using dogs in their visitation ministry. Ranger and Olin, two Newfoundland dogs, break the ice and warm the atmosphere. This story was recently reported in the United Methodist News Service.
Read MoreHot Dog- No Strings Attached! (7/18/22)
“Nothing in life is free”… or is there? A church in Georgia is giving away hot dogs to passers-by in order to demonstrate that God’s love has no strings attached.
Read MoreMethodists Help Washed Up Laundromat Customers (7/26/22)
A recent article described a ministry of a United Methodist church in Georgia which is ministering to people in a local laundromat. The ministry team visits the laundromat to supply patrons with coins and detergent, and in the process gives them a taste of God’s love.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who Are We Thankful For? (7/9/22)
God has given us life and He continues to give us everything that we need. How thankful are we?
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