2022 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: If You Can’t Sing… Whittle! (9/13/22)
Can’t sing? Can’t play an instrument? Can’t play baseball??? God has gifted us all with some sort of talent that we can use to glorify Him. This “pondering” tells the story of an unknown talent from a well known name.
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?
Read MoreDay by Day through Holy Week
In the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Jesus was busy teaching and fulfilling His mission on earth. We don’t know exactly what happened on each day, but the Scripture gives some ideas. Follow these day by day readings to prepare for Easter Sunday.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Look at Yourself!
Living a life of holiness means that we have to keep examining ourselves: “How is it with your soul?” Even as we cast all of our anxieties on God, we need to be willing to be molded into the people God wants us to be.
Read More2022 Lenten Devotional Booklet
This annual Devotional Booklet is written by local laity and clergy. Use it to help you pre-prayer during this Lenten Season.
Read MoreOpportunity Knocks Once, but Jesus Stays!
“OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ONCE, BUT JESUS STAYS AT THE DOOR”
Today is 2/22/22. Special dates and special moments come once in a lifetime. But Jesus continues to stand at the door and knock; He doesn’t give up waiting for us to open and re-open the door.
Pastor’s Ponderings: Be Ye Holy
Holy?!? That’s a scary word. None of us wants to have a “holier than thou” attitude. But God calls us to be holy. What’s it mean to be Holy?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: God Carries Us
God carries us- burdens and all! The good news of the Gospel is that God remains with us, even when we’re carrying a load of burdens. If we entrust ourselves and our burdens into His capable hands, He’ll carry us through life’s “stormy seas.”
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: My Christmas Wish
Did you get what you wanted for Christmas??? The poem in this post reminds us of the best gifts.
Read MoreAdvent Wreath Pre-Prayers for Christmas
The Advent Wreath shouldn’t be stuck in front of the church sanctuary. Keep the light burning day by day as you prepare for the next week’s worship and reflect on the previous week. This post uses excerpts from the Daily Devotions for Advent booklet to guide you through each of the wreath’s four candles.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Worship- the Most Important Time of the Week
Is it just another Sunday morning? Same ‘ole routine? Wrong outlook! In this “ponderings” Pastor Jim shares some ideas on how each worship service should be filled with anticipation and unity as we gather together.
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