Pastor’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.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Most Useful Tool
Discouragement is the Devil’s most frequently used and most effective tool. How can we fight against it? In this offering, Pastor Jim gives us some insight on how to become more encouraging.
Read More2021 Advent Devotionals: Preparation and Reflection
The Advent Devotional booklets for 2021 are available. If you haven’t received a printed copy, you can access the articles electronically by opening this post.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Celebrating Teachers
As we return to school, small groups and Sunday School, we should always remember our teachers and be thankful for those who give of their time, talent, and energy to help us learn.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s it Mean to “Bear Fruit”?
In this excerpt from “Cultivating Fruitfulness,” Bishop Schnase reminds us that purpose and life come when the church turns outward to serve the community. When it turns inward, the church gets weaker and looses purpose.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Focusing on the Goal
An Olympian became distracted, lost his focus, and lost the race. Are we on target, focused on the bull’s eye? Or do we squander what God has given us and settle for fourth place? May we have such a level of commitment that we will not be distracted until we reach the goals God has set before us.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Running the Race with Perseverance
American athlete James Connolly dreamed of competing in the Triple Jump on the world stage. When the Olympics returned in 1896, he quit college and sailed for Athens. His persistence paid off; He won the first place prize. Victory is assured, but we are called to “run the race with perseverance” until the prize is won.
Read MoreYes U-Turn!!!
NO U Turn! It’s a sign we see all the time. NO! But God invites us to change, to grow, to experience deeper joy in life. God not only allows “U Turns,” He helps you make them!
Read MorePrayer Conditioning Warms Hearts!
A home Air Conditioner cools a room, but a person’s “Prayer Conditioner” warms their heart. When our first reaction is to turn to God and to trust Him, our hearts will be warmed by a more loving relationship with God, others, and ourselves.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Gift of Laughter
Did Jesus smile? Did He laugh??? God wants us to worship Him with Joy. Is it possible that we live in a world which needs to learn how to laugh again? Pastor Jim looks at these questions in these “ponderings.”
Read MoreWhat’s Your Garden???
During the 2020 pandemic, recordings from a “virtual choir” were merged together to produce a moving rendition of the hymn, “In The Garden.” Where is YOUR Garden? Where can you go to “walk with Him and talk with Him” and hear Him say that “you are His own”???
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