The Work of Christmas Howard Thurman When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,To heal the broken,To feed the hungry,To release the prisoner,To […]
What is “Christmas”? It is three words: God in flesh; or four syllables: in-car-na-tion. The Gospel according to John (1:14) tells us, “The Word became flesh and lived among us, … full of grace and truth.” Christmas proclaims that God has come in flesh, has come “to save us all from Satan’s power.” Christmas celebrates […]
On Sunday, November 14th, I will be participating in an installation service for a Presbyterian minister at a local congregation. I have been asked to give the charge to the pastor – to basically give the pastor a challenge to serve Christ and the body of Christ. While writing this charge, I found the following […]
From the Pastor… SEPTEMBER! The end of summer and the return to a routine of school, work, and extracurricular activities, except it isn’t. We are beginning what some folks call, the new normal. I know that is a loaded phrase, but it seems accurate for this season. We are starting with our traditional events: RALLY […]
During the past several months, I have been reading about discernment and change in institutions, like the church. One of the buzz words in the clergy world is “LIMINAL.” A liminal season is when we are in-between the familiar, known, predictable world we’ve lived in, and the unfamiliar, unknown, unpredictable future that is ahead of […]
I am blessed with many talented and wonderful clergy colleagues during my 27 years of ordained ministry. Pastors who have served in large churches, mid-sized churches and small churches. Ministers who have been Executive Presbyters, served at synod level and served as leadership in the General Assembly. I am thankful for all those who have […]
At a called Session Meeting on Tuesday, June 1st, the Session, unanimously, adopted the following protocols for Worship: No social distancing requirements in the building; Bibles and Hymnals will be replaced in the pews to aid in worship; Communion, the Offering and the Passing of the Peace of Christ shall remain as we have been […]
I have been gathering via Zoom with clergy collogues on Tuesday morning over the last year and we have been discussing a variety of topics related to self-care, congregational care, worship, pandemic protocols and most recently returning to worship. At our last gathering, we looked at an article by Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, who is pastor […]
Scripture tells us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Becky Schad has done a wonderful job as Youth Director: building relationships with students, participating in Triennium, leading Bible Studies and offering pastoral care, but a new season is here. After consultation with the Executive Presbyter for […]
Slate Roof Tiles from the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury have been beautifully painted by member Becca Brown. There are six hand-painted tiles – each with a unique picture of the sanctuary up for auction. Bidding for a slate tile begins at $100.00 and the highest bidder will receive first choice of the tiles. The remaining […]