There is a classic story of Christmas pageants in the Midwest. I wonder if you have heard it. When telling this story, someone is always sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. For Wally’s performance in the annual production of the Nativity play has become a legend! Wally was nine that year and in second grade, although he could have been…
Our lamppost outside of home is on an automatic light sensor. Whenever the sensor detects that it is dusk, the lamppost turns on. And it turns off with morning light. This is a great way to keep our family from having to turn on and off the lamppost. Someone would certainly forget. It works well, lighting the path in front of our…
In the middle of December when I was a child, boxes would begin appearing on the kitchen table to decorate our home. It was not until later, I learned that they were tucked in the attic throughout the year and taken down only for Christmas. The children just expected Christmas tins, mistletoe, stuffed bears, and other decorations would show up. This Advent…
Slide 1: Today we want to focus on something we may not think much about- the stewardship of our legacy. How do we live so that our lives continues to change the world, shape the world for God even after our lives here end? Slide 2: Psalm 78- this is The Message version- goes like this: 1-4 Listen, dear friends, to God’s…
The Gospel of Mark is part of the synoptic Gospels. The early church attributes authorship to John Mark, a student of Peter in Rome. Written by Mark witnessed earlier by Peter. It is though to have been written around 64 AD under Emperor Nero. Nero launched Persecution of believer’s of the way. The original audience is believers in Rome. It is probable…
Last weekend, Steve and I took some time away in New York City for our anniversary. We walked through Times Square, around Broadway specifically, and the rest of the Theater district. We heard lots of voices calling to get our attention. Large television screens advertising everything from news stations to clothing. There were broadcasts of games and talk shows. There were pop-up…
Prophecy sometimes gets a bad rap like the proverbial boy who cried wolf. Or, if you prefer, like the ominous warning Winter is Coming from Game of Thrones. Being the lone voice who is calling the community to hear them can be lonely and long, draining and daunting. And yet, this is the work of the prophet. Look and listen. We hear…
Perhaps, nothing has a deeper tradition than what you eat where. Let’s try just a couple: On thanksgiving, we eat… On a campfire, we make After shoveling a snowy driveway, I want to drink…. This end of the summer series sets for us an example of how we use our favorite books, movies, art, and culture to see God’s very presence all…
Good Morning! I am Janice Bowers, a Christ Servant Minister here at West Grove United Methodist Church. Pastor Monica is on a well-deserved vacation this week with her family and I have been given the privilege to speak with you this morning. You have been listening to some of the music and highlights from our VBS week on the Rolling River Rampage.…
After his baptism, Jesus was driven into the desert for forty days and forty nights. Some gospels focus on that time as a time of temptation, others as a time of silence, others as time with God. The Gospel of Mark notes “Jesus was with wild animals and cared for by angels.” During those days of preparation, we are reminded of our…