A Camel on the Roof Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2019 M. Michelle Fincher Calvary Presbyterian Church We begin this morning with a story from the lives of the saints—the saints of Islam, that is. This story concerns a king of Balkh which is now northern Afghanistan. The...
I love the start of a new year. Once upon a time there were certain rituals that marked this occasion—starting a new checkbook register, beginning a new appointment calendar, perhaps opening a new journal. Now, of course, I keep up with my appointments on my...
Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 5:38-48 December 30, 2018 M. Michelle Fincher Calvary Presbyterian Church Thirty years ago, a film was released based on the Charles Dickens novel Little Dorrit. It is a six-hour epic in two parts. The two parts don’t follow in sequence, telling the first and second...
January 13 Pride/Humility Title: Everybody Acts Medium Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-5 and Philippians 2:3-8 (Ordination/Installation of new Elders) January 20 Lust/Self-Control Title: Bridled Passion 1 Kings 11:1-5 and Ephesians 4:17-24 January 27 Envy/Contentment Title: Green with Envy Samuel 18:1-9 and Philippians 4:10-13 February 3 Sloth/Diligence Annual Congregational Meeting and Lunch Communion Title: Just Do It 1 Samuel 2:12-17 and Philippians...
As we approach the end of the year, I want to thank you for journeying with me these past twelve months via blog. It has been a privilege to share my thoughts with you and to engage in conversation together. Let’s conclude 2018 with the...
In 1955 the beloved Christian author, C.S. Lewis, published a partial autobiography entitled Surprised by Joy. That title has stayed with me for decades and comes to mind frequently when I experience an overwhelming sense of God’s grace, presence and joy, like I did this...
I did not grow up in a liturgical church. By that I mean that in my congregation we did not celebrate the “church seasons” or follow set patterns of prayers. There was no “Great Thanksgiving” that preceded communion or specially colored paraments and clergy stoles...
Advent: A Time to Repent Isaiah 40:1-11 and Matthew 3:1-10 December 9, 2018 Michelle Fincher Calvary Presbyterian Church The road, the water, the fire and the axe: four powerful symbols set the scene for where the story of Jesus really starts. Think for a minute of a familiar sight in...
As I mentioned last week, on Sunday we launched a new initiative at Calvary: the RACK campaign—Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. The idea is to share the Christmas spirit throughout the month by performing random acts of kindness for others—strangers, neighbors, family members, friends. Little...
A Time to Watch Matthew 13:24-35 and 24:36-44 December 2, 2018 Michelle Fincher Calvary Presbyterian Church ‘Tis the season! Exactly which season depends on who you ask. For some people, the season of love and joy, peace and hope has begun. This is “the most wonderful time of the year,”...