17 Jan

The Best Laid Plans…

What is that saying about “the best laid plans of mice and men”????? Last week I wrote about how excited I was to launch our new sermon series on the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Lively Virtues.  Then the weather forecast changed. And changed. And changed...

03 Jan

Pausing to Reflect before Moving Ahead

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...

02 Jan

Winter Worship Series: Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Lively Virtues

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...

28 Dec

Christmas Bells

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...

18 Dec

Surprised by Joy

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...

14 Dec

Advent Whispers

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...

06 Dec

RACK’D with Chocolate Pie

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...

28 Nov

Growing Faith at Home

Christmas - just say the word and we all have different reactions. So often we race through December, checking the boxes and frantically trying get it all done. (I love to say that perfection is the enemy of done!) I love to SAY it. Putting...

23 Nov

Thanksgiving: Doing What We Can

This is a re-post from Thanksgiving in 2016, but it is so timely with our children once again collecting money for the Presbyterian Mission Agency: On my desk, right in front of me, is a picture that one of Calvary’s second graders gave me. It is...