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...

18:04 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

11:22 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

14:00 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

13:57 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

05:24 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

18:42 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
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...

13:00 / Blog / Church
0 Likes
0 Comments
22 Nov

Grateful~Thankful~Blessed

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Lord Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 One of the most common answers to the question about...

15:42 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments
15 Nov

Politics & Relationships

In the aftermath of the midterm elections, I was speaking recently with a member of my extended family.   As with many families, mine is “split.” My relatives and I share blood and histories and memories, recipes, holiday meals and inside jokes.  But we do not...

05:31 / Blog / Uncategorized
0 Likes
1 Comment
08 Nov

The Gift of Redemption

This past weekend I was invited to attend Shabbat at a local synagogue as the guest of one of the members.  It was the first Shabbat since the tragic events in Pittsburgh the previous Saturday, and it was a privilege to show my support for...

05:00 / Blog
0 Likes
0 Comments