Blog (Page 5)
A Bad Case of Incurvatus
A century ago, a major newspaper in the U.K. asked several writers to ponder and answer the question, “What is wrong with the world?” One author is supposed to have replied in this way: “Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton.” When we first find Adam in the early days of creation (Genesis 1-2), he is happy, holy, obedient, and content with God and his provision. He lives a God-ward life of faith, fellowship, work, worship, and marriage. It is…
Sanctuary Update
November 20, 2024 Dear Church Family, Our congregation first held worship in our sanctuary in October 1966. Think of all the hymns, sermons, baptisms, communions, handshakes (or holy kisses!), weddings, and funerals that have been held. We still have a handful who can remember before the sanctuary – meetings held in homes, worship services at Cum-Park Plaza, and being gifted our present location for the building we now enjoy. Lots of ministry and memories! Fast-forward through six decades of wear…
How Much is Enough?
How do you answer the question, “How much is enough?” John D. Rockeller, one of the wealthiest Americans, answered, “Just a little bit more.” Advertising campaigns would lead you to believe that you are deprived until you fulfill your heart’s desire by obtaining the good or service they are peddling. French theologian John Calvin stated, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells Pastor Timothy that “godliness with contentment…
Encourage Your Pastor
Do you remember the Timex watch advertisements from the 1980s? Perhaps mentioning the wristwatch taped to a sumo wrestler’s belly rings a bell? After a rough round in the ring, the referee removes the watch and shows the t.v. audience that it still works! Then, the unforgettable slogan: “Timex watches. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” I suppose this would be a good theme for pastors as well. After several rounds in the ring of church – unfinished…
A Different Thanksgiving Story
A Different Thanksgiving Story By Bryan Crotts Most of us are familiar with the story of the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower from England to the New World. Perhaps you’ve visited Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, the place where many believe the survivors of the voyage stepped from vessel to land. I suppose you’ve read in the history books of the first Thanksgiving or watched the perennial classic Peanut’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. There’s an earlier thanksgiving story that we…
Tending Our Gardens
Tending Our GardensGenesis 1:28By Bryan Crotts Yard work and gardening can be very rewarding. Colorful flowers, straight lines in the lawn, perfect mulch, ripe tomatoes on a sandwich, squash and zucchini in your summer pasta dish, and so on. It can also be very frustrating. Drought, weeds, storms, and pests can ruin your reward. But such is our lot in life! This side of sin and curses (Genesis 3 & Romans 8), there are thorns, frustrations, and fruitlessness mixed in…
Hope in 2020
Dear Church Family, We need a dose of hope as 2020 ends. Culture is rotting by the day as values, ethics, and other standards have all but disappeared. No one is asking for another round of politics, but I’d guess 2021 will ring in with the start of the 2024 presidential campaign. Most of us are weary of the 15-day-flatten-the-curve program, which will soon be in its 300th day. Disease lurks. We hear the rumbles of war. Our economy staggers.…
A Prayer for Our Church Family
Our Heavenly Father, There is none like you! You rule over the galaxies – the sun, moon, stars, and deepest space. Even the little bitty molecules that bring an entire world to its knees obey your commands. Our greatest fears are calmed by your everlasting love. Since the beginning of time, you have cared for your people – a beautiful garden, plenty to eat, spouses, children, work, shelter, and clothing. When our sin and selfishness separated us from You, provision…
Every Sunday is Special!
Dear Church Family, Every Sunday is special! We have the privilege of gathering with the Lord’s people in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s Day. Some Sundays are extra-special, and the one ahead of us should be just that. I hope you will make plans to attend our Sunday Luncheon after morning worship service. Everything will be provided, so show up hungry! One the menu will be four soups, various salads, breads & desserts. It is good to gather around…
How Many Presbyterians Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?
Dear Church Family, How many Presbyterians does it take to change a lightbulb? Well, this week it took three Presbyterians a little over three hours to change out light bulbs in our church facility. No joke! There are many light fixtures and various sorts of bulbs. One could also ask, how many Presbyterians does it take to keep our building clean and our facility in tip-top shape for our church family’s use? Or, how many Presbyterians does it take to…
Moderator of the A.R.P. Church With Us This Sunday
Dear Church Family, We have a special treat this Sunday! I hope you will make a great effort to be in Sunday School and Morning Worship as we host Dr. Leslie Holmes for both events. Dr. Holmes is a seasoned minister and seminary professor, and currently is serving as the Moderator of the General Synod of the A.R.P. Church. During several of his speeches at last summer’s Synod meeting at Geneva College, he spoke of many issues near and dear…
Local Teacher Outreach
Dear Church Family, Two Thursdays per month my morning alarm goes off a bit earlier than usual and I head off before dark to Williams High School’s third floor. Eight teachers and coaches gather thirty minutes before the students’ first bell rings for the start of school day. This gathering is the Adult Huddle for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We chat for a few minutes over juice, scones, and cinnamon rolls. I give a brief devotional, usually something from…