Lately, refinishing doors has been my project. I have been sanding to remove varnish but leaving the stain and adding new polyurethane. After sanding the first door, it looked damaged beyond repair. I reluctantly went to my husband to admit my error. He walked out of the room, got a rag and some water, and…
During our Homecoming celebration, we enjoyed grilled burgers and dogs, ice cream and cookies and the joyous sounds of chatter and laughter in the Fellowship Hall. After Pastor Brian and the children led our worship time of joyful songs, more jubilant visiting spilled out into church as classrooms were visited and games were played. Then…popcorn!…
As I reminisced about the many hands that worked to welcome, register, house, feed, and park our RAGBRAI friends, this hymn echoed in my mind – “When we all get together, what a day of rejoicing that will be!”. How true that is, my friends! One person could not have possibly completed all the tasks…
On the route I generally take home there is a section of the road that looks quite bumpy and holds moisture no matter the season. The temptation is to drive on the wrong side of the road, however, you also find yourself unable to see oncoming traffic. It’s extra complicated if anyone is parked along…
After taking communion I encountered a couple seated in the chairs, heads bowed, hands clasped together, and one praying over the other. Changing direction, I headed to the prayer candle table. My prayers of thanksgiving were: that people had been led to pause to turn burdens over to the power of God; that folks had…
I recently read an article pointing out we are the difference-maker representing God to those just getting to know Jesus, or folks who can’t yet understand why we set aside what we have for the benefit of “church”. Think about it this way: Most folks acknowledge, or are at least aware of Jesus at Christmas…
This past week, Mom and I found a bag of my sister’s clothing; I kept a couple items. Sunday, words from Saturday’s sermon rang in my memory “the light reveals things we couldn’t or didn’t want to see before”. A black shirt at home did not reveal what sunlight in the church parking lot did…
I was blessed to participate in the Saturday Night Alive Thanksgiving Feast service this past weekend. As I thanked God for this unique worship experience and the people involved this is what I saw in my mind: Greeters: The “Welcome Mat” to our church offering a smile and an open door Meal: Donations of food…
If you attended 10:05 Worship this week (or have seen the post on our Facebook page) you were as blessed by our precious Heavenly Melodies group as the pastors for whom they sang. “Carry Your Candle” by Kathy Troccoli has long been a favorite of mine. As they sang, my mind went back to Infant…
I bet I’m not alone in posing that question. I have recorded a few steps in my faith journey. Looking back, I see times of struggle because I was doing it “on my own”. Away from worship, away from people who would pray with and for me, away from groups where others would share stories…