Seven Marks of Vital Congregations – Part Three Matthew 25:31-46 In some ways, we might want to say to this theme, “Been there, done that.” Having an outward focus is what we are about as a bridge-building congregation. We know that the Holy Spirit is a work in the world ahead of us, as we […]
Lifelong Discipleship Formation
Part 1 of “Seven Marks of Vial Congregations” series In 2020 the Presbyterian Church USA will launch an initiative to help churches bring new energy and vitality to their congregations: the Vital Congregations Initiative. Honestly, the first response, even from those who attended the pre-launch training, was a bit dubious. How is this different from […]
Investing in Hope
Jeremiah 32:1-15 The news is so depressing! I was talking with a friend the other day who commented that our society is mean. Everyone is attacking, blaming, insulting, writing off those who are different, or who disagree with them. It is in the air, it seems. What is going on with the human race?! Have […]
Children’s Peace Choir Begins Fall Season
Our church has called 2019 our year of peace. One thing we did was to teach our children to sing for peace: a Children’s Peace Choir. We sing, tell stories and do small actions for peace together—all designed to be doable for children. And in a time when our schools have limited music education, this […]
God’s Confusing Mercy
Luke 16:1-13 When I read this story on Monday, I felt like my head was spinning. How are we supposed to preach this? Be dishonest and you will be rewarded? What does it mean? Is it actually commending dishonesty? Really? I began to imagine what it was like to be the steward, what might have […]
Forgiveness
Exodus 32:1-14; Luke 15:11-32 “I will NEVER forgive him!” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that. Then it continues: “And I don’t think I SHOULD forgive him. Some things should never be forgiven.” So goes the common wisdom of our day. I hear it most often in the divorce recovery group […]
Where Is Our Focus?
Hebrews 13:1-5, 16; Luke 14:1, 7-14 “I am so busy!” We hear that complaint all the time! Or is it a brag? Busy-ness is a sign of our value – to ourselves or others. We measure a person’s value, typically, by what they accomplish. I am frequently the speaker of this excuse, lament, badge of […]
A Bridge Building Congregation – Partnering
Matthew 11:28-30; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Welcome to Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, a Bridge Building congregation partnered with the Neighborhood to create Taborspace – an event venue and coffee house dedicated to creating connected community.” The first time I drove a tractor it was a team effort. I was about four years old. My big sister was […]
A Bridge Building Congregation – Connecting
Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-16, 29-32 We are a bridge building congregation. We proclaim it on our entry wall and on our Russell wing bulletin board. Our own words challenge us to live in a particular way in the world of separation, difference and exclusion. To live a life of connecting with others. In January, the session […]
A Bridge Building Congregation – Using Our Words
Psalm 24 This week I found out that I am really out of date. I googled “I messages” and got information about game-playing apps. Really? I thought. Are they still marketing games on such an old idea? Well, no. IMessaging is an IPhone alternative to text messaging. Wow! I didn’t know that! But I do […]
