One of my favorite gospel songs is entitled “I Won’t Complain” by Rev. Paul Jones. He recorded the song live in the presence of God and a standing room congregation at Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. The lyrics are soul-stirring: I’ve had some good days I’ve had some hills to climb I’ve had some weary days And some sleepless nights But when I look around And I think things over All of my good days Outweigh my bad days I won’t complain A soul-stirring song…anthem for the ages…an antidote for irritability. Yet, I still complain! I do it on a daily basis. In fact, I use different meth ..read more

Looking Towards Sunday Friends, You’re familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-5). Maybe you’re also familiar with the fact that burning bush (Euonymous alatus in Latin) is a popular shrub that shows brilliant red foliage in the fall; grows easily; and gets massive at maturity. Since we’ve been so steeped in the sermon series these past two weeks, I’ve seen that sacred story in a different light. It looks something like this: Moses was garden tasking atop the mountain of God (rather than keeping the flock of his father-in-law). Moses had snipping shears instead of a s ..read more

Looking Towards Sunday Did you know that an eagle, when faced with a storm, uses the wind to lift itself higher, soaring above the clouds to escape the turmoil below? Isaiah tells us that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” This means that as the storms of life swirl around us, we’re not knocked off our perch. Instead, we’re propelled upwards on wings of hope and faith. Faith becomes our updraft, continually increasing our strength, allowing us to navigate these challenging times not just with perseverance, but with the resilience and g ..read more

Allow me to play the role of church geek – for just a moment. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday (pronounced in three syllables: Gow-day-tay). It means “rejoice” in Latin. We light the pink candle because that is the liturgical color for joy – the joy that the world first experienced at the birth of Jesus. There is a longer backstory about the color of joy; and the fact Advent is patterned after Lent. It involves a Pope and a pink rose. But, I would never ask you to tolerate that much church geekery in a single reading! Instead, let me encourage you to rejoice in real time t ..read more

Is it just me…or did you too find yourself singing Supertramp following morning worship and into the afternoon last Sunday? “Give a little bit… There’s so much that we need to share So send a smile and show you care” Scientists refer to that phenomenon as “stuck tune syndrome”. Apparently, there is no known remedy. I’m sorry. But also, I’m not sorry since stewardship season should spark the imagination and, indeed, stick in the brain. The 2023 campaign letter and= pledge materials should arrive in your mailboxes shortly! This coming Sunday, the featured text is taken from Exodus, Chapter 33. M ..read more

This Sunday is Laity Sunday. Which celebrates the ministry and witness of laypersons. Ordained clergy are not the only ones whom God calls and equips to proclaim the good news. Truly, the Holy Spirit can speak to and through each and every member of the congregation – “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord”. Our lay preacher is Dawne Quinn, the Director of the First Church Academy for Young Children. Previously, she served as Director of Faith Formation at First Church from 2001 until 2018. Fun fact: In 2014, an ecclesiastical ..read more

“Monarch, Music City, or Moses…miracles have many moving parts.” — me Amy Melvin provided the inset photo of the Monarch butterfly. It’s the last in a series of snapshots that she took in capturing the insect’s life cycle – the transition from egg to adult. It’s a miraculous metamorphosis. Which doesn’t happen instantaneously but in about three weeks, assuming the weather conditions are warm enough; and the larva doesn’t perish; and the caterpillar survives predators. NFL fanatics will recall a famous football play that took place on January 8, 2000. It occurred during the final sixteen second ..read more

(August 20, 2023) Worship service with Rev Jane and Rev Fredd provides us our spiritual fulfillment. Our moments of meditation, of prayer, of communal singing, of lessons from scripture and sermons, and simply coming together as the church family we are once a week. But what happens Sunday afternoon to the following Sunday morning? The behind the scenes work to keep our church, our faith, our spirit soaring is what I want to celebrate with you today. Since becoming your Moderator, I have been proud to witness incredible work by so many. The Steeple repair would not be possible without the stro ..read more

The Very Expensive Bowl of Soup This week we find ourselves in the company of Jacob and Esau, witnessing a vital moment that forever alters their lives. Amidst his hunger, Esau impulsively trades his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, teaching us a crucial lesson about not sacrificing our long-term spiritual inheritance for temporary, worldly desires. It’s a call for us to value the blessings that God has in store for us just as Jacob did, placing importance on spiritual wealth over immediate physical satisfaction. As we journey through life, let us be inspired to navigate our paths with ..read more