Worship Series We are in the midst of a worship series that is taking us on a 4-part journey through the book of Philippians and urging all of us to consider making one attitude adjustment each week. Here’s what to expect in this slightly-out-of-order exploration of this intimate and hopeful letter from Paul to the
Read MoreThis past Sunday we explored the practice of Lectio Divina or Sacred Reading in worship. I invited us all to “try out”this ancient way of engaging the Bible (or other sacred texts, for that matter) by walking through one of our lectionary texts of the day (II Corinthians 5:16-21) in four movements: Lectio (slow reading),
Read MoreIn week two of our Lenten series, “Finding Our Way Again,” we took a look at the unique ways that we are wired in our spiritual lives. We may travel the same path together following in the way of Jesus, but we do so in very individual ways. Some of us are drawn to liturgy
Read MoreI closed my sermon today with a reading from SPUMC member April Doss’ poignant blog posting about the ways we lock ourselves off from the grace of God while all the while God is ready and waiting to help us find our way back to the path. You can read her full posting here (and
Read MoreEarlier this week, SPUMC member April Doss posted a moving piece about the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and racial realities in 2016 on her blog. She begins like this: “The death toll this year has been a heart-wrenching one: Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice. A longer list of names goes on, but
Read MoreWe have been lingering in Christmas the last two Sundays at SPUMC. On December 27th, our college students helped lead us through a series of readings (Scriptures & poetry) and we sang some of our favorite carols. Additionally, Rev. Ron sang a Christmas version of “Hallelujah” which he discovered a couple of years ago when
Read MoreOn All Saints Sunday just a few days ago, as we celebrated the lives of loved ones we had lost in the past year, I preached about “Accidental Saints,” people who let the light of God show through their imperfect lives. The point I was trying to make is that while we ought to be
Read MoreWe had a rich and full weekend of celebration at SPUMC with former clergy, charter members, and lots of special guests making their way back to our church for a gala dinner on Saturday night and for a day of worship, feasting & frolicking fun (I might add that people demonstrated way too much energy
Read MoreThis past Sunday, the Costa Rica VIM team shared their witness in church about their recent trip to Costa Rica Mission Projects. We had an amazing time serving at the Mission Center itself which will become a launching pad/host facility for other US volunteer teams as they work with churches and communities throughout southern Costa
Read MoreYesterday I preached about Peter’s unsettling and transforming vision at Joppa (Acts 10:9-48). This was a turning point for Peter (and the early Christian community) as he came to understand that the life-giving way of Jesus was not just for Jews only, but was also good news intended to include Gentiles, too. This required a
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