05
Jul 2020
This has been a tough week for me. I don’t like the uncertainty, I don’t like not being able to see and be with the people I love, and I just want this “thing” to end. I feel certain that many of you share these same sentiments. What I do know is that a tiny act of kindness goes an extra long way these days. Both for the giver and for the receiver. So, if nothing else – give someone an ounce of kindness today. Tell those who are dear that you......
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04
Jul 2020
God pulls us toward Him, reminding us that He will be with us and that we do not need to fear. God reminds us that He has "overcome the world". Pour out your concerns to God, as He truly cares for you....
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12
Jun 2020
God’s blessings to each of you! As I watch my container garden grow with yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil, I am reminded of God’s loving care for us. God knows just what my garden needs. Food, water, soil, and light. Just as God knows what each plant needs, He knows what each of you need. Food, both physical and spiritual; water, both physical and transformational; soil, both physical roots and spiritual grounding; and LIGHT, both physical, spiritual, and God’s word. During this time of the unknown, where everything changes day......
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30
May 2020
Can we have a restart on 2020? Raise your hand if you are in favor? Our 2020 world is in chaos and turmoil. Frustration. Injustice. Loneliness. Anger. Outrage. Violence. Insecurity. Concern. Worry. Heartbreak. Sympathy. Anxiousness. Fear. Exhaustion. And so,so many more emotions. As The Church, we sense our need to be together – and yet we cannot gather in our common, life-giving place of worship. But we can come together as People of God to pray for all those who are hurting and in need of healing. And even for those who......
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29
May 2020
Grace and peace to each of you. As I speak with you, I am continually amazed at your resilience. Please know that this situation will require much more flexibility and resilience as we go forward. I am sure there are days that are beyond difficult. On those difficult days, please reach out to me or Pastor Susan. You are not alone! Even if you live alone, we are all one through Jesus Christ. We are not alone. God is with us. I am grateful to serve at a church that takes a......
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28
May 2020
Dear ones, This has been a difficult week for many of us. It’s hard enough to continue with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, and adding the horrifying violence of these past days is almost overwhelming. Please know that I am praying for all of you and for all who have been treated unjustly in our world. Please pray for all who grieve this week, and for all the heroes that face danger on the behalf of others. Pray for all whose lives have been scarred by racism and other forms of hatred......
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10
Apr 2019
Beth Ford, 2019 Council President It took Samuel three times, but he finally knew that it was the voice of God calling him. Samuel loved and obeyed God, but the first thing that he had to do was listen and hear. The story of the little boy Samuel has been persistently in my mind as we move through our interim time together. The most important question that we pray to be able to answer is “What is God calling us to do?” Like Samuel, we love God, and we want to be......
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12
Aug 2018
By: Beth Ford, 2018 Council President Sometimes I wait late in the year before I do what many people do at the first of the year when it is resolution time. I just do not always have time to spend in self examination in the middle of the holidays, the end of the semester, regular work, and the general busyness of December and January. This year that self reflection did not happen until June. Better late than never. During my week at the beach without the company of grandchildren, I did a......
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05
Aug 2018
By: Reverend Larry K Richardson, Interim Co-Pastor I just returned from about three weeks of travel and I am now convinced that I never want to leave home again. I expect I’ll get over that aversion to being “on the road” after a while, but not anytime soon. I did, however, get to travel with my granddaughters whose company I enjoyed almost all the time. (I really sound like a grumpy old man, don’t I? Which is exactly the term my wife used.) It is truly extraordinary to see the world through......
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29
Jul 2018
Submitted by: Kristin Kennedy for the Benevolence Team On a very rainy day in January 2006, a woman stopped by the church office in her hour of desperation. She resembled a soaking wet, frightened kitten. She needed financial assistance to be able to stay in a recovery program—her last hope of getting out of the deep darkness which ruled her life at the time. Messiah came to her aid. The Benevolence Team’s thought was, “If we are going to help someone, let’s REALLY help them.” We determined that we would pay her......
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