This coming Sunday is our Annual Meeting.  It is that time when the members of the congregation engage in governing their church.  A new Moderator will be elected.  “Moderator” is the name out of our religious tradition for the person who is, in essence, President of the congregation, the governing body of the church.  The… Read More »

          In 1955 Martin Luther King, Jr. gained a national audience when he helped lead a boycott against segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama.  In 1955 my family moved from a small town in northwest Pennsylvania to a small town in central Florida (Plant City).  I would hear the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. on television… Read More »

            It’s that time of year when there is talk about New Year’s Resolutions.  The object is to take the new blank year and focus on some goals to make our lives better.  I gave up making them years ago because they were not a motivating factor for me.             As I think about why… Read More »

            Happy New Year a few days early!  On Sunday, January 1, 2023, we will gather in worship and hear the familiar story of the Three Wise Men.  We will also receive the bread and the juice of Holy Communion.             One of the lines in the Eucharist Prayer for this Sunday is:  We bless you… Read More »

            As I write these words, my house is far from decorated for Christmas morning, but my heart is full with the story of God coming to us (God-with-us).  It is that time in the Advent season where pastors are knee-deep in thinking about the Christmas Eve service and likely recovering from the various special… Read More »

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky! There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! This carol written by Josiah G. Holland in 1872 brings back memories of church services… Read More »

            Greenbelt Community Church is having a Christmas Festival on the Lawn this Sunday (December 11th).  This is a first-time event, but its roots are in the past.             During the Pandemic I served as Interim to a church in Middletown, Maryland.  We were not able to meet safely indoors, so our imaginations stretched.  Our… Read More »

            This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  During the Time with Young Disciples, we had a conversation about Advent.  When I asked what Advent meant, they drew a blank. Now, I know I could have just given some traditional answers such as “a time of preparation”, or “similar to Lent, a time… Read More »

            We’ve moved to a new phase of Fall.  The leaves on the trees have fallen.  Nature’s window dressing has come down.  Every year it seems it happens so quickly.  One day you are enjoying the oranges and reds and yellows and the next time you look around you see the outlines of the branches… Read More »

One of my favorite “new” hymns is “Take My Gifts”. Take my gifts and let me love you, God who first of all loved me, gave me light and food and shelter, gave me life and set me free, now because your love has touched me, I have love to give away, now the bread… Read More »