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 »

          How and where we give our charitable contributions has changed over the decades.  There was a time when most families primarily gave money in the “charitable” category to the church.  The church has long been custodian of people’s money so that the real needs of people in their community and the world are met.  The… Read More »

            You know you have been around the life of a church a long time when words like chancel, narthex, Trinity, pledge don’t make you pause and wonder what is going on.  One of those words, “pledge”, is a fixture of many churches each year.  Longtime members know what it is all about.  Some church… Read More »

Although it is our tradition to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion primarily at worship on the first Sunday of each month, the Table remains central to our identity.  We are people who have been invited to sit with Jesus at a table fellowship and receive from him the blessing of our lives.  We are… Read More »

I love autumn.  I love October in particular.  It is a month that offers clear blue skies, crisp air, and a color palate that unfolds gradually, signaling the change in season. Even though slowing down is out of the question because fall also heralds the holiday season, it is a time to settle into a… Read More »