Pastor’s Blog

Dear Friends,  Over the past few weeks, we have looked at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  His baptism, his first miracle, his first sermon. This Sunday, we see him calling his first disciples in Luke 5: 1-11  Our sermon is titled, Into the Deep. On the lake, Jesus tells the fishermen to take their boat and go out into the deep water, and then to lower their net. To say they are hesitant to follow is an understatement. The “What If’s” begin to take…

Looking toward Sunday…  Our sermon series is “Living in the Light: A Sermon in a Sentence.” What is your ONE Sentence?  Can you craft a sentence that reflects the meaning of your life? Come hear the sentence Jesus chooses in Luke 4: 14-21 On Wednesday of this week, I sent you an invitation via email to complete a 2019 Vision Survey.  This is meant to start conversations about where God is leading us next.  This is a beginning and is…

First Reformed UCC will celebrate its 118th anniversary!  The first service was held January 20, 1901. Many thanks go to the History Committee (Rita Lohr, Merle Hodges, Katherine Skipper, Cliff Lopp, Carolyn Spivey) for compiling a list of fun facts about the church’s history. This group also oversees and updates the church’s History Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Educational Building, where many of our treasures and records are kept.  1921 – The church membership had grown from the…

In worship, we will hear the story of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. “JBap” as I jokingly like to call him, is to me one of the most intriguing Bible characters ever.  Why would Jesus himself want to be baptized by this wilderness-living, locust-eating, hard-preaching radical?  We’ll explore this question Sunday and see how he can teach us to Live in the Light. We will also remember our own baptism and reclaim our identity as a beloved child of God. Both the choir and Keri Hartle…

Looking toward Sunday… January 6 is the Day of Epiphany, and we begin the sermon series “Living in the Light.”  In Matthew 2:1-12, the Magi follow the star and are led to Jesus to discover the audacity of the Gospel — outsiders become insiders marginalized become beloved outcasts become friends Come and begin the 2019 year with Holy Communion. Before worship, at 10:30 come to the Fellowship Hall for the First Sunday Social: refreshments, catching up and a time to socialize.…

I’d like to express a big Thank You to Ellen Peterson, Lee Ann Peele, Lee Jessup, Brian McKerlie and the Choir for the toe-tapping, joy-filled Cantata, “Rhapsody in Bluegrass!” It was great to hear so many gifted soloists, too! Ellen’s creativity and talent continue to amaze me, and I feel so very fortunate to serve with her at First Reformed. Since there is possibility of rain showers, we will decide at 2pm whether or not to go Christmas Caroling tonight.…

Looking toward Sunday… What a Sunday this will be! Ellen and the choir have been working for months on the Cantata, “Rhapsody in Bluegrass: A Christmas Jubilee.” The sounds of a banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, and piano will join together with the voices in the choir to make sounds of peace, hope, love and joy! After worship we will gather for a catered lunch in the Fellowship Hall and hear about the 12 Days of Christmas from the children.…

CHURCH SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2018. Due to the potential for snow, sleet and freezing rain, all church services for tomorrow (December 9, 2018) have been cancelled. Cathy Waitman will work with parents to reschedule the Youth Nativity Program that was planned for Sunday’s worship service. We will communicate via email, Facebook, and Fox 8, WFMY & WXII notifications. HOWEVER, the catered lunch planned for this Sunday has been postponed to Sunday, December 16th immediately following…

Advent 2018 Calm and Bright: 200 Years of Silent Night This year is the 200th anniversary of the debut of the beloved Christmas Carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Many people say their favorite time of the season is on Christmas Eve when they light their white candle in the midst of the dark sanctuary, and sing this beloved song. Something mystical and sacred occurs as our small, solitary lights unite together in the darkness as we sing the hope of…

The stores and sounds around us are already in full swing for the Christmas season. And yet, as Christians we are called to pause for a bit before worshipping the Christ Child in the manger…to enter the season of preparing the way, waiting and watching. We begin this season uniting together to lift up those who suffer from AIDS both locally and globally. Saturday night at 7pm, please join me for a community-wide prayer service at Files Chapel Baptist Church…

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…hold fast to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-21 A memory from 8 years ago popped up on my Facebook page, which I posted again. It was a picture of the boys sitting on our kitchen floor eating out of a bag of cereal. Patrick was 2½ and Parker 11 months. It’s a scene I imagine is common…