It doesn’t matter what our political views are, because this is not a political statement. For those of us who follow the Prince of Peace, the attempt on former president Trump’s life should be a call for sorrow, for humility, and even for repentance.
Read MoreI can distinctly remember where she was standing on the front steps of our home when we took the last photo before heading out to deliver her to college. I can remember the order in which we unloaded her stuff once we got there: clothes, shoes, more clothes, more shoes…
Read MoreBy now many of you have heard of the release of a condemning report which details how the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) failed to respond properly to allegations of sexual abuse by numerous pastors and other church leaders over many years. According to the report, many such allegations were simply ignored, while others…
Read MoreYesterday, as I watched the frightening scene play out on the steps of Capitol Hill, something caught my eye. In the midst of all the banners and flags, someone was holding a yellow sign with the words “Jesus Saves” emblazoned in black. I know nothing about who was holding that sign or why.
Read MoreAs I write these words there is still one month to go in this year, and yet already it feels like 2020 has drug on for a decade or longer! This year has brought… Read more →
Read MoreJohn Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, encouraged every small group meeting to begin with a question: How is it with your soul? More probing than our traditional “how are you?” greeting, this question calls us to look beyond the surface and examine how – or if – we are experiencing the presence of God’s grace in the midst of life’s circumstances. How are we doing in that place where the center of our spiritual selves meets with the living God?
Read MoreSo, what do you do when a global pandemic prevents you from gathering for worship and forces you to stay at home? For Ed Griffin, the answer involves a trombone. On a typical Sunday, worshippers in the sanctuary can hear Ed play along as part of the orchestra in support of our congregational singing, but in these times, which are anything but typical, Ed uses his beloved instrument to bring a little joy to his neighbors.
Read MoreWith Easter only days away, many of our homes have Easter decorations, many of us may have taken family photographs in our Easter best, and many posts on social media are celebrating the risen Lord. While Easter is the central holiday of our faith, it can only be celebrated in its fullest when we allow ourselves to live into the dark days that precede it.
Read MoreOne of the richest blessings for Christians in the 21st-century is the abundance of devotional material that’s available at a moment’s notice...
Read MoreIf I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it hundreds of times. In fact, I’ve probably said it hundreds of times: “The church isn’t the building; the church is the people.” It’s a theological truism every pastor…
Read MoreBecause of concern for the health of our community, we aren’t gathering as a church for worship. We may not be able to physically meet, but we can still share together in a word of encouragement! Click through for a message from Pastor Chris, as well as links to adult bible study lessons from both curriculums, Explore the Bible and Bible Studies for Life.
Read MoreBonsack family,
Undoubtedly we are all paying attention to the spread of the coronavirus and the understandable concerns it raises. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors. This means not only trying to safeguard our individual well-being, but also taking appropriate steps to uphold the health and safety of those around us, particularly those who are vulnerable or live with greater risks. To that end, we want you to be aware of a few steps we are taking. While we intend to continue with all local and regularly scheduled worship services and ministry programs, we believe these simple steps will reduce our exposure and limit the chances of passing sickness along to others.
Yesterday in worship, I referred to previous sermon on the subject of abortion and offered to make it available for those who are interested. Below is the manuscript of that sermon as it was preached two years ago:
Read MoreAs believers, we celebrate the “sanctity of life.” But what, exactly, does it mean to do so?
At the Blue Ridge Women’s Center (BRWC), we seek to answer that question every day.
Jesus said, in John 10:10: “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”
Read MoreRecently my youngest daughter found herself stuck at home with me all weekend while her mom and older sister were off on a retreat with other high school students from our church. I had a brief pastoral obligation on Friday evening, and then a function at the church on Saturday which kept me occupied until lunchtime, so she had to spend long stretches of time just hanging out by herself. When I got home on Saturday, I was determined to do something with her to get her out of the house, so I did what every 7th grade girl longs for her father to do. I took her hiking!
Read MoreFor many, the upcoming holidays bring with them grief and often painful reminders of loss. Geri McDaniel and Sherry Hearn, co-coordinators of the upcoming GriefShare (beginning in February) and GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays ( This Friday, November 8) sat down to talk through practical ways to approach grief and offer support to family and friends who are grieving.
Read MoreAs I write these words, I am sitting on the ninth floor of St. Joseph’s hospital on the north side of Chicago. If you have to be in a hospital, this isn’t a bad option. For one thing, the view is incredible. St. Joseph’s sits on the shore of Lake Michigan, so every morning I have been treated to a display of beauty as the sun rises over the watery horizon. Even more importantly, the care here has been phenomenal. The nurses who have rotated through our room during each 12-hour shift have been both competent and compassionate. You can have Spiderman and Captain America. These caregivers are my heroes….
Read MoreAfter visiting a Christian school yesterday and playing with the children, today we concluded our mission experience by visiting a slum in the village of Mutuati. Sodzo has worked with several children from this slum over the last few years. They have also established a couple of their family strengthening groups in the area.
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