On November 24, Tom and I participated in the Hanging of the Greens at Lewis Center United Methodist Church. Lewis Center is an active, faithful community of folks and Tom and I try to participate as we can when we are in Ohio. Most Sundays we serve as a greeter (me) and an usher (Tom). …
From Worship Experiences
Lake Brady UMC’s 125th Anniversary
The very first church that I served as a pastor was Lake Brady United Methodist Church. I graduated from seminary in May of 1984 and started as the pastor of this church on July 1. I was 24 years old at the time. With my newly minted degree, I looked forward to changing the world …
Moving from Darkness into Light
Before the time change in November, I was leaving my house to take my morning walk in darkness. I walk first thing in the morning. I like to walk early because it is routine. It doesn’t matter how awake I am, my habit is pulling on my boots and heading across the road as soon …
Wilderness of the Soul, Exploring Deserted Places
The Bible is full of stories about wilderness. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. The prophets lived in the desert. David fled to the desert for protection against his enemies. John the Baptist made the wilderness his home. Jesus went into the desert for 40 days to prepare for his ministry. Whenever …
Making Music at Christmas
This Christmas, I had several opportunities for making music. Music allows me to worship God more than any other medium. I worship when I sing and when I listen to music. The Lewis Center United Methodist Church Choir presented a cantata this year. Cantatas are a beautiful way of making music. They also seem to …
Advent Bible Study: Heaven and Earth
During Advent I led my first Bible since I retired. Some people at Lewis Center United Methodist Church had been asking for an evening Bible Study and both the pastors were too busy to do it. They asked me if I would be willing to do it and I gladly said yes. Then I went …
Alpha Recovery Sunday at Lewis Center
A couple of weeks ago was Alpha Recovery Sunday at Lewis Center United Methodist Church. Alpha Recovery is a 12 step faith-based program centered in Bucyrus. It reaches out primarily to women who have been incarcerated because of drug addictions. Lewis Center hosts meetings that expand the program’s focus to anyone dealing with addiction. Men …
God Is Not Our Vending Machine
Yesterday in her sermon, Rev. Jessica Cavinee, the lead pastor at Lewis Center United Methodist Church said “God is not our vending machine.” It was a throw-away line. Not one of the central points of her sermon, which was about stewardship. But I really liked the line and have been thinking about it ever since. …
Your “We” Is Too Small: A Challenge
Tom and I are back at our home in Ohio and got to attend worship at Lewis Center United Methodist Church yesterday. Rev. Phil Rode preached on Romans 15 and it was a good sermon. As often happens when I am listening to a sermon, Rev. Phil mentioned something – not a major point in …
Christian Ministry in the National Parks
When Tom and I were in Death Valley, we went to church with the Christian Ministry in the National Parks. That was over eight years ago. This summer, Tom and I have been able to worship thanks to Christian Ministry in the National Parks. Our first month here at Cumberland Gap we tried to find …