A classic Christmas, remade many times in the movies, is Charles Dickens‘ “A Christmas Carol.” Just in case you have never heard of it, “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a miserable miser. He is visited by three ghosts, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost …
From Worship Experiences
Cantata at Lewis Center United Methodist
For the first time since 2014, I got to sing in a Christmas Cantata. As I mentioned earlier, we have been attending the Lewis Center United Methodist Church when we are here in Ohio. In reading through the bulletin at the beginning of November, I noticed an invitation to sing with the choir for the …
Noel and Its Relationship to Christmas
Last Sunday I was standing in church singing “Noel, Noel. Born is the King of Israel.” You might be singing that same song during this Advent or Christmas season. I’m sure you have heard it before. But have you ever wondered why we sing “Noel” at Christmas or what it means? Noel is a French …
Mary Said Yes When God Called
One day Mary was going about her business, whatever that was. We don’t really know much about Mary beyond the usual life of a woman in the Middle East at the time. Maybe she was dreaming about her upcoming marriage. Perhaps she was weaving linens she would use in her new home with Joseph. She …
Advent with Five Sundays at Lewis Center UMC
Last week Tom and I returned to Lewis Center United Methodist Church for worship. This is the church we have been attending while parked in Delaware. As you probably know, Thanksgiving was early this year – as early as it can be. Consequently, there should have been one Sunday or “ordinary time” between Thanksgiving and …
Roadmap to the End of the Age
Last Sunday Tom and I attended worship with my parents at the Lexington Church of the Cross United Methodist. We have attended there before and we enjoy our opportunities to worship with my parents. On this particular Sunday, Rev. Glenn Hamilton preached the best sermon I have ever heard him preach. It was so good …
Full Worship Service and Sanctuary
Two weeks ago we went to worship at Lewis Center United Methodist Church. We attended Lewis Center a couple of times in the spring and are tending toward considering it “our church” when we are in Delaware. We like going to church with John and Jackie and my parents, but feel like we need a …
Peculiar United Methodist Church, Peculiar Missouri
Last Sunday Tom and I attended Peculiar United Methodist Church. If this sounds like a strange name for a church – it is! But it is also the name of the town in which it is located, so lots of things are peculiar around here. We really enjoy being back in the land of United …
Relatives in the Family of God – All Cousins
I just finished reading A. J. Jacobs‘ book “It’s All Relative.” I love how Jacobs immerses himself (and his family) in a topic. He lives it, researches it, and writes about it with a humorous perspective. I reviewed his book “Drop Dead Healthy” in 2015. In “It’s All Relative,” Jacobs uses the world genealogy trees …
Left Behind a Piece of Myself
Everyplace Tom and I go, we try to leave it a little better off than we found it. This is especially true of the places we work. Tom and I left Pipe Spring on October 1, but I left behind some pieces of myself. We made some new friends, and I will keep pieces of …