This morning at Friday Harbor Presbyterian we had a substitute preacher. Dr. Joe Bettridge is on vacation and the Director of Youth Ministry, Sylvia Sullard, filled in. She talked about the whale of a tale that you find in the book of Jonah. Sylvia gave a disclaimer at the beginning of the sermon that she …
From Worship Experiences
He Gives What He Promises
Thanks to those of you who checked on me after noticing the five days without a post. We have been working a lot and we had some visitors, so it was a busy few days. You will be hearing more about all that! But Tom and I are hoping to get into a regular routine …
My First Love (Not Tom)
On Tuesday, Tom and I will be married 36 years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we stuck with each other through them. I am thankful and blessed (and sometimes vexed) to be married to this wonderful man. But Tom is not my first love. I was reminded of this at church this morning. …
Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church
We arrived in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island last Friday (ferry ride post in a couple of days). One of the first things I did after we got settled was look for a church to attend. There are two mainline Protestant churches on the island: Episcopalian and Presbyterian. We decided to try Friday Harbor …
Mothers Are a Gift from God (usually)
Have you ever noticed that Mothers’ Day is the sappiest, most sentimental holiday of the year? There is a reason why more people go out to eat on Mothers’ Day than any day of the year. And Mothers’ Day is second only to Valentine’s Day for flower sales. People with great moms are sentimental about …
Depend and Dependable: Learning to Be a Sheep
Do you depend on Jesus and can Jesus depend on you? Yesterday I returned to the Powell United Methodist Church for worship and this is the question I encountered. I went by myself to worship. Tom and John took off early for an all-day paintball game. Jackie was doing things around the house. So I …
Powell United Methodist Church, Ohio
This morning Tom, John, Jackie and I went to Powell United Methodist Church to worship. John and Jackie are still looking for a church to call home in Columbus. Powell United Methodist Church looked like a big church and it is halfway between their house and Cross Creek Camping Resort. Powell United Methodist Church …
Last Sunday at Wesley UMC (This Year)
Today was our last Sunday at Wesley UMC this year. Because we decided to come back to Fort Frederica and St. Simons Island, we will be able to attend this church next year. And our last Sunday at Wesley turned out to be a doozy! The service this morning was two and a half hours …
Annotated Bulletin for Easter
The last two Sundays, Palm Sunday and Easter, Wesley UMC offered us an annotated bulletin. Bulletins are paper sheets or folders that allow you to follow the order of worship. The annotated bulletin has a column to the side that explains the various parts of worship to people who are unfamiliar with the service. At …
Sin Has An I In The Middle
Yesterday in Sunday School we talked about sin. Specifically, we talked about all the people that died during the Flood. Noah’s family stayed safe on the ark because of Noah’s righteousness. Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” …