Yesterday I returned to Wedgewood United Methodist Church for the first time since I retired a year ago. I was the pastor at Wedgewood for 21 years – a lifetime for many of the young people at Wedgewood! Rev. Joe Burkhardt, the current pastor, invited Tom, John, Jackie and I to attend to celebrate Wedgewood’s …
From Worship Experiences
North Canton Faith UMC
Yesterday I visited North Canton Faith United Methodist Church with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. As you know, they recently moved to Canton and are looking for a church close to their new home. I know the pastors – Cara and Steve Costello – at North Canton Faith, so I suggested we worship there. North …
Silence in Us
At a recent worship service the pastor spoke the line, “Silence in us any voice but yours.” I’m not sure what the rest of the prayer said because I got stuck on that line. Silence in us. What a wonderful idea and how rare in our lives these days. Last night I couldn’t get to …
Hide and Seek
I grew up in a neighborhood with lots of kids and we would spend most of our summer days outside playing together. We often played “Hide and Seek” and its variant, “Kick the Can.” I was a pretty good hider, but not a very good runner, so I had a hard time getting to base …
Step Out of the Boat
Yesterday at Linworth UMC the worship theme was “Step Out of the Boat.” It is based on the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33. Peter, being called by Jesus, gets out of the boat and walks on the water. At least he walks until he notices the wind and the waves, realizes …
Pentecost
“Pentecost” means 50 days and is the third most important Christian holy day behind Easter and Christmas. The 50 days marks the time between Easter and the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ disciples who had been hiding in the Upper Room, afraid to come out now …
Filled with Joy
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11 Yesterday Tom and I attended Linworth United Methodist Church with John and Jackie. It was good to worship in a familiar place with our family. There were baptisms and new members joining the …
Montrose United Methodist Church
Today, for the first time since December, Tom and I were able to worship in a church: Montrose United Methodist Church. We didn’t just go to church, like we did at Oasis Church in Las Vegas or the worship service every Sunday in Death Valley. We went to a United Methodist service held in a …
Giving Gladly
One of the challenges of our mobile lifestyle is in giving our tithe to the church. We decided when we started that we would give 5% every week to whatever church we attended and the other 5% every month to the Wedgewood Church where Tom is still a member. Sometimes we aren’t sure that we …
Banishing a Complaining Spirit
I recently finished reading, as part of my daily devotionals, a book by Laurie Beth Jones entitled “The Path.” It is one of those books that was so popular during the 90’s about finding your mission in life and setting goals. It is a good resource if you need to do something like that because …