Our faith has deep roots in the image of people gathering together for a special meal. Whether we are talking about the Passover meal celebrated as a reminder of the Hebrew people’s deliverance by God from their bondage in Egypt or the Lord’s Eucharist – the GREAT THANKSGIVING – a representing of Christ’s Body and Blood in our shared celebration …
Servant Leadership
Our Gospels record a story about the Disciples bickering among themselves over who would be on Jesus’ right and left in the KINGDOM. The story shows up in different settings depending on which Gospel you read. In Luke’s Gospel, the argument comes at the worst possible time. In chapter 22, Jesus had just hosted His last supper with them. He …
Is Sunday the “first” day of your week?
I get excited every time the daily calendar approaches the weekend! As a second career pastor, I will admit that my excitement at the approaching weekend in my “previous career” days was primarily driven by the weekend break from the alarm clock, the commutes, and the grind of work. But somewhere along the line, Sunday became a priority for my …
My Favorite Time of the Year
The fall is my favorite time of the year. I used to refer to it as my “pumpkin day, Turkey Day, Gift Day” beloved season of life. Of course, I am referring the joy of receiving “my” candy across trick or treats, “my” beloved turkey leg at Thanksgiving, and “my” presents at Christmas. Then it dawned on me one day …
The Perfect Thanksgiving
What makes a perfect Thanksgiving meal? Is it having the perfect roast turkey, cheese grits and corn pudding, roasted sweet potato casserole, potato gratin, green beans with bacon, cracked pepper dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie with a walnut crust? Obviously, what’s on the table at Thanksgiving is a big deal. But what makes Thanksgiving special is not just what’s on …
Generosity Sunday
Woo! Hoo! What an incredible Sunday! I am so grateful for everyone who calls PTCUMC their faith home. This last Sunday was extra special because of all the people, over 150 families, who responded with joy on our first, annual “Generosity Sunday” by bringing forward their confidential 2020 Estimate of Giving cards. God is moving among you! Several verses from …
Generosity Cards
How Does The Generosity Card Work? Since this is the first year that we have used Estimate of Giving (EOG) Cards, we wanted to provide a summary of how they work. We know this is new to everyone. The first step is a conversation with God (prayer) and a conversation with your household (planning.) Make certain this is where you …
What Do You Treasure Most? (Part 4)
Generosity Sunday is Coming Next Week! Thank you, Church, for traveling this year’s Generosity Journey together! On Sunday, October 27, the entire faith family will be invited to bring forward their 2020 “estimate of giving” cards in worship. Over the last several weeks, we have been placing those blank cards in your hands and explaining how they are to be …
What Do You Treasure Most? (Part 3)
It’s been said that our faith can be characterized as a battle of wills – our self-will versus God’s Will. Personally, I prefer growth language to battle language. My understanding of my faith is “growing in grace.” I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior but I know that I am not yet fully formed in the image of Christ as …
What Do You Treasure Most? (Part 2)
I am grateful to God for a faith that invites me to ask that question as one of the guiding lights in my personal spiritual formation. We began a “generosity journey” this last Sunday themed around that very question. What’s a generosity journey? Glad you asked! Through a four-week sermon series in the month of October, we will be drawn …