It’s a little late to be talking about Christmas carols, but I couldn’t help myself!  Not many people know that the lyrics of ‘O Holy Night’ were originally written by a French composer who was asked to produce a poem in honor of a recently completed church renovation.  (Incidentally, it was written in 1843, the same year Charles Dickens completed …

As we approach the end of another year and begin looking forward to a New Year, listen to Pauls’ Words in Ephesians 3:1-12 This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles- 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, …

I’ve spent most of my life wondering if I belong.  This isn’t a ‘woe is me’ kind of thing – just stay with me for a moment.   I wondered if I belonged in the new school that I went to in 3rd grade after we moved towns.  I didn’t really.  I wondered if I belonged in my new school …

For many years (it feels like most of my life, actually), the debate about seasonal greetings has carried on.  We hear “Happy Holidays” with increasing frequency in the world around us.  Meanwhile, many Christians respond (often with more than a hint of frustration) “It’s Merry Christmas!” as though this is the proper Christian greeting during Advent.  The debate always struck …

When most people think of Christmas, they think of carols, presents, and a big feast. But did you know that how we celebrate Christmas varies depending on where in the world you are? From Sweden’s feast to Japan’s eccentric Christmas Dinner, each country has its own unique way of marking the holiday. Let’s see how many you know! Here are …

The word “advent”, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, means “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.” “Advent” as a word has taken on such a religious meaning such that it seems odd to consider using it any other way. No one awaits the “advent” of a long-awaited parcel delivery. A groom might anticipate the “advent” of his …

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already upon us! I’ll be praying for you this week – that your time with friends and family is a blessing and life-giving! I’m also hopeful that you’re able to experience some of what we’ve explored of Jesus’s meals for the last few weeks. Recall that when Jesus gathered people together, it was …

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already staring us in the face!  Our current message series, More Than Enough, was designed to help us prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving more meaningfully, but the time snuck up on me nonetheless!  Before we get to the week of Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll consider a pre-game tailgate of sorts. As we’ve seen with …

The benefits of shared meals are well-documented and have been written about extensively. From a psychological standpoint, sharing a meal with another person is one of the best ways to build a connection. It strengthens social ties, provides comfort in difficult times, and allows people to exchange ideas and stories. From a health standpoint, eating together has been shown to …

PTCUMC Family, I hope your meals are beginning to take on a new level of meaning and importance as we explore the meals that Jesus shares with his disciples and others throughout his ministry.  After the first meal that Luke recalls in chapter 5 (with Levi and the tax collectors), Pastor Sean helped us explore the feeding of the 5,000 …