Preacher Paul's Blogs

This Sunday, as we gather for worship on Labor Day weekend, we will reflect on the gift of rest and the wisdom of sharing our burdens. In Exodus 18:17–23, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro saw the danger of trying to do everything alone. He reminded Moses that even the most faithful leaders need help and that God’s plan has always been for the community to share the load together. Just as Jethro’s words helped Moses rediscover balance, they also remind us that rest is not weakness but a holy gift. God rested on the seventh day, and even Jesus stepped away from the crowds to pray and renew strength. If they could rest, surely we can too. As we worship, we will consider how rest renews us, restores our perspective, and deepens our trust in God. As you prepare for Sunday, ask yourself:  Where in your life are you carrying too much alone?  And what might it look like this week to truly accept God’s gift of Sabbath rest?

This Sunday we will turn to Luke’s Gospel ( 13:10-13)  where Jesus notices a woman who has been bent over for eighteen years. She did not call out for help, yet Jesus saw her, called her forward, and restored her not only to health but also to her community. The story reminds us that God often meets us in the ordinary moments of life, taking the first step toward us even when we are not seeking. As we worship together, we will reflect on how God still sees us, calls us out of hidden places, and transforms our brokenness into new life. The God who restored the bent-over woman is the same God who continues to work in our lives today.  This week, please consider: Where might God already be at work in your life this week?  How might you be called to notice and respond to the ways God is drawing you forward?

This Sunday we will look at Paul’s affliction and how it affected his attitude and mission. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul shares his experience of carrying a persistent “thorn in the flesh,” a burden that prayer did not remove. Instead of healing, Paul received something even greater: the assurance that God’s strength shines most brightly when our own strength is gone. We will reflect on how our broken places can become the very spaces where God’s presence rests and God’s love flows most freely. As we gather, we will be reminded that it is okay to not be okay. The church is meant to be a place where we can admit our struggles without shame and lean on one another for support. We will see that our weaknesses are not obstacles to ministry but invitations for God’s power to work through us.  This week, consider these questions:  Where might God be inviting you to rely less on your own strength and more on God’s grace?  How might your “thorn” become a testimony of God’s sus...

This Sunday, we come to the final sermon in our Summer Sermon Series on “Carson’s Blessing.” We’ll hear one of Jesus’ most beloved parables: the story of the lost sheep from Luke 15. At first glance, it seems like a simple tale. A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that wandered away. But there is so much more going on beneath the surface. This parable is not just about sheep and shepherds; it is about the persistent, never-giving-up love of God that seeks out those who feel far from home. In a world where it is easy to focus on those already gathered, Jesus reminds us that the heart of the gospel is pursuit. God’s love is always reaching, always searching, and always celebrating when anyone, no matter how lost, finds their way back. As we prepare for worship, I invite you to think about these questions:  Who in your life needs to know they are worth the search?  And how might God be calling you to join in the work of seeking, welcoming, and loving those who fe...