Preacher Paul's Blogs

This Sunday, we will explore our love for the "Good Old Days".  All of us have moments when we look back and think the past seemed easier, safer, or better than today. Songs, stories, and our own memories tempt us to put on rose-colored glasses. Yet the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that wisdom is not found in wishing for yesterday but in living faithfully today. God has placed us in this moment for a reason, equipping us with gifts to face the challenges and opportunities of our time. Instead of chasing the “good old days,” we are invited to discover the “good new days” God is creating right here and now. As you read and pray over Ecclesiastes 7:10 this week, ask yourself:  In what ways am I tempted to romanticize the past instead of trusting God today?  How can I live in such a way that future generations will see God’s faithfulness through me?

This Sunday we turn to one of the most cherished images of Christ: the Good Shepherd. In John 10:14–15, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” We will reflect on the difference between simply knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Jesus in a personal, life-changing way. The sermon will explore how Christ’s voice leads us, how obedience flows from love, and how our call to love others, even those who are difficult to love, is the clearest sign of belonging to him. As you prepare for worship, I invite you to consider:  Do you know Jesus only in your head, or do you know Christ in your heart and daily life?  How might you take one step this week toward listening for God’s voice, living out Christ’s commands, or extending love in a hard place?

 This Sunday we will turn to Psalm 139:14, where the psalmist proclaims, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Together we will reflect on what it means to be created by God with care and intention. Each of us is unique, not an accident or a mistake, but part of God’s ongoing work in the world. The psalm reminds us that our lives carry signs of God’s craftsmanship, even when we are tempted to see only imperfections. We will also consider how the marks and experiences of our lives, both joyful and difficult, can be seen not as flaws but as reminders that God has shaped us with purpose. Each person has a role within God’s Kingdom, and every part of our story can serve to strengthen us and bless others. Questions for reflection: How do you see evidence of God’s craftsmanship in your own life? In what ways might your story, with its unique marks and experiences, encourage someone else this week?

This Sunday, September 7, 2025, I will be out of the pulpit, and Rev. Christina Trimble will be leading our Worship Service. Rev. Trimble, a familiar face to our congregation, is a member of Providence Presbytery and currently resides in Lancaster, SC, with her brothers and parents. She has previously served as a short-term missionary in Ethiopia, Mexico, and Arizona, and has pastored churches in Pennsylvania and New York. In her free time, she enjoys reading, card making, and spending time with her dog, Danny. Her sermon, titled “The Cost of Transformation,” will be based on Jeremiah 18:1–11 and Luke 14:25–33 . Please note that the service will not be broadcast via Zoom that day. I hope you will attend in person and welcome Rev. Trimble as she brings God’s Word to us.