Preacher Paul's Blogs

In this week's sermon, we will explore the early Christian community as described in Acts 2:42-47. We will examine what the early Christian community looked like and how it operated. Specifically, we will compare this community to today's Christian community and explore the differences. It's an opportunity to reflect on our own practices as Christians and ask ourselves if we are living in a way that is reflective of the love of Christ. By looking at the practices of the early church, we can gain insight into how to live out our faith in a meaningful way. We will consider how this early Christian community can inform and guide us in our own lives today. It's a chance to learn from the past and see how we can bring those lessons into our current reality. Join us this week as we dive into Acts 2:42-47 and seek to understand what it means to live in Christian community.

This week’s sermon is based on Luke 24:13-35, which tells the story of two disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, but did not recognize him at first. As they walked, Jesus spoke with them and later revealed himself to them, and their hearts were filled with joy and understanding. How many times in our own lives have we encountered Jesus in others but did not recognize him? How often do we walk through our days with our heads down, and miss the opportunities to connect with others and feel the presence of God in our lives? We will explore the ways in which we can open our hearts and minds to recognize Jesus in others. As we walk through life, may we be open to the ways in which God reveals himself to us, and may we always be ready to recognize and respond to his presence in our lives.

Dear Church Family: As we gather together this coming Sunday, I want to take a moment to reflect on a topic that may resonate with many of us. Even the most devout Christian at times may experience doubts, just like Thomas. Doubts can be a challenging and confusing experience, but it is important to remember that it is a normal part of our spiritual journey. During this week, I would like to encourage you to reflect on a few questions to prepare for Sunday's sermon. When was the last time you experienced doubts in your faith? How did you cope with them? What helped you overcome your doubts, or what is still causing you to struggle? In our time together, we will explore the story of Thomas, the disciple who doubted and yet found his faith renewed. We will look at how his doubts were transformed into an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. Ultimately, we will learn that doubts are not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of a healthy and growing faith. I look forward to s...

This week's sermon will be based on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and will be entitled "Get Busy".  There is an old proverb that goes something like this "the devil tempts all people but an idle person tempts the devil."  Paul warned the church at Thessalonica to not be idle but to "get busy".  We'll talk about this on Sunday.  I hope to see you there.  

Every Sunday, okay, almost every Sunday, we resight the ancient words of the Apostle's Creed.  The earliest recording of this creed appears is at the end of the Fourth Century, C.E.  Beleive it or not, the Nicene Creed is actually older.  The last two stanzas of the Apostle's Creed are (I believe in) the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.   This week's sermon will be based on Luke 20:27:38 when Jesus responds to a question about the afterlife and involving an almost impossible scenario involving the Levirate marriage Law.   I'll explain what that is in the sermon but suffice to say we do not practice that law any longer.   Jesus will give some insights into the Life Everlasting and I will discuss this in my sermon.  I hope to see you there... bring a friend or a stranger!  All are welcome!

This week's sermon will come from Luke 19: 1-10 and will be based on Jesus' encounter with  Zacchaeus.  I hope to see you Sunday!

This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday.   Celebrated on the last Sunday in October, Reformation Sunday commemorates the Protestant Reformation as well as Martin Luther, who nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, the eve of All Saints' Day. We will use Reformation era Hymns and our Affirmation of Faith will come from the Heidelberg Catechism.  The sermon will be based on 2 Timothy 4: 6–18 and is entitled "The Goof Fight".  I hope to see you on Sunday.