Preacher Paul's Blogs

  As we continue our summer sermon series, Summer Destinations: Places Where We Meet God , this Sunday we will travel to the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee in Mark 1:16-20. There we find Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John while they are going about the ordinary routines of their workday. Their story reminds us that God's call does not come only in sanctuaries or special moments. It often comes in the middle of everyday life, inviting us to follow Christ wherever we are. Together we will consider whether we have remained faithful to that call or whether we have allowed the distractions and comforts of life to pull us away from it. Most importantly, we will hear the good news that Christ is still calling and that there is still work for us to do in building God's kingdom. As you prepare for worship, read Mark 1:16-20 and consider these questions:  When did you first sense Christ calling you to follow?  In what ways might God be calling you to serve today?

This Sunday, our Summer Destinations series takes us to the Jordan River in 2 Kings 5:1-14. We will meet Naaman, a powerful military commander who seemed to have everything, yet carried a burden he could not remove. As his story unfolds, we discover that anxiety has a way of focusing our attention on problems, convincing us that everything depends upon us and must happen according to our plans. Yet through a servant girl, a prophet, and the waters of the Jordan, God reveals a different path, one marked by trust rather than control. Naaman's journey reminds us that God is already at work, even when we cannot see it. Join us as we explore how faith helps us move from anxiety to trust and learn what it means to place our confidence in the One who is truly in control. As you prepare for worship, read 2 Kings 5:1-14 and consider these questions:  What burdens or worries are you carrying that may be beyond your control?  Where might God already be at work in your life, even if you c...

As our Summer Destinations series continues this Sunday, we travel to an unlikely place where someone encountered God: a well in Samaria. In John 4:7-26, Jesus stops for a conversation with a woman whom others had overlooked, judged, and avoided. Yet Jesus saw beyond the labels others placed upon her and offered her living water, grace, and a new beginning. In this message, " Rest Stop Along the Way," we will explore what this encounter teaches us about God's unconditional love, our tendency to judge others by outward appearances, and how Christ calls us to see people through different eyes.  As you prepare for worship, consider these questions:  Who are the people that I am tempted to overlook or avoid?  How might God be calling me to "stop at the well" and share grace with someone this week?

This Sunday we begin our "Summer Destinations" sermon series with a journey to Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:21-39. There, the prophet Elijah challenges the people of Israel to decide whether they will follow the Lord or continue chasing after Baal. While most of us are not tempted by ancient idols, we often find ourselves distracted by the many activities, responsibilities, and pleasures that compete for our attention, especially during the summer months. Together we will explore what it means to make room for God amid the busyness of life.  As you prepare for worship, consider these questions:  What "Baals of summer" compete for your attention and devotion?  How can you intentionally make time to encounter God this week?

  IT’S SUMMERTIME!   Pack your bags and join Pastor Paul as we journey through some of the Bible's most memorable destinations. From mountaintops and lakeshores to oceans and dusty roads, Scripture is filled with stories of people who encountered God in unexpected places. Our summer sermon series, " Summer Destinations: Places Where We Meet God," will explore how these familiar settings became sacred spaces where lives were changed and faith was strengthened.   Along the way, we will travel with Elijah on Mount Carmel, stand beside the woman at the well, watch Naaman find healing in the Jordan River, sail with Jonah through a stormy sea, and accompany Abraham and Paul on life-changing journeys. Each destination reminds us that God is not confined to a sanctuary or a particular place. God meets people wherever they are and often when they least expect it.   Whether your summer plans include a trip to the mountains, a visit to the beach, time at the lake, or s...

As we gather for Trinity Sunday, we will explore one of the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith through Jesus’ words in John 16:12-15. In a sermon titled “The Divine Dance,” we will reflect on the mysterious image of the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit moving together in perfect love, creation, redemption, and sustaining grace. While we may never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, we are invited to experience the presence of the God who never stops creating, redeeming, and sustaining us.  This week, as you prepare for worship, consider these questions:  Where have you seen the sustaining presence of God in your own life recently?  And how might God be inviting you to join more fully in the rhythm of divine love and grace?

This Pentecost Sunday, we will reflect on Jesus’ promise in John 14:15–18 that we are never alone. In a sermon titled “A Friend for Life,” we will explore the meaning of the Greek word paraklētos , often translated as Advocate, and consider how the Holy Spirit comes alongside us as Counselor, Helper, and Companion. Whether we need wisdom, strength, or simply the assurance that God is near, the Holy Spirit remains with us and will never leave us orphaned.  As you prepare for worship, ask yourself:  When have you sensed the Holy Spirit guiding or strengthening you?  How might God be reminding you this week that you are never alone?