by cbaker | Nov 19, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
In Luke 6: 29, Jesus says something extraordinary. He says, if someone slaps you on the check, you are to turn to them and offer the other check. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt as well. And if anyone takes away something that belongs to you, do...
by cbaker | Nov 12, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
A little over a month ago, I went to visit Rev. Carroll Doggett. He was weak and needing more care, but still alert and he had much on his mind. He wanted to know about Calvary Church and the people here. He asked about my family and my health. And we spend some time...
by cbaker | Nov 4, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
So today is a big day. People are going to polling places and votes are being tabulated for the presidential election as well as Senate, seats in the House of Representatives, Boards of Education and local referenda. It’s been a fractious and dizzying election...
by cbaker | Oct 29, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
Over the last several weeks we have looked at the various parts that make up the Sunday worship service. The last part of the service is often called Sending Forth. The Sending Forth is a series of actions in which the congregation stands and is sent forth to...
by cbaker | Oct 22, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
In recent weeks, I have lifted up the various parts of the Sunday worship service. Today, we come to the Pastoral Prayer or Concerns and Prayers. This can take various forms and is practiced in different ways. It may be a brief prayer of petition and words of...
by cbaker | Oct 15, 2024 | Pastor's Pondering
In the recent Pastor Ponderings, I wrote about gathering and centering ourselves and hearing the proclamation of the word through scripture and sermon and taking time to reflect on the word. Last week I wrote about the role of music in worship. Today I want to talk...
