by cbaker | Jun 30, 2021 | Midweek Hymn Devotional
INVOCATION and READING God of the ages whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, Our grateful songs before thy throne arise. (UMH #698, st.1) Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, an...
by cbaker | Jun 29, 2021 | Pastor's Pondering
“The fruit of the spirit” is a phrase the Apostle Paul used in Galatians 5:22 to describe the personal qualities produced in the life of those who follow Jesus Christ. When we are connected to God through faith in Jesus Christ, these qualities are planted in our lives...
by cbaker | Jun 23, 2021 | Midweek Hymn Devotional
INVITATION and READING Lord, whose love through humble service bore the weight of human need, who upon the cross, forsaken, offered mercy’s perfect deed: we, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but hear, consecrating to your purpose every gift that...
by cbaker | Jun 22, 2021 | Pastor's Pondering
The third fruit of the spirit Paul identifies in Galatians 5:22 is PEACE. When we think of peace, we think of the absence of conflict. But peace is more than this. It also means order and a sense of personal security. It means one is...
by cbaker | Jun 16, 2021 | Midweek Hymn Devotional, Updates
INVITATION and READING Where charity and love prevail, there Christ is ever found; brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound. (UMH #549, st.1) 1 John 4: 16, 19-21 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love....
by cbaker | Jun 15, 2021 | Pastor's Pondering
Fruit of the Spirit: JOY The second “fruit of the Spirit” that Paul mentions in Galatians 5, is joy. Take a look around and you can see plenty of people who are grumps and gripers, negative about virtually everything that...
by cbaker | Jun 9, 2021 | Midweek Hymn Devotional
June 9, 2021 INVOCATION and READING Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to...
by cbaker | Jun 8, 2021 | Pastor's Pondering
In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.” (5:22) Fruits are the natural product of healthy growth. When we are...
by cbaker | Jun 2, 2021 | Pastor's Pondering
It’s been a while since I started the project of describing the scenes in the eight stained-glass windows along the sanctuary aisles. The last window to mention is the one closest to the lectern up front. It shows Jesus standing at the bedside of a child with one hand...
by cbaker | Jun 2, 2021 | Midweek Hymn Devotional
June 2, 2021 INVITATION and READING Come, find peace in God’s holy word. Come, find love in the grace of Jesus. Come, find purpose in the Holy Spirit within you. Romans 14: 13-19 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never...
