Pastor’s Ponderings

To love the way Jesus loves involves pouring yourself out for real people with all their quirks, faults, smells, and needs. Take that harried young mother in the doctor’s waiting room. Perhaps loving her as you love yourself means offering to watch the toddler while...

On January 19, Rev. David Cooney preached a sermon that started us on a new sermon series based on the book, Reckless Love: Jesus Call to Love Our Neighbors by Tom Berlin. Some of you have asked about the book. It was printed by Abingdon Press last year and is...

One of the most depressing times of the year, for me, is the weeks that follow after Christmas. The decorations in the house come down. The lights in the neighborhood are turned off and put away. There is no big day to look forward to being with loved ones and...

We tend to think that Christmas is particularly meaningful for children. Certainly, children look forward to the holiday with excitement and anticipation. They enjoy the sweets and cookies, the twinkling lights, and the gifts under the tree. Its children, not adults...

Here are some words to consider as you share with others on Thanksgiving Day. “Thanksgiving Song”   by  Mary Chapin Carpenter Grateful for each hand we hold Gathered round this table. From far and near we travel home, Blessed that we are able. Grateful for this...

This week we are wrapping up the intensive portion of the Renew and Rejoice Capital Campaign. I want to offer a word of heartfelt thanks to those who offered their time and talent to make this campaign happen. It’s been a big effort and these volunteers have made a...

I took a few days off last week and headed for the hills of West Virginia. The leaves were still lovely hues of orange and yellow as they hung on the trees. I visited Dolly Sods Wilderness, about three hours west of Frederick. I took my backpack and some food and...

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!!  The 2019 Christmas Bazaar is just around the corner - November 9th, 9:00-3:00.  The elves have been working hard to make it happen.  Now we need your help.  In the coming weeks, we need: Baked items for the baked goods table Donations for the...

At the September meeting of the Church Council, I brought up the possibility of changing our Sunday morning worship schedule. We’ve done this over the past several summers so it’s not entirely new, but making such a change would come with some upsides as well as some...