• Mary’s Corner

    Greetings in the name of Christ. In this season of Advent, I continue to be amazed at the way God works in our lives, showing up in the stillness. I attended a play on Sunday afternoon at the Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth. The play, “Poor Clare,” is a brilliant social commentary set against the backdrop of the friendship between Saint Francis of Assisi and Chiara Offreduccio (aka Saint Clare of Assisi).

    The play is described as, “what happens when your eyes are opened to the injustice of the world around you, and you cannot look away.” I can verify that the play had exactly this impact upon the audience, at least this member of the audience. Having just preached a sermon on a “just peace,” my heart was already diligently seeking a place for words to become action. The play, set in ancient times but using modern dialogue, is incredibly accurate in its portrayal of the awakening of a soul to the plight of others.

    It was a lovely and spiritual experience, and I am grateful for the talent and for the message. My eyes see the world more deeply after seeing the play. If you have an opportunity, it is worth the time and money to see this play.

    Advent is moving quickly along. I urge you to spend time every day acknowledging the hope you have in your heart and seeking justice and peace in this world gone mad. We do not have to change the entire world; just a few just things done by people living the gospel is all the world needs.

    I look forward to seeing you on Saturday night at the Christmas Show and the dinner afterward. It promises to be a fun evening. Bring a friend, bring a stranger, bring both!

    Blessings, Mary


  • Kids’ News

    This week, we looked at Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective as we continue our celebration of Advent. Like Mary, Joseph heard about Jesus’ coming from an angel. Joseph had learned that his wife-to-be was expecting. Joseph was thinking of quietly calling off their marriage because he didn’t want to embarrass Mary. Then an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him that the child Mary was going to have come from the Holy Spirit, and that Joseph should not be afraid to marry her. The angel even told Joseph that the child would be a son and that the child’s name would be Jesus. When Joseph woke up from this dream, he did just as the angel told him and married Mary.

    By naming Jesus, Joseph was officially accepting Jesus as his son. He willingly raised and cared for Jesus. Joseph listened and did as God asked and, because he obeyed, he was filled with the joy of having a son and celebrating, with Mary, the birth of Jesus.

    We need you all to be like Joseph and come to our Christmas program at church Saturday, December 16. We will have a wonderful evening filled with wonderful music, a wonderful dinner and if we are lucky, a visit from Santa. Please help us make sure our little ones are all in church that evening to visit with this jolly ole elf!! We will see you in church!

    Blessings



  • 2352 – Peace or Justice?

    YouTube player

    Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.

    2 Peter 3:14-15 New International Version

    14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.


  • Friday’s Word

    Advent Two

    John Cleese (yes, the British comedian of Faulty Towers fame) has a great interest in near-death experiences.

    He says he finds that people who dismiss them have not read the literature.

    This goes for religious experiences in general.

    A grieving father shared this with me:

    Remember that fire we had over here last year. My little nine-year-old girl died in that blaze.

    She was all I had.

    I couldn’t eat or sleep. Couldn’t work. I grieved till I thought I would die.

    One day I wandered back into the rubble of the place we had lived. I sat down in the midst of the rubble. The sorrow was heavy on me.

    But then I felt a presence—a power—like a million volts of electricity. I felt it could blow up the world, but it was full of love.

    The love surrounded me, and I heard a voice.

    The voice from the power said, ‘Your little girl is safe and well. She is with me.’ And the power began to let me go. My heart was changed. I still hurt, but I do not hurt like I used to.

    I know a thousand stories like that. They point to a personal God who cares about our pain.

    But how many such stories do you know?

    I was guest preacher in a church some years ago. I talked about religious experiences.

    A woman said to me as she was leaving, “Pastor, I’ve been in church all my life. This is the first time I’ve ever heard that God does anything.”

    A lot of people believe in a God who doesn’t do anything.

    If that’s your God, you’ve been running from reality. It’s time to slow down and take notice.

    +++

    Christmas Show, Sat. Dec. 16, 6:00 p.m.