by Crystal Harris | May 30, 2020 | blog
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24 I need to speak truth to the state of our spirits and nation in light of this week, and it cannot wait until Sunday. Justice isn’t rolling like waters. Images are one...
by Crystal Harris | May 29, 2020 | blog
In Your Promise A New Song is Sung “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the...
by Crystal Harris | May 28, 2020 | blog
Loyal Helper Full Text: 1 Samuel 18-20 International Children’s Bible (ICB) Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 19:1-7 International Children’s Bible (ICB) 19 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan cared very much for David. 2 So he...
by Crystal Harris | May 27, 2020 | blog, Pastoral Prayer
Dear Friends: I hope this letter finds you doing well and staying safe! My what a different reality we have been experiencing these past two-and-a-half months! Who could have imagined! Well, with things “opening up” a bit now in Michigan, and with President Trump’s...
by Crystal Harris | May 26, 2020 | blog
Christian ethics “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat,...
by Crystal Harris | May 23, 2020 | blog
My healthy self knows that I am always loved and safe with God. Text: “If we face our unpleasant feelings with care, affection, and nonviolence, we can transform them into the kind of energy that is healthy and has the capacity to nourish us.” ~...
by Crystal Harris | May 22, 2020 | blog
“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4 Leading up to Memorial Day Weekend at FCC, I’m usually frantically trying to find the lower “C” chime for Sunday’s service. We ring it after the reading of each name of our FCC family that had...
by Crystal Harris | May 21, 2020 | blog
Clear Right & Wrong Text: Matthew 25:31-46 International Children’s Bible (ICB) Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 International Children’s Bible (ICB) The King Will Judge All People 31 “The Son of Man will come again in his great glory. All his angels will...
by Crystal Harris | May 20, 2020 | blog
Text: I John 4:16b: “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” Scripture Reading: I John 4:13-21 Reflection: The Johannine affirmation that “God is love,” is, I think, the highest and purest affirmation of God we can proclaim. ...
by Crystal Harris | May 19, 2020 | blog
God and Mental Health Awareness Text: “But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate....
