Looking Up During Times of Uncertainty
World Leprosy Day
January 30, 2022 is designated World Leprosy Day, a day that is recognized annually on the last Sunday of January. This international day is an opportunity “to recognize people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to...
Never Forget
Never Forget Growing up, we probably knew a little more about the Holocaust, WWII, and the Dutch Underground than most. Our family friends included many Dutch and Latvian immigrants, all of them had stories. Let me tell you about a very special person in my life and...
Pastoral Prayer, May 2, 2021
Pastoral Prayer for May 2, 2021 God we are grateful today for all the celebrations of graduation we see and sense around us. For families of college graduates who snap photos with tears of pride in their eyes, for young people who have worked hard and learned and...
Pastoral Prayer for April 25, 2021 (1 John 3:16-24)
Pastoral Prayer for April 25, 2021 (1 John 3:16-24) God of gentleness, stir us, renew us, ignite us. As the choir so beautifully told the wondrous story, sometimes the darkness closes in, sometimes sight is gone and fears take over, and yes this and even this, Jesus...
Pastoral Prayer, April 18, 2021
Pastoral Prayer – RKL Sunday, April 18, 2021 Loving and Ever-present God…..Even as we enjoy the beautiful and fresh colors of spring today…and the inspiration of our worship……we are only too aware of the numbing concerns and clamorous needs that surround us today! ...
Blowin’ In The Wind
Blowin' In The Wind Recently I picked up my guitar again after a long absence. I found an old songbook and started playing some of the songs of my “youth.” One of the songs was a famous song by the epic songwriter and performer, Bob Dylan, titled, “Blowin’ in the...
National Siblings Day
Happy National Siblings Day! Today is National Siblings Day. It's a day to celebrate that special and sometimes torturous bond we have with the other children our parents decided to have. Last year on National Siblings Day, I had two brothers. I am the oldest. I was...
Jesus Rises From Death
“Looking Up During Uncertain Times” A Daily Devotional Text: Mark 16:1-8 International Children’s Bible Scripture Reading: Jesus Rises from Death 16 The day after the Sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some sweet-smelling spices...
Jesus Is Arrested
“Looking Up During Uncertain Times” A Daily Devotional Text: Mark 14:43-52 International Children’s Bible Scripture Reading: Jesus Is Arrested 43 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came up. Judas was 1 of the 12 followers. He had many people with him. They were...
Pastoral Prayer: March 21, 2021
Pastoral Prayer (March 21, 2021) Lord we pray for your help in the times when your grace feels too good for us. In the times we feel we don’t deserve the mercy and forgiveness you offer. In the times when we can’t see beyond the consequences of our missteps and bad...