Youth Mission Trip 2023!! New Orleans! The first day of the Youth Mission Trip began with a bang, while we had a couple issues we persevered and remained positive. Leaving the church at 4:00 this morning to start the day, on our way to the Baltimore airport our first turmoil came with the Conowingo Dam not working and a detour being taken. Finally reaching the airport we discovered the news that the plane was delayed forty-five minutes, leaving us to discover and explore the airport. After the wait we finally and safely boarded the plane, flying out and reaching New Orleans with a congratulations from the Southwest crew on our mission courtesy of Alexa Musser chatting with the attendant....
“We Are Gathered By God” There is a woman who is sitting home alone reading her Bible. There is another woman who is at the church sitting around a table surrounded by styrofoam cups, as she serves on a committee trying to plan next summer’s Vacation Bible School and mission experience for the children. The question I want to ask you is, “Which of these two women is more deeply involved in the kingdom of God?” ...
"Storm Warning" Today is April 1st, which means it is April Fool's Day.Of course, you and I both know that what is going on in our lives and around us is no laughing matter.Today's scripture reading is aparable that Jesus tells fromMatthew 24:24-27."Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the...
Keep Reading"The Breath of the Lion" When the month of March comes to an end, we tend to look at the weather and then determine if March is going out like a lamb or a lion.Weather aside, it seems like March is going out like a lion, as the coronavirus roars over our nation and communities, terrifying us, and sending us scampering to the safety of our homes.Indeed, a lion is big, ...
Keep Reading"...we have the mind of Christ"I Corinthians 2:16 For the second year in a row, I was planning to give up specific things for Lent.Basically, I was going to give up "sweets."Like last year, I was going to refrain from partaking of what I called the "5 C's."That would be candy, cookies, cake, chocolate, and coffee.So, you may be wondering how well I am doing with this?Th...
Keep ReadingFrom the Pastor With just about all of sports being cancelled these days, or at least delayed for a little while, the event I am missing the most is the NCAA tournament, also known as "March Madness."And while I never participated in a college basketball tournament, I do have a basketball story to share with you. Several years ago, I was playing basketball at Princet...
Keep ReadingHupomone! Romans 5:3 ". . . we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." Doesn't it seem as if the Apostle Paul went a little crazy with this verse?How can he say,"Suffering produces perseverance?"I think what helps us is to better understand the Greek word for perseverance.It is the word,"hupomone,"which means, "standing in there."It...
Keep Reading"Remembering the Fundamentals" Scripture Reading:I Corinthians 2:1-5 "When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom.2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.4My speech and my proclamation...
Keep Reading"Make Each Day Count" I received a letter in the mail last week from the United States Census Bureau, giving me instructions about filling out my 2020 Census questionnaire online.It even said that my response is required by law, so I guess I shouldn't mess around with this or ignore it as being somekind of junk mail.And, I suppose it is important information for the gover...
Keep ReadingJoin Pastor John for a Daily Devotional March 23, 2020 "For Such A Time As This" "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isa...
Keep Reading"The Green-Eyed Monster" This Sunday, I am concluding my sermon series on the Seven Deadly Sins, as I will will be talking to you (digitally) about the sin of envy.Similar to what people have to do at AA, we have to be willing to acknowledge envy in our souls.The strange things about envy is that no one ever wants to acknowledge that they are envious.We will acknowled...
Keep ReadingFriends, I hope and pray that God is giving you his strength and grace in these unprecedented times.I am 57 years old, and I can't remember anything like this happening in my lifetime.Some of you may remember Pearl Harbor, and see comparisons there.Others of you may remember the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the weekend the nation stopped and sat glued to its television set ...
Keep Reading