Events Serve Announcements Give A New Creation in Christ Galatians 2:19-20: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. A memorable chapter from C.S. Lewis’s novel The Voyage of the Dawn Treader tells the story of Eustace, a particularly unsavory and obnoxious boy, who is transformed into a dragon so that he can no longer … [Read more...]

Events Serve Announcements Give The Lord is Always Near The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, an Episcopal priest and theologian, stated in a lecture that she considers herself a profoundly unspiritual person. I was taken aback to hear this from someone who has authored a five-hundred-page book on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as an internationally renowned preacher, and has … [Read more...]

Events Serve Announcements Give Back at the Pulpit and Looking Forward I am looking forward to getting back into the pulpit! It's been a wonderful six weeks of taking a break from preaching and sermon preparation, but I'm really eager to get back into it. For me, preaching is a labor, but it's also a profound source of joy. I want to thank everyone who stepped in during my absence: … [Read more...]

Events Serve Announcements Give Continued Life Planning Last week I wrote here about funeral planning, suggesting it was a gift to leave behind for loved ones, and encouraging that getting started could be as simple as leaving a preference for even just one thing, perhaps a favorite hymn or two. It brought enough of a reaction to be worth a part two. Have a will. Update it every five … [Read more...]

Events Serve Announcements Give SWAN SONGS As I sit to write this on a Wednesday night, tomorrow we will have the funeral celebration of life for Gordy Faust; this Sunday will be the first hymn sing we've had at FPC in a number of years. From the conjunction of those two events comes what follows. The thought of planning elements of our own future funeral is for some uncomfortable and … [Read more...]