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...]

Events Serve Announcements Give Praying for Kerr County, Texas Our hearts are heavy upon hearing about the loss of lives, property, and the individuals still missing due to the recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas. Kerr County is six hours south of Kilgore, where I served as a pastor for six years. However, I am familiar with Kerr County because it is home to Mo-Ranch, a Presbyterian … [Read more...]

Events Serve Announcements Give Faith or Works? A Fourth of July Prayer for Our Nation At the start of July, we give thanks to God for our nation. It’s a time to ask God to protect, save, defend, and guide our country, as the following prayer so eloquently does.  Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove … [Read more...]