Why are birthdays so important? The Book of Job says, “Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and fun of turmoil. He comes forth like a flower and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.” (Job 14:1-2) Later it says, “Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You (referring to God); and his limits You have set so that he cannot pass.” (Job 14:5) That’s a pretty negative view. Later in the book, Job’s wife, because of the suffering that had befallen him, advised Job to curse the day he was born so that God would take him. (In Old Testament times, it was assumed that the gift of life was of ultimate value since it was a gift from God. Therefore, to curse the day one was born was to reject not only the gift, but God as well!)

As we fast forward to the 21st Century, the celebration of a birthday is a big thing. Anne and I are going to see Amy and family in order to celebrate Olivia’s birthday. Children’s birthdays in New York City are big events. This year, Olivia is having a bowling party! Last year, Amelia took some friends to Broadway. Children may be oblivious to the divine importance of birthdays; but, it is likely that many adults today choose to focus on other things at the annual remembrance of one’s birth. In fact, it has been quite a common thing to hear for the last 50 years that one simply wants to “quit having birthdays.” It doesn’t mean to abandon life. It simply means that one does not want to be reminded of getting older.

Friends, I had rather get older than to stop the process! And, my birthday (many months away) is a big deal to me. I am grateful for life; and, I view life as a divine gift as I believe God intended. A few years ago, Amy gave me a birthday party when I turned 75. When she told her friends in NYC, some said, “Does someone stay with him? Is he able to get about?” To which Amy declared, “He drives a Corvette and is so busy I can’t catch him on the phone!”

Until recently, I was almost frustrated to turn out the light at night. I didn’t want to give up on the day. I wanted to keep on experiencing life—without interruption! Since then, I have begun to notice I am able to do less than I did just a couple of years ago. I have accepted the fact that I am older and weaker. But, I still have a passion for living—and I value that passion, not just because I like what I do and where I am at this point in my life. I also attribute that passion for living because I feel a partnership with God. I believe that God is with me and wants the best for me. I hope you share this passion for life with me!

Michael D. O’Bannon, Pastor

This Sunday February 23rd the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany the sermon scripture is Hebrews 11:1-3.

This coming Sunday I will be preaching a sermon on hope. A working title is, “At the End of the Rope.” The title may change, but the topic will remain the same.

The scripture will be Hebrews 11:1-3, a very familiar passage. There are 157 occurrences of” the word, “hope,” in the Bible (82 in the Old Testament, and 75 in the New Testament).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday February 16th the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany the sermon scripture is Luke 15:11-24.

This coming Sunday, I will be preaching on making mistakes. I’ll be using as a basis the Prodigal Son. The parable is in Luke 15:11-24 (It goes to vs 32.)

The reaction of the older son is not a part of the sermon. Hopefully, this treatment will be a little different approach than normal.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

February 9th the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is You’re Not Going to Believe This! The scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

There is recent concern about fake news. Recently, for just a few seconds, I saw something on the internet about the death of Steve Harvey, host of a popular game show on network television. It went away, and I could not make it return–until I left the internet and signed back on. It showed up again, for just a couple of seconds. When I checked, I found that Steve Harvey is still alive.

We have all been duped with “manufactured news,” false statistics, and the like, for many decades. Are you aware that there is a report that Elvis faked his death? Just last week, I read a very credible article, giving evidence to support the claim. Even older is the rumor that JFK survived the assassination attempt and was living in kind of a coma in the top floor of a Dallas hospital.

Such things are not new; but, they gain credibility with the advances of artificial intelligence and the ability to create or alter images with computer programs. And, who of us has not had a Facebook account hacked, followed by someone sending out false information supposedly from us?

Paul had similar problems, especially with the congregation in Corinth. I’ll take a brief look at those and then talk about how ironic it is that people will easily believe the fake news we read on the internet, regardless of the fantastic claims, but at the same time, disregard the stories of simple miracles worked by Jesus–or the wondrous works of God.

That is the essence of Sunday’s sermon.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday January 26th the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is Son vs Sun. The scripture is John 3:9-17.

Recently, I was driving home from visiting a friend who has Parkinson’s. As I looked out the driver’s window, the sun was so bright that it almost blinded me. I began to reflect on how something 93 million miles away has so much influence on our lives.

It is something on which we are absolutely dependent. How incredible to think that, even though it is so far away, we know so much about it—including exactly how far away it is.

And then I began to think about the Son, an eternal and readily accessible reality that is of late held in reserve and skepticism.
How is it that people readily accept the almost unbelievable existence of something so far away—which, by the way is one of the smaller stars—and have difficulty accepting the reality of Jesus who was experienced as a near presence in such convincing and impressive ways?

My thought is that the Sun asks nothing. It only gives. The Son not only gives but also expects a commitment.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday January 12th the First Sunday after the Epiphany, the sermon title is “There is no law against these things….” The scripture is Galatians 5:19-23.

The application of the scripture is obvious, once you read the scripture.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday January 5th the Second Sunday after Christmas the sermon is entitled, “Are You Gonna Finish That?” The scripture is Matthew 2:1-6 and It involves the visit of the “wise men” to Jesus.

The sermon will contrast their finishing their task to others who did not/will not. One of the illustrations is the painting of Leonardo di Vinci entitled, “The Adoration of the Magi.” He never finished the massive painting. It is on display in the Uffizi Museum in Florence, Italy. I was fortunate to be able to see it on my first visit to Florence.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. I hope you had a safe and happy New Year!

Pastor Michael

John 3:14-17

This Sunday December 29th the First Sunday after Christmas the sermon title is Daddy Had a Fight With the Christmas Tree.

It is really worth it? Are all the things we do to get ready worth the effort and expense?

I maintain that, as my friend the late Bishop Bob Spain once said, “Would you plan a party without making the punch?”

I guess the concept of “punch” is a bit outdated; but we all know what that is.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday December 22nd the Fourth Sunday of Advent the sermon title is Something Green. The scripture is James 1:16-18.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael

This Sunday December 15th the Third Sunday of Advent the sermon title is Smack Dab in the Middle. The scripture is John 20:24-29.

The central message is about how the birth of Jesus occurred in the middle of a history that had been hoping for Him, but didn’t really expect him.

In addition, Jesus arrived in the middle of a world mess. It is similar to today: the birth of Jesus occurs in the middle of all that is going on–perhaps too much.

We hope to see you at Worship.

Blessings your way.

Pastor Michael