Matthew 26:36-46.

The sermon this Sunday is about the trend in our society to go it alone, as it illustrated by the recently coined phrase, “carcooning.” It is the trend to attempt to escape everything by eating, thinking, getting entertainment, etc., in one’s car—all alone. It is also based on a book published some years ago entitled, “Bowling Alone.”

Christianity is not best practiced in isolation, but with interaction with others, especially with others who are in need.

Also, I look forward to being in Bible Study this coming Wednesday night!

Finally, for the Laity Club on the last Monday in August, I will be presenting a PowerPoint program on the ancient city of Ephesus, especially as it relates to Paul’s ministry.

I missed being with you this past Sunday and I look forward to being with you this coming Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Genesis 32: 22-32.

This coming Sunday our guest preacher will be Rev. Rob Dunbar.

Also, since it is the first Sunday of the month, we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

I want to take this opportunity to highlight two very important areas of the church. The first I have mentioned before. I realize that Covid-19 disrupted attendance at worship and caused a severe decline in Sunday School for many churches. Both are important for the life of any church and for one’s own spiritual development. But, I want to emphasize Sunday School for a moment. When I was growing up, we went to Sunday School every Sunday; but, we only stayed for worship every other Sunday. Since it was a long time ago, and I was small, I don’t remember the reason. However, I do remember the Sunday my parents made the decision to worship every Sunday. And, we did from then on: rain or snow. In fact, we were among only 8 others who made it to Sunday School and worship on the Sunday it snowed almost a foot! The reason I remember their decision to worship every Sunday is that it interrupted my television viewing on Sunday once we got home from Sunday School. At that time, there was a show on that featured “Tom Terrific.” He was my on-air hero! And, there was no way to record his show. I learned to live without him.

I benefited from both worship and Sunday School, but it was at Sunday School that I not only learned Bible; it was also the place I got to talk with friends and honored teachers. This did a lot to form my spiritual life in realistic practice. It also brought me into a group of like-minded Christians. It became a support group unlike any other I might have had. I sincerely hope you will consider either attending the Sunday School class we presently have—or attempt to form a group that will meet on Sunday mornings. I can not begin to list the blessings available to you! It is one of my favorite times of the week!

The other area I want to address is Bible Study. I have never really thought studying a book was Bible Study. I have noted across the years the groups studying the Bible actually to use a book about the Bible; or to use a book that has a biblically-related theme. I believe that Bible Study ought to study the text, the history, and the interpretation of the Bible itself. Unfortunately, many leaders of Bible Study do not have in their “tool kit” the original languages in which the Bible was written (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek). However, there are a number of good commentaries at our disposal that are written by responsible and well-educated scholars that do not take a simple, surface examination of the text. The Bible is just like other kinds of literature in that its writers used literary techniques to convey its inspired message. For example, the Old Testament prophets used symbols and illustrations that were not to be taken literally, but were employed to make a complicated message understandable by the people they were addressing.

The Bible was written over a period of about 1,100 years. Although inspired by God, it was received from God and transposed by people who had to adapt it for an audience that varied over the huge timespan from the very first words in Genesis to the mystical message of John of Patmos. At the Bible Study held at Lock’s, there have been a number of members of Kedron. We have had wonderful fellowship—and have enjoyed snacks made or purchased by some of the people attending. That brief time of fellowship is as valuable as the PowerPoint message I construct each week. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this brief moment of inspiration and fellowship.

Pastor Michael

Philippians 4:4-9.

This coming Sunday my sermon theme addresses the public attraction to gore and violence—and how I believe it affects our society.

As Paul says in Philippians, “I am thankful for our partnership in the Gospel.”

I look forward to seeing you at worship!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Acts 5:1-6

This Sunday’s sermon title will be The Cinderella Syndrome. The scripture is Acts 5:1-6.

This is the third in a series I have titled, “Parables from Pop Icons.”

The theme of the sermon is integrity.

I look forward to seeing you at worship!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Hebrews 10:23-25

This coming Sunday is the second in a series I have titled, “Parables from Pop Icons.”

The title of the sermon is “Fear This Factor.” Using an illustration from the old TV show, “Fear Factor,” I’ll be addressing the increasing demand for thrills and how it has led to the common complaint that we are constantly bored—unless something thrilling is happening.

Obviously, this has led to the complaint that “church is boring.” It’s a common but complex complaint. Not everything is intended to thrill us. Like a bow continually bent, without release from time to time so that the bow can rest, it will become permanently bent, thus losing all of its usefulness.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

2 Peter 1:16-19

This coming Sunday, I am going to begin a new series entitled, “Parables From Pop Icons.”

The theme is centered around cultural “reality” and truth versus Biblical reality and truth.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

James 1:19-25

On July 2nd the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, my sermon title will be Searching for Arthur in America. The scripture is James 1:19-25.

Also, since it is the first Sunday of the month, we will observance the sacrament of Holy Communion.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

By the time you read this, I will have returned from New York City. Anne and I went up to see both granddaughters in dance recitals. In addition, the older granddaughter acted as a kind of master of ceremonies for other recitals on the same day.

While up there in NYC, Anne and I went to the Broadway play, “The Lion King.” It all started in 1997, according to the colorful booklet that is handed out to the people in attendance.

We were seated near the front, but from what I could see, the theater was packed–on a Wednesday night! For something to endure and still attract crowds after all of these years, they must be doing something right.

I am certainly no critic, but it seems to me that a part of the success has to do with the marvelously creative way in which they tell a simple story of honesty and integrity challenged by duplicity and evil.

I am always discouraged when a movie or play ends with a sad and morally dysfunctional plot and ending. The Lion King is not that. It both illustrates and celebrates what happens when goodness is tested by evil, and goodness prevails.

Nothing is new in my amateur critique: but the point is that people not only enjoy seeing evil defeated: they also affirm, rather conclusively, that goodness can and should emerge victorious.

The play reminds me, in some ways, of the situation in the Book of Job. Evil reduces Job’s life to ruin and ashes: but in the end, because of his steadfast faith, he is restored by God. That’s a story we all yearn to hear-and of which we all need to be reminded from time to time. God is good, all of the time.

Pastor Michael

Colossians 3:20-21.

Sunday, June 18, is Father’s Day. We will return to the series on the “Other Commandments” with the 10th “commandment.”

It will discuss traditional and Biblical views of Fatherhood, versus changes in our 21st Century culture.

I genuinely look forward to seeing all of you this coming Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael