Encouragement (Page 2)

Greetings from First Baptist Church! I know you’re probably getting overloaded with emails from everyone everywhere about what’s closed or different because of COVID-19 and the social distancing that is rightly being encouraged out there. Your church family wants you to be connected, especially in times like these. For that reason, this email will be the first in what…

It’s been a while since I posted up here. That’s my bad. Summer was hectic and things have been going and going. Graduation, our family moved, Vacation Bible School, Youth camp, funerals, trying to sneak in vacations or retreats, staff shifts, volunteer recruitment, and then of course the pumpkins. The pumpkins… … sorry, what were we talking about?…

First and foremost, we must recognize the great efforts made by Patty Crunkilton, Troy Williams, and the youth (or “youts” if you’re My Cousin Vinny) on the wonderful spaghetti supper Sunday night. Some pasta and salad were the perfect setup to get everyone in the mood for something sweet. Secondly, many thanks to all the talented bakers, and even a candy maker (Shawn,…

                I mentioned in passing last Sunday that the times where we get together at picnics or potlucks are fun, but that they’re also important. There’s something about sharing around the table that invites people to get to know one another, to listen, to understand and empathize. I know we joke around about food (the core of Baptist theology is the casserole),…

Moses is a powerful figure in our Scriptures. He’s a prototype, in many respects. He’s the model leader, an agent of God’s will in human history, and the original prophet. There are traits, as I spoke of Sunday, that he got from somewhere, handed down in his family tree, yet Moses is special. His life is the example of a Life Lived with God. I wanted to spend some time…

I’ve never experienced Holy Humor Sunday before. I liked it! For me, the beauty in the liturgical year, following the seasons in the Church calendar, is in the balance. The darkness and anticipation of Advent is met in the brightness of Christmas and the fulfillment of Epiphany. Likewise, the somber fasting of Lent gives way to the joyous abundance of Eastertide. Holy…