“The church is not a building; the church is not a steeple; the church is not a resting place; the church is the people.” I learned this little verse as a child and taught it to my children, and, it seems, that it is truly valid today. The church is very present today although it…
I believe we seek community when we come together as a church body. One dictionary defines “community” as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals’’. We gather on Sundays looking for a refinement of the definition of our common goals that are grounded in the example…
Greetings, Church Family. I miss seeing you in Sunday School, in the hallways, and in the pews! I miss your smiles and your hugs. We spoke easily of our church family when times were “normal,” pre-COVID-19. We knew what “church family” meant. No one had to define it. We were “there” for each other…but what…
We are not the first group of Christians who try to define the church during difficult times. Martin Luther, the XVI century great reformer, affirmed that the preaching of the Gospel is essential to the identity of the church. Accordingly, our identity as a church is not found in a building or in a weekly…
During this time of safe physical distancing, what is the church when we can’t be together? For me, the church is as it always has been. I’ve experienced first-hand the way this church family bonds together and helps those who need help. When Jim died, I was completely blown away by the response of this…
Gathering together and knowing others care has been my experience of “being church” all of my life. During this time of paused conversations and hugs, I am realizing the joy of quiet contacts by cards, emails, and phone calls. Though I may not see another, the voice of care draws us closer. The text or…
Years ago there were churches that posted on the signs around their campuses “Such and such a church meets in these buildings,” signifying, of course, that the church isn’t a building but a people. In this time of the Pandemic, I think that perspective really does identify who we are as a people. In some…
Thursday, April 23rd Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he…
Wednesday, April 22nd Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. –Matthew 13:47-48 (I have excluded the last two verses — “So…
Tuesday, April 21st The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. –Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl…