March 18, 2018 The Joy of Your Salvation
"Create in me a clean heart, O God."
Everyone knows the 23rd Psalm, many by heart. Yet it is the 51st Psalm that I believe best translates our common journey as human beings from sin, to redemption, to restoration and joy-filled salvation..
I'm excited to share this psalm of David this Sunday, to explore the path we must all travel back to God.
Plan now to participate in a week of prayer and praise during Holy Week, March 25-30. Look for announcements below with information on our Holy Thursday and Good Friday services.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 51:1-12
- Mar 18, 2018The Joy of Your Salvation
The Joy of Your Salvation
March 18, 2018 The Joy of Your Salvation
"Create in me a clean heart, O God."
Everyone knows the 23rd Psalm, many by heart. Yet it is the 51st Psalm that I believe best translates our common journey as human beings from sin, to redemption, to restoration and joy-filled salvation..
I'm excited to share this psalm of David this Sunday, to explore the path we must all travel back to God.
Plan now to participate in a week of prayer and praise during Holy Week, March 25-30. Look for announcements below with information on our Holy Thursday and Good Friday services.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 51:1-12
- Mar 11, 2018They Cried To The Lord
They Cried To The Lord
March 11, 2018 They Cried To The Lord
"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story!" - Psalm 19:1
Do you have a story to tell? A time you cried out to the Lord in hope or frustration, in praise or in anger? The psalms describe a God who is always present, always listening, always longing for our return. No matter what your story, join us this Sunday and cry out to the Lord in worship as we praise the One who is with us now and forever.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
- Mar 4, 2018Reviving the Soul
Reviving the Soul
March 4, 2018 Reviving the Soul
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." - Psalm 19:1
We have a lot of beautiful sunrises and sunsets here in the valley. On a clear night, as I walk my dog, I often look up at the stars and the ever-changing moon and wandering planets. Those moments, reveling in the beauty of the sky above, give me more understanding of the first verse of Psalm 19 than any Bible commentary can possible provide.
We need to take care during the season of Lent not to spend so much time with our heads bent down in self-examination that we fail to raise our eyes to the heavens and behold the glory of God. Lent is not a time for our souls to be weighed down - it's a season for our souls to be revived, renewed, and transformed. I hope you are spending time each day experiencing the joy of the Lord in creation, in His Word, and in the presence of His Spirit.
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 19
- Feb 25, 2018They Will Know The Lord
They Will Know The Lord
February 25, 2018 They Will Know The Lord
The latter verses of Psalm 22 declare that one day the whole world will know the Lord and praise his name. What is our role in making our God known to the world? As disciples? As a church? Will the world praise God's name because of the lives we lead and the message we bring? We'll open God's Word and address these questions during worship this Sunday. Let's all come together to praise the Lord of all!
Our fifteen-strong mission team of men and women from VUMC and Aisle 7 will be heading to Florida this weekend for their week-long hurricane relief trip. Please keep them in your prayers!
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bob
Psalm 22:23-31
- Feb 18, 2018Instruct Me O Lord
Instruct Me O Lord
February 18, 2018 Instruct Me O Lord
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14th) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31st). Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.
Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org)
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 25:1-10
- Feb 11, 2018Don’t Get Too Comfortable
Don’t Get Too Comfortable
February 11, 2018 Don’t Get Too Comfortable
I've got to confess - I've got a love-hate relationship with comfort. Like most of us, it's a goal in life. To get to that place where you can retire, settle in with the TV remote and finally get to do what you've dreamed of all your life - nothing!
The fact is, Jesus is often a dis-comforting Lord. Churches want to settle in and avoid the messiness of an often nasty world - but Jesus says go into that world. Christians want to hang around like-minded people - but Jesus says go seek and serve the unlovable. Church members tend to hide behind the stained glass windows -but Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow him come what may.
So be prepared to be dis-comforted this Sunday by the message of Jesus.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Mark 1:29-39
- Jan 27, 2018Chat-N-Chew Bishop Sharma Lewis
- Dec 31, 2017They Grow Up Too Fast
They Grow Up Too Fast
December 31, 2017 They Grow Up Too Fast
As I spend some time with my three Connecticut grandchildren (and Skype with my two older ones in Colorado), it's hard to believe how quickly they're growing up.
This Sunday's Scripture passage captures that all-to-familiar feeling of parents and grandparents who long to slow or even halt their children's development. Mary and Joseph have gone up to the Temple in Jerusalem to present their newborn son Jesus, just days after his birth. At the Temple, a righteous man named Simeon comes forward and prophesies of Jesus' life. In his short prophesy, this infant's entire life is encapsulated - all the glory and all the pain.
How quickly Jesus will grow up! Too soon, Mary will stand at the foot of his cross; and all the world will know that this baby, who's birth we celebrated a few days ago, is the Lamb of God, given for the sins of the world.
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We'll also announce this Sunday an important sermon series during the month of January focusing on the issues that The United Methodist denomination has been struggling with for decades and whether there is a clear road forward toward reconciliation and unity.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Luke 2:22-40
- Dec 24, 2017A Savior Is Born
A Savior Is Born
December 24, 2017 A Savior Is Born. Do you know Him?
It's one thing to know of Jesus. It's another thing to know Jesus. This Sunday's worship will focus not just on telling the story of Jesus' birth. It will focus on acquainting us with the Jesus who often disappears in all the clutter of the season. We'll slow down for a few moments at our morning and evening services, and get to know Jesus as Lord, friend, and Savior.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Luke 1:26-38
- Dec 17, 2017Save the Memories
Save the Memories
December 17, 2017 Save the Memories, But keep your eyes on the prize.
In 1985 Salem High School was a powerhouse in football. The only thing they hadn't won was the state championship. Enthusiastic about their team and believing that a long string of state championships lay ahead, the city invested 2.2 million dollars in a 7,500 seat stadium that was better than many small college stadiums and certainly better than any other high school stadium in Virginia.
The years went by and Salem repeatedly failed to win the state finals. In 1991 they played my son's team from Spotsylvania in the championship game and fell again. It wasn't until 1996, eleven years after the stadium was built, that they finally achieved their goal of winning the title game. Since that time they have nine state championships in football and the stadium hosts championship games each fall, including the Division III College Championship game.
I'm sure that the eleven years between the building of the stadium and the first Salem High School championship were tough years. I can imagine people saying they had wasted their money, that the dream was just a dream and that the team would never win the big one.
That must have been how many people in Israel felt before the birth of Christ.They had a huge temple that was one of the wonders of the world. They had the promises of the prophets that a Messiah was coming who would turn their losses into victories. But where were those victories? When would they win the big one?
It's important in life to never lose our faith in the promises of God. We look back and hold fast to the memories of what he has done in the past. But it is our hope in Jesus that keeps us holding on.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Luke 2:8-20