Have you ever received a Christmas gift and hung on to the enclosed "gift receipt"? You know, just in case you later decided the gift wasn't worth keeping or it was defective.
Accepting the gift of Jesus Christ as Savior must be an absolute commitment. There isn't a trial period where you can exchange him for another savior if you're not satisfied. There is no comparable gift in the universe. So file away that gift receipt if you wish (better yet, tear it up), take up your cross and follow him. The longer you are with him, the deeper your love for him will grow.
This week we continue our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
John 6:53-7
- Dec 10, 2017Save the Receipt
Save the ReceiptDecember 10, 2017 Save the Receipt, but don't exchange the gift.
Have you ever received a Christmas gift and hung on to the enclosed "gift receipt"? You know, just in case you later decided the gift wasn't worth keeping or it was defective.
Accepting the gift of Jesus Christ as Savior must be an absolute commitment. There isn't a trial period where you can exchange him for another savior if you're not satisfied. There is no comparable gift in the universe. So file away that gift receipt if you wish (better yet, tear it up), take up your cross and follow him. The longer you are with him, the deeper your love for him will grow.
This week we continue our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
John 6:53-7
- Dec 3, 2017Save the Gift Wrap
Save the Gift Wrap
December 3, 2017 Save the Gift Wrap, But don't forget the gift.
It's so easy to get caught up in the "gift wrapping" that comes along with our Christmas celebration. You know, the beauty of the lights and the greenery, the stories and traditions, the memories that deepen our longing for a Christmas "just like the ones we used to know."
It's so easy to become infatuated with the wonders of Christmas that we might miss the irreplaceable gift inside the wrapping - Jesus Christ.
This week we begin our Advent sermon series focusing on the things we save each Christmas - gift wrap, gift receipts, and memories. Looking through the lens of the things we save at Christmas, we'll rediscover the Christmas story according to God's Word.
I hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as mine. If, like me, you ate a bit too much pumpkin pie and turkey, December might be a good time to fast in preparation for Christmas and the new year (I hear some of you laughing but I'm serious!).
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Isaiah 53:1-12
- Nov 26, 2017Who’s the Boss
Who’s the Boss
November 26, 2017 Who's the Boss?
Shawna Hiner (our church's Office Administrator and Certified Candidate for Pastoral Ministry) will be our preacher this Sunday morning as Lydia and I spend time with family in North Carolina over the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you'll come on this "Christ the King" Sunday and hear Shawna's inspired message from Ephesians 1 entitled "Who's the Boss?
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Ephesians 1:15-23
- Nov 19, 2017The Days of Whine and Woeses
The Days of Whine and Woeses
November 19, 2017 The Days of Whine and Woeses
This Sunday is just four days before Thanksgiving! To help turn our hearts toward a spirit of thanksgiving, we will have three special guests joining us from Woe Is Us UMC in Lowland County, Virginia:
Ima Whiner, Office AdministratorJoyless Chintzy, Choir DirectorThe Reverend Bob Tweaks, PastorThese three experts on whining and grumbling will share some of the challenges they face at Woe is Us UMC and how they have learned to tolerate life in a dysfunctional church.
After the staff from Woe Is Us UMC shares their wisdom with us, I will join with Shawna Hiner and Joy Tinsley in a time of reflection about moving our hearts toward thanksgiving for the blessings we have received by God's grace.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Romans 12:4-21
- Nov 12, 2017The Upside Down Kingdom
The Upside Down Kingdom
November 12, 2017 The Upside Down Kingdom
The Kingdom of Heaven must be an "upside down Kingdom."
Every person I've ever met who lived out the beatitudes of Matthew 5 lived against the tide of human culture. They saw the world through Kingdom eyes and knew that obedience to God was the highest calling. That obedience would humble their hearts; cause them to be merciful when the world called for revenge; give them the courage to withstand human condemnation in exchange for God's approval.
During this Sunday's sermon (part 2 in a 2-part sermon series) we'll listen again to Jesus as he proclaims in Matthew 5:1-12 that there is a heaven-sent joy in living out the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Last Sunday we were reminded that the Kingdom of God lives within every disciple of Jesus; and that in Jesus we experience a "here and now" joy that is unparalleled by any joy the world can provide.
I hope you will come and be blessed by God's Word and the fellowship of fellow believers.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Matthew 5:1-12
- Nov 5, 2017Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven – All Saints Sunday
Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven – All Saints Sunday
November 5, 2017 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven- All Saints Sunday
The Kingdom of Heaven must be an "upside down Kingdom."
Every person I've ever met who lived out the beatitudes of Matthew 5 lived against the tide of human culture. They saw the world through Kingdom eyes and knew that obedience to God was the highest calling. That obedience would humble their hearts; cause them to be merciful when the world called for revenge; give them the courage to withstand human condemnation in exchange for God's approval.
You have had those blessed saints in your lives. This Sunday is a day to remember all those who lived out the Kingdom values of Matthew 5; who were made holy by the grace of God in Jesus Christ; who now rest from their labors.
Truly, theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
This Sunday is All Saints Sunday. Give thanks for all the saints in your life who are no longer on "this earthly plain" but who have blessed your life by their Godly love and example. I hope you will join us in worship as we light candles and offer up prayers for these loved ones.
Peace in Our Lord, Pastor Bob
Matthew 5:1-12
- Oct 29, 2017Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand
Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand
October 29, 2017 Hold to God's Unchanging Hand
"Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand."
This great hymn from the church of my youth reminds us of the fundamental truth of our faith - in the midst of an ever changing universe, God does not change. His promises are trustworthy, his nature is love, and his grace abounds to all.
As we gather this Sunday for our church's Homecoming, let's stand firm in our faith and hold to God's unchanging hand. Don't forget, you're invited to wear "period clothing" from any time in the last 139 years of our church's history.... and also bring to the church any old household items (antiques) that will help us remember the generations of saints who have served Christ through this church.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
- Oct 22, 2017The Church At Its Best
The Church At Its Best
October 22, 2017 The Church at Its Best
What does a church "at its best" look like? The Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian Church gives us a pretty good idea!
Find paths to agreement among members. Rejoice. Be reasonable. Think on things that are true and honorable, pure and just, lovely and commendable. Imitate those who have lived lives worthy of imitating....
Paul might have summed it all up by saying that a Church at its best is a church that is fully surrendered to its Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope you can in worship this Sunday as we welcome new members and reflect what it means to be a church at its best.
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
Philippians 4:1-9
- Oct 15, 2017Please Accept This Invitation
Please Accept This Invitation
October 15, 2017 "Please Accept This Invitation" Matthew 22:1-14Some years ago I officiated a wedding for a couple who put a tremendous amount of effort into their wedding ceremony. They sent out invitations to over 200 of their friends and family and acquaintances. They even rented horses to ride away on at the end of the festivities.
As I stood with the groom, ready to make our entrance into sanctuary,, he peered out at the nearly empty pews and quietly whispered, "Where is everybody?"
My heart broke.
This Sunday we'll take a look at a parable in Matthew's Gospel that addresses a situation where many are invited to a wedding feast but few attend. The point of the parable is that our Father in Heaven has also invited us to a wedding feast - have we accepted his invitation and are we prepared to attend?
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob
- Oct 8, 2017Grape Expectations
Grape Expectations
October 8, 2017 "Grape Expectations" Isaiah 5:1-7What are God's expectations for our congregation?This Sunday's message will reflect on "a song for my beloved" from Isaiah 5 where the owner of a vineyard had great expectations that went unfilled. How are we meeting the expectations of our gracious Lord who has equipped us for service in this world?
In Christ's Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob