ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 20, 2021Guest Writer: Dr. Joel Plaag“I wasn’t a great Sunday School student!” the clinician espoused, evoking laughter and nods from the other choral directors in the room. I sat transfixed – this was one of the great choral directors of the USA, and he just said that he hadn’t studied scripture. “I learned it from singing the same works, over and over. I learned it by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 19, 2021Scripture: 1st John 1:8-9If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thought for the Day: Yesterday I wrote a little about change. Later in the day, I was reading and came across a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 18, 2021Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Thought for the Day: By a quick show of hands: How many people like change? I remember telling someone, “I like change, assuming it is the change I want.” Yet thinking about those words today, I’m not too sure whether I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 17, 2021Scripture: Mark 10:13-14People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Thought for the Day: During my
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 16, 2021A Prayer for Our Educators: In the next few days, some of the last details will be checked off the long list of things to do in classrooms around our community. In the next few days, bulletin boards will have a few final touches added. In the next few days, the basic tools of education will be gathered up and put in place. O Creator
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 15, 2021Scripture: Mark 16:15And Jesus said to the disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” Thought for the Day: I have become convinced that a lot of people believe Jesus said, “Go and make the world in your own image, making sure it meets all your personal needs.” Starting back in the 1970’s, the church became primarily concerned
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 14, 2021A Prayer for Our Children: You, O Gracious God, created us with an inquisitiveness and curiosity that should never be met with simple or dismissive answers. You created us to explore and examine, to challenge and test. For all the children and youth who will return to school in the days ahead, we pray for their growing brains to expand in every direction possible. As
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 13, 2021Scripture: Psalm 40:3The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the LORD. Thought for the Day: We always think of January 1 as the beginning of a new year, but for families with children, youth or even college age, there is a sense that somewhere
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 12, 2021Guest Writer: Rev Paula GembalaI was in my mid 30’s when I attended a Wednesday night service while my kids were involved with the children’s groups. I was sitting in the pew, alone, when they started talking about taking communion. I started to panic, I had never taken communion before. As they shared the words about the bread being Christ’s body broken for me, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 11, 2021Scripture: Psalm 119:15-18I will think about your precepts and examine all your paths. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said.Be good to your servant so I can go on living and keeping your word. Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction! Thought for the Day: For the last two weeks, my Etchings have