ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 26, 2022Churches and ministers like to quote from Isaiah 43 where God is declaring, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” We joyfully speak of the new thing God is doing—sermons are preached passionately and choirs sing songs proclaiming this news. I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in such celebrations, but so often we pass right over
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 25, 2022Let me begin by giving a big shoutout to Joel, Mariah, Paula and Bob Aghamalian. Each of them were guest writers while I was traveling this past week. It took a lot off my plate while also offering me a daily gift. I had read all of them when they were sent to me in the weeks leading up to my time away, but each
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 24, 2022Guest Writer: Dr. Joel PlaagA person of spirit may begin a prayerin awe and trembling, saying within:“Who am I, a creature made of earth,to stand before the Almighty in prayer?” Such a person speaks only a partial truth-And does not know yet the higher truth:The truth that all things,Even the material world,Are filled with God’s presence. Only when you come to knowThat you too contain
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 23, 2022Guest Writer: Rev. Mariah NewellScripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Thoughts: When I hear this Scripture, my mind often goes to food or clothing. I’ll explain. Often when “your body is a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 22, 2022Guest Writer: Rev. Paula GembalaDuring the last few months, I have dealt with a lot of illness. I have used this time to use intercessory prayer for you and others. I often pray for others, but during this time while I have been so limited in what all I was able to do, this has been a wonderful experience. I have pulled up the online
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 21, 2022Guest Writer: Dr. Joel PlaagIt’s shelves, floor to ceiling – ugly metal ones at that; the kind that probably come as a knock-off from some half-witted container-store-esque style, but not nearly as hip and cool. At least they’re not rusty, I thought to myself, when we first moved into this place more than six years ago. This closet holds all the medicines, the old eyeglasses
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 20, 2022Guest Writer: Robert Aghamalian, poet and church member Choices© by Robert AghamalianNovember 20, 1995 Life is about choices .. The wisdom of the agesAccording to the sagesIs found in the choices that are madeAnd the prices that are paid,It’s about the chances we takeWith the life that we make.Life’s reward is ours to win or looseDepending on how we choose:Get ahead, push and shoveGive no
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 19, 2022Guest Writer: Rev. Paula GembalaI saw a post on Facebook recently that really had an impact on me. The post said “Some people need to be told they are worthy, and that they are loved, not because no one told them before, but because someone told them they weren’t.” As a Christian, as a mother, as a human being, I just cannot imagine telling someone
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 18, 2022Guest Writer: Rev. Mariah NewellScripture: Galatians 5:22-23“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Thoughts: Last week I heard two similar statements, in two different settings, that had me reflecting on this Scripture from Galatians. On a Regional ‘catch up’ Zoom, Rev. Virzola Law said “Joy is an act of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 17, 2022Frederick Buechner died this week. If you don’t know the name, I want to encourage you to get to know his writings. I wrote on Facebook, “I feel like I lost a friend. He served as a mentor from the pages of his books.” He was a Presbyterian Minister, but mostly known as a down-to-earth theologian and author. In his book, “Telling Secrets,” he told