ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 4, 2026 It will all come together at a meal later this morning as we celebrate World Communion Sunday. Soon, churches all over the globe will focus attention on a table found in the center of their worship space. It usually isn’t an extravagant table, though it will hold elements filled copiously with meaning. We will speak of God’s grace revealed in those simple elements,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 3, 2026 As I mentioned in last Sunday’s sermon, the church has enjoyed a strange relationship with gatekeepers—those who understand their task as vigilantly guarding the entrance into the Body of Christ. And though many churches may wave banners of welcome, giving the impression that all will find a place at the table, the gatekeepers limit access until one has proven him/herself worthy. The ancient
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 2, 2026 We are a few weeks into the college football season, and I wonder how many teams heard a speech from a coach in the weeks before the season started that begin with something like, “Guys, this season is going to be our season.” Sadly, for many who heard the speech, so far the season has not been their season. There was great hope,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 1, 2026 Guest Writer: Karla Bryant, Church Member After I first read Psalm 1:3, I was struck by the image of a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and never withering. I realized that my spiritual life had been more like a potted plant—limited in growth, easily moved, and dependent on occasional watering. I longed to be rooted deeply in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 30, 2026 On Sunday, I discussed how I believe many Christians, instead of finding themselves near the streams of water mentioned in Psalm 1:3, end up far from the Source due to a Christianity that aims to keep people uneasy, fearful, and guilt-ridden. This Christianity understands the power of spiritual apprehension to keep people who thirst for God’s grace and mercy distracted as an image
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 29, 2026 Guest Writer: Ginni Whitten, Ex. Director of the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center The Cypress Creek Christian Church’s Community Center is an outreach ministry, serving as the heartbeat of our community and central gathering place for our community through its programming. Psalm 1:3 provides a powerful picture for a community center that has served residents for more than 50 years. The verse compares
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 28, 2026 Prayer for the Week (handed out in worship): O Source and Center of Life, there are days when I approach you with a weary mind and a burdened heart. I must admit that I often find myself running on empty, constantly chasing the incessant noise of a world that demands my attention, only to realize that it is often nothing more than an
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 27, 2026 In John 15:8, Jesus says, “My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.” God the Father is glorified by the fruit our lives produce. This means, among other things, that God is revealed through us. We know God by what God does, and our belief about what God does has a great
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 26, 2026 I’m old! Barry Manilow came on the 70s station, and I knew every word to the song. Though why is it that I could remember every single word of the song, but when I went to the grocery store the other day to grab just four items, I walked out with six items, but two of the original four items were not among
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS September 25, 2026 Last night, I was driving home from the church around 8:30 p.m., and in my rearview mirror, I could see a pickup truck coming up quickly. As you approach Kuykendahl Road going east, it goes from two lanes to three. The truck passed me on the left, and then immediately cut in front of me, crossing all the lanes of traffic to pull