Posts by Barbara Haines
Sunday, December 24: “The heart that Grew three sizes: A Sheepish Birth”
Rev. Dr. Mark Maddix’s, “The heart that Grew three sizes: A Sheepish Birth.” We read the familiar nativity story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2:1-14. We read of the long journey to Bethlehem by Joseph and Mary because of a census issued by Caesar Augustus. We see the contrast between the political powers of the…
Read MoreDecember 17: “The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: How Can this Be?”
Rev. Dr. Mark Maddix’s Sermon, “The Heart that Grew three sizes: How Can this Be?” In many ways Cindy Lou’s love and compassion is a gift that helps the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes. It took an innocent little girl like Cindy Lou to show Whoville what the real meaning of Christmas is all about—it…
Read MoreDecember 10, 2023 “The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: What Christmas Looks Like.” Rev. Dr. Faith J. Conklin
“The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: What Christmas Looks Like.” Rev. Dr. Faith J. Conklin
Read MoreSunday, December 3, 2023 “The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?”
Rev. John Shaver’s Sermon, “The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?” This Sunday, we will again enter Advent, a spiritual season filled with great opportunities to grow in our faith lives. The word advent itself means “coming.” In modern times, Advent has become a time of preparing to…
Read MoreNovember 26, 2023: “The upside-down kin-dom.”
Rev. Dr. Mark Maddix sermon, “The upside-down kin-dom.” This Sunday is the last Sunday in the Christian calendar, and it is called “Christ the King Sunday” which emphasizes Christ’s rule over all of creation. Christ the King Sunday is right before Advent when we begin with the hope of the coming Messiah and ends with…
Read MoreNovember 19, 2023
Rev. John Shaver’s sermon, “Gratitude: Thanks Singing!” I want to share one more gratitude exercise you might use between all the busyness in the next few weeks. We all have some particular musical genre that can move our soul or us to a place of peace. Find thirty minutes three times this week, turn off…
Read MoreNovember 12, 2023
Rev. John Shaver’s sermon “Gratitude: More Than A Thank You Note.” Gratitude is something that can change our lives. We may wonder how to cultivate this gift in a world that doesn’t readily reference gratitude in our daily news or conversations. Recently, I read an article about gratitude from a Harvard psychological study that has…
Read MoreNovember 5, 2023 All Saints Sunday
Rev. Dr. Mark Maddix, “Faithful Living as Resident Aliens.” This Sunday is “All Saints Day” the day we remember and honor the saints of the past. In reflecting on All Saints Day we will look at the great faith chapter from Hebrews 11. Hebrews lists the heroes of the faith as a reminder to us that…
Read MoreSunday, October 29, 2023: Long-Life Eyes
Rev. Dr. Faith Conklin’s sermon, “”Long-Life Eyes.” I invite you to join me in re-reading and examining one of my favorite Old Testament stories. The text is found in Jeremiah 32. The lens I offer you is called, “long-life eyes”. The word is “hope”. I think it’s a message that’s particularly needed for our lives…
Read MoreOctober 22, 2023 “Bible Studies for Grown-ups:” Changing the Prescription
Rev. John Shaver’s Sermon: “Bible Stories For Grown Ups: Changing the Prescription”This Sunday, we’ll conclude what has become one of my favorite series, Bible Stories For Grown-Ups. I have grown spiritually in my own life through this series as I looked with new lenses at some of the great stories that were shared with me…
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