Author Archives: reallifepastor

Let’s talk about moral courage.     The term came to me when I learned of former President George W. Bush’s book, Portraits of Courage.  The book contains portraits and brief bios of soldiers wounded in armed conflicts Mr. Bush … Continue reading →

  My second year as your pastor, I got this feedback:  “We talk too much about spirituality.”  The statement fascinated me and has stayed with me.  Every so often, I pull it out and reflect on it.  Do we talk … Continue reading →

  It’s been another eventful week.  Anybody else having trouble keeping up with the news cycle?  Tension among the various branches of government.  The specter of armed conflict looming over several places around the globe.  Four African and Middle Eastern … Continue reading →

  A few months ago, in the middle of a sermon, I got an idea for our Summer Theme.  At the time, I told you I had the idea, but not what it was.  Today is the day….to tell you … Continue reading →

We are an Easter people!  I mean, we must be.  Everybody’s here!  Some of you have bought new clothes or dressed up.  (Your sacrifice is duly noted.  🙂  The choir–God bless them–is singing at both services.  Here’s the real proof … Continue reading →

As we’ve followed Jesus to the cross this Lent, we’ve picked up some companions along the way:  Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and the man born blind.  Today, we pick up one more — Lazarus.  (In his UCC devotion … Continue reading →

        Once upon a time, we had a presidential election.  Things changed.  Now we’re trying to figure out how to inhabit this new reality.  We’re having to re-think almost everything. Had the election turned out differently, I doubt we’d be … Continue reading →

Several years ago as part of a renovation of our sanctuary, stained glass windows were installed.  As the sun makes its “pilgrimage” across the sky each day, vibrant rainbows of color journey across our worship space.  Our sanctuary is modest … Continue reading →

  And so our Lenten journey begins…where it always begins—with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by the evil one.  The story thus far:  Jesus is born, grows up, works until he’s 30, then makes his way to the Jordan … Continue reading →

A few days ago in my Facebook feed, a year-ago memory popped up—it was a picture from our mosaic cross in process last Lent.  A few people commented.     One person said, “I am not sure we will ever … Continue reading →