Pastor’s Pen

“The import of the commandment against killing is this: In the first place, we should not harm anyone… In the second place, this commandment is violated not only when a person actually does evil, but also when he fails to do good to his neighbor, or, though he has the opportunity, fails to prevent, protect […]

Dear Friend, During this time when we are learning to cope the best we can with these circumstances forced upon us because of COVID-19, creativity is being unleashed in the world in powerful ways which inspire hope.   A beautiful example of this creativity came to my email inbox from my sister in Massachusetts: a virtual […]

Grace, mercy and peace to you on this 5th Sunday in Lent. My message this week is being made available to you both as a VOICE RECORDING as in past weeks, AND as a VIDEO RECORDING. The message is tied to two Scripture readings for this Sunday: Ezekiel 37 and the 11th chapter of John, both […]

Lent 4A recorded message WAV for 3-22-2020 Dear Friends, I hope that as you listen to today’s message you and those you love are managing well as we continue our journey through this unprecedented time.  As social isolation becomes more strict, adjustments must be made that test our capacity for change.  Yet, in times such […]

“One of the most obvious characteristics of our daily lives is that we are busy. We experience our days as filled with things to do, people to meet, projects to finish, [emails] to write, calls to make, and appointments to keep.  Our lives often seem like overpacked suitcases bursting at the seams.” – Henri Nouwen, […]

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see […]

“Come bow beneath the flowing wave. Christ stands here by your side and raises you as from the grave God raised the crucified.” – Thomas Troeger Beloved of God, When the crab boat Scandies Rose went down in frigid Alaskan waters last week, rescuers managed to save two of the seven crew members, plucking them […]

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss […]

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7 Beloved of God, My first Call brought me and my young family to the Redwood Coast of […]