Our sign has been updated!
The sign in front of our church facing 38th Street has been updated to include our new name and logo! Plus, we added an electronic sign that we will update via a website. We are thrilled with it!
Parking Lot Door – new sign installed!
Happy New Year!
We installed a a sign with our new Logo by the parking lot door. Thanks to Glenn Perreault for making this happen.
Pastoral Ponderings – January 2025
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it.” ~ John 1:5
When I was young, I didn’t like the dark. I was afraid. It’s natural for humans to be wary in the dark. It’s because we weren’t created to be nocturnal. We were meant to rest between the time the sun sets and when it rises. We can’t see what surrounds us. In a dark room, we have to be careful when we walk so we don’t trip over things, or stub our toes—which I seem to do an awful lot!
But, what happens when you are in a dark room and one small candle is lit? Or one tiny light is turned on? All of a sudden, you can see, and the things you once thought of as monsters, are just things like your coat hanging over your chair; or your lamp shade standing tall in the corner.
Most of you know, but three years ago our oldest son found himself in this situation. He was hunting in the wilderness of Montana, and shot his first mule deer. In the excitement, he realized he forgot one of the tools necessary for him to carry the deer back to his truck—which was 2 miles away. He had to walk back to it, then return to the deer. In the meantime, his cell phone died, and it was getting colder. As he reached the deer with the tools he needed, he looked up to see the sun setting over the mountain. And if you know anything about Montana, or Colorado, or Wyoming, or any place that doesn’t have cities scatters across the land, you know that when it gets dark, it gets DARK. And that night, the moon was new, so there wasn’t even light from the heavens.
As he prepared to head back to the truck, after walking longer than he thought he should have been, he realized he was lost. Once he was able to calm himself down, he prayed for a light. When he opened his eyes, he looked across the valley to the mountain side, and saw the tiniest of lights. He spent the next 16 hours walking toward that light, which brought him to safety and warmth.
Jesus was born to be the light in our darkness. Jesus said, “Come to me, you who are weary and tired, and I will bring you rest.”
After Jesus was born, men (Magi) from far away noticed a new light in the sky. (Side note—although there are many differing views about who the Magi were, how many, and from where, the consensus is that generally they would have been wise men who probably “dabbled” in astrology and magical arts, and were revered for their knowledge, and often consulted by the ancient kings.)
They were curious so they followed this new light, and what they found was new life—both in the literal and spiritual sense. They found a baby (actually, a toddler) who would change the world. A child who would grow up and light the way for all people to return to right relationship with God.
This is what we are called to do. As the shadows grow and surround us, we must shine our light so that others can find their way. Sometimes our lights are so bright, they tend to blind people. And other times, they seem so dim we think nobody will see them.
But remember that dark room void of light? All it takes is a tiny light to make a difference. In a world that feels like the shadows are pushing in we must open our eyes and seek the Light.
No matter how bright you feel—shine with all your might. When we all shine together—even just a little—we will light up the world! The Light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness has not, [and will not] overcome it! May it be so!
Always Peace,
Pastor Heidi
Christmas Eve
“The Manger: A Place of Care” Worship – 5:00 p.m.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
“Bethlehem: A Place of Humility (Love)” Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Third Sunday of Advent
“Nazareth: A Place of Simplicity (Joy)” Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Second Sunday of Advent
“Jerusalem: A Place of Waiting (Peace)” Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Pastoral Ponderings – December 2024
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.” ~ Luke 2:1-3
As I am preparing for the beginning of the Advent/Christmas season, it has occurred to me that over time, we have chosen to make this birth story all fuzzy and warm because we don’t want to admit that things may not have been all that different then, as they are now—some 2,000 plus years later.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, there was political unrest. People were afraid of what was to come. I wonder what it would have been like if there had been social media back then. Would the Romans have run a campaign based on fear? Might they tell everyone that they would kill all those under the age of two, because those children were evil and, upon birth, immediately try to become dictators, so they must be stopped?
Would the other side have fought back saying that once the census was done, everyone who didn’t have citizenship rights to Bethlehem would be kicked out so everyone would be safe?
I know those are funny comparisons to make to our time, but when we intentionally read all of the scripture, not just the warm and fuzzy parts, this is what we find. We find fear mongering and violence, just because a few people are afraid of losing their power.
That isn’t all that different than today. But because we are 2,000 plus years in the future from this story, we know what is going to happen. And we know that it ends horribly for Jesus, this baby whom we are making a big deal about celebrating.
Just like all stories, it is important for us to know and understand both the good and the bad sides of this story. Jesus – God Immanuel, God come to us in human form – was born in a humble manner, raised by a carpenter and his wife, and eventually killed on a cross because the powers that be were afraid of losing said power.
In this time, I would invite you to look around, open your eyes, ears and heart to what is happening right now. We are just over 2 weeks past the Presidential election, and people are still fighting and arguing because they are afraid. We continue to stay in our reaction mode—our fight, flight, or freeze mode, instead of moving to our logic mode.
We are approaching Advent, the season of waiting. What if, instead of reacting to each and every comment made that we don’t agree with, we intentionally chose to take a moment to pause and take a couple of deep breaths, allowing for space in which the calm of the Holy Spirit could enter, and bring the peace that passes all understanding into our bodies into our communities, and into our nation? What if, during this season of waiting, instead of making stories up in our mind of what we think might happen in the future, we pause, breathe, and wait to see what God is doing.
I know that breathing and waiting isn’t easy, especially in this highly reactive time. But if we truly understand what scripture tells us about the nature of God, then we would remember that God is the Creator. Out of chaos, God can, and has, created…… everything. Our moment in history is no different. Even when it feels like God isn’t present among us, all we have to do is turn back to scripture and read. Read about when God created space to save baby Moses. Read about how God told Moses to approach Pharoah to let his people go. Read about when God gave them water, and manna, and the 10 Commandments.
Read about when God chose a young shepherd to be King instead of his brothers. Read about how God chose to become one of us, and live among us. Everything we read, involves God creating new ways for humanity, for us, to return to right relationship after we have turned our backs on Them. Our time now will be no different.
But, as the saying goes, the ball is in our court. We have to decide to trust God. To trust that God can, and will, take our chaotic world, and create something new.
Do you trust that? Try it for a moment. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. As you breathe in, say, “I trust you, God,” and as you breathe out, say, “to make all things new.” Do this several times. Pay attention to how you feel. When you find yourself anxious about the future, take a few moments to center yourself in God’s presence.
This time of Advent, of waiting and watching, is an excellent time to practice. Because, just like the arrival of the baby we are waiting to celebrate, God will reveal Themselves to us through hope, peace, joy, and love, in surprising and unexpected ways.
May you find these things this season.
Always Peace,
Pastor Heidi
First Sunday of Advent
"Rome: A Place of Longing (Hope)" Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Pastoral Ponderings – November 2024
”Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7
In my clergy group, we talked about spiritual disciplines. A spiritual discipline is a practice that helps us grow in our faith, like prayer, Bible study, worship, journaling, and evangelism.
We decided that most of us who were there, think of spiritual discipline as chore, instead of something that grows our faith. Our facilitator suggested a shift in our thinking. Instead of “discipline,” we were invited to think about it as a “pattern.” A pattern is a form or model that is imitated.
XOXOXOXO is a pattern. How you drive to school, or work, or church could be a pattern.
I thought about it in terms of my recovery. I am a person who has a “pattern” when I get up and get ready for the day, as well as a “pattern” for getting ready for bed. After surgery, for several weeks, I couldn’t follow those patterns. Now that I am doing them again, I have found that they bring me comfort—a sense of being “normal” again.
Stewardship is another form of spiritual pattern. When we give back to God of our first fruits, instead of what is left over, and we do it in a pattern, or on a regular basis, we can create a sense of trust that God will lead us to those places which will take care of our needs, while helping others.
Giving to God first—before our bills are paid, before we put into our savings or 401K or pensions, or whatever we do—can be scary, especially when we don’t have much to begin with.
But this is the funny thing—by creating a pattern of giving, we create a way for God to bless us with more, so that we can share more, so we can be blessed with more, so we can share more, and so one. Do you see the pattern?
During the month of November, our theme is Stewardship. I know it is hard to talk about money in church, but to be good stewards of all God has given us, includes being good stewards of our money.
We currently have a deficit of more that $17,000 in our budget, and will likely end the year with a deficit between $25,000 and $30,000. Last Sunday, we unanimously approved a budget with a 3% increase, which means we will most likely face the same reality next year.
Yes, because of the merger, we have the funds to cover this deficit. But the money will run out if we do that too many years in a row. There are other ways to deal with this without dipping into that money. (Stay tuned in November for some of these ideas!)
In the end, God calls us to give with a joyful heart. When we decide to make giving a pattern in our lives, we can begin to find hope and comfort, and each time we give, we begin to feel thankful, which brings us joy and makes us feel good, which moves us to give, which brings us joy and makes us feel good…..
Well, you get the picture!
Always Peace, Pastor Heidi
P.S. I almost forgot my Health Update! I am doing well. I have received 2 monthly injections. These are given once every 28 days, and will be for the rest of my life, at least at this point. My pain comes mostly from the inside—which makes sense, and occurs fairly infrequently. I do get tired more quickly than I like, but that, too, is getting better. There are some things I need to work out yet—like which foods my body likes and which ones are….well…….disposed of more quickly. But that will come in time, when I am ready to be more strict.
Otherwise, life seems to be returning to somewhat of a “new normal.” I’m so grateful to all of you for continuing to pray for me, as well as my family, and for all of the cards and gifts of food. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by this church family. Thank you!