Matthew 21:1-11 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark April 2, 2023 Calling a special congregational meeting felt like the right thing to do. This was such a big decision—life-changing, church-changing, world-changing. We needed everyone on board. It was less than two months ago that Jesus invited us to travel together, with him, toward […]
On the Way–March 19, 2023
Matthew 25:31-40 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark March 19, 2023 “He’s poor, he’s old, he’s only in the way.” This quirky, old-timey song caught George Marcincavage’s ear back in January, as we gathered to plan music for Lent. He made a connection between the legendary bluegrass musician Charlie Poole’s words and the words of […]
Only with Prayer–March 12, 2023
Mark 9:14-29 Rev. Dr. Debbie Clark March 12, 2023 Thank you, Willie and Laura, for sharing your powerful stories of healing. Thank you, choir, for lifting up the image of God’s healing as a river. The stories and the music draw me into our gospel text in a new way, inviting me to […]
“Guest and Host”–March 5, 2023
Luke 19:1-10 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark March 5, 2023 “Chai kavu, tafadhali?” I asked with great hesitation in my voice. “May I please have strong tea?” In Nairobi that was how I had learned to ask for tea with no milk and no sugar. I had also learned it was […]
Traveling without an umbrella–Feb. 26, 2023
John 15:12-17 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark February 26, 2023 “Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way you feel. Things are gonna be just fine if you only will.” What a beautiful song, composed by a beautiful artist, James Taylor, offered today by our own beautiful musicians. Thank […]
A Prison Conversion–January 15, 2023
Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 11:1-6 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark January 15, 2023 I don’t know how much longer I will be here—in this prison cell. I’m pretty sure it will be for the rest of my life; that might not be very long. Herod wants to make an example of someone. You’ve […]
Walking with Sheep–Dec. 11, 2022
“Walking with Sheep” Luke 2:8-15 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark December 11, 2022 Have you ever tried walking with sheep? Not just meandering from grassy knoll to grassy knoll, but actually trying to get somewhere? I hadn’t either, not until that night. Let me tell you, it is slow going. I’ll […]
From Fear to Awe
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark December 4, 2022 It’s 7:30 pm. Jeopardy time. Fran and I settle into the couch, eager to learn the categories—smiling at some, groaning at others. Fran is enthusiastic about history; I’m always pleased when there’s a bible category. In all our years of watching […]
Lights in the Tunnel–Nov. 27, 2022
Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark Nov. 27, 2022 “I just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. About a year ago, Bette Norton and I were talking about her Dad—all the care he needed, all the ways that care was impacted by COVID-19 and by grief […]
Traveling Together Toward Easter
Dear friends, “You raise me up.” Throughout the Lenten season, we have sung the chorus of one of our favorite anthems as our response following the Assurance of God’s Forgiveness. We chose this chorus for its connection with our Lenten theme, “Traveling Together Toward Easter.” The chorus acknowledges the ways we are raised up by […]