Romans 12:9-18; Luke 12:22-34 I already knew what I was going to order–an omelet with avocado, sauteed onions, black olives and extra goat cheese. I was looking forward to it. Even more, I was looking forward to catching up with my brunch companion, Jenny Baylor. I knew she had made a recent job change to […]
Staff
Called
Isaiah 6:1-8; Luke 5:1-11 The picture was unambiguous–God seated on a high and lofty throne. Isaiah knew exactly what he was seeing. He knew exactly what he was hearing: the singing of the heavenly host, and then the voice of God calling him. Isaiah had many questions about this calling: why would God choose him? […]
In Different Hands
Sharp ears may be thrown on February 24 when the choir sings the hymn tune “Nettleton” for the second week in a row. We often sing service music on a repeat basis, even for a full season, but to my recollection we’ve never repeated an anthem tune in such proximity. The two settings use different […]
Confirmation: The Journey Begins
Dear friends, Over the next four months, you will periodically see a few youth from Plymouth (along with Rev. Will Tanner) rushing into our church after worship, or a few youth from Edwards (along with me) rushing out. That’s because we are beginning a shared Confirmation Class. Two young men from Plymouth will join with […]
Advent Thanks!
Special thanks go out to all the musicians that helped bring so much joy to our chancel during Advent. For our first anthem of 2019 we will join forces with the choir at Plymouth Church on Epiphany. As we start the new calendar year, and approach Lent, Holy Week, and Pentecost, you might consider joining […]
Epiphany at Plymouth
Dear friends, By the first weekend in January, the Christmas decorations have begun to come down, dried-up Christmas trees are on the front curb awaiting trash pick-up, and the post-Christmas sale rush is over. Just when we think things are getting back to normal, it’s time for another joyous celebration! On Sunday, January 6th, we […]
The Traditions of the Season
Dear friends, As we enter into the season of Advent, we enter a season of tradition. Traditions ground us in a rapidly changing world. They bring us together in a world that is increasingly isolating. They remind us of the meaning of Christmas in a time when shopping and stress can take over. At their […]
Associate Pastor Search Update
On November 4, we commissioned our Associate Pastor Search Committee in worship. At the congregational meeting that followed, the committee asked for input about the strengths and priorities of our church for the church profile we are putting together. Thank you to everyone who participated! The committee continues to meet bi-weekly to put together that […]
Music for Advent
As Thanksgiving passes us by, church musicians around the country get that giddy feeling that can only mean one thing. We’ll soon be singing our favorite Advent and Christmas music in our sanctuaries. This year we will welcome Advent with a special setting of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” which sharp ears will recognize from […]
Beauty Beyond What We See
Psalm 65; Philippians 4:4-9 “Remember,” the gentle, soft-spoken Buddhist monk began, “last time I asked you to practice focusing your awareness on your lustful thoughts. Did you notice your lustful thoughts this week?” I looked across the half-circle of meditation students and saw the startled faces of two newcomers. I imagined what they might have […]