Talk with the Preacher

Monthly Archives: September 2008

There has, perhaps, not been a weekend in recent memory when it rained so hard for so long at such a continuous pace.  It would stand to reason, then, that this weekend would be the weekend our family chose to go camping.  My last experience camping in a tent (which was 17 years ago to be exact) caused such trauma that I can still remember exactly how miserable I was.  Thank goodness… Read More

I just had to laugh when I first read this article in a link sent by a friend.  Nothing surprising about it, really, but worth a moment of levity, for sure.  Seems it’s causing a bigger stink than it really should be, as folks are discussing it in other places, too. So, in the true spirit of exacerbating an already ridiculous “controversy” (which is one of my favorite pasttimes, I confess) I… Read More

I suspect, though I am not sure exactly, that the extreme difficulty I had writing this week’s sermon was somehow related to the fact that its themes are particularly prominent in my own thinking about life and God and how the two relate.  I like to write sermons, and I love the process of studying and creating–even though I struggle to fit enough time in my week every week to live that… Read More

We tried an experiment this summer: easing into Wednesday night worship.  It’s a big deal to start a new worship service, I kept thinking.  Lots of work to organize people and come up with music, not to mention crafting a meaningful liturgy and getting the word out, too.  But I’ve been surprised by my response to the experience, which actually has come together much more smoothly than I anticipated.  I’m finding I… Read More

This week in worship we told the story of the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea from Exodus chapter 14.  No matter how many times you tell it the story never loses its power.  With the choir’s rendition of Wade in the Water echoing in our ears, we left worship yesterday to face whatever fears keep us from following God with courage and resolve. Again, the art on the altar told the story… Read More

Today I happened upon this little piece of Matthew’s Gospel (9:27ff), paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in The Message: As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and… Read More

From the bulletin this past Sunday: This week’s project features a painting showing a door and blood-covered door post, a central piece of the original Passover drama recounted in our Exodus passage today. Caroline describes her work, “I used several different colorful inks to paint using the Chinese Brush Painting technique that I have been studying at the Chinatown Cultural Community Center for the last year.”

I’d like to start out by saying that, while this is my personal blog, I know the lines between regular person with an opinion and pastor of a church are kind of blurry. So, while I am writing about politics today, I’d like to be sure to note at the beginning that I am not endorsing a party or a candidate, and also to say there are many lovely and faithful members… Read More

This week’s art was a burning bush pop up book.  Beautiful!  There were shoes all over the altar and around it this week.  See more on video at Caroline’s site.