Posts by Pastor

January 16, 2021 ~ Human Relations Day ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet When Sandra was at her lowest point, she felt desperate, alone, abandoned, and unworthy of love.  A relative stranger from the Better Community Development Program connected Sandra with an addiction recovery program which was the catalyst to embarking on a journey to wholeness.  She slowly became acquainted with a faithful community of individuals who each...

January 2, 2022 ~ EPIPHANY ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet When my children were infants and young toddlers, we spent our summer vacations camping on our farm in northern New York State.  Away from home and on a different time schedule, bedtimes were often quite challenging.  In order to get the children to sleep, I would often carry them for walks out under the stars, and suggest that they gaze at “God’s night lights” in order to quiet...

December 19, 2021 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet In the late 19th century, one of the most sought-after portrait painters was a French artist by the name of James Tissot.  He made his reputation painting portraits of society women and the wealthy in and around Paris.  But at one point in his life, while doing research for a painting, Tissot stepped into a church.  While there, he had a profound religious experience.  He left...

December 12, 2021 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet I have a friend for whom this time of year produces a great deal of anxiety.  You see, he is angry about the commercialism of this season, which should be so holy.  He thinks that the spiritual significance of Christmas will someday soon be forgotten.  As much as I would prefer that we would only focus on the faith-centered celebrations of Christmas, I have no fear that we are...

December 5, 2021 ~ Rev. Beckie Sweet Well, this is the second Sunday in Advent, and the second Sunday in a row that we have witnessed the angel Gabriel bringing a life-altering message from God.  Zechariah, you might remember, doubted the message from God, and thus was left speechless until the prophecy had been fulfilled.  Mary, upon hearing the greeting of a heavenly messenger, was, according to biblical translators,...