Posts by Pastor

October 6, 2024 ~ World Communion Sunday Rev. Beckie Sweet   I can still remember the feeling of excitement and anticipation I felt getting into the family station wagon. I was 7 years old. It was a cool summer morning, and the car was packed with suitcases, bags, and a cooler for our trip to the river ~ The St. Lawrence River where we had recently acquired a camp. I wasn’t in charge of packing the car or the cooler. I...

September 29, 2024 ~ 19th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   I have always loved preaching on the book of James.  This book is supposed to be a letter from a caring and correcting pastor named James.  But truthfully, James’ letter is really an exceptionally long sermon on practical Christian living.  Although this is our fifth Sunday focusing on James’ writings, we have covered less than half of the book!    As we have...

September 22, 2024 ~ 18th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   Tim Chesterton, retired Anglican priest says, I don’t remember thinking very much about ‘wisdom’ when I was a young Christian, back in my teens. I was interested in ‘joy’ and ‘love’ and ‘power’ and ‘peace’, but I don’t remember wisdom figuring on my radar screen very much at all. I do remember very clearly, however, the first time I really paid attention as...

September 15, 2024 ~ 17th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   For the last three decades or so, our culture has been in the midst of a wonderful physical fitness craze with millions of people spending more time, attention, and resources on their physique.  Recognizing the value of physical fitness as it relates to one’s overall health and continued ability to remain active, it is no wonder that Paul reminded the early...

September 8, 2024 ~ 16th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Beckie Sweet   Back in the days when a mother could send her child to the store to purchase an item needed for dinner, 9 year old Michael was sent to buy a dozen eggs.  He picked out the eggs, checking for cracks as he had observed his mother doing many times, and then took them to the checkout counter.  Michael’s mother had given him just enough money with which to purchase...