Posts by Pastor

March 16, 2025 ~ Second Sunday in Lent “Drink from the Fountain of Grace” Rev. Beckie Sweet   In the summer of 1986, I moved to San Jose, CA to serve on the staff of the Willow Glen UMC.  I had served three years as a student local pastor while in seminary.  Then, that appointment went to full time for the following year.  The appointment in San Jose was arranged between my bishop, Felton May, and the bishop of the...

March 9, 2025 ~ First Sunday in Lent “Drink from the Fountain of Grace” Rev. Beckie Sweet   On May 24, 2000 (almost 25 years ago), Jean Caffey Lyles’ article on the UMC General Conference was featured in the Christian Century.  The title of her article was “Watershed in Cleveland.”   The opening paragraph of the article states,”             Seizing the blessings of a rising stock market and unexpectedly plentiful...

March 5, 2025 ~ Ash Wednesday Drink from the Fountain of Grace Rev. Beckie Sweet   Today is Ash Wednesday ~ the Holy Day that always sneaks up on me, no matter how disciplined I am about planning ahead for the season of Lent.  Yes, this is the first day of Lent, the season of repentance and preparation for the grand celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But this time of preparation is so much more than packing a...

March 2, 2025 ~ 8th Sunday after Epiphany ~ COURAGEOUS Rev. Beckie Sweet   Have you ever been first at anything?  Sure, I remember being first at a couple of things: first to be picked for a team in the neighborhood football game (as I mentioned last week).  Perhaps you were first choice for the lead role in your high school play or musical.  Were you the first member of your family to earn a graduate degree?  Or maybe you were...

February 23, 2025 ~ Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Rev. Beckie Sweet ~ COURAGEOUS   Do you remember how neighborhood kids used to pick teams for a game?  Typically, the organizing ultra-athletes would quickly ascend to the rank of captain.  Then, the captains would alternate picking members of their respective team.  In my elementary age neighborhood in Clarks Summit, PA, we didn’t usually have enough kids to fill out two teams for...