Posts by Pastor

January 12, 2025 ~ Baptism of Jesus Rev. Beckie Sweet   The young son of a Baptist pastor was in church one Sunday morning when he witnessed for the first time a baptism by immersion. He was greatly interested in what had happened, and so the next morning he proceeded to baptize his three cats in the bathtub. The youngest kitten bore it very well, and so did the younger cat.  But the old family tom cat rebelled.  The old feline...

January 5, 2025 ~ Epiphany Rev. Beckie Sweet   Five months ago, when I started the planning for today’s Epiphany worship service, I selected the title, “Follow that Star!” based on my memory of police dramas from my childhood.  You see, in many of those dramas, when trying to catch a suspected criminal, the police heroes would shout, “Follow that Car!”  In “The Untouchables,” Elliot Ness, played by Robert Stack, would use that...

December 29, 2024 ~ First Sunday after Pentecost Worship Series: Come Home for Christmas Rev. Beckie Sweet   What are the things we love most about the Christmas season?  For me, one of those things is LIGHT!  I love looking at the lights of Christmas trees, store windows, decorated houses and lawns.  This year, we not only have the joy of seeing Christmas lights, but also those of the menorah as our Jewish neighbors celebrate...

December 24, 2024 ~ Christmas Eve Worship Series: “Come Home for Christmas” Rev. Beckie Sweet   Way back in the 1990’s there was a sit-com on television called “Home Improvement.”   You might even remember seeing its reruns in the past decade.  The series starred Tim Allen as “Tim, the Toolman Taylor.”  Co-stars included Patricia Richardson as Tim’s spouse, Jill; Richard Karn as Al Borland, and Earl Hindman as...

December 22, 2024 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent Come Home for Christmas Rev. Beckie Sweet   I’m dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do And although I know it’s a long road back ~ I promise you: I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me….               Do you remember where we were three years ago?  In December of 2021?  That December, Ithaca was mentioned on the national news A LOT!  You see, this was...