Dear Congregation, Greetings! As we approach this Fourth of July weekend. I do hope and pray that all is well with you. Our national holiday will certainly be celebrated differently this year, as pandemic precautions have ruled out gathering for fireworks viewing and for other traditional ways people celebrate, such as picnics and concerts. But […]
Dear Congregation, This Sunday we will celebrate Open and Affirming Sunday in worship. Christ Congregational Church is proud to have been an ONA church since April 6, 2003! As a reminder of what it means to us be Open and Affirming, I share with you CCC’s Open and Affirming Statement adopted in a called Congregational […]
Dear Congregation, I have two questions for you, “If you had been Jesus— had come to save the world— and could choose only twelve people to help you, who would you choose? What qualities would you look for in the people you’d call as disciples, people you’d live and travel with, and teach for three […]
Dear Congregation, I think of you often and pray that each of you is doing well in these challenging times in which we are living. I am always happy to see your names when you sign in at our Sunday Facebook live-streamed worship services, and pray that you find them meaningful. Looking toward this coming […]
Dear Congregation, In my sermon last Sunday I said, “The Holy Spirit was sent to empower us to do the work that Christ would have us do—the work of justice and mercy and peacemaking. The church needs to trust that power and exhale intentionally, taking measures to dismantle racism against people of color.” I then […]
Dear Congregation, I hope all is well with you! This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday when we’ll reflect on the coming of the Holy Spirit with power almost two thousand years ago. We celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of the Christian church. Usually there’s even birthday cake in the Fellowship time after worship! This will be […]
Dear Congregation, I hope each of you is doing well and adapting to our current reality of physical social distancing during this coronavirus pandemic time. One of the ways I’ve found myself adapting is by taking advantage of the video technology offered through Zoom Video Communications. I would imagine many of you are also using […]
Dear Congregation, In looking back at my calendar, I realize that we’ve not been together in the CCC Sanctuary for worship since March 8th, over two months ago! On that day, when we skipped the physical Passing of the Peace, had Communion using large pieces of bread, and refrained from shaking hands or hugging in […]
Dear Congregation, I hope and pray you are all doing well as we continue in this odd time of pandemic “safe at home”, even as some aspects of life are beginning to reopen. I know we all look forward to the day when we can resume the daily activities we’re used to taking for […]
Dear Congregation, This coming fourth Sunday of Easter has been designated as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel reading for the day, John 10:1-10, tells of Christ as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. The psalm for Sunday is Psalm 23 which also uses shepherd imagery. Jesus as our Good Shepherd […]