Pastor’s Study

  • From the Pastor March 2024
    Lent for a Lifetime “Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” –Pope Francis I love spring! In fact, it will officially arrive in just a few weeks. Soon the time will change, daylight will lengthen, and the earth will begin teeming with new life. As I sit to write, myContinue reading “From the Pastor March 2024”
  • From the Pastor February 2024
    “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 NRSV It all started with a throat lozenge. The year was 1847 and Oliver Chase, aBoston pharmacist, developed a machine to make the production of throatlozenges more efficient. At the time, such production was tedious and timeconsuming withContinue reading “From the Pastor February 2024”
  • From the Pastor January 2024
    “ Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NRSV It certainly seems like we just turned the calendar to 2023 and here we are at the beginning of 2024. In recent weeks, the news outlets have reported on significant events from the year that was while remembering those who are noContinue reading “From the Pastor January 2024”
  • From the Pastor December 2023
    “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11 NRSV My eyes grew wide with excitement as I walked theContinue reading “From the Pastor December 2023”
  • From the Pastor – November 2023
    “O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good: for his steadfast love endures forever.”Psalm 107:1 NRSV It was the Saturday evening prior to Thanksgiving Day in 1999 and my home church served as the host congregation for the Central District Youth Fellowship. That’s a fancy way to say we were having a “youthContinue reading “From the Pastor – November 2023”
  • From the Pastor – October 2023
                I can hardly believe we are entering the final quarter of 2023.  Where has the time gone?  I know I say it year after year, but time is passing by quickly and, unfortunately, we are incapable of reclaiming any of it.  Birthdays, holidays, and the seasons run together in a blur of activity, emotion,Continue reading “From the Pastor – October 2023”
  • From the Pastor – September 2023
               A bus zipping by the church office a few moments ago reminds me the summer is almost over.  By the time you read this, the children will be back in the classrooms and life will be settling into a more normal routine.  It is a time for beginning anew and rediscovering the rhythm of everydayContinue reading “From the Pastor – September 2023”
  • From the Pastor – August 2023
    She wanted to meet with my mother following school that afternoon.  Our sixth-grade class had played a highly competitive game of kickball earlier in the day and, in her words, “(I) had a bad attitude.”  Rules were rules and Mrs. Hill had informed us there would be no stealing of bases in this game, butContinue reading “From the Pastor – August 2023”
  • From the Pastor – July 2023
    It’s one of the most beloved stories in the Old Testament.  With it comes jealousy, suspense, temptation, and reconciliation.  Filled with highs and lows, the experiences of Jacob’s favored son Joseph are relatable to us.  Who hasn’t had dreams and ambitions turn into nightmares?  Who hasn’t felt betrayed by friends and, yes, family?  Who hasn’tContinue reading “From the Pastor – July 2023”
  • A Preview of Summer
    It is shaping up to be yet another active summer around Little Rock and for that we are grateful!  Just three years ago, we were severely limited in our offerings due to the impact of COVID-19, but now things look and feel pretty close to normal around here.  The arrival of summertime brings with itContinue reading “A Preview of Summer”