Just These Lines Pastor Blog

Viewing Posts found in the Blessing category. | View all posts
Featured image for “Generosity of Spirit”
Read More
 Blessing
 Community
 Hope
 Inspirational
 Just These Lines
 Worship

Generosity of Spirit

2nd Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say that it was the holiest of Holy Weeks with the grandest of Easter mornings: a donkey leading our processional into the week on Palm Sunday; our deep level partners with Rainbow Express Ministries reminding us Jesus’ final gathering with his disciples on Holy Thursday; the finest Sanctuary...
Featured image for “Joy in the Desert”
Read More
 Blessing
 Gratitude
 Just These Lines
 Worship

Joy in the Desert

Christmas Eve | 4th Sunday of Advent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that my heart is singing with gratitude today as I remember our time together on Sunday. There were over 100 children enacting our annual Matthews United Methodist Children’s Nativity for us. Is there any more magical moment in every year than when baby Jesus...
Featured image for “There Is Nothing You Can Do About It”
Read More
 Blessing
 Community
 Generosity
 Just These Lines
 United Kids
 Youth

There Is Nothing You Can Do About It

19th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say I was absolutely delighted by our young people and their leaders as they led us in worship for Youth Sunday! Their energy and poise made for a powerful morning. Every other year, we are able to combine their witness with World Communion Sunday. World Communion is an...
Featured image for “Jesus is Coming”
Read More
 Blessing
 Community
 Invitation
 Just These Lines
 United Kids
 Youth

Jesus is Coming

16th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say that our Sunday (9/10) was a special one: Family Worship in the Gym (I heard there was quite a kazoo band on hand), the balcony presence of Stumptown Brass, the powerful music of our Praise Team, Kathy White on the organ after a time of vacation, the...
Featured image for “The Week of All Weeks”
Read More
 Blessing
 Community
 Global Impact
 Gratitude
 Inspirational
 Just These Lines
 Worship

The Week of All Weeks

Easter Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say these holy days are filled with so much: a donkey on Palm Sunday worship, children waving palm branches, memorable moments in Jerusalem Marketplace Family Worship, a sermon about the tears of Palm Sunday (you can watch here) and an interfaith prayer vigil on behalf of the suffering people of...
Featured image for “You’re Blessed…”
Read More
 Blessing
 Inspirational
 Just These Lines
 Worship

You’re Blessed…

17th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say that we are off to a wonderful return to our 8:15 worship service each Sunday. I was so pleased with the number of people making the effort to return to the Sanctuary for worship.  And how about that turnout by our Sanctuary Choir to welcome the return...
Featured image for “Help! Thanks! Wow!”
Read More
 Blessing
 Community
 Gratitude
 Inspirational
 Just These Lines
 Leadership
 Support
 Worship

Help! Thanks! Wow!

11th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say it was another beautiful Sunday at Matthews United Methodist! As always, the day included inspiring music, moving prayers and the captivating reading of Holy Scripture. I continued our worship series, “Why I am Enthusiastically a United Methodist Christian.” You can watch my sermon Because Practice Makes Perfect...
Featured image for “The View is Different from Up Here”
Read More
 Blessing
 Hope
 Inspirational
 Just These Lines
 Support
 Thankful

The View is Different from Up Here

2nd Sunday of Easter/April 7, 2021 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that it has been wonderful to connect with so many of you during the last few days as we made our way through Holy Week. I loved serving Holy Communion to so many of you who came by in your cars on Maundy Thursday. Then Easter Sunday...
Featured image for “I Hope Tomorrow…”
Read More
 Blessing
 Committment
 Generosity
 Gratitude
 Just These Lines
 Thankful

I Hope Tomorrow…

1st Sunday of Advent | November 25, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that we have had some special days around here since we last communicated, beginning Thursday night with a wonderful, creative, imaginative celebration of Rainbow Express Ministries. The benefit raised thousands of dollars to serve persons with and without disabilities. Rainbow is dramatically affecting...