Just These Lines Pastor Blog

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The Story We Wish Wasn’t There

Epiphany Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I hope you were able to worship with us this past Sunday. The music was beautiful, and Pastor Corey was deeply inspiring with her message. If you missed it, you can worship with us by clicking here. As we’ve begun the New Year having experienced an inspiring Advent Season...
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Swords into Plowshares

3rd Sunday of Advent Just these lines, my friends … … to say I am still reveling in a Sunday of Sundays with beautiful 2nd Sunday of Advent morning worship and then, The Glory of Christmas in the evening. I was blown away by the beauty and sound of it all. I kept thinking, “This is our church! This is...
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Climbing Together

23rd Sunday after Pentecost | All Saints Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say that my heart breaks for so much going on in the world; I have been spending extra time in prayer these days, offering to God my prayers for peace in Palestine and Israel, prayers for our national government amid chaotic leadership in Congress,...
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Do You Believe in a Higher Power?

22nd Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to ask if you heard our Sanctuary Choir singing the Irish Blessing as a Benediction this past Sunday? If you missed hearing them or my sermon on The Pathway of Worship, you can click here. By the way, I love so many things about our church … BUT I...
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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...
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Holiness is Hard Work

1st Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that on Sunday we concluded our annual Global Impact Celebration. I never grow tired watching the people of God called Matthews United Methodist streaming forward to make Faith and Life commitments. The morning (9:30 and 11:00) was filled with toe-tappin music – watch the video here of...
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Moved by the Music

2nd Sunday of Advent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that it was the first time in the nearly 40 years of marriage that we didn’t have one of our kids home with us for Thanksgiving. So, we invited Margie Vanasek and our Habitat family Marie, Celestin, John and Prince and had a splendid day of thanksgiving!...
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The Pivot

Christ the King Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a marvelous Joash Chest Sunday. Just being connected in one worship service meant so much. Leslee Mabee sent me a note with the following: I was so very moved by all that occurred during Sunday’s service and the feeling of awe and inspiration that continues to...
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All In Together

25th Sunday after Pentecost | Joash Chest Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I cannot believe Advent (November 28) is just around the corner! In a few weeks we will once again anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth among us. This year will be especially meaningful because we were unable to worship together in-person last...