Just These Lines Pastor Blog

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Reason for the Season

Christmas/December 25, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … to say that some of you may be reading this on Christmas Day. I love what the great British wit G. K. Chesterton once said … The Christian grows younger as the world grows old. For this is the last proof of the miracle . . . I have not minimized...
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Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Fourth Sunday of Advent/December 18, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past Monday, December 9, John Higdon was sworn in as the new Mayor of Matthews. John and his family have been a part of our Matthews United Methodist faith community for a number of years. I had the privilege of holding the...
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Sacred Moments

The Third Sunday of Advent/December 11, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I hope you had the opportunity to hear the deeply moving music of our Sanctuary Choir on Sunday (December 8). You can click here to listen to their special music and watch my sermon. Connections & Sacred Experiences I love being the pastor...
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Embrace the Darkness

The Second Sunday of Advent/December 4, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say thank you to Pastor Paul for getting us off to a beautiful start to the Advent season. His sermon and Holy Communion were straight arrows for our hearts. You can watch the Sunday worship service here. A very special “thank you” for all of...
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Trust & Gratitude

The First Sunday of Advent/November 27, 2019 Just these lines, my friends: Trust & Gratitude … to say that Sunday was such a day of celebration: our 200+ United Youth and counselors away on their annual fall retreat; beautiful, majestic music in all services; and so much more. You can watch here. AND how about the powerful short film about...
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Rejoice

Christ the King Sunday/November 20, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Sunday was beyond sacred for me. Your presence made it one of my holiest moments as your pastor. I loved watching you stream forward and place your cards in the Joash Chest. Thank you for your passion and desire to be a part of...
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Generous Actions

23rd Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/November 13, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a Sunday (November 10) it was for us as we marked our day with grateful remembering of veterans who have served our country and given of themselves in the defense of freedom around the world. We are all recipients of their...
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Quantify Feelings

The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/November 6, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a special Sunday: celebrating the Saints, our music in all services, the actions of Holy Communion, an additional hour of sleep, preparing for November 17, and Pastor John with Kidron Valley Ministries in Uganda. You can watch a short video...
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We Will Remember

21st Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/October 30, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I hope you were able to be with us in worship on Sunday. We concluded our 10-week worship series, The Spirited Life, with our final fruit of the Holy Spirit…generosity. You can watch here. We also listened to glorious handbells from...