Just These Lines Pastor Blog

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Depression in a Pandemic

17th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/September 23, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that we deeply apologize to anyone who was not able to view our online worship this past Sunday. As you know, we are taking advantage of free streaming websites in an attempt to reach as many people as possible. Those sites can...
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Heigh Ho, It’s Off to Work I Go!

16th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/September 16, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that what a weekend!  I loved coming to the United Kids Block Party on Friday night and seeing all the young families participating with their kids.  It was safe, distanced and so filled with joy. By the way, did you see Alix...
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Parenting: Circus or Theater

The 14th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/Labor Day Sunday/September 2, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Sunday was a wonderful day in worship. Since I’m in quarantine (taking precautions), I participated online and loved it. No, it’s not like being present in our sanctuary, but I’m thankful for the connection it allows us to...
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Remain Confident

13th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/August 26, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say the Wilson family has had a doozy of a week. Last week Karen’s sister, an Acute Myeloid Leukemia survivor, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that is destroying her muscles. Then Saturday evening Karen’s father fell, broke his arm and nose and...
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Mercies in Disguise

12th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/August 19, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Karen and I have returned from our road trip adventure to and from Shawnee, KS. We got Karen’s mother all moved and returned with a bunch of her beautiful things. You would have loved watching us bounce down the freeway in...
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Patient Trust

11th Sunday after Pentecost/Ordinary Time/August 12, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that in the past few days two families have joined our Church: Joe and Christie Thomas (Sienna,10) and Mike and Alix Arndt (Andrew, 18, Daniel,16, Caroline, 13, and Abigail, 10).  By the way, Alix is a part of our staff community here at Matthews...
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A Common Theme in Scripture

10th Sunday after Pentecost/Ordinary Time/August 5, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say Karen and I are on our way to Shawnee, KS where we will be moving her mother into full nursing care. I know it will be difficult and unsettling, but it is the right thing to do. As I write (Monday), we’re in Paducah,...
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Graduation Sunday – Passing the Baton

9th Sunday after Pentecost/Graduation Sunday July 29, 2020 … to say that we’ve been at this virtual thing for 20 Sundays now. Who could have imagined? I am wildly grateful for all who are creatively putting together connections for us: Zoom book studies, Zoom Sunday School classes, online Town Halls (Watch July 27 Event!), drive-in movie nights, Sunday worship and...
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How Long, Oh Lord?

7th Sunday after Pentecost/July 22, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I had the great privilege of officiating two Memorial Services this week. First of all, I traveled to the beautiful Western North Carolina Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain on Friday, July 17, to officiate at the Memorial Service of Dr. Joel Vickers. The service...