From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

We are almost two months into our school year. This means we’re almost two months into our journey through the Bible together. This year, from September – May, we’re going through the Old and New Testaments together.  On Sunday mornings we focus on some of the big stories, and then during the week you’re invited to read scripture each day.

I know that many of you are doing this (or trying!), and I can feel the renewed energy around ...

Dear Grace Community,

In worship on Sunday, September 8, I shared some about the Narrative Lectionary that is guiding our worship and study this year.  Below is an excerpt of what I shared.

“In worship this school year – September through May – we’re covering the Bible from Genesis to the letters, from Old to New Testaments. Our Sunday School classes for adults, youth, and older children will study these texts too.

We’re joining hundreds of other churches around the country in something ...

Dear Grace Community,

It’s fun to be your pastor.  It’s fun for a lot of reasons including the interesting and passionate people in this church and that we engage in ministries that impact both our members and people outside the church walls.  I love that Jesus is at the center of all of this.

The Session and I love serving with you, and we hope for the church to be even more vital than it is.  We spent about nine months as ...

Dear Grace Community,

I write to you in what is now the hottest week of the summer.  We’ve reached the 100’s.  It’s July so no real surprise.  Our mission trip team is home from Denver, and a group of youth and adults are at the Presbyterian Triennium.  We’re a month removed from a wonderful Vacation Bible School.  The life of the church does not slow down, but the pace changes in the summer.

Staff and volunteer leaders are looking to the 2019-20 ...

Dear Grace Community,

It’s good to see you again.  I am grateful for my May Sabbatical and grateful to be back with you.  I requested the sabbatical because I reached a point where I struggled to feel renewed with my regular schedule of work and life.  This meant that my reservoir for ministry was depleted which wasn’t fair to any of us.

I’m glad to say that I came back in June feeling rested and renewed.  My life is full, with full-time ...