NOTE FROM PASTOR JR FOR SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2023            This Sunday we observe two occasions, one liturgical and the other secular.  Liturgically we will observe Pentecost Sunday and remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on that first Day of Pentecost after the resurrection.  Secularly, we will note it is Memorial Day...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023            This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday of Easter, but it is also Mother’s Day.  So, Happy Mother’s Day, to all of the moms and those serving in maternal roles.              This week’s assigned gospel reading from John 14 begins with “If you love...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR ‘PINK’ SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2022            This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday IN Lenten.  Liturgically it is also called “Laetare Sunday.”   Laetare in Latin means “Rejoice.”  During the austere period of Lent, Rejoice Sunday was introduced at the midway point as a day of celebration, encouraging the faithful to look forward...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023           Sunday will be 3rd Sunday IN Lent and the 2nd Sunday of Women’s History Month. The assigned gospel text is the lengthy Story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman from John 4.         ...

           Sunday is the Second Sunday After the Epiphany; the Sunday before the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Dr. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement.  It’s the only Federal Holiday that just doesn’t give folks a day off from...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022           This Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Kingdomtide.  It is a bittersweet Sunday for me personally.  Bitter, because it would be my brother Larry’s 71st birthday.  Larry died in a trucking accident 21 months ago.  I still miss my two “check-in” calls each week.  Sweet, because it...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022            This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter.               I love the assigned texts for this Sunday.  They both remind us to “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Sweetie: It’s Still All About Love.”  The Gospel text says, “I give you...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY, MAY 8TH, 2022            Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter; but it’s also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  On this Sunday following Easter, a portion of Jesus’ proclamation from John 10, “I am the Good Shepherd,” is assigned.  This year, Good Shepherd Sunday falls...

NOTE FROM PASTOR J R FOR SUNDAY MAY 1, 2022  Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter.  In the assigned Gospel text from John, Jesus appears for a 3rd time to the disciples.  Included in it is a conversation Jesus had with Peter.  Jesus asks Peter 3 times “Do You Love Me?”   Peter seems to...