I’m delighted to be serving as Interim Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas. This summer we are journeying together through the Jesus Priorities (based on a book with the same title by Christopher Maricle). Today's priority was "spread the word." Sermon My message, “Being and Making Disciples” was based on Matthew 28:16-20. Spreading the Word While I relied on this manuscript, I likely went a bit off script on a few occasions. You can watch a recording of the Read More …
Discipleship
Summer Perspective: Change of Pace (#2136)
Regardless of your life stage, summer offers a change of pace. For the last several years I've started the summer off with a vacation. Each year I've visited my parents in Florida and have used some of this time away to reconnect with friends. This year my time in Florida included helping my parents shop for some new furniture for their condo, enjoying a number of meals out with family and friends, visiting the beach, and attending worship in a congregation I previously served. It also Read More …
Preaching Healing (#2134)
This morning I preached at Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas for the second time in my new role as this congregation’s Interim Senior Pastor. And, following the service they held a reception to welcome my wife and I into the life of the congregation. The Sermon My message, “Your Healing Touch” kicked off a summer series titled "The Jesus Priorities." The series was inspired by Christopher Maricle's book, The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits (2007). Today's message Read More …
Preaching Intention or Interruption? (#2132)
This morning I preached at Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas for the first time on the occasion of my first day serving as this congregation's Interim Senior Pastor. The Sermon My message, “Intention or Interruption?,” was based on today's Gospel reading: Mark 5:21-43. Intention, Interruption, or Intentional Interruption? While I relied on this manuscript, I'm aware that I went a bit off script on a few occasions. You can watch a recording of the livestream here (the Read More …
Where’s Greg Worshipping in 2024? 12 Congregations in 3 States (#2131)
In recent years I've worshipped in more than 75 Dallas - Arlington - Fort Worth area congregations (see Visiting 75 Churches in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metro Area). Last year, I reflected on some of those congregations as well as my worship experiences in congregations outside of Texas in June (Where’s Greg Worshipping? 8+ Congregations in 3 States) and December (Happy New Year! Celebrating Visits to 12 Churches). A few days ago I announced that I'll be returning to parish ministry later this Read More …
My Visit to Mosaic Community Church (#2126)
This morning, I was a first time guest at Mosaic Community Church (a United Church of Christ affiliated congregation) in Oklahoma City. My wife and I attended their sole Sunday morning service, which begins at 11:00 a.m. When we arrived in the parking lot fifteen minutes before the hour, we were surprised to find a few dozen vehicles already in place. Since the lot in use was located adjacent to the sanctuary, no exterior signage was needed to help us find our way. Once inside Read More …
A Pentecost First (#2124)
Today I worshipped at First United Lutheran Church in Dallas. It was my second time to worship with this congregation (the first was last April on the occasion of the celebration of their first 100 years of ministry). And, this was the tenth congregation I've worshipped with in 2024 (for the ninth and links to the others check out My Visit to Trinity Presbyterian Church). Preaching During my years of parish ministry I had a number of opportunities to preach on Pentecost. Today, however. Read More …
My Visit to Trinity Presbyterian Church (#2123)
This morning, I was a first time guest at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. My wife and I attended the 10:55 a.m. service of worship. While we have no real links to the congregation, I have considerable ties to the congregation’s denomination – Presbyterian Church (USA) – and, some time ago I connected with the congregation's pastor, Rev. Richard Mize. Mize, like myself, is an ordained United Church of Christ minister. (For those not familiar with Mainline Read More …
God’s Wisdom (#2122)
Passage for Reflection: James 3:17-18 There is no shortage of worldly wisdom. Scroll through any social media platform and you’ll see person after person claiming expertise on a wide variety of topics. Open e-mails and other more formal professional correspondence and you’ll find an alphabet soup of degrees and certifications alongside the sender’s name. Walk into a public library and you’ll be greeted by books as far as your eyes can see. Wisdom is everywhere. James contrasts this Read More …
Preaching Love (#2120)
This morning I completed my month of preaching every Sunday morning at a Presbyterian (PCUSA) congregation by preaching at St. Mark Presbyterian Church at 9:45 a.m. followed by Eastminster Presbyterian Church at 11:30 a.m. This was my first visit to St. Mark and my second to Eastminster (see Preaching Difficult Discipleship for more on my visit last summer). Both congregations have supported the ministry of White Rock Center of Hope, the organization I serve as CEO, for many Read More …