Forget ordination standards or mode of baptism. Nothing causes heated conversation and sharp division among pastors like the debate over children’s sermons. Some pastors so dislike the children’s sermon that they would rather preach rank heresy than sit on the chancel steps with the children hoping for some cute “kids say the darndest things” moment.  Others love the moment as they get to showcase their Bill Cosby-like way with the young disciples in their congregation. And some of us have made our peace with whatever objections we may have, believing that this “you belong and we care about you” moment overrides whatever disruption to the flow of worship the children’s sermon may cause. Continue reading →

We’ve all seen the images and read the stories of the Italian cruise ship that ran aground just off the isle of Giglio on Italy’s Mediterranean coast.  News reports blame the ship’s captain for an “unauthorized deviation” from the ship’s approved course. The ship went off course, struck a series of submerged rocks and is now listing dramatically.  At least six people have died and 29 remain missing. Continue reading →

It’s been a very good week. The week started well with good LPC worship on the Lord’s Day. On Sunday evening I met with our Confirmation students as I do once a month, reaping all the good sown by our Sunday morning team the other weeks of the month.

I love my time with the confirmation kids, and if I hadn’t said this almost every other year, I’d say this year’s class is my favorite yet.  Let’s just leave it that it’s a great group of kids. Eleven of them this year, all ninth graders except for one wonderful eleventh grader. They are smart, lively, engaging, fun – I like Sunday evenings with the confirmation students. Continue reading →

So our former junior senator is enjoying his turn at fifteen minutes of fame. He’s waited a long time as Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and I can’t remember who else were ahead of him in the long line of presidential wannabes. Will his moment in the limelight last any longer than that of the others?  Who knows.  Whether it is the quality of the candidates or the reality of living in the glare of the 24-hour news cycle, it seems as if we have become a very fickle people. Our loyalties don’t last long.  And this is no Republican thing.  Half the people who thought President Obama was doing a fine job less than three years ago now think he’s a rascal who may need to be voted out of office. We’re a very fickle people. Continue reading →

I don’t know exactly how many people will worship at LPC tomorrow and we can say, rightly so, that it is not about numbers and that it’s up to God.  And it is.  But I do know that many of you have been praying about those in your life who might not otherwise worship on Christmas Eve and who you wish to have join you. Continue reading →