Yesterday was my birthday. I am not a big birthday person. The day comes and goes; every year it comes and goes. Not quite a birthday Scrooge, but I’m just not a big birthday person. Receiving gifts is not my love language, so presents and a cake are not high on my priority list.

But yesterday was a great birthday. Each of our children called and 2-year old Caleb sang “Happy Birthday” on my voice mail. I would have been happy enough with that. In fact, it doesn’t get any better than that in my book.

But it was also a great birthday because of Facebook. I have mentioned my love-hate relationship with Facebook before, but yesterday I loved Facebook. Facebook tells me that 53 people wished me a happy birthday.  I looked at the list again this morning. 53 well-wishes on the day. 53 birthday greetings from ten states and four countries in three different languages. Continue reading →

My current version of teaching Sunday School happens to be my part in teaching the Confirmation Class one Sunday evening a month. I love it. This year’s class is made up of eight wonderful ninth graders and I consider it a privilege to be a part of the teaching team that also includes Barb Chase, Lindsay Lauer and others.

But does it all matter, this teaching of Sunday School, or is it just something to be done and my turn comes around sooner or later? I’ve been a “take my turn” Sunday School teacher, too.

May I tell you a story? No names for now, not until I have full permission. Continue reading →

Dan Duppee is the president of the Coalition for Christian Outreach, a ministry on college campuses in the northeast. I have known of the CCO for a number of years and have been impressed with their work. It’s good to know that LPC offers some modest support for the work of the CCO through our mission budget.

Like many supporters of the CCO, I recently received an email from Dan asking for a little help from his friends. He wrote, As we enter into a new season of ministry to college students, I am working on a new project: a book about how young people make a successful transition to adult faith. And I need your help! Right now, I am in the process of defining what a successful transition looks like.  Continue reading →

There were a few bumps along the way, but our journey to a new parking lot at LPC is completed.  When you drive into either lot on Sunday, you’ll be first to park on a smooth new surface that drains well and looks good.  No weeds in the cracks, no faded lines as a faint reminder of where we ought to park. In fact the bright white new stripes were the finishing touch on the lot and when the cones are removed from the lot entrances early Sunday morning, there will be no question as to where we ought to park – and where we ought not to park. Continue reading →

Bob Taylor, our Adult Ministries Elder, called me the other day and asked if I would include a reminder about the Harvey Cedars Couples’ Conference coming up this November 2-4 on Long Beach Island at the Jersey shore. Normally such reminders go out in the email version of the e-Pistle which is designed primarily for the LPC family rather than those others who read just the web version.

Okay, email readers, you’ve seen the reminder. Continue reading →