Author Archives: Bill

Summer 2020

Welcome! OBSERVATIONS continues a long series of posts reflecting on the life of faith lived in our real world.  Each new Observation will be posted here, linked from my FaceBook page, or you may subscribe to an email version by clicking the “Subscribe” button on the sidebar.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:4–7

It is cliche to say that 2020 is unlike any year we able to remember. Cliche, but true.  We have yet to see what might even be the beginning of the end of the global pandemic. Injustice shouts at us; we want desperately, but do not quite know how, to live more fully into our American dream and ideals. To borrow a phrase from Cornelius Plantinga – and with all the meaning he gave it, things are not the way they are supposed to be. Continue reading →

June 28, 2020 Farewell Service

June 28, 2020, marked my last Sunday at LPC, and the last Sunday of 45 years in full time ministry.  Thanks to all who participated – virtually here and at the LPC  Drive By Reception

June 26 – Final Edition


Final edition – LPC people, you will receive an email or two from me next week with some details and logistics having to do with transition, but this is the last, the final edition, of the LPC E-pistle.

In case you haven’t heard, I’m retiring.

As the screenshot in the header indicates, the first edition of what would be a mostly-weekly missive began the first week in February, 2008, my first week at LPC.  And because it always makes for a good story, I can tell you some people told me I couldn’t do it.  “We already have a monthly newsletter,” they said.  “People won’t read it,” they insisted. So I did it.

“News and Notes,” it said. That’s pretty much been the formula ever since.  Some highlights of things going on in the church and then my notes.  “Pastor Bill’s comments on faith, life, and the world,” the current version says.

Some thoughts on this final edition: Continue reading →

June 19 – The Ties that Bind

These are days of difficult decisions. Do I favor the owners or the players in the MLB debate? Amazon, Prime, or both?  Which tie shall I wear on Sunday?  I’ve got that last one answered at least for the next two Sundays.  Stained glass and Mickey.

This coming Sunday, I will be wearing my stained glass tie.  Some of you at LPC may remember the stained glass tie.  At least one of you comments on it every time I wear it.  And yes, there’s a backstory, and that’s why I intend to wear it my second-to-last (virtual) Sunday at LPC.  You’ll see it in the video. Continue reading →

June 12 – Of the Tossing of Many Books


Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.  – Ecclesiastes 12:12

The wisdom of the Preacher of Ecclesiastes has stood the test of time. I’m not sure I’ve always taken his advice, however, and as we prepare for our move, we are fully aware of the many books issue.  It seems of the tossing of many books there is no end.

With thanks to the Preacher for another phrase, there is a time to gather books into shelves and a time to cast away such books. We know what time it is. We might add that the tossing of many books has also been a time for weeping.

The issue is not really shelf space in the new house.  We’re moving most of our bookcases, and what is Ikea for, after all? The issue is that we don’t need all those books.  The keeping of too many books is a vanity, the Preacher might say. Striving after the wind.

So, we are tossing books.  It’s a heartless exercise, but necessary. So many books are like old friends, how do you decide who goes and who doesn’t? Continue reading →