The phrase, “Thank you,” is an odd one. It can be over used while underused at the same time. In any of its forms, “thank you,” “thanks,” or “thankful” there is a sentiment we need to use more intentionally. Because gratitude, despite what the Hokey – Pokey says, is what it’s all about. Gratitude is… Continue reading Thank you
Author: Web Admin
Kindom of God—that’s not a typo!
God’s Extravagant Love connects each of us as “kin” and to each part of the larger Kindom of God. That’s no typo – the Kindom of God – it’s a profound insight. In the 37 times that Jesus describes the reign of God in the Gospels, not once is the kingdom of God like a… Continue reading Kindom of God—that’s not a typo!
Do you love one of your children more than the others?
Guest ponderer this week: Rev. David Klingensmith who will be in the pulpit this Sunday, August 20. Do you love one of your children more than the others? It’s a question that parents are sometimes asked, and one that most tiptoe around gingerly when answering. Do parents have favorites? And from the child’s perspective, does… Continue reading Do you love one of your children more than the others?
Can a computer interpret scripture?
Have you heard about the new computer program that can write language in the style of a certain person? It’s called GPT, an acronym that stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. A GPT can take simple prompts in natural human language as an input, and answer questions, write poems, translations, blog posts, or any other style… Continue reading Can a computer interpret scripture?
“You have to sing louder than the senior minister!”
Hymns are one of my favorite parts of worship. While I like trying to sing the melody, my true joy is hitting the bottom bullfrog bass notes. Music touches parts of my soul that words fail to reach. When I first began in ministry (which was last century!), I found myself in the role of… Continue reading “You have to sing louder than the senior minister!”
Summer Film Festival at Church of the Palms!
Fridays in August at 1 pm in our boardroom Come for the air conditioning, popcorn, and camaraderie; stay for the info on our criminal legal system! Features will include various shows and documentaries: August 4: When They See Us— A moving true life story about the wrongful convictions of five minors. How our criminal legal… Continue reading Summer Film Festival at Church of the Palms!
I have the same naïve thought every year…
Before each summer hits us, I have this naïve thought that maybe this year it won’t be so hot. Then record heat fries us and my brain back into reality. It has been a typical summer season – one with record heat and we are melting. Some of the good comments about the heat that… Continue reading I have the same naïve thought every year…
A deeply profound and revealing assignment!
How has your church blessed you this past month? It sounded like a simple question – how has the church blessed you? Yet, as person after person shared, I realized that the simple assignment was deeply profound and far more revealing than I first imagined. How has your church blessed you this past month? Everyone responded— those… Continue reading A deeply profound and revealing assignment!
We will not be “taking the summer off” of ministry
When Hitler began interfering with the churches and humiliating, torturing, and killing the Jews, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a loyal German himself, began to resist and protest. Being a minister, he refused to take part in the state churches which bowed to the Nazi’s demands. Some other ministers faced this tragic situation with quite a different logic.… Continue reading We will not be “taking the summer off” of ministry
Dysart Community Center Update
Dysart’s summer camps are underway with 150 children in El Mirage and 75 in Surprise. They’re attending free of charge thanks to a state of Arizona grant from the governor’s office. The center appreciates the snacks and grocery items that church members have given to the center for the camp attendees. Thanks for your continued… Continue reading Dysart Community Center Update