We’re back this week! The CDC has lifted much of the protocols for in-person worship — we can return to what we know and love. I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared. Just when we figured out how to operate under the terms of a pandemic, the rules changed, and we’re needing to adjust our… Continue reading The Rules Change This Sunday
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
5th anniversary as Senior Pastor
This past week marked my 5th anniversary as Senior Pastor at The Palms. Thank you for all of the patience you have shown me – thank you for the grace you have demonstrated. Thank you for the love and support you have shown my family. As I have reflected over this anniversary… I am amazed… Continue reading 5th anniversary as Senior Pastor
Hymn for Summer 2021
One of my favorite hymns is “I Am the Light of the World!” which is based on a Howard Thurman piece entitled, “When the Song of the Angels is Stilled.” Here is my Summer 2021 version. When the protocols have been stopped,When the masks are taken down,When family and friends can gather again,The work of… Continue reading Hymn for Summer 2021
Going hybrid
I drive a hybrid vehicle. I have driven one since 2007. Hybrid vehicles combine at least one electric motor with a gasoline engine to move the car, and its system recaptures energy via regenerative braking. Sometimes the electric motor does all the work, sometimes it’s the gas engine, and sometimes they work together. The result… Continue reading Going hybrid
“How long, O Lord?”
“How long, O Lord?” the Psalmist cried. We, too, ask that question: How long, O Lord? How long until this? How long until that? How long do we have to wear masks? Take temps? Register attendance? Use hand sanitizer? How long are we going to have a truncated worship service? What about singing? What about entering and… Continue reading “How long, O Lord?”
Are we there yet?
How many kids have asked that on long car rides? “Are we there yet?” I remember asking such a question as a child – we were on day one, about 100 miles from home, on a 5,000-mile cross-country trip and I asked, “When are we going to get there?” adding, “My bottom is tired of… Continue reading Are we there yet?
Love of Creation Sunday
This coming Sunday is special. We have many lay leaders participating in the design and leadership of worship – the Creation Justice Team will be leading our Love of Creation Sunday as we begin the week of Earth Day celebrations. Rev. Doug Bland, a long-time friend, will be our speaker. Doug is a gifted storyteller who… Continue reading Love of Creation Sunday
Observations of Easter
I confess to having many sleepless nights leading up to Easter morn. The “what if” detail questions kept bubbling to the surface. What if this…what if that? Then there were the “will the” questions. Will the set up go smoothly? Will people actually show up willing to sit outside in the sun? Will the visitors… Continue reading Observations of Easter
The stone is rolling away!
I have literally been waiting for this moment for a year! It broke my heart to have to go from in-person worship to video; I know you join me in missing our in-person gatherings. I truly believe that I will never, ever, take for granted the blessing of being able to gather in our sanctuary!… Continue reading The stone is rolling away!
It is an exciting time for us at The Palms
It is an exciting time for us at The Palms. Before we rush head on into the joyous celebrations of Easter, let’s pause and reflect why we have Easter in the first place. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us a mandate to love one another. Then washed the feet of the disciples. Soon afterwards,… Continue reading It is an exciting time for us at The Palms