John Durbin first used the term – “We have a ‘fob-u-lous’ church!” We are “fob-u-lous” in so many ways: people, talent, leadership, resources, and blessings. And now even in security. Yep. The key code entrance near King Hall has changed; no longer are there codes to enter. If you are leading a group or meeting and/or need… Continue reading We have a ‘fob-u-lous’ church!
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
Top 10 ways to fast for Lent
(Spoiler alert: none of them involve chocolate!) Lent is here. One of the words often associated with Lenten practices is fasting. Many of us know that term as it applies to the medical world – fasting is practiced prior to surgeries that require general anesthesia for health reasons. Similarly, the use of the word in… Continue reading Top 10 ways to fast for Lent
Teamwork
February is a time at The Palms when we look towards the future. Fresh off the glow of the annual meeting, boards and committees are selecting people to chair their respective groups, plus the “Mod Squad” meets with the pastors and sets priorities for the year for the church. It is a time when normally… Continue reading Teamwork
Seeing the face of God
My favorite quote is, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” ―Victor Hugo, Les Misérables. I mentioned this fact at our annual meeting last week. My prayer this year in 2021 is for us to see the face of God in neighbor, children, and creation. This coming year we’ll be doing… Continue reading Seeing the face of God
February: From Epiphany to Lent
The month of February 2021 spans two seasons in the liturgical church: Epiphany and Lent. The Season of Epiphany began January 6, as we celebrated the magi’s gifts to the Christ child. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance.” The season celebrates the light of Christ going out to the world –… Continue reading February: From Epiphany to Lent
Annual Meetings at The Palms are never boring.
Our Annual Meeting is this Saturday, January 30 at 9 a.m. on Bridges. Annual Meetings at The Palms are rarely boring, humdrum, or same-old-same-old stuff. Each one takes on its own personality. Some elements within the meetings are the similar: We hear of budgets and activities; I stand up and give my State-of-the-Church Address which interprets… Continue reading Annual Meetings at The Palms are never boring.
Our Mission Statement Begins With Unconditional Love
Our mission statement begins with unconditional love. We’re going to need it this year. In my experience unconditional love is not something that just happens automatically like turning the page of a wall calendar. It is not inevitable. Every step toward making positive changes in our world, society, and church requires sacrifice and struggle; people… Continue reading Our Mission Statement Begins With Unconditional Love
We’re Better Than This. We Must Do Better.
It was supposed to be the feast of Epiphany which is the day we remember the magi and their gifts to the Christ child. Back in biblical times, the scene turned ugly quite quickly. An insecure leader, afraid of the successor to the throne, sanctioned the death of a child and any who was that… Continue reading We’re Better Than This. We Must Do Better.
Who starts a new ministry right in the middle of a pandemic?
“Who starts a new ministry right in the middle of a pandemic?” That was Pastor Jim’s question/statement to us at the shower trailer dedication. The answer is, “We do!” We are called to be about ministry despite the pandemic, right in the middle of pandemic, because of the pandemic. Like the proverbial phoenix rising from the… Continue reading Who starts a new ministry right in the middle of a pandemic?
If We’re Going to Worry…
Is 2020 over yet? Please make it stop! For just about everyone, this year brought a shroud of uncertainty with no job being recession proof, and budgets shrinking with demands expanding. Often these times bring on a sense of worry. The gospels tell us not to worry. Yet, it is hard to expect anyone not… Continue reading If We’re Going to Worry…