As Memorial Day approaches, our thoughts often turn to flags waving, parades marching, and the start of summer gatherings. While these traditions hold their own significance, this day calls us to a deeper reflection on the true meaning of remembrance and our ongoing commitment to peace and justice. As we observe Memorial Day, our hearts… Continue reading A deeper reflection on the true meaning of remembrance
Tag: Sun City AZ
You Are Not Alone: Supporting Our Mental Well-Being
This Sunday we’re celebrating Mental Health Sunday. In our vibrant and compassionate community, we recognize a fundamental truth: everyone, at some point, experiences struggles with their mental well-being. Life’s journey brings joys and challenges, and it’s perfectly normal to navigate periods of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm. At The Church of the Palms, we are trying… Continue reading You Are Not Alone: Supporting Our Mental Well-Being
Letter writing is still a powerful tool.
We’re in a strange world, but letter writing is still a powerful tool with which to express our opinions. In my ministry infancy, I titled my written message to the congregation I was serving: A Letter from Paul. I liked the play-on-words of that title and it has stuck for the past forty years. I… Continue reading Letter writing is still a powerful tool.
“I have seen the Lord!”
I’ve always felt that Mary Magdalene’s statement in the Gospel of John, “I have seen the Lord!” is more meaningful than our traditional call and response of, “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!” It’s just that Easter and the resurrection is not a third personal confession, it’s a first-person encounter. To say, “I have… Continue reading “I have seen the Lord!”
Eastertide is upon us!
Yes, Easter is more than one day; it’s an entire season and it’s called Eastertide. Maybe we should consider that our resurrection faith has qualities like that of a tide. Tides mold and shape the shoreline and us. Eastertide smooths our rough places and our jagged edges while at other times pulling us and exposing… Continue reading Eastertide is upon us!
Today is Maundy Thursday
It’s Maundy Thursday. Not Monday, but Maundy. The word, “Maundy” comes from the Latin Mandatum which means mandate. On this night, Jesus gave his disciples a mandate: Love one another. We meet at The Palms this Thursday afternoon at 5 pm with our sister churches to remember Christ’s gathering his disciples in an upper room for a special… Continue reading Today is Maundy Thursday
That one Palm Sunday during Children’s Moment…🤣
Most of my career I led a children’s moment in weekly worship. As Holy Week approached each year, I mentioned the names of the worship services and the meaning behind them: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and, of course, Easter. Palm Sunday was of particular interest to one young eight-year-old girl. As I talked… Continue reading That one Palm Sunday during Children’s Moment…🤣
Grieving prophetically
Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. After a lifetime of ministry, Richard Rohr said, “I have become convinced that most anger comes, first of all, from a place of deep sadness.” Life disappoints and hurts us all, and the majority of people don’t know how… Continue reading Grieving prophetically
Wow! A lot is going on.
April is upon us! Wow! Where did February go? The only option is to March forward. The Church of the Palms is going all out in April with many special worship services. We hope you plan to attend. Wow! A lot is going on, thanks be to God! I hope you can make the time… Continue reading Wow! A lot is going on.
Before you jump to the resurrection
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” After a lifetime of ministry, Richard Rohr said, “I have become convinced that most anger comes, first of all, from a place of deep sadness.” Life disappoints and hurts us all, and the majority of people don’t know how… Continue reading Before you jump to the resurrection