Church Blog (Page 12)

Church Blog (Page 12)

March Message

Who Has You? One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat…

Lent and Pastor Dave Up-Date

First Church Family, I pray you are doing well this week. We have entered the season of Lent together and are bound together through the daily devotions provided by many individuals in our church and produced so masterfully by our Sheila Triplett Brady, Sarah Sponenburg, and Ivey Deitz. Please make it a practice in your family to read and meditate over those daily. In that way, we will be in unity of spirit during this Holy season. Lent is the forty days that precede Easter.…

Ash Wednesday Preparations

First Church Family: A number of persons in our church family have received the second COVID vaccine, which is wonderful. After receiving a call from the hospital weeks ago, asking whether I would want to get one if I could, I said “yes,” and set up an appointment. I was able to get my second shot Monday and did have some reaction to it. I pray you are doing well and that you will have the opportunity to be vaccinated soon. Next Wednesday, February 17, is…

Psalm 27

First Church Family: I pray you are well and are staying warm in the winter cold. My devotions this morning led me to Psalm 27. The psalm is a psalm written by David, just like Psalm 23, around which we are worshipping. David begins Psalm 27 in similar fashion to his message to God in Psalm 23: The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,so why should I tremble? (vs. 1) There is a…

February Message

First Church Family, I pray you are continuing to manage the challenges of safely dealing with COVID-19. Our medical community is doing an exemplary job of caring for us and offering the vaccine to those who qualify. And there is some “buzz” in the community about the difference the vaccine will make in the next couple of months, in terms of lowering the number of new cases and slowing the transmission of the virus. I have often noticed that difficulties…

Serving the Community

JANUARY 20, 2021 Dear First Church Family, My prayers remain with you during this time, and I covet yours as well.  Though our world still reels from the COVID onslaught and seems divided to a magnitude I haven’t experienced before; every day I am reminded of the powerful presence of Almighty God and the hope brought to us through the gift of our Savior. Last week, I was honored to be a part of a number of people gathered in-front of our hospital to encourage our health…

News from Pastor

JANUARY 13, 2021 Dear First Church Family, I pray that you are in good health and spirits, and that you are continuing to pray for our nation and world. God is being seen in and through so many good things that are happening. Remember that our Mission Statement is: “to glorify God as we mold, nurture, and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ.” Our modeling of that statement has never been needed more. One of the most beloved and recited of all Scriptures is…

Spirit of Unity

JANUARY 8, 2021 Friday Morning First Church Family, On Wednesday, before I was aware of the horrific events in our nation’s capital, I wrote my Newsletter letter to you that was emailed yesterday. So much has happened since then. The events in Washington, D.C. were despicable, violent acts of terror and tyranny. Our nation is broken as never before in my lifetime, and we are all grieving the presence of division, distrust, and hatred. As followers of Christ, we denounce…

January Message

JANUARY 7, 2021  First Church Family,      I pray this newsletter finds you in good health and spirits. What Samaritan’s Purse did at our hospital is amazing, though it’s concerning that Caldwell and the surrounding counties needed the extra space for COVID patients. Please be cautious and stay safe!     The church year, which began with the first Sunday in Advent in late November, moves quickly through Christmas and Epiphany (this past  Sunday.) Immediately, it jumps thirty years to the Baptism of the LORD…

Christmas Concert @ FUMC

December 13 at 3 pm A free, drive-up Christmas concert, “A Christmas Music Blessing”at 3 pm on Sunday, December 13 from the front steps of our church. The Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir as well as 4 children will be presenting beautiful Christmas music. You may listen from your car, your lawn chair, or stand nearby with masks. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to Sunday (December 20 at 3pm).