secretary

When Feelings Have Me View in browser September 22, 2023 When Feelings Have Me Matt Laney Better to be a patient person than a mighty warrior. It is more admirable to control your temper than to conquer a city. – Proverbs 16:32 (adapted) Too often, I don’t have feelings. Feelings have me. If you find … Read more

Triggers View in browser September 21, 2023 Triggers Mary Luti “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all.”- Ephesians 6:18 (NIV, abridged) This scripture reminds me of Bill Holladay. He’s with the saints now, but when he was my … Read more

Forbid Not the Children View in browser September 20, 2023 Forbid Not the Children Donna Schaper ‘Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not’ – Luke 18:16-17 (KJV) Did you know that honeybees sleep in the petals of Dahlias? Have you ever noticed how soft a petal of a Dahlia is? For … Read more

The Strong Survive to Help the Weak View in browser September 19, 2023 The Strong Survive to Help the Weak Kenneth L. Samuel We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. – Romans 15:1 (NIV) The adage, “only the strong survive,” gives the impression that … Read more

Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: In the Valley of Former Things View in browser September 18, 2023 In the Valley of Former Things Chris Mereschuk Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. – Isaiah 43:18 (NRSVUE) As a sentimental packrat, my basement contains numerous boxes of “former things.” Photos, … Read more

Never Too Late View in browser September 17, 2023 Never Too Late Vince Amlin “When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your sibling has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your sibling, and then come and offer your gift.” … Read more

Moving Waters View in browser September 16, 2023 Moving Waters Phiwa Langeni Baptism . . . saves you now—not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God. – 1 Peter 3:21 (CEB) The seven other weeklong retreat participants were strangers to me when we … Read more

Family Stories View in browser September 15, 2023 Family Stories Quinn Caldwell Then the high priest asked him, “Are these things so?” And Stephen replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia…” – Acts 7:1-2 (NRSV) It’s amazing how fast old family … Read more

Bound in Harmony View in browser September 14, 2023 Bound in Harmony Talitha Arnold Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14 (NRSV) Once a month every summer, the church I serve offers a “drop-in choir.” People come early to rehearse a simple anthem, then sing in … Read more

Remember the Beginning View in browser September 13, 2023 Remember the Beginning Rachel Hackenberg Moses said to the people, “Remember this day on which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; no leavened bread shall be eaten. Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. When the [Sovereign] brings … Read more