Do this in remembrance of Me

This is the altar at Palo that we use for our monthly communion. Of all the things that a pastor does, two stand out to me. The first is performing a wedding, it always feels special as I remember my own wedding and help two new people begin that journey. The second is communion. I remember the first time I led a communion service; I was filling in at Galilee years ago before I had my own church. The memorable thing about it was that I got the chance to hand the bread and the "wine" to my own dad (a deacon at Galilee); that was a moment that stuck with me, we all want to make our parents proud of us, and I really felt like I was taking a step in the right direction in that department. My wife partakes of communion every week (at the Cathedral of St. Andrew), but most of us Baptists only have the service one a month; either way, it'll always be significant to me.

Amazing what a few farmers can build isn't it?

This is the exterior of First Baptist Church of Palo, it was built in 1927. We don't build them like this anymore, and that's a shame. The stone looks beautiful and the stain glass is truly amazing. We recently had the glass removed and remounted (and cleaned, revealing the original colors behind 80 years of dirt). As you can see, we have the American flag proudly displayed out front, across the street is the cemetery where Nicole and I were able to lead the Memorial Day service this year.

Where we came from...

This is the plaque inside my church at Palo. The church has been ministering in Palo since 1846 (that's pretty early for rural Michigan). Our current stone building replaced the original wooden one in 1927. You never really know who you are until you know where you've been. In the case of First Baptist of Palo, the church has come full-circle somewhat. I didn't know this when I first visited the church as a guest preacher, but Rev. J VanVleck is a distant relative of mine; his great-great-great (or something like that) niece is a 4th or 5th cousin of mine; we were friends throughout school. (her dad's photography studio took the pictures at our wedding) I'm proud to carry on the work that was started by J. VanVleck. I guess it is a small world after all.

With Days like these...

Well, I've spent most of the last week working on getting my computer working properly again. Unfortunately, I can't say that I've been entirely successful. I suppose that I should remember my favorite verse, Isaiah 40:31 "they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.." I could use a little renewed strength right now. Perspective also helps at times like this; nothing that I'm doing on this machine will echo in eternity; my computer is just a tool, much like my car (don't get me started on car repair stories), I can use it for God's glory, I can ensure that I use what God has given me, that I own them and that they don't own me.

My Former Home, Galilee Baptist Church of Saranac

This is Pastor Andy Mooren of Galilee Baptist Church in Saranac (my hometown, and where Nicole and I live). I grew up in this church, under the leadership of Pastor James Frank (at Galilee for 40 years!!). I owe much of my ability in the ministry to what I learned at Galilee in Sunday School, Awana, and our youth group. If you're in the Saranac area, make sure you drop by for a visit on Sunday morning. {This is also the church of my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, my sister and brother-in-law, and my three nephews and my niece.}

http://galileesaranac.com/index.htm