The end of an era, the beginning of a new adventure...

Today was my last service preaching at the First Baptist Church of Palo.  It was my first pastorate as a senior pastor and ended up lasting five years.  Today's service was bittersweet as some tears were shed and hugs shared.  I was glad to have the opportunity to share in Communion one last time with my congregation and hear one last story in the middle of the service from Wilma.  I know that in the future we will both be praying for each other.  Help me pray that the church at Palo finds a new pastor whose passion, knowledge, and wisdom (all good things from above) are what the flock there needs to continue in their worship of God.  Help them pray, along with many who already are, that I will be up to the task of my new ministry in Franklin, PA.  It is a new chapter in my ministry and my marriage, one that, Lord willing, will continue to glorify his name through the work that he is able to do through me.  That may seem a bit much to some, but it is actually something that I've prayed for many years, "Lord, make your name great through me".  It's the kind of thing a man can pray when he doesn't really know where the Lord is leading him but he's willing to live with the uncertainty if meaningful ministry results in the end.  When I accepted the call to Franklin, it felt like that prayer had received a new answer.  For the past five years the place where I have ministered has been the beautiful stone church in Palo (and an alternative education building in Portland), in two days Nicole and I will leave for PA.  It will be a new adventure, but one that begins with equal parts excitement and sadness.  We'll miss you guys, God bless you for giving me a chance to minister to you.

Sermon Video: "The Year of Jubilee - Leviticus 25

What do Jewish regulations about the Sabbath, land ownership, and workers' rights have to do with the Church today? The answer, it turns out, is plenty. The principles of justice and second chances that underpin the celebration of the Year of Jubilee are certainly needed in our world today. In addition, the return of land during the Jubilee to its original owners helped to balance wealth and poverty in Israel as well as allow those who fallen on hard times to redeem their families land and start over...


This sermon is the last to be given to the people of the First Baptist Church of Palo, my first pastorate, and as such ends with a personal message of thanks and prayer for the future ministry at Palo.
 
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: The Shepherds' Tale - Luke 2:8-20

Why were lowly shepherds chosen by God to be the first to hear the message of the newborn Messiah?  Imagine their amazement when not only one, but a whole choir of angels sang in praise of Christ's arrival in the flesh.  That God chose to speak to shepherds should come as no surprise, he has a long history of working with those that society has forgotten and using our weakness as his strength.  How did the shepherds prove that God made the right choice?  They went quickly to see the Christ-child, and just as quickly went out and told others of the wonderful things which God had done.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: Christmas with Mercy and without Fear - Luke 1:49-50,68-75

Long before our favorite Christmas carols were written Mary and Zechariah spoke words of poetry to commemorate the wonders that God was doing with the birth of John and Jesus.  In their words we learn that God, whose mercy had sustained his covenant people in the past, is now extending that mercy through the advent of his son.  The birth of Immanuel will allow men to approach God without fear because his holiness will fulfill our obligations before the holy God who created us.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Making a list, checking it twice.

Well, I'm not Santa Claus, but I've been making a list too.  Those of you who know me know that I don't like to make lists, I'd rather keep all of my obligations and projects in my head.  When you're moving to PA in three weeks a list becomes necessary.  Yesterday I had about twelve things on my list and managed to take care of nine of them.  I'm sure some new things will pop up in the next few days and join the list too.  Today is Nicole's last day of teaching at LCC, Monday is my last day at PACE.  After that we're in full fledged packing mode.
And to think, Mary and Joseph probably just packed a handful of things, got the trusty ol' family donkey, and headed off to Bethlehem.  How would Christmas have been different if Joseph was hauling all of his stuff in a 26' U-Haul?