A Good Friday message for all ages. Christians often recognize Good Friday with a tenebrae service in which candles are extinguished one by one as we remember the suffering and death of Jesus. It is essential that we reflect on the sacrifice of Christ in order to grasp the power of Easter. Here is a…
Tag: Children’s Ministry
Benny’s Shadow
A story about peace. All around us there are things that cause us to worry. We might feel angry or sad or hopeless. This little story is a reminder that by keeping our eyes on God and God’s promises, we can have peace. You can hear the story by following the link, or read the…
Make a banner to remind you that Advent is a time of hope for a dark world.
The church season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of hope, of waiting, and of light that shines in the darkness. Candles that bring light to a dark place are symbols of Advent. Many Christians use a special wreath during Advent. One candle is lit on the first Sunday of…
Who can we trust?
In a aggressive campaign season when accusations are flung, who can we trust? We are bitterly divided over issues including management of a pandemic, racial justice, and the economy. Fear and doubt are widespread. I am reminded of an old 80s Christian song with lyrics that went something like this: “I put my faith in…
Abram and faith in the unknowing
When God told Abram to move, Abram did just that, even without knowing what the future would hold for him. Can we have faith like that? Earlier this year, our church aired a series of online conversations between our Lead Pastor and members of the church. This story was in response to one of those…
The Winner Is…
By playing a game where the viewers are destined to lose, fairness and justice are explained. This video was originally aired as part of a June 3, 2020 online worship service at my church. You can view the video within the context of the full worship service at http://www.chumc.org. I like to play games, so…
Foggy day
On a foggy day, you can’t see what’s ahead. We don’t know what the future holds, either, but we trust that God is there. This video was originally recorded as part of the March 29, 2020 online worship service at my church. It was near the beginning of our new form of worship, and I…
Candy Land, Teachers, and Hope
Candy Land was created by a school teacher during the polio epidemic to give hope and happiness to quarantined children. We can give hope to others, too. This video was recorded for part of the May 3, 2020 online worship service at my church during a series on HOPE. You can view the message in…
Backyard patio and spiritual development: Both require a continuous effort.
A while ago I wrote how taking one step at a time led to the transformation of my backyard patio. This summer I have thoroughly enjoyed that patio with its green, growing potted plants and the new rug under my feet. From the patio I can see the water lilies in my little backyard goldfish…
Do the next good thing.
Big changes can start with one small thing…and then another…and another. This video was recorded for the June 21, 2020 online worship service at my church. To view this message in context, visit http://www.chumc.org. I have a patio with a deck behind my house, but it hasn’t always looked very nice. Over time little spiders…
Ms. Marcia's Mom-ologues 