Christians talk a lot about the Gospel. As they should. The Gospel is the foundation of our faith. But what if Christians have forgotten about the Gospel? This post is written to Christians, but I would be very interested to hear what those who are not Christians would think of it as well. Maybe thoseContinue reading “Have Christians forgotten the Gospel?”
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Experimental Worship? – 1st Corinthians 14:26-40
I have read that early Christian worship was influenced by the order of worship in Jewish synagogues. The picture that Paul gives us in 1st Corinthians 14:26-40 (and in all of chapters 11-14, really) is a very disorderly kind of worship as practiced by the Christians in the city of Corinth. I introduced this conceptContinue reading “Experimental Worship? – 1st Corinthians 14:26-40”
Do we need an order of worship?
Raised in a Conservative Baptist church that practiced a style of worship very much influenced by the frontier free worship tradition, I will never forget two of my first experiences with liturgical style. The first was at a mainline Presbyterian Church in New Jersey where my mother’s sister and her family attended. After quite aContinue reading “Do we need an order of worship?”
Speaking in Tongues is not the point – 1st Corinthians 14:1-25
Last week I mentioned that this past Sunday’s sermon was going to be about speaking in tongues. We have been working our way section by section through the book of 1st Corinthians, and on Sunday we finally made it to chapter 14, which is all about speaking in tongues. I started the sermon off withContinue reading “Speaking in Tongues is not the point – 1st Corinthians 14:1-25”
Podcast Disc, Lawyer Letter, Pile of Old Mail – The Monday Messy Office Report – September 2, 2014
My Friday tidy office is mysteriously messy on Monday. Here’s what I found today: 1. Podcast disc – I’m very grateful to our sound and projection volunteers, as they serve behind the scenes every Sunday morning. They keep sound levels balanced, show PowerPoint shows, YouTube videos, and record the service. We actually make two recordingsContinue reading “Podcast Disc, Lawyer Letter, Pile of Old Mail – The Monday Messy Office Report – September 2, 2014”
Is Speaking in Tongues fake?
What is speaking in tongues? Or what is it supposed to be? There is a lot confusion, a lot of skepticism and fear. Some people say that it is all fake, that the gift of tongues ceased, and that’s what Paul meant in chapter 13 verse 8 when he said “where there are tongues, theyContinue reading “Is Speaking in Tongues fake?”
Google is confused about love! – 1st Corinthians 13
Google is confused about love. Is love a feeling or not? I did an image search and found both answers! So what is it? When I love someone, I definitely feel something. But I also know that those feelings can go away when that person is being difficult (not that I am ever difficult…). ItContinue reading “Google is confused about love! – 1st Corinthians 13”
What is Love? – Our theme for Worship in the Park this Sunday!
What is love? Do you know for certain? There is a popular song that asks “What is love?” and then responds with “Baby, don’t hurt me.” Though we don’t think of love as painful, another popular song echoes what many people have found to be true: “Love hurts.” You might have experienced that in yourContinue reading “What is Love? – Our theme for Worship in the Park this Sunday!”
Skype with the Stoltzfuses!
I remember as a kid being fascinated by the missionary phone patch, or at least that is what it was called at the church I grew up in. During a worship service, we would call one of our missionaries and do a mini-interview with them through the church sound system. It was really cool toContinue reading “Skype with the Stoltzfuses!”
That time the Apostle Paul talked about unpresentable parts
I really think there was a twinkle in his eye. He wasn’t there when they read the letter, so I have to imagine that twinkle, and the corners of his mouth turning up as he grinned to himself thinking about when they would read this. They would get the letter, gather the group of followersContinue reading “That time the Apostle Paul talked about unpresentable parts”
Engaging Scripture 