April 16, 2025 – Wednesday of Holy Week

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross originated in pilgrimages to Jerusalem. There was a desire to reproduce the “Way” of Jesus in the last week of his life, especially in and around Jerusalem. So, by the 4th century, there were attempts by certain people, like Constantine’s mother, to give people an opportunity to visit important sites from the life of Jesus – from his birth, to the crucifixion, to his resurrection.

At the monastery of Santo Stefano at Bologna a group of connected chapels was constructed as early as the 5th century, by St. Petronius, Bishop of Bologna, which was intended to represent the more important shrines of Jerusalem. As such this monastery became familiarly known as “Santa Gerusalemme”. This may be regarded as the genesis for the idea of the Stations of the Cross, at least outside of Jerusalem developed. It is certain that nothing that we have before about the 15th century can strictly be called a Way of the Cross in the modern sense. And so, we carry on this tradition of traveling the “Way of the Cross” that developed more than 500 years ago by having a service called “The Stations of the Cross.” It is a proper and fitting way to begin the services of Holy Week.

There are two ways that the stations can be conducted. One is to have “stations” along a route outside the church, or a smaller route inside the church. From the first station, people then travel to any number of stations where a lesson from the passion story is read followed by a prayer. After a brief time of silence and reflection, the group travels to the next “station”.

A second way to honor the “stations of the Cross” is to sit in the nave of the church and read the lessons and prayers and either project images or include images in a booklet. This is the way that my congregation honors the stations. What is most important about the Stations of the Cross is the opportunity we offer to people in the community to again hear and meditate upon the passion of Jesus.

Pastor Dave

April 17, 2025 – Thursday of Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is another important day of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday signifies the beginning of the great “Three Days” of the Triduum, which encompasses the last three days of Lent. The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days.” It begins the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends at Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. Thus the Triduum consists of three full days which begin and end in the evening. The Triduum technically is not part of Lent (at least liturgically), but Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are still reckoned as part of the traditional forty day Lenten fast.

The Triduum celebrates the heart of our faith, salvation, and redemption: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Triduum commemorates the Institution of the Eucharist (the “sacrament of sacraments”), the passion, crucifixion, death of the Lord, his descent to the dead, and finally his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. Along with the Ascension, these important events make up the Paschal Mystery. Thus the Triduum becomes the culmination of our liturgical year including the Easter Triduum, and Easter Sunday, the “solemnity of solemnities,” the “Great Feast.” On the night of the celebration of Maundy Thursday, not only do we remember the last supper, but we remember the commandment Christ gave to his disciples to “love one another”. It was not a holy suggestion – it was a command:

“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

This is one of the reasons we need Maundy Thursday – we need to be reminded that we are to love one another because we so often fail at love. And I am not talking now about love of a spouse or “Eros” love, I am talking about “Philia” love or love of brother and sister, and “Agape” love, love of G-d. It is so important in the Kingdom of G-d that Jesus needed to command that we love one another. In this season of Easter coming up, when you peer upon the cross on Good Friday, and then marvel at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday, remember to love one another.

Pastor Dave

Friday of Holy Week

Good Friday

“Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Around three oʼclock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My G-d, my G-d, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Letʼs see if Elijah will come to take him down!” But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was G-dʼs Son!” Mark 15:33-39

On this day in my congregation we will participate in a Tenebrae Service – or traditionally known as a service of light. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness”. It is used to recreate the emotions of the events of Good Friday. Any opportunity we have to take a full day and remember the Cross of Jesus Christ and the centrality the cross is to have in our lives is a good day – something good to do on Good Friday.

Why is it called Good Friday? There is no clear answer of the origin of “Good” Friday. Some say it comes from the phrase “G-d’s Friday”. That seems reasonable. But others point to the fact that what Christ did for all of humanity was so “Good”, that even though it involves his death on a cross, it is Good for all people. There are many ways to honor the day of Good Friday. Some congregations hold a service from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm – the traditional hours that Christ hung on the cross. During those three hours, sermons are delivered on the seven last words of Christ. Those seven last words from the Gospels include:

“Father Forgive, for they do not know what they are doing.”

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

“Woman here is your son; son here is your Mother”

“My G-d, My G-d, why have you forsaken Me”

“I am thirsty”

“It is Finished”

“Father, Into Your hands I commend my Spirit”

So, with so many options, do something good, and attend a Good Friday service today. After all, G-d is Good all of the time.

Pastor Dave

April 19, 2025 – Holy Saturday   

Easter Saturday and the service that is offered on this day is one of the best services of the entire year, and yet so few people attend an Easter Saturday or Easter Vigil (as it is known) Service. I have included a description of the Vigil and the meaning of each part of the service for your edification.

“The Easter Vigil begins with darkness. The darkness itself is the first movement of the liturgy, so we begin our preparations with that darkness. It represents all darkness, and all the meanings of darkness – devoid of light; evil thoughts, motivations, deeds; all that is hidden and secret, deceitful and dishonest, divisive and abusive, immoral and sinful. It’s the darkness of our world, and the darkness in my heart. If I come to the vigil and restlessly and impatiently fidget in the dark “until something happens,” I miss the power of what is about to happen. So, we prepare by preparing ourselves to experience the darkness. It is distasteful and reprehensible, embarrassing and humbling, fearful and despairing.

Then a light is struck. It breaks into the darkness.

The Light of Christ.

The candle lit from the new fire is then processed into the community, and we receive its light and experience the power of that light as it grows. When the candle is brought front and center, we celebrate the Easter Proclamation. This prayer sounds like a Eucharistic Prayer. We give thanks and praise over this symbol of the Light of Christ in our midst and “consecrate” it as Christ’s presence among us. Reading this proclamation carefully and letting its joyful song into our hearts is a wonderful way to prepare to feel its exultant praise at the Vigil.

The Word of Our Salvation History.

There are nine readings and eight psalms or songs that have been prepared to help us with our night’s vigil. Each reading is followed by an invitation to pray in silence, which is followed by a special prayer designed for that reading. (The help that comes with the liturgy says this: “The number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced for pastoral reasons, but it must always be borne in mind that the reading of the word of G-d is the fundamental element of the Easter Vigil.”) If we have time on Saturday, a wonderful way to prepare for the Vigil would be to read the readings and psalms and then articulate prayer to the Lord, expressing gratitude to G-d for an extraordinary story of fidelity and love for us.

After the last reading from the Old Testament, the candles are lit and the bells ring as we sing our Glory to G-d. Now we are ready to hear the New Testament word in the light of Christ, and the good news, “He has been raised! ……the joy at the resurrection of Jesus – the victory of our G-d over sin and death – for us.

The Liturgy of Baptism.

Those who are to be baptized are called forward, along with their sponsors. In our excitement for them, we realize that this is very much about the renewal of our whole community. Initiation and revitalization become one this night.

The Profession of Faith and Renunciation of Evil

We have renewed our baptismal promises many times. We can prepare to make the Easter Vigil a powerful experience of grace if we make each of the renunciations and professions with a meaning that is personal to us.

The candidates are baptized. Even if our church isn’t able to immerse the baptized into the water, the ritual of pouring water over their heads is meant to be a sign of their entry into the waters of baptism. We should feel the power of this moment and open our hearts to its joy, for them and for ourselves. The newly baptized are anointed, with the same oil used to anoint priests.

The Eucharist.

All our preparations, all the power of this night’s rituals and sacraments, lead us to celebrate the Eucharist, to “give G-d thanks and praise.” As the newly confirmed receive the final Sacrament of Initiation, the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are ready to celebrate Easter.

The tomb is empty. There is Light in the midst of our darkness. We’ve been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism. Now we eat his Body and drink his Blood and receive the life in him that he promises.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Pastor Dave

April 20, 2025 – Easter

Luke 24:1 – 12

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.  The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,  that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”  Then they remembered his words,  and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.”

Everyone, and by everyone I mean the disciples, including the women, everyone goes back to their homes, or back to their jobs, the weeks following that first Easter Sunday. The disciples, including those who think this is an idle tale, and those who have no idea what this all means yet. All of the disciples return home—well except for a few women. Joanna, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, they are the first witnesses for they see and talk to Jesus. And Jesus sends the women home to tell the men, to tell them the awesome good news. Everyone goes home.

And, today, after the Easter festivities, we will do the same—we will also go home. Some will leave today not sure of what they have just seen and heard. Others will go home thinking it is just a myth—and still others will go home and not say anything about it, going back to life as usual. As another Easter comes and goes, what will you do? Will you go home and ponder all that you have seen and heard? Or will you not say anything to anyone? What will you do tomorrow?

This Easter celebration is going to end today. But like a rock being rolled away to release our tombs of fear of doubt and disbelief, another Easter comes and goes. You know, anymore in my life, Easter comes so fast I find myself heading home Easter Sunday afternoon wondering what just happened. But Easter deserves better. Jesus deserves better. So, how do we keep that “Empty Tomb” feeling – that “He is Risen” joy all throughout the year? You see, the rest of the year we struggle with that empty feeling – and by empty feeling I mean our pews – not the tomb. We know many people who call themselves Christians, but they reduce their faith to two services a year—Christmas and ________.  You got it. They come to get filled with Christmas traditions and Easter obligations, and then they go home and continue to live lives as well as they believe they can, because, at least they are “Chreasters” – pseudo-Christians. But even the disciples went back home to live their regular lives to do their regular jobs, after Jesus died. They went home thinking “I have to do something—I might as well fish, or plant, or build”.

I am here to tell you it is not Jesus’ fault so many have that empty feeling. Just like Thomas, too many doubt the Easter joy others tell them about. They struggle with wanting first-hand experiences with the Risen Savior. But, my friends, Jesus doesn’t just remain aloof hoping we fulfill that Christmas tradition and Easter obligation. The fact is, too many people roll up their stones of fear in their lives to block Jesus out. But, again, I am here to tell you that Jesus isn’t hiding – Jesus appears to us every day—like he did with Magdalene, and with the disciples—G-d is trying G-d’s best to roll away our stones. And begins by shocking and amazing us this Easter morning.

On this Easter Sunday morning, we need to shout with our loudest voices that Christ has been raised from the dead.  My friends, if you are still uncertain about this thing called Easter, and wonder if there is something to this talk of resurrection and eternal life, I want you to consider this – G-d has done the unthinkable – G-d has done it all.

Pastor Dave

April 21, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

“HEY, RUG! Hey, Rug!” That’s what Lil, an older homeless woman calls the shaggy cocker spaniel Sally. Sally is usually willing to give Lil a friendly sniff and a wag of her stumpy tail as she goes about her morning business. For Ed, it’s a little more complicated. Sometimes Lil asks for money. Since Ed knows she will spend it on drink, he tries not to give in, though his wife likes to say she hopes Lil spends her dollar on food. Sometimes they buy her a muffin in the store where they purchase their morning paper. Sometimes they break down and give her the change in their pockets. Then there are times like the other day, when it was raining and Sally the cocker spaniel was not cooperating, that Ed simply walked on by, head down, tugging on Sally’s leash, not seeing the woman huddled under the dry cleaner’s awning.

It is hard to ever feel good about this. We tell ourselves we can’t always stop, we can’t always help. But too often the unsettled feeling stays with us. And then we remember what an aunt or another relative used to say: it is  important to be smart, to be honest and pious and brave. “But if you can be only one thing,” she said, “ be kind. G-d wants that most of all.” 

That’s what hurst the most, when we feel like we are being unkind. Not by refusing to give Lil anything -- but by ignoring her. There’s always time for a “Good morning” and a wave, always time to say a prayer for her. For it’s kind and it’s what G-d wants us to do.

Let us pray: Don’t let me off the hook, Lord. I always have time to be kind, and You should never let me settle for less. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 22, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Arte Johnson played an old man on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. He would shuffle along taking half steps, barely making any progress – or ride a tricycle and fall over when he stopped. Well, that’s how the cocker spaniel Sally walks these days. Which is hard for anyone trying to get along and off on a schedule first thing in the morning. “Come on, Sal,” you can encourage her. You can tug on her leash. But underneath the happy voice is the stressed out person who has places to be that day, people to talk to, e-mails to be sent and answered, deadlines and obligations. Yet Sally is oblivious, sniffing every object of interest, laboriously greeting friends and strangers alike and sometimes just standing in place, taking it all in. “Sally!” even if you say it a little more emphatically, Sally will look right at you, not exactly defiant, but firm, her gaze steady despite the cataracts, her mouth set with determination. I know she’s thinking: What’s the hurry? Easy for her to say. What’s she got to do? When she’s not eating, she’s either getting ready for a nap or waking up from one. All in all, she’s got it pretty easy. 

Life is good. So why not take your time? Maybe Sally has a point. Life is good, all in all. You may be passionate about your work, or love your friends. You may have experienced a loss or been feeling a little blue.  And then there’s Sally, standing there on the front lawn just staring up at me, not all that much different from when she was a puppy not much bigger than my hand, standing at practically the same spot, looking up at me and challenging me with that same question: What’s the hurry? 

Let us pray: Lord, I’m so blessed by everything and everyone You put in my life. Teach me to slow down and enjoy them. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 23, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Perhaps you emerge from your home one morning hoping to take your golden retriever puppy on a walk. But after three steps the dog crouches, digs in her paws and won’t go another foot. You realize that across the street is a garbage truck noisily hoisting a dumpster into the air. Your brand-new pup wants no part of it. “Let’s go back inside where it’s safe and quiet”, her eyes pleaded. Ten minutes of coaxing and tugging may get you halfway up the block, where she promptly makes a scurrying beeline back to your front door, dodging the  terrifying dumpster being slammed back to earth. 

Enter Winky, who belongs to a friend who lives up the street. Winky is a wise dog who, like most Pennsylvanians is completely acclimated to the smells of country living and the occasional loud sound around us. If you can’t teach the pup to walk around the block, maybe Winky can. We meet Winky after dragging her across the street, and the instant she spots Winky, she perks up. Winky starts up the street; the pup takes a few steps after her, then puts on the brakes. Winky stopped and glanced over her shoulder. By now pup is once again flat on the sidewalk, her puppy paws splayed, ears back, tongue hanging out. Winky waited, then turned. The pup looks up at Winky as if to say, All right, I’ll try. An instant later she was right behind Winky, her legs pumping to keep up. 

Let us pray: Lord, I still have fearful puppy moments, when this world You’ve given us seems overwhelming and confusing. Yet You’re always there to lead me through. Give me the strength every day to keep going – knowing and trusting you lead the way. Amen. 

Pastor Dave

April 24, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

The little golden retriever puppy is named Millie. She is asleep on her bed in front of a woodstove one chilly spring night, totally tired as only a busy puppy can be. Earlier in the day she had jumped into the Jeep for the three-hour ride to a house in western Massachusetts. She was a little carsick on the way up, and the look on her face when we finally parked in the driveway was like someone who had just gotten off a wild amusement-park ride. As soon as she hit the ground, though, she was off like a shot, tearing down the hill out back, right for the woods. 

Coyotes, bears, mountain lions…skunks – they all live in these words. “Millie!” All the books say not to run after a puppy; they like being chased. Stay still and call them. Her owner immediately ran after her. “Millie!” 

She made a sharp right turn into a neighbor’s yard and raced around to the back porch where she encountered a black Lab named Simon through the kitchen window. Simon came out, and they played and chased for the next hour until they both dropped from exhaustion. Millie got some extra treats with dinner that night, and then, there she was, snoring gently by the stove, as oblivious to the world as can be. And all at once you want to freeze everything in time—this moment, this day, Millie’s gentle breathing, this incredible feeling of peace and contentment that has swept over this scene. You want to grab that feeling and hold it so tight hoping you will always remember what this moment feels like. You don’t want time ever to move again because you would be perfectly happy living in this moment forever. 

Let us pray: Thank You, G-d. Thank You for these incredible moments of bliss and grace, these little glimpses, it would seem, of heaven itself. Help me to remember what you promise to all – paradise. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 25, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Life and Death – they are a reality for humans, for all species including our beloved pets. Recently the writer of this blog lost several loved ones and the beloved cocker spaniel named Sally, who went to her reward at age sixteen. She died on a beautiful May morning when once she would have streaked through the woods out back, flaxen ears flying and tongue lolling out, chasing some enthralling scent no mere human could hope to apprehend. Those years had long since passed for Sally and finally, that May morning, we brought her to the vet’s. As her life slipped away, I felt the warmth and weight of her body fully against me. The vet put a stethoscope to her chest and whispered, “She’s gone.” 

Gone is a hard concept. Gone is a full stop. Every part of us rebels against it. When I think of my friend Sam, whom I just lost, I’m tempted to think of a great emptiness where his presence once was. To lose any loved one is incomprehensible. It is like losing a part of myself. 

Yet loss is comprehensible, but only through the presence of G-d in our lives. It is G-d who gives both life and death. To accept death, to accept loss, is to move past our pain and embrace G-d, trusting in His perfect love and comfort. Only He can bridge that cold gulf between loss and life and help me forge pain into acceptance. It’s only then that we can focus not on the one who died, but on the One who lived. 

Let us pray: Lord, as I move closer to You, help me find the Presence that will never fade or die. Help me to remember you are there for Sam and Sally and all who have gone ahead of us. Amen. 

Pastor Dave

April 26, 2025 – April is…About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Of all the racket a city dweller has to put up with, sirens are probably the worst. Sirens are designed to be impossible to ignore, and though you can become pretty good at pushing them into the background, there are still times when an ambulance or fire truck sounds like it’s right in your living room. 

That’s what happened the other night. Several police cars decided to stop outside on our street, sirens bleating, right under our windows. The sirens woke the dog, who went into a barking frenzy that woke up the rest of the family.

We ran into the living room where Millie was barking at the window, her breath fogging up the glass. “Shhh…hush!” We tried dragging her away. She got loose and resumed her barking vigil. Finally we pulled the blinds, and she stopped. All the while the sirens continued. My head started pounding. How would I ever get back to sleep? Nothing seemed amiss on the block. 

A memory of my mother came back to me: Whenever she heard a siren, even a distant one, she stopped what she was doing and said a quick prayer. We’d tease her sometimes, telling her it was probably just a couple of police officers hurrying back from their lunch break. But we came to admire Mom’s Johnny-on-the-spot faith: Sirens mean people in distress, and people in distress need prayer. The sirens had stopped by now, and Millie had unceremoniously taken her place on the couch. I wasn’t going to get back to sleep now. I would sit for a while waiting to hear another inevitable siren, or noise, or gust of wind to come through the night. 

Let us pray: Lord, my mother taught me well. The world is full of opportunities to pray – just give us the attentiveness and the willingness to pray. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 27, 2025 – Easter +1C

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my G-d!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of G-d, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:19-31

This week was tough for me. It seems that I muddled through this week with a lot of doubts and fears – but also joys and anticipations. So it is good that we have this text today. This text, the story that is known as “Doubting Thomas” is always the text appointed for the Sunday after Easter. And, dare I say, after this week’s news, the ongoing cultural and political tensions that continue to percolate under the surface of our country, I think that many of us are like Thomas, questioning and doubting. It seems that we are still dealing with divisions within our country – the same divisions that we have been dealing with for a long time – racial, cultural and socio-economic divisions. 

In this text from John, we too experience divides – the division between believers: those who can believe without seeing and those who need to see to believe. The second group has been negatively referred to throughout history as “doubters”. In today’s scripture Thomas hears the good news that the other disciples have seen the risen Christ, and Thomas wants to believe.  But Thomas is human, and he has a very human reaction of questioning, because it simply sounds too good to be true. So Thomas asks for proof.  And because of this, Thomas has been wrongly labeled as a doubter.  

I can imagine that many of us have been wrongly labeled something that we are not because of circumstances that have happened in our lives. Even I personally, have a lot of doubts about how we are getting along in this society, and wondering what G-d is doing in our world. I look around often and think we are really in a sad state of affairs. I should be a man of hope (and I am), a man of faith (which I also am) who can look to G-d for some sense of understanding –and yet sometimes all I can do is come up with a lot of doubts.  And is that so wrong?

Why have many in the Christian community developed such a negative attitude toward doubt? We have come to believe that doubt is bad because it is, of course, the opposite of faith. And over the years, rightly or wrongly, this text has been used to reinforce that lesson.  Many, over the years, in the church, often dismiss questions and doubts as the products of immature faith. But, you see, doubt is not the real enemy of faith – being unwilling to forgive and not believing are the real enemies of faith. We know that Jesus tells us that we are not only to forgive our brothers and sisters not only 7 times, but 70 times 7 times.  

But it is unbelief, not doubt, lacking trust and faith that can constipate the church. Doubt, on the other hand, is different from not believing. If you think about it, doubt is what can keep our faith life moving. It was doubt that drove Martin Luther to look deeper into his understanding of scripture as it related to his ongoing attempt to understand the righteousness of G-d – which led to his new understanding of justification as of  being through faith. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, when first ordained came to America on a mission journey and discovered that he was more of a lost soul than a minister. Less than a year later he wrote in his journal these words, “I know that I am not a Christian.  I know it because I do not feel that I love G-d and His Son Jesus Christ as my Savior.”  These are the words of a man clearly in the throes of doubt. Even great men and women, people we have identified over the years as great theologians, have had their moments of doubt. It is what we do in these moments, what we do with these doubts that will determine if they strengthen or weaken our faith.  

There is a lot of fear and anxiety wrapped around the Easter Story – around this story of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And our society gives us a lot of examples and reasons why we are filled with angst and anxiety because we are so divided in this country – divided by beliefs, by color, by wealth. And yet, in the midst of all of the fear, anxiety and divide, Jesus offers us Peace. That is the substance of the Easter story. Amid death, violence, anxiety, hate and yes, even doubt, G-d does not meet us with chastisement, but instead shares with us G-d’s Love Grace, Mercy and Peace found in the person of Jesus Christ.  

Do not doubt; just believe. And when you are doubting, trust that our Lord will walk with you, actually come to you to say “Peace be with You”.

Pastor Dave

April 28, 2025 – April is….About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Overheard at the Dog Run where Millie takes gets her exercise and some canine social life. It is an interesting place to observe people. 

The other day I overheard a conversation between two women sitting next to me on a bench.

Older Woman: What day is it?

Younger Woman: Fifteen.

OW: Congratulations.

YW: Thanks. I never thought I’d make it, especially last night. I really

wanted to.

OW: But you didn’t.

YW: No. But I’m ashamed of myself for wanting to. I just kept praying

and the urge passed. I went to a meeting first thing this morning and

talked about it to the group.

OW: What will you do the next time the urge hits you?

YW: Pray. Pick up the phone. Find a meeting.

OW: You’re going to be all right then. Don’t be ashamed. The one thing

you can always do is pray. God understands.

YW: I never believed in God, let alone prayer, before. Now it’s saving

my life, I guess.

OW: I’m praying for you too, dear. Lots of people are.

The older woman rose and retrieved her dog, and the younger woman

pulled out a book. I watched Millie chase another golden retriever in a

big circle until they skidded to a stop. Then I stole a peek at what the

woman was reading—the Big Book, the Alcoholics Anonymous spiritual

blueprint for recovery from alcoholism, a day at a time. She turned the

page, and I closed my eyes. She had one more person praying for her.

Let us Pray: You are there for us, G-d, as our highest power in our hardest times. Give us the courage to pray for ourselves, our friends, our families and even strangers. Amen. 

Pastor Dave

April 29, 2025 – April is….About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

The call came from my wife. “I fell down the stairs,” she moaned. “It looks like I broke my ankle and maybe my collarbone. I’m going to the hospital.” She continued: “Call someone to come over and take care of Millie. She’s hysterical.” The young golden retriever had never seen a commotion like this. Who were these strangers and why were they taking my wife away? Our friend Chrissy came over to check on Millie while I went to the emergency room. 

“The what-ifs will drive us crazy,” a friend once said. It is in moments like these where we need to remember that G-d is in charge, and we just need to step out of the way and calm down. That’s the what-if that mattered. What if, instead of panicking, we just stay calm and trust G-d. My wife did tear the ligaments in her ankle. She was going to be okay, and we had an interesting family get-together with me doing many of the chores for a while – except the cooking. No one wants me cooking. What if, I need to remind myself again and again, we just learn to let G-d take charge when we can’t? 

Let us pray: Father, You never fail us in times of need. Next time I’ll try to remember the most important what-if of all – what if I allow G-d to be G-d and take charge of my life. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 30, 2025 – April is….About Dogs

I am reprinting devotions (and adding some of my own comments) from a digital devotion titled “The Daily Dog.” Please enjoy these devotions. Here is the link to the devotional. file:///C:/Users/revsc/Downloads/the-daily-dog.pdf

Refuge From the Storm. The power went out one night. There were warnings about severe weather and a possible tornado watch. We made sure all of our devices were fully charged and that the flashlights were working. 

Millie, the golden retriever, was curled up on the couch in the flickering

glow of a candle. Pets seem glad not to be alone and close to their humans.

Big storms have struck terror into the hearts of man and beast alike

since the beginning of time. A friend once rode on the Sea of Galilee in a replica fishing boat circa AD 33. I remember her retelling the storm that terrified the apostles and how, to their relief and astonishment, Jesus stood at the prow and calmed the seas and sky. A memorable biblical miracle, certainly, but a perfect metaphor as well. Today, Doppler radar keeps the boats at the dock. 

Christ still calms the storms we all face, those roiling seas upon which

our lives are often tossed. Maybe that’s why we have some sense of relief when the actual storms threaten us. It is a reminder of the source of our true spiritual strength and our true refuge in a storm. The crack of thunder, the platinum flashes of lightning, the pounding rain are a kind of reassurance and reminder of that day Jesus calmed the storm.

Let us pray: Lord, Your love is our ultimate protection on earth, a power no storm can disrupt. Keep calming the storms in our lives – and reminding us of your ultimate protection. Amen.

Pastor Dave