Category: Mike’s Monday Message

Lent: A Season for Adding or Subtracting? “When you fast, do not look somber, as the hypocrites… instead put oil on your head and wash your face so it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting…” Matthew 6:16 Dear friends, As you enter Lent this year, are you TAKING ON some spiritual discipline to…

Preparing for Lent “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not cover up my iniquity”   Psalm 32:5 Dear friends, This week as we gather to receive ashes and begin 40 days of reflection on sin…our sin and the sin of the world, I am so grateful for being in a church that follows…

“Souper Bowl of Caring” and the Super Bowl “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” … Matthew 25:35 Sunday, to recognize the Super Bowl we collected soup and those many cans of soup will be delivered this week to ECCO (East Cooper Community Outreach). Some folks might take issue with the amount…

Mandated Rest “Come unto to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 Dear friends, I was all ready for our worship service Sunday… bulletins printed, sermon done, insert for the congregational meeting already printed and in the bulletins… and here it is Monday morning and alas, those bulletins…

Good News “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” Isaiah 52:7 We call the gospel ‘good news’, and I would like to think that almost all communications within the church are bringing good news but…. How do we get the news to the folks in our congregation? That…

Teach your children well… “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds: tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you…

Baptisms and Blessings ‘You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’ Luke 3;22  Dear friends, Yesterday on the church calendar was “baptism of the lord Sunday” and my sermon focus was on baptisms and blessings. We are blessed to have several baptisms already scheduled for this new year and it is exciting…

Inspiring God’s People “… the inspiration of the Almighty gives understanding.” Job 32:8 Dear friends, On Sunday during our service for Epiphany, when we received stars, my star for 2026 was “inspire.” I have been thinking about ways I can inspire the folks in our congregation this year regarding their individual faith journey and in their participation…

A Service for Epiphany “The light shines in the darkness.” John 1:5 Dear friends,   On the church calendar Epiphany is always January 6th. Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the world, primarily marking the visit of the magi (the three wisemen). Every year I like to plan a service for Epiphany on the Sunday…

Christmas Presents and Christmas Presence “You fill me with joy in your presence.” Psalm 16:11 Dear friends, Christmas may be the time of the year when we most focus on presents and presence. The two words sound alike and have similar meanings from a theological viewpoint. With the birth of Jesus, God gave us the best of all…