Category: Mike’s Monday Message

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…

Advent and Christmas: A time for giving and RECEIVING… “For I received from the Lord what I now pass on to you.” I Corinthians 11:23   Dear friends, We are now in the season of Advent when our thoughts are on giving… we give in many ways: our time, our talents and our material gifts.…

Advent Preparations  “Prepare the way for the Lord…” Matthew 3:3 Dear friends, Advent is a time of preparations… getting ready for the “main event,” Christmas… the birth of Jesus…God with us. Thanks to all who came Saturday to prepare the church in anticipation of our Hanging of the Greens service Sunday morning and thanks to…

Prayers of Thanksgiving “Let us come before him with thanksgiving…” Psalm 95:2 Dear friends, On Thursday, hopefully all of us will pause from our busy lives to offer a prayer of thanksgiving on this “official” day set aside for giving thanks. Know that I am thankful for each of you and offer prayers of thanksgiving…