“Good And Faithful Servant”
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! Matthew 25:21
In chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about what life will be like when He returns to earth. This is commonly referred to as the Second Coming.
In the parable, Jesus says that His return will be like the return of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his property to three of his servants. One servant received 5 talents, another received 2 talents, and another 1 talent. Each received talents according to their abilities.
A talent was a unit of measure back then, so we can think of it as a bag of something. It could have been a bag of gold or a bag of silver or a bag of pennies, because pennies still existed back then. Today we can think of talents as the spiritual gifts, or time, or wealth that Jesus entrusts to us until His return.
The first servant immediately put his talents to work and gained 5 more. The second servant also put his talents to work and gained 2 more. The third servant dug a hole and buried his master’s talent.
Then the master returned home and called his servants together to settle accounts with them. The master said to the first two servants:
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
However, the master was not pleased with the third servant who buried the talent his master had given him to use. The master said to this servant:
You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would have received it back with interest.
So, take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:26-30
Jesus has been away for about 2000 years. But He is coming back. Jesus promised to come back. And when He returns, we would all like Him to say to us:
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
In Christ,
Pastor David
“A Mission In Life”
But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise, also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. John 15:8-11
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus was teaching a large crowd of people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The people were pressing up against Jesus, making it difficult for Him to teach. So, He asked Simon Peter if He could use his boat to better address the crowd.
Simon Peter took Jesus a little way offshore and Jesus sat down and finished His message. Then He told Simon Peter to put out into deep water and let down his nets for a catch. Jesus was about to do a miracle that would transform Simon Peter’s life.
Simon Peter, being an expert fisherman, wasn’t too sure about Jesus’ request. But even though he was an expert, he hadn’t managed to catch any fish all night. So, he obeyed Jesus.
As soon as he lowered his nets, they were filled with fish. So many fish in fact, that the nets were about to break from the weight of the fish. So, he called his fishing partners, James and John, for help. They brought their boat out to Simon Peter, and they filled both boats with fish. The boats were so full that they were about to sink.
After they managed to get their boats back to shore, Simon Peter got out and fell at the knees of Jesus. Full of amazement at the miracle he had just witnessed, he cried out:
“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
First Simon Peter calls Jesus as Lord, which was like calling Jesus God. Then Simon Peter confesses to Jesus that he is a sinner. And Jesus responds by giving Simon Peter a new mission in life that will change him forever:
“Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.”
From that time forth, Simon Peter would devote his life to bringing other people to Jesus. We’re told at the end of this passage:
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Jesus has given each of a mission in life. This mission is one of the ways Jesus is transforming us into people who are like Him.
Whenever we are given an opportunity to serve the Lord, it is so we can cooperate with Jesus as He is making us into people like Him. Jesus is not dependent on us to accomplish His plans for the world. Jesus can get things done without the help of anyone. However, Jesus allows us to join Him in His work, for our sake.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Caritas, Djibouti”
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
When I was serving as a Navy chaplain in Djibouti, Africa, I had the privilege of getting to know a ministry to orphans living on the streets of the city. The ministry was called Caritas, which in Latin means “love”. The ministry is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Djibouti. Here is the link to their website:
Twice a week, I would take Sailors and Soldiers from our base, Camp Lemonier, to Caritas to spend time with the boys and girls who were staying there for the day. These children were from Somalia and Ethiopia. They were put on trains to Djibouti by their parents and told to make a life there for themselves. Most of these children were under the age of nine when they left home on their own. They live on the streets, begging for water and food. At night, they are abused by adults.
The government will allow Caritas to care for them during the day, but they are not allowed to be there at night. When they find their way to Caritas, they are given breakfast and lunch. They can also take showers and wash their clothes. In addition, there are classes to learn French, the national language.
I noticed that most of the children there were boys, so I asked where the girls were. I was told that girls are given jobs in restaurants and hotels when they are young. After puberty, they are trafficked as sex slaves.
I discovered that the children did not have much protein to eat in their diets. I asked if I could bring food to enrich their diets and I was told yes. So, I asked the Presbyterian church in Ukiah, CA where I was the pastor before I was deployed, to send me peanut butter, dried beans, and children’s vitamins.
Thousands of pounds of food arrived in care packages at my address on base. My amazing staff, Chaplain Melvin, RPC Meyer, and RP2 Ushi and I would take the food with us when we brought Sailors and Soldiers for the visits each week. Then these Sailors and Soldiers would work with the children to unload our truck and store the food. After I left, my replacement Chaplain Carpenter, carried on this ministry.
Today, GMPC is providing food for Caritas in Djibouti. The chaplain at the base, Captain (CH) Danny Hughes, USA, is receiving the food and taking it to Caritas with the Sailors and Soldiers from the base. This month, our Missions Committee sent 12 boxes, each weighing about 20 lbs.
Please help us to carry out the Lord’s call to care for orphans. You can bring peanut butter, dried beans, and children’s vitamins to the church and it will be sent to our base in Djibouti. This ministry of GMPC is helping our Sailors and Soldiers to the lives of orphans.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Be Strong And Courageous.”
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Soon after Moses died, the people of Israel were standing on the eastern bank of the Jordan River and looking across to the Promised Land. It had taken them forty years to get there. Moses had faithfully led them through many dangers in the desert wilderness, and now he was gone. But God did not leave them without a leader.
The Lord called Joshua, the assistant of Moses, to lead them across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. But before they wadded into the water, God told Joshua three time to be strong and courageous. And God reminded Joshua three times that He would be with him and the people, no matter what.
This Friday we will have an opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us in 2024. And we will be encouraged to see how God will enable us to be a blessing to others in 2025. Our Annual Congregational Dinner will start at 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall and our Annual Congregational Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
If you are planning on attending the dinner, please RSVP to rebecca@gmpc.org so we can plan accordingly. If your last name begins with A-I please bring a salad, if J-R bring a side dish, if S-Z bring a dessert. The meat for the dinner will be provided.
During the meeting, we will fill vacancies on the Session, Board of Deacons, and the Church Nominating Committee. We will also review the 2024 Annual Report and the 2025 General Fund Budget. All of this will be done in the context of a worship service with singing, Scripture readings, and a video presentation of the past year. Childcare will be provided during the meeting.
I hope you will come and see that the Lord has blessed His ministries here at GMPC. Worship attendance, membership, and financial resources have all increased. The needy members of our military are being cared for. People are giving their hearts to Jesus. The grieving are being comforted. Shut-ins are receiving visits, flowers, and communion in their homes. Our prayer ministries are flourishing. Our mission outreach has expanded to new places in the world. Young families are receiving loving welcomes. Children are growing in their faith. Students are finding hope during a confusing time in their lives. People are discovering how good it is to be a part of the Lord’s Kingdom.
So, be strong and courageous. God really is with us, no matter what.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Join Us”
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
Have you ever thought, “I wish we ate more meals together at GMPC?” Well have I got great news for you.
On January 31 at 5:30 pm, we will have the opportunity to have a meal together. The Annual Congregational Dinner will take place in the Parish Hall and everyone is invited. Then at 6:30 pm, we will gather in the Sanctuary for the Annual Congregational Meeting.
If you are planning on attending the dinner, please RSVP to rebecca@gmpc.org so we can plan accordingly. If your last name begins with A-I please bring a salad, if J-R bring a side dish, if S-Z bring a dessert. The meat for the dinner will be provided.
And just in case you’re wondering, we’re providing the meat because Jell-O can be a salad, a side dish, or a dessert.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“The Workers Are Few”
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
In this passage of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had been performing all sorts of miracles such as healing illnesses, casting our demons, and raising the dead. Then He looked at the crowds of people who were still coming to Him for help and He told His disciples to ask the Father for more workers.
During this past year, more people than ever have been coming to GMPC to worship, study the Scriptures, and to commit their lives to the Lord. We added a third worship service to accommodate those whose primary language is Spanish and over 20 people from that service have become members of the congregation. Many of them have also asked to be baptized.
Our children’s programs are also growing. Over a dozen children received communion for the first time. We’ve formed a children’s choir. More young families than ever participated in the Pumpkin Patch, the Cookies, Critters, Carols, and Coco event, and the Christmas Eve services.
In addition, we have added several small groups and new people from the community are joining us to study the Scriptures. Our New Members classes are also helping people to make new commitments to the Lord.
On Friday, January 31 we will have our Annual Congregational Dinner at 5:30 pm. Then we will have our Annual Congregational Meeting at 6:30 pm. Please plan to come to both and you will also see that the Lord has blessed His ministries here at GMPC. The worship attendance, giving, and membership have all increased. The harvest is plentiful. So plentiful in fact, that we need even more workers.
This is a great problem for a church to have. It’s also a great opportunity to experience the Lord doing miracles through you. Please join the Lord’s harvest at GMPC.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Annual Congregational Dinner and Meeting”
On Friday, January 31, at 5:30 pm we will enjoy fellowship and dinner in the Parish Hall. The meat will be provided. If you are planning on attending the dinner, please RSVP Rebecca Smith. This way we can plan accordingly.
If your last name begins with A-I please bring a salad to share, if J-R please bring a side dish to share, and if S-Z please bring a dessert to share. All are welcome to have dinner, even if you don't bring food with you.
At 6:30 pm we will have our Annual Congregational Meeting in the sanctuary. This meeting is held in accordance with the GMPC Church Bylaws.
We will meet to elect new members to the Session, Board of Deacons, and the Church Nominating Committee. The Session will also present the 2025 General Fund Budget. The 2024 Annual Report will also be presented.
The meeting will be conducted in the context of a worship service where we will praise God for His faithfulness in 2024 and look forward to what God will be doing in 2025 through the ministry of GMPC.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Following Mary’s Example”
When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:8-20
After Mary had given birth to Jesus, shepherds came to visit her. God had sent angels to them to announce the birth of their Savior, and they couldn’t wait to meet Him.
After the shepherds left, Mary had a chance to be quiet and think about all that had just happened in her life: the miracles surrounding the birth of Jesus, her new husband Joseph, the long journey to Bethlehem, and the visit by some very excited strangers. Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Now that our Christmas celebrations are over, we have a chance to be quiet and reflect on all that has happened. The carols, the gifts, the special treats, the time with loved ones, the worship services. How will we be treasuring these things and pondering them in our hearts? What does all this mean for us as we begin a new year full of opportunities, expectations, and hopes?
There’s a lot for us to think about. Let’s follow Mary’s example and take time to treasure what the Lord has been doing in our lives. And let’s take time to ponder on what this all means for the new year.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Hospitality”
Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:39-45
After Mary became pregnant with Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, she needed a safe place to stay. As a young, unwed, pregnant woman, she was extremely vulnerable. She could have been verbally abused, ostracized from her community, and even stoned to death. So, she went to stay at the home of her elderly cousin Elizabeth.
God had performed a miracle in the life of Elizabeth and her elderly husband Zechariah, enabling them to become pregnant with John the Baptist. She of all people, would understand the feelings and concerns of Mary. Elizabeth was also a relative who had known Mary throughout her short life and who loved her dearly. So, it’s understandable that Mary would see Elizabeth as a safe person who would offer her hospitality during this challenging and yet amazing time in her life.
There are people in all our lives who need a safe place to go. We are all in a unique position to offer hospitality to someone who is going through a challenging and yet amazing time in life.
This person could be a relative. Or a friend. Or a co-worker. Or even a stranger. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us:
Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
I thank God for the hospitality that Elizabeth gave Mary. And I thank God for the opportunities to show hospitality that He is giving each of us.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“The Little Ones”
Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Luke 18:15-17
This week we were able to bless the children of military families in the name of Jesus. The Best PCS ministry raised over $15,000 dollars and purchased Christmas gifts for 134 children. Over 80 volunteers from GMPC and the military community bought the gifts, assembled the bicycles, wrapped everything up, and distributed the presents from our sanctuary.
Two of the Best PCS leaders are finishing their faithful ministry: Ralph West and Taylor Smart. We weren’t sure how the weekly distribution of food and diapers would continue without them.
And then, some of the members of our Spanish language worship service stepped in. Under the leadership of Raul Palomino, food and diapers will continue to arrive from San Diego for the Best PCS ministry to deliver to low-income military families of Coronado.
Praise God for enabling us to bless the neediest children in our community!
In Christ,
Pastor David
“This Advent Season”
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
During the first celebration of Christmas, God sent an angel to the shepherds living near Bethlehem with Good News: God has provided us with a Savior from sin and death. This Savior is the Messiah or the Christ. This Savior is our Lord Jesus.
This Advent season, God is giving us the opportunity to join with Him in proclaiming the same message of Good News. God wants people to meet His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God wants us to help others to experience His salvation and grace. God wants us to help others to live in a personal relationship with Him. God wants us to help others to know His mercy, love, comfort and joy.
We can join with God in getting the message out by inviting the people we know to the Christmas celebrations we’re having here at Graham. These celebrations are designed to be opportunities for evangelism where people will hear the Good News about Jesus.
Here are some of these opportunities:
Dec 16 Christmas Caroling at Villa Coronado (Meet there at 4:00 pm)
Dec 18 and 19 Preschool Christmas Program (Sanctuary at 9:00 am)
Dec 20 Critters, Coco, Carols, (Front Lawn from 5:00-7:00 pm)
Dec 22 Christmas Cantata (During the 9:00am worship service)
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services (4:00 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant & Bell Ringing Service and 5:30 pm Candlelight Service)
This Advent season, we are the messengers that God is sending to others with Good News. Good News that will help others to celebrate the First Coming of Jesus. Good News that will change a life.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“The Lord Added to Their Number”
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
In this passage of Scripture, we have a glimpse of what life was like for the followers of Jesus after the Holy Spirit had been poured out on each one of them. They took care of each other’s financial needs. They worshiped together in the Temple of Jerusalem. They celebrated the Lord’s Supper together in each other’s homes. They spent time together in prayer. And the result: the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Several months ago, the Session decided to add a third worship service to GMPC: a Spanish language service. Since then, the members of this service have been meeting each other’s financial needs. They worship together, they share meals, they study the Scriptures together, and they pray together. As a result, the Lord is adding to their number those who are being saved.
Last month, 21 of these fellow believers met with the Session to become members of GMPC. This month, 2 more of these fellow believers will meet with the Session to become members of GMPC. We also welcomed 3 fellow believers from our English language services into membership at GMPC.
Of the 23 people from the Spanish language service, 15 are new believers and two of them will be baptized. In addition, 7 of their children will be baptized.
The Holy Spirit is moving at GMPC. Praise God for what He is doing in our midst as we follow Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Giving God Thanks”
“Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and live in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name. And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord my God that I have entered the land which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the Lord your God. And you shall respond and say before the Lord your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and resided there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty, and populous nation. And the Egyptians treated us badly and oppressed us and imposed hard labor on us. Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our wretched condition, our trouble, and our oppression; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, an outstretched arm, and with great terror, and with signs and wonders; and He has brought us to this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, Lord have given me.’ Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God; and you, the Levite, and the stranger who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household. Deuteronomy 26:1-11
In 1565, Spanish explorers arrived in Florida at the future site of Sanit Augustine. They immediately held a worship service to thank God for their safe arrival. Then they invited the local Seloy Native Americans to have a feast with them.
In 1619, English settlers arrived in Virginia at the future site of Berkeley Plantation on the James River. They immediately held a worship service to thank God for their safe arrival.
In 1620, English Puritans arrived in Massachusetts at the future site of Plymouth Colony. After they planted and harvested their crops, they had a worship service to thank God for their arrival and for getting them through their first harsh winter. Then they invited the local Wampanoag Native Americans to a feast with them.
I believe that all these groups of people were following the directions that God gave His people as they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land after their 40-year journey from slavery in Egypt. These directions are recorded for us in Deuteronomy 26. They include thanking God for providing for them and they also include having a feast and inviting the locals to join them.
This Thanksgiving, I hope everyone will invite others to enjoy a feast in celebration of God’s blessings. I also hope we will include a time of giving God thanks for what He has done in our lives this past year.
Giving God thanks can become a new Thanksgiving tradition. It can start by asking those at the table, “What are you thankful for this year?” Then it can end by someone saying, “Thank you God for all these blessings. Amen.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
In Christ,
Pastor David
“The Bond Of Peace.”
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6
After the recent election, which was very divisive, various leaders have urged the country to become united. Various reasons for why we should be united were given. And various strategies were given for how we should be united.
All of this was helpful. However, as followers of Jesus, we have a more compelling reason to be united. And we have been given a far greater source for our unity.
When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus. In chapter 4 of this letter, he reminds the members of the church that God has united them by making all of them a part of Body of Christ and by giving each of them the same Holy Spirit. Paul also encourages them to keep this unity of the Spirit with one another through the bond of peace.
Not everyone at GMPC voted for the same candidate. Not everyone voted the same way for the ballot initiatives. And yet, everyone at GMPC belongs to the Body of Christ. And everyone at GMPC has the same Holy Spirit living within them.
As we continue to process the results of the election, please remember that Good has united us to each other and to Him. May God bless you as you live out this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Sit With The Lord”
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
We all need the rest that only Jesus can give us. It’s a rest for our weary and burdened souls.
These past few months have been exhausting for our nation. The election has taken a toll on all of us. And now, half of our fellow Americans are devastated that their candidate lost. Thankfully, one of the brothers from the Taize community in France is coming to San Diego to lead us in worship.
On November 13 at 7:00 pm in the Founders Chapel at the University of San Diego, Brother Emil will direct a service in the style of worship that is conducted at the monastery in Taize, France. This service will involve contemplative singing of verses of Scripture, silence, Scripture reading, and prayer. Everyone is invited.
Cathy and I met Brother Emil while we spent time with the Taize community last month. He is originally from Quebec, Canada. And each day we participated in three worship services with him at the monastery. It was an amazing way to experience the rest that only Jesus can give.
Jesus is inviting us to come to Him and find rest. I encourage you to take some time to just sit with the Lord. Enjoy being quiet in His presence. You may find yourselves praying or singing. You may even fall asleep. All of that is OK. Jesus will give us rest whenever we come to Him with weary and burdened souls.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“We Pray Out Of Obedience To God”
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
I have some good news and some bad news for you. First the good news: In six more days the election will be over. Now the bad news: In six more days the election will be over.
When the election is over, we won’t be subjected to political campaigns with all the negativity and the lies. And yet when the election is over, half of the people in our country will be disappointed.
In just a few days, we will have new leaders. And we will need to pray for these new leaders, whether we voted for them or not. We’re called to pray for whoever wins the election.
We pray out of obedience to God. We also pray because it’s for our own good, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. And we pray because God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Especially our leaders.
In addition to praying for our leaders, please pray that God will heal the political divisions that not only affect our nation, but our church and our families as well.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Living Together in Unity”
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
This weekend, Cathy and I are traveling to Oregon for the wedding of our niece. I’m looking forward to seeing my family. Well, most of them.
Some members of my family don’t get along with each other, and so they won’t be at the wedding. It’s painful to see people I love not loving each other.
I think this is how God feels when He sees the children He loves not loving each other. Especially at family gatherings in His house of prayer. For God’s sake, we can work at living together in unity.
One day, we will be living together in unity. Forever. The people who make life difficult for us will finally be like Jesus. And so will we. This is our destiny in life. Romans 8:29 tells us that God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.
In Heaven, we will finally be able to have the relationships with each other that seem too difficult for us to have on earth. Spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters, coworkers, neighbors, even Presbyterians will have amazing, blessed, and eternal relationships with each other
Heaven is described for us in many ways. One of them is a wedding banquet to celebrate the union between the groom, Jesus, and His bride, the church. One day, I will be with all of my family members at a wedding. But it won’t be in Oregon.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Understand”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
There are a lot of things in life that are hard to understand. For example, why are round pizzas packaged in square boxes for people to eat in triangles? And where do thoughts go when they are forgotten?
There are so many things in life that we will never understand. But that’s OK. The Lord understands everything. What’s even better, He will get us through the confusion in life.
Whenever we don’t understand something, we can ask the Lord for help. Whenever we don’t know what to do, we can ask the Lord to guide us. Whenever we don’t understand ourselves, we can ask the Lord to take control of our lives.
Asking the Lord to rescue us during times of confusion is one of those prayers that He will always answer with, “Yes.” We have not been left alone in a world that is hard to understand.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“Taize”
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
From October 2-15 I will be away on my annual study leave. Cathy will be coming with me. We will first fly to Geneva, Switzerland to see the locations of famous events of the Reformation, such as the church where John Calvin preached and the church where John Knox preached. Then we will travel to Taize, France for a retreat at the monastery where the Taize Christian Community lives.
Taize is famous for its meditative singing. This type of worship enables people to meditate on God’s Word by singing verses of Scripture. There are three worship services every day and we are looking forward to participating in them during our weeklong stay. Those who participated in the Ash Wednesday service at GMPC this year will remember that we sang some of the songs from Taize.
The Taizé Christian Community was founded by Roger Schutz, who was known as Brother Roger. He was a Presbyterian from Switzerland who journeyed to France in 1940 at the start of WW2. He rode a bicycle from Geneva to the small town of Taizé which is still surrounded by rolling green hills and dairy farms. Since the town was located in unoccupied France, he bought an empty house and hid Christian and Jewish refugees there.
On November 11, 1942, the Gestapo occupied Brother Roger's house while he was in Switzerland collecting funds to aid in his refuge ministry. He was not able to return to his home in Taizé until 1944, when France was liberated.
Brother Roger then started a quasi-monastic community of Protestants and Roman Catholics who committed themselves to serving Christ and living their lives together. Thousands of young pilgrims come to Taizé every year from all over the world to worship together, meditating on God’s word through meditative singing.
The Taizé Christian Community describes how meditative singing helps us to worship God:
When people come together to pray, meditative singing can help everyone to participate and to stay together in waiting on God. Using just a few words, they express a fundamental reality that can quickly be grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality can gradually sink into one’s whole being.
Here's a link to a YouTube video from Taizé that describes what a retreat is like there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA8BFbjrE0
I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences with you when we return.
In Christ,
Pastor David
“God Bless the Thrift Cottage”
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’…” Matthew 25:34-40
Recently a homeless man came to the Thrift Cottage. He was not the typical visitor who comes through the door. He was penniless, unkempt, and he was wearing soiled, worn-out clothing. Instead of ignoring him or asking him to leave, the volunteers saw him as someone who is created in the image of God. And so, they treated him as one of the “least of these” that Jesus talks about in Matthew 25.
The volunteers engaged this person in conversation, and they helped him to find clean clothing that he could wear. Then they gave him the clothing for free.
Jesus tells us that when we respond to the needy in this way, we will be considered “blessed by my Father”.
Of all the countless ministry projects that the Thrift Cottage has generously and graciously supported, this is the one that I am the proudest of as your pastor. God bless the Thrift Cottage.
In Christ,
Pastor David