Pastor's Page 10-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

When I went into my office last Wednesday, I commented that my office smells. After spraying lots of Lysol, it seemed a little better. By Thursday, the smell was so strong, and we began to realize a critter had died in the wall or ceiling. Ugh! Cheryl has scrubbed, and she and Jason have put stuff in my office to try to kill the smell. In time, it will eventually smell better. So my temporary office has become the Parlor.

But the whole thing had me thinking about aromas. We love things that smell good...even Lysol smelled refreshingly good when I sprayed it in the office! There is a huge market for good smelling stuff as we adorn ourselves and our homes and offices with fragrant perfumes, colognes, room sprays, candles, deodorizers, etc.

The Bible also talks about smells. There is the foul smell of sin. In Isaiah 65:5, God expresses His disgust for the self-righteousness of the people, saying, “These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.” The prophet Amos also speaks to the stench of sin in Amos 4:10, where God recalls the plagues He sent upon Israel, saying, “I sent a plague among you like the one in Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps, yet you have not returned to Me.”

There were burnt offerings that were a fragrant offering such as recorded in Genesis after the flood. Genesis 8:20-21 says...Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Prayers were considered like incense rising before God as recorded in Psalm 141:2, “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”

In the New Testament, we can see the most beautiful aroma of all where the great sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was a fragrant offering. Ephesians 5:1-2 says...”Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

You and I are called as believers to share that beautiful aroma of the Gospel message with others. We are to walk in love as described in the Ephesian passage, and we are to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Jesus everywhere as recorded in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”

Often times, when people have on a strong perfume or cologne, you can smell them entering a room; and their smell can linger after they leave. The most important aroma you and I can possess doesn’t come in a bottle. It is the beautiful, sweet smelling, life-saving message of Jesus. As we enter a room, may it be so evident we are a disciple of Jesus; and after we leave, may His aroma linger to a point that people will take note and want that sweet aroma in their life as well.

Love being your Pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 09-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

School is back in session now. For students and teachers, it’s a fresh start. I remember those days very well when I taught school. Each year was something new to look forward to. There is something great about a fresh start at school; and more importantly, there is something beautiful about a fresh start in life itself. I recently read the following article about traveling light. 

Every year, about 1500 thru-hikers set out to walk the entire Appalachian Trail in a single season. Only 10 percent complete the 2,160 miles of challenging terrain stretching from Georgia to Maine. One reason some people drop out early is that they haven’t learned to travel light.

A friend of mine launched his thru-hike carrying a seriously overloaded backpack. He had a cassette player and six tapes of bird calls, an air pistol to keep the varmints away, a camera, a radio, and an alarm clock. If it ran on batteries, he said, I had one in my pack.

At his first stop, an experienced hiker helped him go through his pack and decide what to keep and what to send home. Each item was placed on a gram scale with the question, Is it worth it? Do you want to carry this for the next 2000 miles?

My friend discovered that his biggest problem was an accumulation of little things. Most of his extra weight was in ounces, not pounds. He didn’t need half of what was in his first-aid kit nor the extra tube of toothpaste. His heavy multi-tool knife was replaced with one weighing only an ounce. A metal knife-fork-and-spoon set gave way to a single plastic spoon. He sent home 26 pounds of unnecessary weight.

How many of us are trying to walk the trail of faith in Christ weighed down by an accumulation of little things – anger, bitterness, worry, envy, jealousy, lust, and selfishness? (Editor, “Thru Hikers,” HousetoHouse.com)

One of my favorite Bible verses is Lamentations 3:22-23. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. What’s in your “backpack” in life? What is weighing you down that you need to unload today? Why not give it to the Lord. 

With the Lord, each day can be new - a fresh start. 

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 07-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

Ron Mehl in his book, Right with God, writes that he was recently enlightened by his wife with the news that if you wore a new pair of shoes every day, they would last six months. But she went on to theorize that if you alternate two pairs of shoes every other day, both pairs will last about two years. What’s the difference? Because the leather has a rest, it lasts significantly longer. Ron Mehl went on to say, “I might have doubted her if not for something I learned twenty-four years ago. There was a bowling alley a few blocks from our church. As I visited with one of the guys who worked there, I learned something amazing. Every couple of weeks, this bowling establishment removed all their pins from service and put them on a shelf, alternating them with another set. Do you know why? So the bowling pins could rest. They apparently discovered that if the wooden pins don’t rest, they won’t bounce around as much or be as “alive”. All of that flipping and knocking around eventually takes a toll. But if you give them a couple of weeks off and set them in a corner, they’ll come back with more life than ever.”

What is true for leather shoes and for bowling pins is true for you and me as well. It is important that we take time to rest and relax and spend time with our Lord in worship each week. 

As this summer is in full swing, rest, relax, and be re-created. No matter where your summer plans may take you, find a time and place to worship the Lord. May you come back with more life than ever!!

Love being your pastor!

Love and blessings in Jesus,

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 06-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

When I was the pastor at the Creston Presbyterian Church, I lived in the church manse. I had some delightful furry little creatures to deal with on a regular basis…namely GROUNDHOGS!   One year after the ground in front of the house was tilled, I planted perennial and annual flowers, put down mulch, and put in place a little white fence. The groundhogs stayed out back, and I was a happy camper. Much to my chagrin, as I was pulling out of the driveway on Memorial Day, I saw that the little darlings dug up the front to make their tunnel home again. They not only dug up my flower bed, but they also thought some of my flowers were rather tasty!! I began to wonder which one is the visitor and which one is the resident in the house! The big groundhog enjoyed lounging on the deck in the back yard, while the baby groundhog enjoyed the cool shade of the front porch for a nap!  

As cute as these little critters may be…they are a nuisance as they dug huge holes against the foundation of the house! So, I tried moth balls…and I think I became more asphyxiated than the groundhogs as they continued in their cozy little home.  

I talked to someone who told me of a man in town who can get rid of them. So, one of the members of the church, Bill Mercer, contacted him and traps were set...one in the front and one in the back. Cobs of corn were to be their special treat in the traps…or so we thought! I looked out the window each morning…and strangely the cob was gone, and the door was up on the trap. We soon discovered black birds were enjoying the corn. However, one morning I looked out front and lo and behold…the big groundhog was in the trap…and was frantic trying to get out. I hurried to the phone and called Bill Mercer. As Joann (his wife) was getting Bill to the phone, I looked out and the groundhog somehow got out of the cage!! After that time…(I think I had well educated groundhogs)…they never went near the traps!!! Eventually, another method was used and the groundhogs said farewell.

And we are called as followers of Jesus to throw off those things that hinder us in the race of the Christian life.   

Now as a pastor, one is always looking for good illustrations….and I certainly saw one the morning the big groundhog was in that trap. I saw how frantic the groundhog was to get out of there.  And I thought of the passage of Scripture from Hebrews 12:1-2: ^“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”   I thought of how sin so easily entangles us/entraps us.  

When we see things that “trip us up” in our walk with the Lord...maybe we could learn something from that groundhog in the trap. If we could only be as determined as that groundhog was to get out of that mess to be free, what joy we could have! Now when we are tempted to sin like the nosy groundhog was tempted by the ear of corn, Scripture tells us that the Lord will always provide a way out. For the groundhog, the door on the trap did not latch properly. For you and me, our Lord Jesus Christ provides a way out of temptation and sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13b says…”But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  Our Lord Jesus Christ not only provides a way out when we are tempted to sin, but when we do sin and get ourselves in a real mess, Jesus Christ offers us His forgiving grace which sets us free to live victoriously with Him.  

Feeling entrapped lately? Why not turn to the One who can open the door and provide a way out! God bless you with a beautiful Summer – even with the furry little creatures!

Love being your pastor! 

Blessings and Love in Jesus! 

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 05-01-2026

Dear Church Family

Springtime is upon us! It is my favorite time of the year. There is something wonderful about warmer temperatures as opposed to the frigid low temperatures, new life bursting through the once hardened ground, buds blooming and seeing green leaves on trees rather than barren branches, all of which signifies an anticipated and long-awaited change.  

It’s funny how we welcome some changes in life and absolutely refuse to want to welcome other changes. But life is full of changes.  

In a devotional from the book Our Daily Bread, the writer says…

Change is the one thing we can be sure of in this life. Our relationships change as we move to new places, experience illness, and ultimately face death. Even the cells in our bodies are always in the process of change. When cells wear out, most are replaced by new ones. This is especially noticeable with our skin…we shed and regrow outer skin cells about every twenty-seven days. Yes, change is the one certainty in our world. Henry Lyte’s melancholy line in his hymn, “Abide with Me” is true: “Change and decay in all around I see.” But the hymn immediately adds, “O Thou who changes not, abide with me!”

Through faith in Jesus Christ we can have a relationship with the unchanging God, who says of Himself in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” We can depend on God to be the same forever, as the psalmist says (Psalm 102:27). Hebrew 13:8 adds this reassuring testimony: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He is our firm foundation, who can give us confidence and security in this changing world.

As we look out and see the wonderful changes during this season of spring, let us remember all of life changes; but we have One who keeps us secure amidst the changes - His name is Jesus!

So, this spring enjoy the beauty all around you and most of all experience the delight of knowing Jesus in a world of change!

Love being your pastor!

Love and blessings in Jesus,

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 04-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

Perhaps there are certain times in your life that you will never forget. I am sure you remember times like the week leading up to high school graduation, leaving home to go to college or a job, marriage, a new baby, a new home, moving to a new location, or special events with your son or daughter. Usually, it isn’t just the day but the time leading up to the event that we never seem to forget.  

Holy Week is the most incredible week of all time as it leads to the celebration of Christ’s rising from the dead! What a joy to know that through a relationship with Jesus we have all our sins forgiven (past, present, and future), new life each day, and the gift of eternal life when we breathe our last breath!

This is MY VERY FAVORITE WEEK OF THE YEAR!! It will be wonderful to return to the pulpit on Palm Sunday. Will you join me and others THE ENTIRE WEEK? Yes, it is a sacrifice to attend four services in a week…but stop and think of the greatest of all sacrifices that Jesus made for you and me. Let’s honor His Holy name together during Holy Week!

THE MOST INCREDIBLE WEEK OF ALL TIME

Palm Sunday (10:00 A.M.) – Sermon: “Glorious Praise Becomes Off Key”,

Palm Parade with children and choir, Baptism of Allen twins.

Maundy Thursday (7:00 P.M.) – Sermon: “What Shall We Remember at the Table?”,

Celebration of Holy Communion

Good Friday (7:00 P.M.)  – Sermon: “The Greatest Sacrifice”,

Tenebrae Service

Easter (10:00 A.M.)  – Sermon: “Heaven and Earth Rejoices”,

Choir and Chimes, New Member Reception

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus! Pastor Alice

 Pastor's Page 03-01-2026

Dear Church Family -

            Many times I heard Lloyd Ogilvie speak at The Cove. He was always an inspiration. In his devotional book, he writes the following:

            We’ve all had those times when problems in our lives have full impact on our inner hearts. Our hearts are troubled. We turn to Christ for help. He says to us what He said to His disciples in the upper room: ”Let not your heart be troubled.”

            The disciples’ hearts were troubled. The Greek word for “troubled” means “to be tossed to and fro” - like restless waves under the impact of a blast of wind. Jesus’ assuring word is ultimately reliable: “Believe in God, believe also in Me.” How does this help a troubled heart? We have a place to go with our troubled hearts - the heart of God.

            The Father’s house is the Father’s heart. It’s expansive and inclusive. When Jesus said it has many rooms or mansions, He meant that it is our true abiding place. Here the Greek word is monai, meaning “abiding places” - not different ones but one big enough to include all who come home to the Father through Him. And our abiding place is open now– not just at our physical death.

            Jesus has prepared the place in God’s heart for us. He did that on Calvary. This is what He meant when He said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” It’s a place of reconciliation, forgiveness, and acceptance. In that light we can appreciate Jesus’ “I am” promise: “I am the way.” He is the way to the heart of God paved through the sacrifice of Calvary. He takes us by the hand and shows us the way home. Until we are “at home” with the Lord in the days of our lives here and now, we will be tossed to and fro. It’s inevitable; we were created to abide in His heart of love. And when we do, we are welcomed home as if we never left. An intimate communion awaits us where we can unburden all our troubles and receive strength.

John 14:1 “ Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Love being your pastor!   Love and Blessings in Jesus! Pastor Alice

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Pastor's Page 02-01-2026

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, as it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people with their heads bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.

I love that illustration. Prayer is the heating plant… the powerhouse of the church. On Tuesdays at 10:00am several people gather every week at Champion Presbyterian Church to pray for this church family, individuals, national and world concerns. We wish there were 700 people there !! But we would love it if even ten or more people gathered together to pray. At the present time, Charlie Stingel, Rose and Jerry Anderson and Jim Durandetta come each week. They would love to have others join them. Now, if you are saying, I feel uncomfortable praying aloud, no need to be concerned. Charlie, Rose and Jim can do the praying aloud. You will not be called on to pray unless you desire to do so. So, please consider filling up that room and being the powerhouse for this church! Even if you can’t come every week, your presence would be appreciated when you are able to come.

I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

Why not come on Tuesdays at 10:00 and experience the love and power of Christ!

Love being your pastor!   Love and Blessings in Jesus!   Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 12-01-2025 & 01-01-2026

Dear Church Family,

As we enter this Advent/Christmas Season, I was thinking back on those days when I taught 7^th/8^th grade learning disabled students in Delaware, OH. As Christmas was approaching, there certainly was a lack of attention to the studies at hand. Students could only think about what they were going to get for Christmas as well as time off from school.

To be honest, teachers anticipated that Christmas break, I think, far more than students did! It was a vacation from the routine of teaching. The school year was just about halfway over. During that time away, one could rest, enjoy family and friends, and spend time in worship. As we returned to school in January, teachers were rejuvenated and refocused for the rest of the school year. The Christmas break was significant!

Advent is a time of preparation as we celebrate the birth of Jesus into this world and as we anticipate His second coming. I think of Advent and Christmas as somewhat of a break as we take time away from the routine of everyday life and get refocused on what is really important during this season of the year. With that in mind, during this Advent/Christmas Season, I will be preaching a series of sermons entitled:

November 30 – MEANING

December 7 - MIRACLES

December 14 - RELATIONSHIPS

December 21 - JOY

Christmas Eve - TRUE LOVE

January 4 – WITNESS

Looking forward to seeing you in worship this Advent/Christmas Season as we take time to rediscover what is important during this Season of the year.

Love being your pastor!   Love and Blessings in Jesus!   Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 11-01-2025

Reader’s Digest posted the following story: 

When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.

What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas’s picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas’s drawing was simply this:

A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. “I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one student. 

“A farmer,” said another, “because they grow the turkeys.” 

“It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us.” “I think,” said Lavinia, who was always so serious, “that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of them.”

Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was. 

Douglas mumbled, “It’s yours, Teacher.”

Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas … 

Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody’s Thanksgiving—not the material things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.

During this Season of Thanksgiving, think of those people who have taken you by the hand in life…those that walked with you during trying times…those who guided you in your formative years…those who were with you in joyful moments…those who taught you…those who loved you. Why not take a moment and give thanks to the Lord for them. If you are able, drop a note in the mail and let them know how much you appreciate them. I am grateful for each of you and love being your pastor! 

I thank my God every time I remember you.  Philippians 1:3

Love and Blessings in Jesus! Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 09-01-2025

A TWO PICKLE DAY

Steve Brown, Christian author, pastor and radio host shared the following…

I have a friend who was with her little boy at McDonald’s the other day, she asked him how his day had gone. Great, he said, my socks stayed up and then he bit into his hamburger and said, wow, two pickles. It’s my lucky day, a two pickle day. Jesus said, that to get to heaven, we should become like little children. A part of that is being pleased and surprised when good things happen. Yours may not be socks and pickles, but watch for the times when God winks at you. You’ll be better for it.

I love that!  Seeing the world through the eyes of a child gives us a totally different perspective. In the crazy world we live in, sometimes we have to look for the small things…the surprises…when good things happen…and appreciate them and give thanks to God for them. As we begin this fall season, many opportunities are available at the church to worship, to serve, and to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please read through this newsletter and see what is happening and how you can be involved. Together, let’s look for those moments when God winks at us…look for a two pickle day!

Love being your pastor!!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page July & August 2025

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.

Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bow implies.”

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”  (Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994)

Not only is that a good Greek proverb, but it is also a great word for all of us. Actually, it is quite Biblical. We all need to take time to rest. If Jesus pulled away and took quiet time with our Heavenly Father, why do we think we should do anything less? We all need time to rest.  

Summer is a wonderful time for rest and relaxation…it is a different pace!   

During the summer months I will be preaching a sermon series entitled, “Summertime, Summertime, PSALM, PSALM, Summertime.” The series will be on various psalms. I have created a sermon study guide for you to use while in worship or if you are watching online. If you are away and unable to connect to Facebook, the guide can be used as a personal devotion individually or with family.

Summer months are usually low attendance months in the church as people are in a variety of places with vacations, reunions, ball games, camping, weddings, etc. If you are away from home, I encourage you to follow along with us, take time for personal devotions, or find a church where you can worship the Lord. Remember not to take a vacation from worship.

Hope you have lots of rest and relaxation!!

Love being your pastor! Love and Blessings in Jesus! 

Pastor Alice

Pastor's Page 06-01-2025

From Our Pastor

Dear Church Family,

This month on June 8th, we have a great day to celebrate as a congregation. Pentecost is on June 8th, and we are going to celebrate! Pentecost is the birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit descended on the believers.

An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 117-119): According to the Day of Pentecost story in Acts 2:1-13, God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower witnesses to the resurrection. Sounds from heaven, cosmic language, the rush of a might ruach (wind, spirit, breath) invaded the house in which the apostles gathered, and appeared to them as a burning fire. Tongues of fire touched their nerve centers. A power -   the unseen power of God -  moved among them and gripped them. The Holy Spirit is unseen, like the wind, which is why the Old Testament call it ruach YHWH, “the wind, or breath, of God” (cf. John 3:8). The Spirit is the unseenness of God” working among us.

According to Joel (2:28-29) the ruach is to open everybody to God’s future. People young and old will dream and will have visions of hope; they will be able to loose themselves from the way things are now, because God is establishing a whole new economy of creation. The Holy Spirit breaks us out of our preoccupation with ourselves and frees us to serve neighbors, loosens our grasp on possessions, and sets us to loving people. New creation is what Joel is talking about. Pentecost is new creation.

The book of Acts tells the story of the outcome of Pentecost’s new creation: people witness in word and in deed to the risen Christ. At the outset, the newborn church immediately tumbled out into the streets to witness to God’s mighty works in the languages of people all over the world. By the end of the story, a tiny, Spirit-filled community of faith that broke from its present order has spread across the continents with incredible power to bring new things into being. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible... 

 Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit which draws us together as one people, helps us comprehend what God is doing in the world, and empowers us to  proclaim, in word and in deed, God’s plan of reconciling all people in the name of Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

 Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s church dries up and withers away, and we are left with only our broken selves. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible. A spirit-filled community of faith opens eyes to needs in the world and sees its missing as God’s new people. The Day of Pentecost is the climax of the Great Fifty Days of Easter, celebrating as it does the gift of the Spirit to the body of Christ -  the church.

On Pentecost , our church will receive into church membership two individuals: Micah Dadbeh and Kathy Cool.

So… HOW WILL WE CELEBRATE??

            1.         All are encouraged to wear RED!!

            2.         We will have red balloons decorating the sanctuary as we celebrate the birthday.

            3.         We will have a potluck after Worship. A birthday cake will be provided.

Please make every effort to be present in Worship on this very special day and welcome our newest members!

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

pastor's Page 05-01-2025

Dear Church Family,

Warmer temperatures, budding trees, and flowers popping up in the ground, tell us Spring is on the way! It is my favorite time of year! When I drive into the development where my condo is, the beautiful white flowering trees make me thankful once again for this time of year!

This time of year also reminds us it is just about time to plant flowers or gardens. For farmers,

it is planting season of their crops.

So I share the following with you as food for thought...

Love being your pastor!

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor's Page 04-01-2025

Dear Church Family, 

This month we will be celebrating Holy Week. I hope you are as excited as I am. I love Holy Week. Children waving palms and singing joyously as we celebrate Palm Sunday, stopping on Maundy Thursday to remember the Last Supper with Jesus and His disciples and celebrating communion together as a church family, stopping at the cross on Good Friday as we worship and reflect upon the crucifixion and all that means to us, and ending with the exhilarating time of worship on Easter morning.

Lloyd Ogilvie writes it so beautifully…The purpose of Easter is not to tell us we should live better lives. It is not a time for moralizing or compulsive improvement programs. Easter is the celebration of victory---Christ’s and ours. So often we come to church to get insight, wisdom, and strength for our preconceived direction. We usually leave disappointed and unchanged because we want His guidance or sanction on our lives so we can be more religious. That’s not Easter. The resurrection happens when people can do nothing for themselves or for God. It is when our knowledge of Jesus’ life and message has driven us to cry out, “Lord, I can’t do it, I can’t change, I can’t love, I can’t forgive, I can’t take it any longer!” This is when it happens. Only then can we hear Him say, “Because I live, you shall live also!” Then we can join the magnificent procession of the Christ-encountered, Christ-liberated, Christ-healed, Christ-changed, Christ-filled people who shout the Easter refrain: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Over the years as a pastor, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are usually poorly attended. It saddens my heart! Could we make a difference this year? We celebrate the victory of Jesus over the cross and the grave. That same resurrection power is available to you and me as we say YES to Jesus in our lives. I would encourage you to set the time aside right now. In so doing, may we each be able to focus upon ALL that Jesus has done and will continue to do in our lives…Come be part of that great procession…for the victory is ours!

Love being your pastor! 

Love and Blessings in Jesus!

Pastor Alice

PASTOR'S PAGE 03-01-2025

Dear Church Family, 

How can I ever begin to thank you for your wonderful, warm welcome for me as your pastor!!  I feel greatly blessed to be called as your pastor. You are an incredible church family demonstrating the love of Christ, a mission mindedness, a devotion to share the Gospel, and so much outreach to children and youth. Thanks so much to all the members of the PNC. They were more than gracious to me through the process!! In addition, what a wonderful staff that I work alongside: Cheri, Gina, Cheryl, Andrea, Ken, and Dan are tops!!

Looking forward to spending the time ahead with all of you as we run the race before us keeping our eyes on Jesus!

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. We encourage you to join us for the Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 P.M. which will be held this year in the sanctuary. This year we will also have a Good Friday Service in addition to Maundy Thursday. I would encourage you to mark your calendars now for Holy  Week and make it a priority to be in worship throughout that week. It is a small sacrifice when we consider all that Jesus has done for us!

During Lent, my sermon series will be “Dining with Jesus.”

3/9 – The Guest List – Luke 5:27-31

3/16 – Seating Arrangements – Luke 14:1-14

3/23 – Meal Interruptions – Luke 7:36-50

3/30 – Getting Out of the Kitchen – Luke 10:38-42

4/6 – Preparing for a Crowd – Luke 9:10-17

4/13 - The Appetizer Before the Meal (Palm Sunday) – John 12:12-19

4/17 – The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday) – Luke 22:7-38

4/18 – The Drink of Death (Good Friday) – John 19:28-30

4/20 – Taste and See (Easter) – Luke 24:1-33

Below are some items I would like to call to your attention:

Visits - I would love to visit with members of the congregation. I am willing to meet you in your homes, at the church, or if you would like to meet for lunch. I put a sign-up sheet outside the sanctuary. Please sign up!! Otherwise, I will be calling you on the phone to try to set up a time to visit. Spending time visiting with you helps us to get to know one another better.

Nametags - Thank you for your willingness to wear nametags on Sunday mornings. It has been helpful to me. I have also had people comment that they would like to see the nametags continue. Some have said it is helpful in remembering names even if they have been members here. It is also helpful for visitors to get to know people.

Bible Study - I would like to start a Bible Study in March on Wednesdays at 1:30pm in person at the church and Wednesdays at 6:30pm on Zoom. At both times we will be studying the same material. Having a Zoom evening Bible Study allows a time for people not to have to rush out to the church in the evening and can enjoy it from their homes, it allows for a continued study when bad weather comes, and it allows those who might miss the afternoon session at the church to be able to catch up in the evening. More information will be forthcoming.

Installation Service - My Installation Service will be March 2, 2025, at 3:00pm. A catered dinner will follow the service. There is no charge for you to attend the dinner. Please join us! A dear friend of mine, Rev. Kurt Landerholm, will preach at the Installation Service. An offering will be received for Eastminster Committee on Preparation for Ministry to help support those candidates under care.

Ash Wednesday - Service will be on March 5, 2025, in the Sanctuary at 6:30pm. Join us for this special worship service as we begin the Lenten season.

Lenten Cross - A Lenten Cross with candles (similar to an Advent wreath during Advent) will be used during worship throughout Lent and on Easter. Various individuals will provide the readings and light the candles. Thanks so very much to Rob Knowlton who made the beautiful cross! 

Prayer Chain - If you are interested in a text message prayer chain to pray for immediate concerns, please sign up at the church. The text message with the prayer concern will go out to everyone at the same time.

Let us continue to be Champions for Jesus as we seek, reach, and teach the world for Jesus!

Love being your pastor!  Love and Blessings in Jesus!  Pastor Alice