Posted on 27 Apr 2010 . 2 comments
The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the Lord: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the after-growth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. - Leviticus 25:1-5
This is one biblical reference to a sabbatical which is meant to be a time for rest and renewal. The word sabbatical comes from Latin, Greek and Hebrew words which literally mean “ceasing.”
This is what I will be doing for the next few months as I leave you: ceasing my ministry among you and renewing my soul.
Thanks to the Eli Lily Foundation I have been awarded a grant that is allowing me to live out a dream sabbatical as I refocus my ministry through the lens of a camera. This is how I defined my time away in the proposal I submitted to the folks at Lily, who ask that this not be a time of work or continuing education but a time of renewal and rejuvenation.
Read more about Nancy’s sabbatical plans
Posted on 06 Apr 2010 . 1 comment
Special Children’s Song during Easter
Our kids treated us to a special song during our Easter Celebration worship service.
Click to watch the video!
Posted on 23 Mar 2010 . 1 comment
One of the joys of Christian service is the realization that the more we feed, the more we are fed.
This was especially true when Heidi Mercado Littles, Ann Reisse and the Reverend Kevin Porter made a pastoral visit to Caroline Klein.
Ms. Klein is a longtime FPCG member who has been living in a nursing facility in Yardley. As someone used to giving to others, it has been a challenge for her to be receiving so much care.
However, she shared how she had transformed her walks around the facility from a means of therapy for her to a ministry for others. Every day, she sits several of her singing teddy bears in her wheelchair. Together, they make the rounds, visiting bed bound residents and bringing cheer to their day.
Kevin, Ann and Heidi went with the intention of supporting her as she adjusts to her living situation by bringing her communion. They left inspired by her spirit.
Next time you are in church, look for a picture of Ms. Klein and her bears on the bulletin board outside the Finney Room. May it inspire us all in the midst of our trials to look for how our situation can be used by God to bear Christ’s witness to others.
Posted on 01 Mar 2010 . 1 comment
During this season of Lent we prepare for the coming of Easter, the glorious resurrection of our Lord.
At our worship service that evening I explained how Lent is a time for us to look inward . . . to examine our hearts. During this season of our Church calendar we are invited to take a journey inward where we encounter and confront all that which causes separation between ourselves and God.
It is a time when we should consider the question:
“How is it with you and the Lord?”
Rather than the traditional “give something up for Lent” practice, I suggest that we make this season a time to “take something on” for Lent. During the days of this month that are leading up to Easter, I encourage you to take a few moments each day to look yourself squarely in the soul . . . examine your heart . . . and ask: “How is it between you and me, Lord?”
I realize that this is not an easy thing to do or a light commitment to make. Taking a serious, personal, inventory of our hearts is something most of us would rather not do, probably because we are fearful of what we will see. For in our answers we will find that there is sin standing between us and God.
Read More
Posted on 20 Dec 2009 . 1 comment
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Come celebrate the birth of Christ with us!
Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, December 24th
10:30pm Nativity Concert
11:00pm Candle Light Service
Our regular Sunday morning worship service will be held at its normal time, on Sunday December 27th at 10:00am.
See you in church!
