SERMON Lectionary 21a 2017 Confession of Peter/OUR TOWN By Pastor Leo E. Longan Our gospel today, the story of Peter’s confession, for some reason reminds me of a beautiful moment in Thornton Wilder’s play OUR TOWN, in which a young girl, Rebecca, tells her brother George Read More …
SERMON Lectionary 20a 2017 The Syro-Phoenician Woman By Pastor Leo E. Longan It’s been a pretty rough week in America, since the debacle in Charlottesville last Saturday, when many appalling, vicious, racist things were said, shouted and chanted. No wonder we are, as a Read More …
The PAX DOMINI By Rev. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN My personal circumstances have limited the meaning I ascribe to the greeting “Peace be with you” — until a few days ago. I have always thought of the greeting that we say to each other during Sunday Read More …
FROM THE PASTOR: “BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST” (GALATIANS 6:2) The current health care crisis in our beloved country weighs heavily on my heart. Though I don’t expect it will affect me personally (I just went on Medicare), Read More …
Parable of the Sower By Pastor Leo E. Longan If you remember anything about how Pastor Longan taught the bible, I’d like for you to remember this: always ask yourself “Where am I in this picture?” Whenever you read scripture – and I hope that Read More …
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear By Doris Tegge On May 22, 2017, a terrorist exploded a shrapnel bomb in a crowded venue in Manchester England just as the concert goers were getting ready to leave. 22 innocent persons were killed, including many under 16 years Read More …
Restlessness By Pastor Leo E. Longan There’s so much high beauty in the lessons this morning I hardly know where to begin. The first words of the first lesson and the last words of the gospel are both set to glorious music in Handel’s MESSIAH: Read More …
Independence Day / LIRS By Pastor Leo E. Longan In honor of Independence Day this year, I’d like to lift up one of the most important ways that the United States government encourages, supports and pays for Christian ministry. Maybe you think the government doesn’t Read More …
In the title song and dance number of the movie “Singing in the Rain”, Gene Kelly is caught in a torrential downpour as he walks home in the evening. It is drenching wet and he is catching a cold, yet although there are storm clouds Read More …
Nicodemus Moved by the Holy Spirit By Xuming Sun This year’s Easter season, I learned about a Biblical person, Nicodemus, through Pastor’s teaching and our children’s lovely performances. On the second Lent Sunday, our gospel reading revealed this well-known quote from Jesus – • For Read More …