Monthly Archives: October 2011

All Hallows’ Eve

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Pastor David

Today, of course, is Halloween – the time when many people put candles inside pumpkins, wear elaborate costumes, and go from house to house collecting candy from neighbors.  (We do some pretty strange things sometimes, don’t we?)  This is a … Continue reading →

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Worship is Not a War

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Pastor David

A fascinating record of an ancient worship service is recorded in Nehemiah 9:1-8.  What can this passage teach us about our worship practices today?  And how does this relate to the “worship wars” that so many congregations have fought in … Continue reading →

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Paradoxical Faith

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Pastor David

Do you ever feel like Christians are called to believe strange things?  In Matthew 22:34-46, Jesus answers the Pharisees’ challenge with the Greatest Commandments and with a paradox of faith.  How does this passage relate to the complexities in which … Continue reading →

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Discerning God’s Call

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Pastor David

Normally, I don’t like to talk about politics in the church.  That’s because any given congregation is comprised of people with varying political beliefs, and I don’t believe it is appropriate for a pastor to preach politics from the pulpit.  … Continue reading →

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Are We Living What We Believe?

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Pastor David

Pastor Jerry Graham, our new associate pastor for youth, spoke this past Sunday morning on the broad topic of what we believe.  Click the link below to hear this message about Church of God beliefs, Mt. Haley’s beliefs, and Pastor … Continue reading →

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The Joy of a Wedding

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Pastor David

I have the privilege of performing the wedding ceremony for a couple at their home in our neighborhood later today.  These two aren’t part of a church family, but they wanted to be married in a religious ceremony rather than … Continue reading →

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Come Dressed to the Banquet

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Pastor David

Put on your tuxedo or fancy dress!  It’s time for a wedding banquet!  So goes the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 22:1-14.  Click the link below to hear Pastor David’s take on this parable – which has more to do … Continue reading →

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The Need for Discipline

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Pastor David

When I was a teenager, I spent a good deal of time and energy playing chess.  I developed a love for the game in childhood, but I never played “competitively” until middle school.  I remember that my first experience with … Continue reading →

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Stewardship of Life

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Pastor David

Jesus cleverly evaded the Pharisees’ attempt to trap him in Matthew 22:15-22 by revealing their hypocrisy.  What does this have to do with the biblical concept of stewardship and our new church budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year?  Click the … Continue reading →

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