This past Sunday, we shared in a wonderful experience: the installation of Mt. Haley’s new pastor, yours truly. I’ve never been “installed” before, since this is the first church I’ve pastored. From my perspective, it was a exciting, humbling, and beautiful time. But now the question that begs to be asked is this: Now what?
Breathless Worship
This Monday, I had the privilege of attending the funeral service of Rev. Sam Dunbar, pastor of two nearby churches and friend to many at Mt. Haley. I never knew Sam personally, but my parents did, and I know his daughter Jenny from my seminary days. Something that happened at the end of the service was very striking, very powerful, and I’d like to share it with you.
Funeral for Rev. Sam Dunbar
Rev. Sam Dunbar, pastor of St. Louis Church of God and North Bradley Church of God, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, September 23. Here are the details for the visitation and funeral:
Visitation is at Smith Funeral Home in St. Louis, Michigan on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Church of God Campground in St. Louis.
We will collect a love offering for the Dunbars during our worship service this Sunday morning. Please continue praying for the Dunbar family and our two sister churches during this difficult time of mourning.
–Pastor David
Finding Meaning at the Graveside
This weekend, the mystery of death has been on my mind for a number of reasons. Grieving the loss of a loved one is something that nearly everyone can remember. Chances are, if you aren’t grieving over someone right now, someone you know is grieving over one of their loved ones. Death is never far from us, in one way or another. And it often leaves us asking the ultimate question: “Why?”
Church from a dog’s perspective
This morning, I took my dog Lindy to the church office with me. She’s a 60-lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a lot of energy and curiosity. Would you believe that I learned something from her today?
Caring for Our Parents
I am learning so many things in my first few weeks as pastor of Mt. Haley Church of God. One of the most significant of these is a reality facing many people in our congregation (and in society in general): the need to care for our elderly parents, even after we ourselves have retired. While I was preparing for this Sunday’s sermon, I was struck by how directly the scriptures address this very issue.