by Pastor Cecil | Jun 4, 2021 | Pastor's Blog
John 3:1-9 A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked: “What are the grounds for your divorce?” She replied, “About 4 acres and nice home on the property.” “I mean,” he explained, “what is the foundation of this case?” “It’s made of...
by Pastor Cecil | May 22, 2021 | Pastor's Blog, Uncategorized
John 16:5-15 (NIV) There’s an historic chapel maintained by Sheila’s Hungate side of the family. It has 3 bells in its tower installed in 1647, and they have been ringing every Sunday since, making them the longest pealing bells in England. Each of the 3 has a...
by Pastor Cecil | May 22, 2021 | Pastor's Blog, Uncategorized
Acts 4:5-12 A pastor wanted to teach the children about salvation in the name of Jesus. He asked: “If I had a big garage sale, and gave my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?” “NO!” the children answered. “If I cleaned the church and gave candy to the...
by Pastor Cecil | May 3, 2021 | Pastor's Blog
It is I Myself! Luke 24:36b-48 A couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out from a cold winter, so they made a reservation at the hotel where they had stayed for their honeymoon. Due to schedules, the husband flew down first, the wife to follow. Just after he left,...
by Pastor Cecil | Jan 13, 2021 | Pastor's Blog
Psalm 29 (Mark 1:4-11) NIV This psalm would surely have been a favorite of the great Puritan preacher, Jonathan Edwards. Edwards would ride most every day to a lone place and then walk and meditate. He has been portrayed riding out into a stormy night, into the...
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 30, 2020 | Pastor's Blog
Isaiah 62:1-3 As you may know, the so-called “Christmas Star” made an appearance early in the week after 800 years. It was interesting to have the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occur on the Winter Solstice a few days before Christmas. It got people talking about...
by Pastor Cecil | Dec 30, 2020 | Pastor's Blog
Romans 16:23b, 25-27 Today’s scripture is not the usual suspect in the mystery of Christmas; yet, it is found in the lectionary for this 4th Sunday of Advent, along with Luke’s story of how the angel came to Mary proclaiming the birth of Jesus Christ, and Mary asking,...
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 9, 2020 | Pastor's Blog
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 I was asked last Sunday if I had a favorite team. I do, the Pittsburgh Steelers – sorry Eagles fans. But the question got me thinking about the dismay I feel when a few public figures, who might be considered role models, say or do things that...
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 15, 2020 | Pastor's Blog
Matthew 21:28-32 Yesterday there was a Prayer March on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Franklin Graham and others called for Christians to pray for America in these strange times. Alongside Graham, another movement, called The Return, is calling the nation to...
by Pastor Cecil | Sep 5, 2020 | Pastor's Blog
A Return to Tradition Exodus 12: (1-4) 5-14 Although clergy are urged to not talk much about family, I’m going to break that rule today, because our son Dr. Douglas Palmer had something important to say for his first Convocation speech as President of...
