First Presbyterian Church - Sermons

It is Good

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

On this special day, may we remember that we have been baptized, and claimed by our Creator to care for all that has been entrusted to us. We are Children of God empowered by the Holy Spirit to have dominion and oversight for all of creation. Especially, parents have been entrusted with the nurture and care of little creations like Carson. Let us care for God’s creation, every living creation and boldly commit share God’s love and faith. TGBTG Amen.

Starting at the Beginning

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

Let’s start with the basic of our faith this Easter season. Jesus continues to be an advocate for those who sin. He will bring us into the presence of a loving God through an atoning sacrifice, his death on the cross. We find joy in obeying God’s commandments when we are in a right relationship with our Creator. When we accept our sinfulness, we can confess our faults, and receive God’s forgiveness. We begin to live in Christ’s love and witness to God’s love to our world. TGBTG. Amen.

Seeking Jesus

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

It is only by faith that we can believe in the resurrection. We cannot scientifically explain a divine miracle. He appeared to Mary Magdalene as she mourned. He walked and taught with those walking to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to the disciples in Galilee and scolded them for their lack of faith and their stubbornness. Those who walked with Jesus came to believe that he died and rose again. He then sent them out to proclaim the Good News so that we may believe in the resurrection.

Go from this sanctuary and believe in the Gospel Truth. Seek Jesus to be present to you in the real world. Read the witness of those who witnessed the resurrection. Trust the reports of his death and resurrection.

Hosanna Power

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

God calls the church to be a place of prayer for peace, justice, and love. As Christians who follow the Son of David, we should be concerned about the integrity of Christ’s message to the world. We gather to pray for the salvation of the world. The church is a place where people can come from north and south, east and west to praise the work of the Lord God Almighty. People of all nations are welcome to worship and honor Christ, who comes in the name of the Lord.

Living with Jesus

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

Jesus died that we might have life and live it abundantly. Live with Jesus, who wants to help you overcome all things that distract you from Christ love. Jesus died so that you may live in the presence of God each and every day. The Son of God came into the world that we may live in the power of God. When we turn to God, we will find release of the chains that hold us from God’s love. We do not need to ever fell separated from the Love of God, because we live with Christ in our hearts. TGBTG. Amen.

Courage to Change

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

When we take our Christian life from Sunday or Wednesday worship into a weekday world, we must live one day at a time. We live each day enjoying God’s presence in the moment, trusting Jesus to be in control of world. We align our will by surrendering our way of life to be instruments of God’s peace. We change our desires to fulfill the way of God. We do our job competently. We stand beside others with our peaceful presence. We seek to make decisions ethically. We allow the Spirit of God to change our lives from the inside out. We seek wisdom to know where and what we can change.

Clinging to God

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

I invite you to spend some time in prayer this week. You may have a regular prayer time, first thing in the morning or just before going to bed. You may send up a popcorn prayer when you tell someone, “I’ll pray for you.” Or you may have a list of names and situations, or a formal journal or let them flow freely from your lips. You may say the same prayer each day or conclude with the Lord ’s Prayer after lifting today’s concerns to the God. I invite you to cling to Jesus, stay awake just a little longer and pray.

Remembering the Lamb

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

We remember Christ’s mission when we respond to the invitation to examine the way our faith influences our actions. We remember that the Lamb of God came to save us and use us to draw others into a loving relationship with our God. We remember the Lamb as we live our life among your neighbors. We remember the Lord continues to dwell among his people and calls all of us, the children of the Lamb, when we live by faith and glorify the name of Jesus. TGBTG. Amen.

Honoring Christ

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

It’s our Owner’s Manual for living the Christian life.

Over the next few weeks, choose a way to honor Christ with your service. The mission and ministry of any church, happens when faithful members honor God with their time, talent, and treasures. Honor God by volunteering to be the hands and feet of God to your neighbor. Love the people that God loves. God does not always approve of their behavior, but Jesus showed compassion on the lost.

A Call to Life

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

This week, NASA celebrated the 50^th anniversary of space flight. John Glenn, a national treasure went into space, the great unknown. February 20^th, 1962 our world changed. We learned so much from this exploration of our universe. Jesus calls us to a new life. Explore the great unknown of God’s wonder and power to change your life to the glory of God. Amen.

Future Fulfilled

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

When you experience the transforming love and power of Christ, God will use you in mission and ministry. Today we will celebrate the mission and ministry of Christ through our church. We reach out in Christ’s name to our community. We bring food to the hungry through ECHO, Meals on Wheels, and Roosevelt Breakfast Club. We provide support for young people through the YWCA Alternatives to Violence. We share Christ’s love to our world.

Healing Action

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

Sit by the pool and reflect on Christ’s claim on your life. What are you attitudes and disposition? What are your thoughts and intentions? Could you be more generous, more understanding, more patient, more cheerful, more loving, and more caring?

Jesus invites you to be healed and be a worthy disciple of the one who lives and reigns above. Bring your problems to Jesus and be ready to take healing action to be more Christ like each day. You will discover true happiness in authentic Christian living. Take action to reflect your faith. Amen.

The Courage of Faith

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

Take courage, Jesus will be with you always. When your faith is weak, seek Jesus who will lift you up. You can talk about your faith. You can walk the path of discipleship. There will be challenges and bumps in the road, but Jesus will always be there to pick you up. Do not be afraid, take heart the power and love of God will take your hand and lead you safely through. God will use your life, your failures, and your faith to change our world to the glory of God as you worship and serve Jesus Christ.

Encouraging Faith

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

I encourage you to grow in your faith, gather with like-minded believers and learn from God’s Holy Word. Then go out from this place as a witness to Christ with your words, actions, and your service devoted to Jesus Christ in our community. I believe the Spirit of God is alive, well, and working in our faith community. We will witness to God’s love with our mission and ministry. We will encourage one another in the faith. Amen.

Power to Witness

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

We witness by living your daily life. Do your job well. Share your life without using Theological terms. Be loving happy and joyful as you encounter others. Know the Scripture and practice it every moment of every day. Answer questions with honesty, seek answers and get back those who raise questions of faith. Pray, pray for wisdom and strength for the Spirit to empower you as you share your faith with others. Rely on God’s power. Amen.

Baptized in Water and the Spirit

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

As we celebrate Epiphany and the Baptism of our Lord, we ordain the lay leadership for service to Christ. We empower those ordained for special service, but we do not abdicate all ministries to them. We remain responsible for the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ in our church. The work of Jesus Christ happens when faithful disciples offer their God given talents and passion in service. In 2012, open your life to the Baptism of the Spirit so that you may serve Christ. Amen.

Sermons for 2011

Fri, 20 Apr 2012

Jesus is Coming

Thu, 08 Dec 2011

The promise of the Second Coming guides us to Christian living so that we are ready when Jesus does return. Our human nature tends toward laziness in our faith. The thought that Christ could return at any time reminds us to be faithful. Christ is coming again, this time not to suffer but to reign and restore faithfulness to God’s people. Jesus is coming. Are you personally ready to receive your Lord and Savior? What changes do you need to make to welcome Christ into your life?

Staying Safe in the Lord

Thu, 08 Dec 2011

The reality of Christian living calls us to look for Christ’s return and to live as if it could happen at any moment. The signs of Christ’s return have been adequately fulfilled for generations. Christ could come again any time. Whether, Christ may come again or we may meet our Maker in death. We live safely in the Lord’s arms as we maintain a relationship of faith with Jesus Christ through our worship. Be Alert and stay safe.

Paying Attention

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

As we learn to live by faith, God will be revealed as we trust in the Lord’s power and purpose. Even as we face difficult seasons and storms, the Lord Jesus will reveal a greatness that brings us through the storms of life. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit teaches us with gentleness so that we are pay attention to the rich blessings of living by faith. Christ calls us to pay attention to God’s activity in our lives and give thanks.

Remembering God's Promises

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

We gather today to remember those whom we love. We celebrate their life and their faith. We remember the saints who gave witness Jesus Christ in the way they lived their life by faith. We remember that Jesus promised that if we live by faith we will receive eternal life. We hope to begin a simple movement of living for the Lord God Almighty and to serve Christ through our worship, mission, and ministry. We believe that promises that the Holy Spirit will inspire us on our faith journey. We believe in the promises of God to keep us faithful.

A Divine Opportunity

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

Our church’s vision provides divine opportunities to answer God’s call to worship, serve, and share our faith. As we celebrate God’s continual work empowered by the Holy Spirit, let us be open to the divine opportunities to serve Christ our Lord through the vision of our faith fellowship. We can be instruments of Christ to spiritually witness with God’s love to our neighbors in the world.

As the Spirit Moves

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

I trust that the Spirit of God to move through our city in due time. Like Paul, I’d like to move ahead of the Spirit but know that in God’s time we will witness an increase daily in the number being saved. The Spirit is alive and working in Janesville through friends, situations, and prayer.

Amazing Adventures

Fri, 14 Oct 2011

Being a Christian is an amazing adventure. We experience days of great joy and gladness as we see God’s blessings in our lives. Witnessing to the transforming love and power of Jesus Christ can be an amazing adventure, with peaks and valleys. Jesus Christ will empower the faithful to witness boldly to the power of Almighty God. The Holy Spirit with grant us courage for the adventure.

Living in Freedom

Fri, 14 Oct 2011

Peter tells how he experienced God’s grace. He tells them to share his story of grace with others, especially to James the brother of Jesus, the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.

So what’s your story? When did you become aware of God’s grace and forgiveness? Who have you told? And more importantly, who can you tell of God’s grace and the freedom you have in Christ Jesus.

An Open Invitation

Fri, 14 Oct 2011

Jesus radically reached out to others. He invited everyone to encounter the Living God in a new way. Jesus told the parables to illustrate the open invitation to God's grace. Jesus invites us to come not because we deserve to be here, but we receive God’s grace. .

Trading Places

Fri, 14 Oct 2011

Imagine how the early Christians experience their faith as they shared the journey with Saul. Annias encountered Christ and risked his life to meet with Saul. Annias served as an instrument of Christ and with boldness, he shared shared God’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit so Saul could proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. The Lord God calls all kinds of people to receive grace. We trade our old perspectives for a new relationship with Christ who welcomes us with unconditional love. Amen.

Get Up and Go

Fri, 16 Sep 2011

When we are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, God will use us as instruments and instructors. We come as disciples to learn from Scripture, so that we can get up and go share the Good News of Jesus with others. When we listen to the Spirit of God, we can change our world one person at a time for the glory of our Lord.

Winning the Argument

Fri, 16 Sep 2011

We come to remember. We remember that Christ died for our sins. Christ rose to offer us hope for living. Remember when and how the Lord Jesus has offered you grace, forgiveness, and hope. Remember the miraculous ways God has been revealed to you. Then I encourage you to have courage and share this story of God’s glory with others.

Spiritually Debt Free

Fri, 16 Sep 2011

We all want to be debt free in this life. I encourage you to take an inventory of your life. In one column list the debts you owe to our Loving Lord. Then balance in the credit column the ways you demonstrate God’s love by living for Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape your life so that you dispense Christian love to your neighbors through your personal mission and ministry and your support of the labor of love in Christ’s kingdom.

Spiriutal Sacrifice

Fri, 16 Sep 2011

Our spiritual sacrifice requires us to submit to Christ with our mind, body, and soul to further the work of Christ Kingdom. I invite you to offer a sacrifice of praise with your gifts to Christ: time, talents, and treasure in response to the full measure of God's grace offered to you. In perfect submission of our personal interest, we will accomplish Christ's mission and ministry in Janesville. Together we can make a spiritual sacrifice that teaches, gives, leads, and cheerfully offers compassion to others.

The Spiritual Life

Fri, 15 Jul 2011

The Christian faith begins when we are convinced our sin separates us from God our Creator. The Christian faith grows when we accept the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. The Christian faith matures when we allow the Spirit of Christ to guide our thoughts and service. Our Christian faith sets our mind on reflecting Christ-likeness to our world. We belong to Christ our Lord, when we live in the Spiritual life.

Spiritual Freedom

Fri, 15 Jul 2011

We gather today to worship our liberator, Jesus Christ who rescues us from our sin. We celebrate the spiritual freedom to live as God's children seeking to serve our Lord with gladness. We pray, meditate, and enter in to the Christian fellowship to align our desires with God's will. The Lord will grant us peace, when our deepest joy serves our Lord. God's law is a gift of love to bring us peace, internal peace from inner conflict.

Enslaved to Serve

Fri, 15 Jul 2011

God is a gracious and loving master, who does not demand obedience or punish us for disobedience. The Lord our God paid the price for our freedom through dying on the cross. You have a choice to serve God with gladness or be enslaved by the sins of our past. Christians welcome Christ as our Master of our life. We are enslaved to serve a loving God. Amen.

Overt Operation

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

Jesus calls us to the mountain top of our faith. He requests each and every disciple to receive the great commission. Because all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ, our Lord sends us to go out and make disciples of all nations. Be overt. Openly share that you love Jesus and know the love of God. Jesus will direct our ministry to bring glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As a disciple of Christ, believe that Jesus calls you to an overt operation of love. Amen.

Reclaiming God's Presence

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

The Apostle Paul defend his faith in Athens. He gently took their understanding of an Unknown God and led them in the presence of a Loving God. He instructed them in the truth of the Gospel. He presented the power of God not the religion of human invention. Paul proclaimed the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. He began with God the Creator and described the mystery of the incarnation. He offered assurance of eternity for those who repent and believe.Jesus desires for us to be ready for that day with a clear conscience cleaned through the waters of baptism. Amen.

Living for God

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

When we are living for God we place our trust in God who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it. We find our riches in Christ and store up heavenly treasures. We are rich toward God when we have faith and hope in Christ for all eternity. Jesus invites us to genuinely love one another by sharing our life and resources to glorify God.

As we come to the table today, we remember that Christ gave himself so that live for God. We are born anew by the living word of God. . Amen.

A Rich Inheritance

Thu, 16 Jun 2011

The ideal Christian life is concious and aware of our need for Jesus to mold and shape us more into the life of Howard and Michele. As faithful disciples, we devote ourselves to the teachings of Christ and join in the fellowship of others. We pray for the needs of the world, begining with our own need to be shaped with Christian character. With confidnece, we humbly acknowledge our sin and rejoice that the Lord can use us to love others. Amen

Being Nieghborly

Fri, 29 Apr 2011

Jesus calls us to care for our neighbors regardless of their race, creed, or social economic status. The Good Samaritan demonstrated his love for God and neighbor.

At the Tomb - Easter

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

The empty tomb is a mystery. In faith we come to connect to Jesus whom we love. We leave in joy to spread the good news. Jesus commands us to testify to the forgiveness of sins.

Easter Peace - sunrise

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

We live in a world void of peace. Our relationship with Jesus Christ brings internal peace that we can share.

At the Table

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

We are invited to the Lord's Table. At this table we remember the Love of God revealed in Christ's death. Jesus sends us out to remember that we are forgiven. We invite others to our table when we forgive them.

Dinner Guests - Palm Sunday

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

We celebrate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We remember that Christ invites all people to dine with him. We are sent out to invite others into a relationship with Jesus.

Finding our Way Home

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

We are Prodigal children of a loving Father. We are called to be stewards of God's resources. We find our way home when we care for all that God has entrusted to us.

Doing - Lent

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

The Christian faith requires that we put our faith into action. Christians do ministry. Christians serve others in the name of Christ. Even the least of these, God's children.

Planted to Grow

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

Jesus told the parable of the soils. We all think we are good soil. Good soil is nurtured by faith.

Through the Roof

Fri, 22 Apr 2011

The friends of the Paralytic stopped at nothing to bring their friend to Jesus. Do you have friends that will bring you to Jesus? Will you be a friend who will bring others to Jesus?

SERMONS FOR 2010

Created by God - January 3, 2010

Each and every one of us has a God given purpose for 2010. It might be a year of forming and shaping our lives to be use in God?s service. It might be a year of trying something new in mission or ministry. It might be a time to learn in a Bible Study. For all of us, 2010 will be a time to access God?s guidance with boldness and confidence.

Too Bad, So Sad, Your Dad

It?s about a teenager who goes off to college and spends all of his money. He sends his dad a postcard which simply says, ?No mon, no fun, your son.? The father, like my father, wanted to teach his son about financial responsibility sends a quick reply, ?Too Bad, so Sad, your Dad.? Fortunately, that is not how God responds to our failures.

Please Promise Me

We all have gifts to be shared with the faith community. Some will offer wisdom as we seek to find where God will use us. Others will deepen their faith that we may bring spiritual healing and work miracles in the lives of those we reach. You may say the right words or interpret the meaning to words poorly said. God activates us to serve.

A Blessing in Disguise

As we go through life, we experience situations and relationships which are failures. We make decisions, enact plans, and speak words that harm rather than reflect God?s love. I find great comfort in knowing that in our fallible humanness God is faithful.

A Dream Come True -

God brings wholeness and healing to the family and changes the direction of the future. Joseph?s dream did come true as God fulfilled it. I believe that God still speaks through our unconscious dreams. It takes time and the spiritual gift to interpret the dreams. I also believe we can dream about our future and in prayer we can bring these prayers to God who can make them come true.

I AM, You Can - Lent 1

AS we begin our journey of Lent, may we hear that voice of God, the Great I am, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses, who revealed himself in the flesh of Jesus Christ, say, ?I am so You can.!? God can and will use you to bring good news to the captive. The Lord will prepare you through your past experiences to serve the Lord in a mission and ministry. The Great I Am, will prepare you so you can.

Frogs in Your Bed - Lent 2

God continues to get our attention. Some Christians imitate the life of the saints seeking forgiveness for even the slightest failure to emulate Christ. Some Christians need a little more prodding with events and circumstances which help us to realize our need for Jesus.

Encountering Community - Mid-Week

Barbara Brown Taylor invites us to encounter others in our community. She believes that as we stop to listen to others, we encounter sacred moments in our community. She encourages us to look at the different persons we encounter and see where God may be lurking waiting to encounter us.

Simple Rules

God did give us simple rules for living and if we follow them it will go well with us in our community. God wants us to live together in harmony to forgive one another when we fail to live by these rules of love. The Lord our God loves us enough to set boundaries like a loving parent and gracious enough to let us learn by our mistakes. The Lord is always there to offer us another chance. We are part of God?s family, lets live by God?s rules.

Surprised by God - Lent 4

I wish God would speak directly and clearly with signs like dew on a fleece. I tend to hear God in words of Scripture that come to my mind. We can live by faith when we trust God in our weakness to lead us.

When God's Strength Leaves Lent 5

May we take this last Sunday of Lent to rededicate our lives to the Lord?s service, however and wherever God and use us, even though we have failed as we?ve given into temptation and joined our culture instead of standing up for Jesus Christ in our lives.

Honoring the King - Palm Sunday

So we come to Palm Sunday, to remember God?s redemptive work in Jesus Christ. We come to remember that God is always there. We gather at the Lord?s Table for the Lord?s Supper to remember that Christ is King. We remember God?s kingdom has no end. God continues to work through the history of the world and will always and forever reigns supreme in our world.

Peace at Sunrise - Easter Morning

Jesus encountered the disciples as they gathered wondering about Mary?s experience. They gather behind locked doors out of fear when Jesus entered and offered them peace, a peace that comes from forgiveness. Again, Jesus sends the disciples to proclaim the glorious message of peace, eternal peace. We gladly gather this morning light remembering at dawn, the Lord our God gives peace through the forgiveness of our sins. We gladly receive the message of old and invite the newness of today?s peace. Amen.

He is Risen Indeed - Easter

We all have a story to tell. On this Easter Celebration, I challenge you to tell a story, your story of Easter and God's activity in your life. Your story can include the Risen Christ and what this means to you, or your story can be of personal accomplishments that ignore the presence of God. When our story recognizes that we?ve encountered the living Lord, keep Easter alive in our world.

Servant Leadership

Our current Session includes ten men and women, Pastor and Elders with a willing heart to serve. They are gifted to accomplish their task of ministry. I hope the retreat will encourage them to have the confidence in God?s ability to use them for ministry. I pray that you will encourage us and use your own God given abilities to build the Kingdom of God. You can be a servant leader when empowered by the Holy Spirit. Amen

Spiritual Leadership

I consider worship maintenance and spiritual disciplines where we find growth in our faith. All Christians are called by virtue of our baptism to be in ministry. We are empowered for ministry by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual disciplines guide us and transform our lives to be servants of Christ. Some are set apart, ordained as elders to be the spiritual mothers and fathers of our congregation for a term or two. I pray that we can be equipped to serve then take a sabbatical from leadership to be refreshed. Spiritual leaders keep their connection strong and grow in their faith as they lead the congregation.

Shepherd Leadership

The Lord provides us with food and drink to nourish our lives. We remember that Christ came to lead us like a shepherd leads the flock out to pasture and still waters. We come to eat from the hands of our Savior who blesses us with elders, Shepherd Leaders to lead us in the way of Christ. Amen

Come Near to God

We gather in worship to draw near to God. In the book of James, the 4^th chapter, 8^th verse states,

?Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.?

Let us find time and places, not just for weekly worship, but for daily devotions, and persistent prayer. When we seek the presence of God, we will see the power of the Lord God Almighty. Amen

Meeting God

God regularly reminds us that we are loved. When we meet Jesus we see God and the Holy Spirit guides our way. I encourage you to find the stillness of the day to spend time alone with God.

A Blessed Attitude

The Beatitudes became the sermon series for the summer. Christians are blessed because Jesus tells us so. We come with a poor spirit to be filled by the Spirit of God.

The Joy of Mourning

The experience of mourning comes when we experience great loss. The Christian experience can bring comfort and peace to our mourning. We mourn because we have loved. God will enter our mourning and help us rediscover joy.

Meek and Mild

Blessed are those who accept Christ?s call to serve the world. Blessed are the Christians who meekly follow Jesus into the future. The Lord our God will go out before us if we submit our will to the power of God, each and every day. God?s meek army will change the world for the glory of the Risen Christ.

Blessed are the Merciful

Jesus assures Christians that when we show God's mercy to others, we can experience the mercy of others. Mercy is a natural gift of God and can exude from Christian hearts as well.

Pure in Heart

Our heart is the center of our being, theologically speaking. When our heart is pure, we are living right with God. Jesus will help us through the work of the Holy Spirit to live forgiven and pure.

Making Peace

Jesus encourages us to be peacemakers. There are simple ways to bring peace to our world, beginning with family and friends.

Feeling Persecuted

Christians are persecuted throughout the world. Anytime we feel threaten because of what we believe, we are persecuted. Jesus tells us that we should expect it. We can expect Jesus to help us through times of trial.

Great is Your Reward

We receive the reward of Christ's kingdom, when we live as the Lord intended us. The internet story of Carl reminds us that many do not know Christ and live in the world. Yet, God can use us to share a great love that touches lives.

Passing on the Power

The Biblical story of Elijah brings us to see the importance of mentors. Elijah nurtures Elisha until the time when the younger becomes a prophet of the Lord.

My Cup Overflows

Elisha blesses the widow with an overflowing cup of oil. We too have been blessed by God. We can share that blessing with others.

At the Table - World Communion

We come to the Lord's Table invited by Jesus Christ. We explore the meaning of communion with all the saints in every time and place.

SERMONS FOR 2009

Sermons printed are not always the sermon delivered, but I hope that God will use these words to encourage, challenge, and nurture your faith.

Grace and Peace,

Bruce

The Perfect Gift - Christmas Eve

Christmas is a time for generosity in giving, giving thanks to God for everything, and celebrating our Savior. If you remember no other Christmas present this year or in your lifetime, remember the perfect Gift of God, Jesus Christ our Savior, who came into the world that we might enjoy the perfect love of God each and every day.

Delightful Worship

We were created by God for the purpose of worshipping, not only on Sunday, but through our daily acts of living. God created us to receive the wonderful love expressed in a relationship between Creator and creature. When we fail to love God and neighbor, we sin against the precious gift of God?s love. In our hearts, we make room for love when we seek to follow the God?s will in our lives.

The Right INgredients - Advent 1

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." In other words, we have a responsibility to access the resources Christ makes available to us. We can know the peace of Christ. And that task is much easier if we choose to picture Jesus at the family table with us.

Tending the Flock - Presbytery of Milwaukee

You are a sheep in God?s pasture, called with responsibility to be a Shepherd of a certain flock of Christian sheep. I charge you to go gently into the pasture, so as not to scare the little ones, but also go bold knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ empowers you to care for the flock through your mission and ministry. You are plain people with a special call from the Lord to humbly care, nurture, and guide God?s people in the way of eternal life.

Renewed Life - Reformation

I challenge you on this Reformation Sunday, to experience a renewed life in Christ. Examine your own life, the people you know who?ve known a close call with death. I believe that God will use us to proclaim Jesus Christ to our community and will send the Holy Spirit to empower us. A renewed spiritual life will result as we share our experience of healing, forgiveness, and grace with others.

Jump for Joy

Once we know the joy of Jesus, we can share it with others. We can see the crippled soul and offer them a hand up with the love of God. We can share the joy of Jesus, when we?ve experienced God?s grace and forgiveness.

A Tale on the High Seas

The Apostle Paul encourges us to trust Jesus when our life storms threaten to over take us. When our life is a shipwreck, Jesus brings us safely into the harbor of the Christian church.

Out of Jail Free

In Monopoly, the ?Get out of Jail Free? card cancels the debt we can not pay. Jesus came into the world to get us out of jail. Jesus cancels our debt of sin and restores us in the presence of God. Jesus cancels the debt of death and offers us eternal life. Jesus walks beside us and visits us in our prison whether our prison is physical, emotional, or spiritual. Jesus visits us where we are and walks with us out into fresh air. Let us be disciples of Christ who welcome and continue the journey. Amen

Go Out Fearlessly

From Janesville, we can witness to the world when we receive the power of the Holy Spirit. I challenge you to make a commitment for Christ. I invite you to the Table to be blessed for the unknown journey that we take because we have faith in the Triune God. Go out into the world fearlessly and serve the Lord our God.

God's Management

In our generosity will bless our community as we honor our Lord. Generosity means giving more than expected, more than a minimum. How well do you tip a server at a restaurant, 15-20% more or less depending on the service? I also believe we will see God?s blessings in our personal and corporate life, when we honor Lord with our commitments, pledges, and offerings to God?s glory.

Investing in our Future

When we learn to trust Jesus as our Lord, we can invest in our future through our support of the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Facing Fear

We live in fearful times. We learn to trust God, who promises to be with us even through those times. We can trust God and reduce our anxiety, fear, and worry. We can trust God even with our finances.

A Labor of Love - Labor Day Weekend

James encourages Christians to live their faith in very practical ways. We respond to God's grace by good works. We demonstrate our love for God by serving others.

Doers: A Generous Act

Christian faith requires actions. When we do the work of God, we are practicing the faith. Specators listen, while Christians act.

Armed and Secure

Christians are safe and secure in Jesus. The whole armor of God protects us and sends us out into battle with temptation and challenges. As we seek divine power for living we will survive and suceed.

Equipping the Saints

Our task, if we accept Christ as Lord and Savior is to equipping the sainst, other believers in being more Christ like. The equipping is not reserved for pastors and leaders, but for the church to work together in growing in Christian maturity, together.

Powerful Prayer - July 26

Jesus invites us to prayer. The Apostle Paul points to a powerful prayer for the Ephesians to claim their faith and inspire the world.

Grace to You, Saints of God - July 12th

As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birthday, we rejoice in God's gift of grace. Foundational to our Christian faith is our understanding that we are accepted by God and receive an eternal inheritance graciously given to us form God.

Sending Authority - July 5th

Jesus and his message was rejected in his home town. He moved on and then called the 12 disciples. Jesus sent the disciples out as apostles with authority to teach, preach, and heal. We, the modern disciples of Christ, are sent out with authority to teach, preach, and heal others with God's grace and forgiveness.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

How does your spiritual garden grow? We nurture our faith through worship, Bible Study, and service. Let's have a good growing season.

Family Ties

We all live in a family. Some family relationships are health while others do not connect us to God. Jesus invites us to be part of God's family to find forgiveness and wholeness.

Finding Sabbath

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. We need a rest which is good for our souls. As we gather for worship, we remember God's gracious gift of rest that gives us energy for life.

Night School

Nicodemus comes to Jesus for a lesson at night regarding eternal life and discovers a spiritual rebirth. We can experience a spiritual rebirth when we encounter Jesus in Scripture through study.

Truth Telling

We learn to lie to save other people's feelings and then find it difficult to be truthful with ourselves. Jesus came that we can be honest to God, ourselves and others.

Take the Oath

Peter denied Jesus. When we do not serve Christ, we deny Jesus. Jesus forgives us all and uses fallible human beings to witness to God's grace.

Stay Awake and Pray

Jesus asked the disciples to stay awake, to watch, and to pray. We sometimes find it difficult to stay awake and give the Lord our full attention, to pray, and to be aware of the needs in our world.

The Basin and the Towel - April 26th

Reflecting on Michael Card's song, "The Basin and the Towel" Jesus gives the disciples a symbol for community. We are to care for the simplest needs of our friends.

The Easter Parade

Jesus appeared to a parade of people; from the women to the disciples to many faithful witnesses. Jesus continues to walk before us and calls us to continue celebrating His Resurrection. We share our witness to a parade of people in our lives.

Consider Your Options - Palm Sunday

Consider your options for how you live your life. Jesus consider the options and choose to die that we might have sin. Jesus consider you important enough to die for your sins.

Finale

As we reflect on the final words of Christ, we hear that "It is Finished." Christ's work is finished on the cross, but not really until the resurrection. Then, Christ continues to work through us.

Abundant Blessing

We are abundantly blessed. We may not realize in our little acts of service and worship we share God's blessings with others.

Power of Life

Jesus restores the life of the little girl and the hemorragging woman. Jesus restores our lives too.

Power of Faith

The official returns home and he prayed that Jesus was right, that his son would live. I think he wrestled with his doubts and frustrations. I invite you to reflect on your encounters with Christ. Remember the times in your life, when God shed light on your darkness. This is the power of faith which Jesus invites us to share with others.

The Power of Friends

I wonder who would be my friends to bring me to Jesus. I wonder who I might bring to Jesus. In Luke's Gospel, the paralytic had friends willing to go out of their way for a friend. Jesus rewards our faithful friendships.

Feeling Abandoned

Furing our Lenten Series on the Last Seven Words of Christ, I shared the power of Christ's and our feeling of abandonment from the foot of the cross. But the Good News remains; "That nothing in life, or death can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ!" Even when we feel isolated and alone.

A Foreign Concept - March 8th

Only the foreigner, a Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus and praise God for his healing. We look at the world differently when we praise the Lord our God and give thanks for our daily blessings. I encourage you this Lent to give thanks for the gift of faith and the promises for a blessed life and the hope for eternity. I pray that during Lent you will return to Jesus giving thanks and praising the God. I realize this is all a foreign concept.

Child's Play

Jesus welcomed the children and invites us to interrupt our lives with a joyful faith. We can return to our childhood faith and enter the Kingdom of God.

Where is Your Tarshish?

God called Jonah to serve in Nineveh, but he attempt to escape to Tarshish, an imaginary, idealized refuge. We sometimes seek to avoid the challenging tasks of God. Yet, God wants to use us to bring a message of love and forgiveness to those wicked sinners around us.

The Great Pretenders

We sometimes pretend to be great Christians. We don't worship a pretend god, and our God does not seek pretend followers. When we imitate Christ, we express our love for God and neighbor.

Winners and Whiners

As we watch Olympic winners and hear other whiners, let us think about how we whine when God calls us to be winners.

One Who Struggles with God - Aug 3

What I adore on the basketball floor,

is WRESTLING mats door to door!

As a wrestler and coach, I've find Jacob wrestling at the Jabbok a fascinating text. Israel means: "One who struggles with God." One who struggles with God will be changed. Unforunately, many struggle with God and ignore God's decrees, leaving God to limp away.

God's Kingdom is Like - July 27

Jesus tells a series of parables on God's Kingdom. Our task is to understand the joy of being a Child of God in the Kingdom.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Weeds grow everywhere, even in church. While we can root out the weeds in our own life, Jesus waits until the end of time to burn the weeds that are growing around us.

How Does Your Garden Grow? July 13

Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The Word of God is sown in our lives and we grow in faith.

Havest Work - June 28

Jesus invites us all to assist in the heavenly harvest. We begin small so that we are not overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.

No Easy Job - June 22

Understanding the Apostle Paul is no easy task. Accepting God's grace is not easy either. When we walk with Jesus, we can live the Christian life.

A Bundle of Joy - Father's Day

Sarah declared Isaac to be a joy when she produced God's promised son with Abraham. God still brings miracles of joy to our life, let us find God's joyful gift each day.

Steadily Making Our Way

Throughout history, the Lord our God leads us through uncertian times. God called Abram and Sarai to leave their comfortable and familiar setting to go out into the unknown. Jesus called Matthew to be a disciple when he could not possibly understand what that meant. Today, we live in uncertain times and God walks with us and calls us to trust the Lord Jesus Christ for all things.

Serving One God - Trinity Sunday

The Triune God revealed in Scripture balances our free will and the inflexible rules of faith. The Triune God whom we worship and serve empowers us with a freedom from sin and a set of holy guidelines for living.

Small Gifts - Pentecost Sunday

Our mother's nurtured us with small gifts of advice. Our Lord sends the Holy Spirit to nurture us with spiritual gifts for the building up of the Christian community.

The Harder They Fall - April 27

When we don?t reach out to others in Christ's name, because we fear what others think, Goliath wins. When we fear the unknown, we fail to trust God. The Lord of Hosts will fortify our strength to face the giant task ahead of us. The Spirit of God will empower us to win battles that seem impossible. Our faith will strengthen each time we trust the Lord of all, in all circumstances.

Follow Closely - April 13

We praise God for the blessings of our faith: the gift of forgiveness and the hope of resurrection as weserve together in the name of Christ. As we positively pressure one another to live faithfully and to follow the Risen Lord joyfully, I do believe God will add to our number as our neighbors see the awesome work of God.

Can You Hear Me Now?

We can walk through life without being aware of God?s call to reach out to God?s children. Samuel first delivered a message of correction then a message of hope in the Lord?s continued interest in personal lives. The disciples immediately began to proclaim a message of joy in God?s wonderful grace. We too have a message to share of the Risen Lord?s activity in our life

Show and Tell - Easter

God will show and tell us to witness to the resurrection. We encounter Jesus when we go out on a mission to tell others of our experience of Christ. As a disciple, we can experience the love of God and the power of the resurrection. We encounter the unbelievable work of God, when we least expect it.

Blessed by God - March 16

God blesses us; let us bless our family, friends, and strangers by retelling the story of Jesus who came into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, to fulfill God?s eternal plan. The Lord will bless us as we walk with Jesus through the Garden of Gethsemane to the Cross of Calvary, and eventually stand at Easter?s empty tomb. Embrace the blessings this Holy week and every day with Christ brings to you and yours.

We Don?t Go Alone - March 9

In our grief at the death of someone whom we love, we too focus on the absence of the person. We feel alone. We feel abandoned. When we feel alone, Jesus comes to us. In the resurrection, Jesus, knows our grief and walks through our sorrow and gives us life. Jesus Christ came into the world that we will never be alone

The Heart of Discipleship - Lenten Mar.5

Need a good lawyer, meet Caspian bar Abraham, he knows the law of God. He will invite you to learn the law of God and to live it.

Transparent Walls Fall - March 2nd

Jesus sees beyond the facade walls we create to penetrate our deepest need for healing. Jesus builds bridges over barriers so that we can be in relationship with all of God's children.