2019 Various
Runaway Bunny | Luke 15:1-7 | Christmas Eve Service
Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away. So he said to his mother, “I am running away.” “If you run away, “ said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.” These are the opening words of The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. We have a lot of children’s books in our house right now but there’s something special about this book. Runaway Bunny has never gone out of print…
1 Thessalonians 5:11 | Missing a Step
Dave Astolfi is a second career pastor, having earned an M.Div from Bethel Seminary of the East. He retired early from a 35 year career in science research to devote more time and energy to pastoral ministry. Dave was ordained at Grace Community Church in Chelmsford, while serving as Pastor of Care. He is enjoying semi-retirement, serving God through pulpit supply, interim ministry, mentoring and volunteering at a community pantry … Oh, and he also keeps busy playing with…
Child of God | John 1:12-13
What would you do if you discovered you were royalty? How would you react if you took a DNA test and when you got the results it said you were a prince or princess? Well that actually happened to a man named Jay Speights. Jay is the descendent of African American slaves. His family was brought to America on a slave ship so he didn’t know his ancestry. Using modern technology he took DNA tests that showed he had “royal…
Rest | Matthew 11:28-30
So I think we all like the idea of rest and when we think of rest, we probably have different things that come to mind. [pics of rest] So I don’t think Jesus is talking about rest like this in our passage today. Jonathan preached a great sermon on Sabbath last year recommend to go back and listen to it. Think to yourself if you are tired in any of these ways. tired of just making ends meet, tired of…
Living Life After Jesus’ Death: Who Are You? | Colossians 1:21-23
Sermon Colossians 1:21-23 | Living Life after Jesus’ Death: Who Are You? 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is…
Prayer & Fasting | Matthew 6:16-18
I tried fasting for the first time when I worked at the Farm Credit Administration in McLean Virginia. I tried it because my pastor preached a sermon on it. In his sermon he turned to our passage tonight, Matthew 6:16-18, and pointed out something that really convicted me. In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches on prayer and fasting and when he does this he says, “when you fast” not “if you fast…” He says it twice (c.f., Matt 9:15). Have you…