Category: worship & messages

I have a new frame, a new construct, a new living memory for what grace is. Which is extraordinary, because grace is such a cornerstone concept for people of faith. Grace is God’s orientation, relation. Grace is God’s approach to us and with us. Grace …

We trickled out of our hostels and hotels, we travelers from far-flung spaces, winding our way by twos and threes and sixes to tiny St. James Anglican Church. It wasn’t until Elaine and I reached the quiet one lane highway that I realized we weren’t …

Tonight we leave for New Zealand. Seeing those words on the screen staring back at me increases the shock and amazement already in my head. Tonight we leave for New Zealand, thanks to over a hundred of you who gave generously, to those who planned …

From almost 15 years ago, the memory came flooding back tonight, prompted by the same song that caused the original experience. Me, standing in our kitchen, 2 am, holding our baby who was finally asleep; glasses literally fogged over, humidity off the charts because of …

(Message given on September 11, 2011, at Newberg Friends Church) Last year we added another driver to our family. So, I went looking for another vehicle. Our budget was small-I was looking in the $1000-$1500 range. Have you ever looked for a car in that price …

(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on June 25, 2017) One of my standard jokes…and ask my kids, I have too many repeat jokes…one of my standard jokes whenever people ask me what I’m preaching about is to say: “God.” But today, it’s not a …

(Message given on June 18, 2017 at Newberg Friends Church)   As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ He …

(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on June 11, 2017) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we …

(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on June 4, 2017) Back in 2002, for the six months before I became lead pastor here, Ron Woodward served as the interim pastor. I was grateful that he encouraged the church to take an inventory called “Natural Church …

(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on May 28, 2017) Last week, we looked at the promise of God’s presence with us in the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift which Jesus promised on the last night before he was crucified. Jesus promised his …