Should Birthdays be Happy?
This week, I get to celebrate the birthday of one of my grandchildren. It will be fun; birthdays usually are for children. Of course, as we age, birthdays serve to remind us why our joints are a little stiffer, our memory a little foggier, and our patience a little shorter. It gives me pause to consider some of the normal salutations and wishes that accompany this day.
Thank You, Linda!
Since 2020, Linda Hogue has served as the Office Administrator of First Congregational Church of Ramona. During one of the most challenging seasons in the life of our church, Linda came out of retirement to serve. Since then she has been a warm and welcoming face to visitors, an anchoring presence during a time of transition, a source of stability and encouragement for our volunteer leaders, and an absolute blessing to our ministry staff. To many of you reading this now, she has offered a listening ear, a helping hand, or a smile to brighten the day!
Desperate: A Maundy Thursday Reflection
By Wes Ellis
Today is Maundy Thursday, the day of Holy Week when our Lenten journey is interrupted by a family meal. During Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness, into Jerusalem, and eventually to the cross...
Holy Wednesday: The Poor Will Always Be With US
As I read through the events of Holy Wednesday (the 4th day of Holy Week), aside from some of Jesus' most cryptic teaching in the Temple, the one story that jumps out at me is the one from Mark 14: 3-9
Holy Tuesday: Withering Trees
By Wes Ellis
…Whatever our political agendas may be, if we become dependent on systems–even religious ones–rather than on our relationship with God through prayer, we will wither up like the fig tree. We are invited to cling to Christ, to breathe the life-giving breath of Holy Spirit and, in so doing (and by no other means), watch mountains move and worlds collide in the glorious renewal and restoration of resurrection.
Expectations
Our final words, when we know they are such, are the most profound—the ones we want to be remembered by, the things we want our loved ones to always know and hold on to. No one ever reminds someone to brush their teeth or add something to the shopping list when they’re on their death bed. “Oh, by the way, we’re out of bread.” …Doesn’t happen.
From Jealousy to Joy
By Matt Nuth
….Last night, moving away from envy allowed me to truly enjoy the fruits of a musical gift received and developed by another. Instead of jealously, another’s talent and skill became a source of joy and inspiration. Let each of us use the talents we have received for the glory of God.
Pastor Wes to Speak at Princeton
Pastor Wes Ellis will be teaching a seminar entitled “From Effectiveness to Faithfulness: how to do youth ministry for Christ’s sake” at the Princeton Institute For Youth Ministry’s Forum event in May .
Lenten Bible Study 2022
Listen to Audio from our Lenten Bible Study with Pastor Wes Ellis. Join us as we explore some of the “basics” of Christian faith including the question, “Who is God?” and “What is Salvation?”
The Church May Be Bigger Than You Think.
By Wes Ellis
…I hope we know that when we say that the church is the “house of God” we really don’t mean that God is confined to the four walls of the church. For that matter, neither is God confined to the theology of the church–our rules and interpretations and doctrines. God is bigger than us and no amount of knowledge about God can ever presume to possess God.
Does Prayer Work?
By Linda Hogue
We’ve all seen the slogans on bumper stickers, billboards, t-shirts, and even from the lips of its advocates: “Prayer Works,” or “Prayer Changes Things,” or any number of other catchy phrases designed to get our attention and prompt us toward this spiritual, contemplative lifestyle.
The Human Spirit
By David Van Cleve
I have been crying a lot lately. Mostly when I think of the hardships being inflicted upon, and being endured by, the people of Ukraine. But even more so because of all the images of their response to these hardships. Grit, courage, optimism in the face of long odds, unity in a common goal, a 7 year-old girl singing in a bunker. These all apply.
IN THE IMAGE OF THE CREATOR
By Linda Hogue
There was a time in my life when I began to question everything. I suppose that was characteristic of my generation. During this particular era, I questioned the place of art and creativity, and wrestled with balancing that with my responsibility to make good use of time and resources.
Read With Your Heart
By Wes Ellis
…As someone who truly loves to examine the text of scripture, to analyze it and mine it for all its meaning, I recognize that sometimes what we need isn’t to worry about what the text means to us, but to consider what it might do to us. If we let ourselves simply listen and imagine God speaking to us, what might happen to us?
Being More Of Who We Ought To Be
By Rev. Alex Dreese
As the Lenten season begins again for us, we are each invited to take a very important journey. In one sense it is a journey to Easter that the Christian church has been taking for centuries. In another sense there is a very personal dimension to it.
Call Me Naïve
By Linda Hogue
There are many things that could be attributed to chance... or circumstance... or the generosity of others… or our own wits. I don’t doubt that these things play a part in the events of our lives (though I’m still wondering about that chance bit). But what if I attribute a good thing to God?
Pastor Wes on “Lunch with the Chamber”
Pastor Wes was interviewed on this week’s edition of “Lunch with the Chamber” on the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.