Pastor Brian's Blog

According to Jesus, "Every good tree produces good fruit" (Matthew 7:17).   By practicing five practices of fruitfulness, we fulfill our purpose in Christ. In March I will lead a new series on  Five Fruitful Practices , based on the good work of United Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase . In addition to the sermon series, make plans to attend the all-church retreat and read the companion daily devotional book for Lent. ALL CHURCH RETREAT "Five Fruitful Practices" Sat., March 15 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. DAILY DEVOTIONAL Forty Days of Fruitful Living Obtain your copy (paperback or eBook) from Cokesbury.com.   The Church Office has a limited number of copies for $10.  Radical Hospitality : offering the gracious invitation welcome and hospitality of Christ so that people experience a sense of belonging. Passionate Worship : shaping souls and changing minds through worship and creating a desire grow closer to Christ. Intentional Faith Development : nurt...

The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most inspirational words attributed to Jesus.  It is a timeless message that deals with common human concerns – despair, resentment, temptation, superficiality, dishonesty, materialism, anxiety, and more.   In February, Rev. Smith will be leading a new series at Trinity Church on the Sermon on the Mount, which has been described as the heart and soul of the Christian faith and a new ethic for the world.  According to John Wesley, the Sermon on the Mount shows us the way to heaven, for in it, Jesus "is teaching us the true way to life everlasting."  Feb. 2 "Blessed" Matthew 5:1-12 Feb. 9 "Salt & Light" Matthew 5:13-20 Feb. 16 "Yes or No" Matthew 5:21-37 Feb. 23 "Extra Effort" Matthew 5:38-48 Mar. 2 "Do Not Worry" Matthew 6:24-34 Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5 "Treasure of the Heart" Matthew 6:1-21

On Sun., January 12 we celebrated -- with noise-makers, applause, and cheering -- the good news of being able to fulfill 100% of our 2013 apportionment.   It was no small feat: $69,540 ! But then, we will have no small impact:  (1)  reaching new people; ( 2)  improving health globally;  (3)  engaging in ministry with the poor; and  (4)  developing principled leaders for the church and the world .   Apportionments are the "portion" of our gifts that are "meant" for serving others through our global United Methodist connection.   Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone.  We combine our efforts to make a significant difference in the lives of God's people. Plus, Rainbow Covenant Status! We gave more than the minimum.  Through second-mile giving to local, regional, national, and international mission efforts, we achie...

As the new year begins, I would like to share with you a very special message of peace from the Wilmette Interfaith Religious Leaders (WIRL).  Each of our faith communities contributed a message of peace from the sacred writings of our tradition for a greeting card to be shared with our community leaders.  For Trinity Church's contribution, Catherine Petersen and I selected Paul's teaching from Romans 12 in which he urges us to do everything in our power to choose to live in peace with all people.   Read all of Romans 12 to see what this involves.      We are also proud that original artwork by Maya VanderKamp was selected for the cover of the greeting card.    Maya is a 7-year-old from Trinity Church! Here's the full text of the greeting card...    The religious traditions of Wilmette wish to share their common yearning for Peace with you. ·          “May the One ...

What will you take out of the box this Christmas? Starting Sun., Dec. 1, a new 4-week series on Christmas called "Outside the Box" will begin. Each week we will explore a different theme that will help you take Christmas out of the box this year. Open Up "Expectations" (Dec. 1) Open Up "Acceptance" (Dec. 8) Open Up "Family" (Dec. 15) Open Up "Yourself" (Dec. 22)  Take Christmas out of the box this year. You may even find yourself in the story!  

On Sun., Nov. 17, a series of tornadoes tore through central Illinois.  Hard hit was my hometown of Washington.   The winds of this EF-4 tornado blew at 190 mph.  In Washington alone, n early 1,100 buildings were damaged, about 120 people were injured.  At least o ne person was killed.   My parents are safe and their home was not damaged, but the neighborhood directly south of my home church (Crossroads United Methodist Church) was flattened, as the police video below shows.   I have seen devastation from other storms, but seeing such destruction in a community I know and love moved me to tears.      My first impulse was to go and do something.  My home church is one of the sites offering food and shelter to neighbors displaced by the storm.  I sent words of prayer and support to the pastor of my home church, and then contacted our district superintendent and the Northern Illinois Conference disaster coordinator to see how ...

On Fri., Nov. 15, along with other United Methodist clergy friends and colleagues, I met with Filipino Bishop Cerrie Francisco and his wife Restetita, who happened to be in the U.S. for a meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops when Typhoon Haiyan ripped across their country last week.    Bp. Francisco is the leader of the Davao Area in the south, which was the hardest hit region and includes many islands and remote areas.  Some 800,000 people have been displaced.  Six United Methodist churches in his area were damaged by the storm.    I asked the bishop to describe the people of the Davao Area.  He said that many are very poor and that fishing and farming (rice and corn) are the chief means of self-support.  The typhoon has destroyed homes and food supplies.  My colleague Rev. Rolland Hayag told how his wife's parents lost their home to the storm.  They are safe and now living with...