Pastor Brian's Blog

“For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death us do part.” 1 Fifty years ago, my parents made these vows to one another at the United Methodist Church in Saybrook, Illinois (just two weeks after the union of the Methodists and Evangelical United Brethren that formed our current denomination).   Over the decades, Cliff and Sally have been through it all: better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health.   They have experienced both stress and support from extended family members.   They have earned, spent, borrowed, inherited, and given large amounts of money.   As the parents of three children, they established a safe home and provided the security of love.   They attended countless little league games, gym meets, dance recitals, band and choral concerts, courts of honor, and graduations.   While being proud parents, they have also worried about the wellbeing of their children.   And they h...

Our lives are full of transitions.  Everything changes.   In June, we will begin a new series called “When Change Happens.”  It is based on the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel which tells the story of Samuel, Saul, and David and a society undergoing significant change.  When change happens, we experience disbelief (What?).  We want to understand the underlying rationale (Why?).  We feel anxious about people leaving from or rising to leadership (Who?).  We grieve for the old ways and anticipate new ways (How?). Amid the disruption, at every stage of transition, God’s saving love abides. June 3 1 Samuel 3:1-10 What? - Eli to Samuel June 10 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 Why? - Samuel to Saul June 17 1 Samuel 15:34 — 16:13 Who? - Saul to David, Part 1 June 24 1 Samuel 17:32-49 How? - Saul to David, Part 2

“I am the church.   You are the church.   We are the church together.” 1   As a child, I learned from these lyrics that the church is not a building.   The church is a people.   Yet many churches own buildings — and Trinity’s building is magnificent.   It is an inspiring place where we worship God, grow in faith, welcome our neighbors, and serve the community. Built in 1929 for $458,000 ($6.7 million in today’s dollars), our church home stands as a testimony to the faith of our forebears who gave generously and made the necessary sacrifices to pay the mortgage during the Great Depression and World War II. At the time, Trinity’s Gothic revival architecture was popular for churches.   But it had detractors.   One critic complained that “limestone Christianity” diverts resources away from efforts to promote moral reform.   In defense of the expense of beautiful church buildings, one leader argued that “a cheap building in...

Easter is a celebration of new life in Christ.  We have many ways of representing it.  One example is the contrast between darkness and light.  On Good Friday, we read the story of Jesus’ suffering and death, gradually extinguishing candles until the sanctuary is dim with shadows.  This darkness reminds us that the Light of the World was hidden from sight while Christ was in the tomb.  Then on Easter Sunday, in the dim light of morning before the 8:30 a.m. service, we gather in the garden around a fire that began with just a spark.  We light a brand new Paschal candle from that fire.  The solemnity of Good Friday succumbs to the celebration of singing “Alleluia” on Easter Sunday.  Another example of representing new life in Christ on Easter is flowers.  We decorate the Sanctuary with colorful tulips and fragrant white lilies.  These plants grow from ugly gnarled bulbs, which look devoid of all life when planted in soil...