Pastor Brian's Blog

Our series for October is called “Stranger Things.”  It is inspired by the first season of the Netflix original show by producers Matt and Ross Duffer.  The plot centers around a small Midwestern town trying to deal with a missing boy, secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl.  I doubt you have ever heard a sermon series like it! I am a big fan of science fiction, and I know that “Stranger Things” was not written to promote Christian faith.  However, using the lens of faith, I believe it is possible to see connections between certain aspects of the show and our faith.  At other times, our faith offers an alternative view or critique of the “Stranger Things” universe.   You can view the trailer for season one on YouTube. One common thread between “Stranger Things” and the gospel of Jesus is that the world can be a scary, messed up place.  When trouble comes and people are lost,...

I learned about “open houses” from my childhood friend, Jennifer Pritchard.   Her mom was a real estate agent who hosted an open house to give prospective buyers a chance to check out a house for sale.   Mrs. Pritchard would be available during a set time to welcome people who stopped by.   She would show them around the house (or let them wander around).   She also would provide information about the house and answer any questions.   At other times, Jennifer’s mom invited people to her house for special occasions, like a birthday or graduation or holiday, just to have a party.   This type of open house was for those people who were explicitly invited.   Guests could come and go within a specific timeframe.   I could always count on a friendly environment and tasty treats at the Pritchard’s house. September is Open House Month for Trinity Church.   We want to offer the best of both kinds of open house.   We want anyone...

“The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” says the psalmist (Psalm 24:1, CEB).  In September, I will lead a new series called “A Good Creation.”  It is intended to be part of a growing ecumenical and international observance of September as the “Season of Creation.”  Also known as “Creation Time,” a Lutheran pastor in Australia started the movement in 2000 as a celebration of prayer and action to protect creation.  Since then, it has spread among Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Christians around the world. In our series, we will explore how God’s Word is the impulse that summons forth creation, evokes praise from nature, and stirs life in the world.  Each week, we will focus on a different aspect of God’s good creation and our relationship to it.  September 2 – Holy Communion Planet Earth Genesis 1:1-25 September 9 Humankind Genesis 1:26-28 September 16 Sky Jeremiah 4:23-38 September 23...

A few weeks ago, I had a bicycle accident that resulted in the dislocation of my right shoulder.   The first four hours were excruciating, the worst pain I have ever experienced. While I was laying on the sidewalk, waiting for the ambulance to come, several people stopped out of concern.   I didn't know any of them, but they were willing to help me, a stranger. A few asked if they could call 911.   Two people offered water.   However, by this time, I didn't need their help.   The ambulance had already been called, and I did not want anything to drink.   There was nothing anyone could do to take away the pain before the paramedics came.   Yet, in my hour of need, I was glad that someone cared. That is what makes for intercessory prayer — caring about people who are sick or hurting in their time of distress. Sometimes we think about prayer in a utilitarian way, assuming that praying is pointless unless it will do some measurable...