The Christmas season is a wonderful time to be a believer— people are in a giving spirit, and a church, because of its founder, Jesus Christ, encourages its members to be especially devoted to serving the least of these, reaching out to the lonely and those more often forgotten. There is a state hospital in Richmond, and the church I served had a Sunday…
FPC Blog
Lord of the Dance by Brian Wuerch This past Sunday our choir did a Don Hart arrangement of “Lord of the Dance”. The song, written originally in 1963 by the English poet and songwriter, Sydney Carter depicts Christ’s life as a dance. Carter based the song on an old Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts”. The Shakers, sometimes referred to as the “Shaking Quakers”,…
“Glorify and Enjoy God” by David Layman You may not have noticed the new addition to our church sign but the words have a special meaning as explained below by David Layman. Although active church members might not like to acknowledge it, many today consider Christians to be of sour disposition. To them the faith is a list of things we ought…
Johnathan- it was fun for me because of the children and giving them high fives. I learned it is better to serve others. It was also a great learning experience I also connected to youth. I loved spending time with my friends and serving people. I loved to play the games and activities with the younger kids and also dancing with the…
As I go through the steps to prepare for our first mission trip to Sumpango, Guatemala, the absolute laundry list of details that must be conquered have had a way of stealing all my attentions and intentions. I find myself begging for God to not only give me the strength I need to conquer The List, but also to help shift my…
Lent by David Layman The Ash Wednesday worship service usually includes the imposition of ashes on the forehead, with a worship leader saying “Dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” This is a quote from Genesis 3:19, where God pronounces judgment upon man and woman because of their sin, and the mortality which results. Ash Wednesday begins the penitential season…
Why God Made Winter by David Layman Did you ever wonder why God made winter? Of course, a little snow is beautiful. Each snowflake is different–there’s a lesson in that, for sure! The increasing minutes and hours of darkness make the coming of Jesus to be the light of the world even more enlightening. But wouldn’t a couple of weeks of snow…
God Can Mend a Broken Heart In Ways We Don’t Expect by David Layman If you haven’t read Part I of David’s story, click here. Before Christmas I wrote of the Christmas visit with my grandfather when I was nearing the end of my schooling for the ministry, going through an unwanted divorce, and wondering if there was a church somewhere that…
Christmas Renewal by Brian Wuerch My Christmas wreath received a makeover this year. For many years we have hung a large wreath high on our exterior chimney facade. We add lights and a huge red bow for embellishment. But, this year, as I brought the old wreath down from our attic, it was obvious that it was in need of some…
God’s Grace at Christmas for a Brokenhearted Man by Pastor David Layman Christmas is normally one of the happiest times of the year. Perhaps that is why I will always remember the Christmas my heart was breaking. I had finished my course of study in preparation for the ministry at Louisville Seminary, and received a scholarship for one year’s additional study, at…
Saying “Yes” – Mary… and Me by Anita Snyder The season of Advent conjures many wonderful memories of Christmases past, not the least of which was the long awaited birth of our daughter, Chloe, who after four months of bed rest, decided to make her grand appearance just a few minutes before Christmas Day. Hard to top a memory of that magnitude! …
Memories Our Christmas Display – Then and Now by Scarlett Minton Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I guess it went back to when I was a small child and my father, Gerald Whitton, had an elaborate Christmas display. Everything in the display was hand made by my father and the display began in 1937, in Lewisville,…
It’s About Time by Jeff Nickloy It was Christmas Eve, 1987. Sandra and I, along with our three children, Alex, Allison and Eric, had been in our new home, on Mill Farm Road a little more than a year. Superficially, everything seemed normal. Out back, the live Christmas tree from our 1985 Christmas, was doing nicely. There was light snow on…
A Hiking Adventure! by Judy Bunch In June of 1997, Larry had to fly to Chicago for business for a week, so Nicole and I thought it would be fun to go to Sedona and hike. A friend had told me about a beautiful hiking trail in Sedona, Arizona in Oak Creek Canyon, and the trail went along the creek. The trail…
Our small groups are meeting on all different topics this year. Read below and enjoy some of what they are discussing: Christianity, Cults & Religion: Our small group discussed the 12 essential Christian Doctrines. Some are easier or harder to accept than others. We felt that the Christian message is about being a wonderful, uplifting guide as how to treat others, more…