August 7, 2026
Hi friends,
Planning out the worship calendar is a task I both dread and enjoy at the same time. I dread the administrative nature of the task. I am more of a right brain creative thinking type and the detailed tasks of updating an Excel spreadsheet is definitely a left brain exercise.
Once I dig into the task, however, there’s always some spiritual insights, as I ponder and plan which Scriptures and sermon topics will be tackled over the next weeks or months. I use a few different online resources to help me, but mostly, its me, the Bible and then the hymnal.
As generally happens, once again the Spirit moved and the worship calendar has now been updated. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, I’ll be preaching three different sermon series between now and the end of Thanksgiving: 1) The call; 2) The Reformation; 3) Thanksgiving to Advent. These titles are mostly self-explanatory in this context, but I will add a little detail. The call series, which begins this Sunday, with a look at the Old Testament matriarch Ruth, will look at the call God placed on several perhaps lesser-known figures in the Bible. After Ruth, we’ll use Samuel (a personal favorite), Lydia, Barnabas and the married couple Priscilla and Aquila as our guides for a look at how God calls us to service in His Kingdom. In October, which concludes with Reformation Sunday on Oct. 25, we’ll spend three weeks examining some of the ways that the Protestant Reformation shaped our faith of today. Finally, in November, we’ll focus on all things about thankfulness and use that to transition into Advent in December.
That’s the plan for the near future – unless of course, the Spirit moves us otherwise, as has been known to happen from time to time.
This past weekend, Kim and I enjoyed some time in the greater Cleveland area as we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. The highlight was stopping to see the grandkids on the way home. I was trying to teach my grandson, Wesley, 15 months, how to whistle. He had the form, but not quite the art of it. There was a lot of slobber involved, but it doesn’t get much better than that!
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Have a great weekend until then.
To God be the glory!
Pastor Dan
P.S.: Continuing a fun summer tradition, on Sunday, Aug. 23 we will have a hot dog cookout immediately following the service. This will be a rain or shine event. All you have to do is show up hungry and dig in. The church will provide hot dogs, chips, drinks and something sweet for dessert. There are few things better than a hot dog on the grill!
P.S. #2: Looking ahead, we will have our Bible reading event on Sept. 12 and our congregational annual meeting on Sept. 13.