Joy is something that often comes upon us in unexpected ways, at unexpected times. How can it be possible that that would happen at Christmas, when so much of the “joy” would seem to be somewhat manufactured?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for December 12, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

Sometimes when we are getting something new, we need to clear the way for it by getting rid of something old. Is it possible that we would receive the gifts (including THE gift) of Christmas better if we clear the way for them?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for December 5, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The gift of God in human form at Christmas is for us—“unto us a child is born” Isaiah says. But it’s not just for me, and you—it is for the world. What does “the world” mean?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for November 28, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The “church year” ends, interestingly, near Thanksgiving, as the four Sundays before Christmas are the first four in the new “church year”. It’s appropriate to end the “year” with thanksgiving and rejoicing. How are the ways and what are the reasons we give thanks and rejoice?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for November 21, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with the fifth in the series on our membership vows in our church. We support our church with our witness, so this sermon is “Who We Are: Tell Your Story”—as we acknowledge that our own stories are part of God’s story.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for November 14, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with the fourth in the series on our membership vows in our church. We support our church with our service, so this sermon is “Who We Are: Own Our Church”—we take ownership of our part of the church’s ministry.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for November 7, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with the third in the series on our membership vows in our church. We support our church with our gifts, so this sermon is “Who We Are: Give Cheerfully.”

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for October 31, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with the second in the series on our membership vows in our church. We support our church with our presence, so this sermon is “Who We Are: Jump In.”

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for October 24, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with the first in the series on our membership vows in our church. We support our church with our prayers, so the first sermon is “Who We Are: Pray and Pray Again.”

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for October 17, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church (wearing a mask), tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with a double reminder of how we are to interact with others—first, speak the truth, and second, speak it with love. Both are possible, and it is much easier for us to hear the truth if it is spoken to us with love. And it’s much easier to speak it if we speak it with love.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for October 10, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with a challenge, particularly in today’s polarized climate. Followers of Jesus are to “Assume Positive Intent”—to trust in the integrity of those we are in fellowship with, and not to assume the worst possible motives.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for October 3, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with affirming that “Listening Generously”—to anyone and everyone, no matter who they are—is a key component of genuinely following Jesus.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for September 26, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” continues with recognizing that being a part of a group who follows Jesus means being supportive of one another, and celebrating each other.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for September 19, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The sermon series “Who We Are” is about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a Christian. Following Jesus affects “who we are”—and how we live our lives day by day. Interestingly, one of the foundational traits of a follower of Jesus is not one we usually think about—humility.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for September 12, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

Serendipity is defined as “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” Sometimes, it seems, things just work out. Sometimes, however, God is at work in what could be assumed to be serendipity.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for September 5, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

Sometimes, in some way we can’t explain, we get a vision of something. It may not make sense, or it may make perfect sense, but it comes from beyond us. even with all good intentions, our priorities don’t line up with God’s priorities. It’s not a new story. But prayer can help us get things right.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for August 29, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The Rev. Glenn Kohlhepp will be our guest preacher this coming Sunday. Glenn served as pastor at McKnight UMC from 1981-1988. His sermon will be “LOVE . . . HATE” from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for August 22, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday, and you have three options to attend: attend in person at the church, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

Sometimes, even with all good intentions, our priorities don’t line up with God’s priorities. It’s not a new story. But prayer can help us get things right.

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for August 15, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church—wearing a mask, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

When circumstances change, our approach needs to change—particularly if we are seeking to be true to the mission that hasn’t changed. How do we adapt?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for August 8, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday, and you have three options to attend: attend in person at the church, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce

The early followers of Jesus sought to “speak the Word with boldness”. What do we think about speaking and acting boldly?

Follow this link to the Pastor’s Ponderings for August 1, 2021 for further thoughts. We worship at 10 AM this Sunday, and will celebrate Holy Communion. You have three options to attend: attend in person at the church, tune in on Facebook Live, or connect on Zoom with your phone, computer, tablet, or whatever other device works for online connecting.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bruce