St. Mark Lutheran Church — Snydertown

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” — Psalm 9:1 (NRSVUE) November, of course, is the month of Thanksgiving, which is a time to reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. Giving thanks, of course, isn’t meant just for one day, or even one month, but also for each and every day — acknowledging that Yes, there are days when it is difficult to be thankful and feel a sense of gratitude. Yet, no matter if we feel a

“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:24–25 (Common English Bible) How we gather, how we come together as people, has been on my mind lately, and it’s something you may hear a good deal more about as we are fast approaching the sta

“In God we live, move, and exist.” — Acts 17:28 (Common English Bible) How big is the gap (metaphorically speaking) between Sunday and Monday in your life, our lives? The gap between what happens on Sunday when it comes to worship, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, sharing in Holy Communion, praying, singing hymns, etc., and what we do Monday and the other five days before the next Sunday rolls around. I don’t pose this question with the idea of shaming anyone — Oh

“Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth — teach it to me — because you are the God who saves me.” — Psalm 25:4–5 (CEB) It is August, which means Grange Fair! And it also means (sigh or Yea!) back to school! This year, going back to school also applies to yours truly. From August 9 to 13, I will be attending Preaching the Paradox: A Festival of Lutheran Proclamation. The preaching event will be held at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysb

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 (NRSVUE) As this country marks its 250th birthday on July 4, there is much to reflect on and celebrate for this landmark year for the United States. We can celebrate how much good this country has done in many areas of life, including a form of government where we have elections and the people determine the country’s leaders and those who repre

“Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?” — Isaiah 43:19 (CEB) “And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’” — Revelation 21:5 (NRSVUE) Aging has been on mind recently. I have had a number of older people who are dealing with health issues say to me, jokingly, “Don’t ever get old!” As if that is a choice! I also continue to watch my sons spend a good deal of time with their friends — either playing ba

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.” — Psalm 131:2 (NRSVUE) Whether we are talking about our faith life or life in general, I believe it’s so vital to find times of quiet and calmness. To wean, even for those brief moments, from a sense of needing to do something, of needing to pick up our phone, of checking our email, of responding to the noise of the world that surrounds us. Times