St. Mark Lutheran Church — Snydertown

“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

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly … and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ” — Colossians 3:16–17 (NRSVUE) While most know that I am not the best singer around, singing and music have for the longest time been used to worship God in meaningful and powerful ways. Just think about Easter Sunday an

“The crowds that went ahead of [Jesus] and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ ” — Matthew 21:9 (NRSVUE) When I was a child growing up in the church, the week before Easter was always Palm Sunday . There was no Palm/Passion Sunday, as many churches now have where the worship begins with remembering and reflecting on Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” — Luke 2:10–11 (NRSVUE) If you have attended a sporting event lately, you may notice that when there is a play that is being reviewed and the officials have to look at replays to see what the correct call is, usually the home arena or stadium will play the song, “Tell Me Some