From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

What do you think of when you hear the word parlor?

Do you picture women drinking hot tea?  Or do you imagine a place where you go to meetings?

As part of our Deep Roots renovations we now have sights set on the Grace Parlor.  Chris Alexander, Ben Juhnke, and Kendall Price are working with me and Martin Burch on this project.  One of the early conversations the team had was about what our parlor is used for.  This is ...

Dear Grace Community,

This month we started reading through the book of Mark in worship. The first two weeks there was a focus on healing stories.

In my sermon preparation, I focused on the history, and context, and connecting the stories to our month-long theme, “Why Church?”  Then I stood up to preach and looked at you and thought of your stories and the people in your lives who long for healing.  It occurred to me then how hard it might be ...

Dear Grace Community,

I’ve said it many times, Advent and Christmas are my favorite times in the physical life of Grace.  The beauty of this space is somehow even more awe-inspiring with poinsettias, greenery, and lights.  I give thanks to God for the ways I catch my breath walking in the Sanctuary or the Great Room for worship.

Being inspired by beauty is a gift in this season, a gift I gratefully receive.  And like with any gift from God, I am ...

Dear Grace Community,

While technically not a Christian Holiday, Thanksgiving has the feel of a holy day.  Many times in the Psalms we hear the words, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  God’s love endures forever.”  To set aside a day for giving thanks is a gift.  I hope it is that for you.

I am aware that Thanksgiving, or any holiday, can also be hard depending on life situations.  We’ve had 14 deaths in our congregation this year, ...

Dear Grace Community,

We are almost two months into our school year. This means we’re almost two months into our journey through the Bible together. This year, from September – May, we’re going through the Old and New Testaments together.  On Sunday mornings we focus on some of the big stories, and then during the week you’re invited to read scripture each day.

I know that many of you are doing this (or trying!), and I can feel the renewed energy around ...