MLK Holiday. Inauguration Day: the Second Day After

My thoughts continue: Both parties from the White House have issued Executive Orders. I do not know if any received unanimous or even majority bipartisan affirmation. I still am posing the question, “What is happening in America?” On the MLK Holiday, the Inauguration, and the days  following, Civil Rights took a big hit. Genders were defined only as male and female. The Justice Department has been tasked with investigating and enforcing particular Executive Orders. And don’t forget there was a seemingly authentic Hitlerian gesture by Elon Musk, a dismissal of the first female Admiral, a mass pardoning of criminals by our President, a convicted criminal himself, an apparent complete marginalization of “the other,” an Order for mass deportation of immigrants, and one ending constitutional birthright citizenship. I continue to pray that the Lord have mercy on the intended and unintended consequences of the November election, the inauguration, and the numerous Executive Orders. And Lord have mercy on me, us, and the American electorate! Lord have mercy on America!

Yes, 2025 is here and with a big entrance. There is nothing wrong with President Trump doing what he promised to do. Yes, he won the popular vote with 49.7% of the total votes cast. Now, the big question, can we examine any President’s Administration and see the fruit of the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 25? I am not an advocate of Christian Nationalism. I am an advocate of how the four major world religions, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all lift up facets of the aforementioned as demonstration of the common good, which I would hope any US Presidential Administration would work to accomplish through the Executive Branch, Congress, and the Judiciary.

For me, in this pursuit, I am particularly drawn to Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The path that I am on with the Lord Jesus Christ is my journey of faith, and it is one for which I seek to be continually prepared. I want to make an impact for the common good, not just one or two demographic groups. That impact has spiritual and political implications. Yes, tough decisions have to be made, but with compassion, kindness, love, and justice. My journey of faith as an individual and the journey of faith I am on with you as a community are integrally entwined. We need each other.

I cannot forget that Jesus told his disciples to pick up their cross, give everything away to the poor, and make disciples of all peoples. What will doing the things above look like for you?

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Happy New Year, everyone. And I hope each of you has had an opportunity to reflect on all that happened in our world, nation, state, county, city, and most importantly in your life. And, I must say that we responded well to the first snow in 2025. I’m sorry we couldn’t meet for worship last Sunday. But we all were safe and warm in our homes. 

Yes, 2024 has gone, and 2025 is here. Like many of you, I examine where I have been and where I want to go with my life when the calendar year changes. I do not make resolutions, but I do take a good look at the journey I have been on and where it is going.

As a Christian, I examine the journey in the light of God’s Word. I am particularly drawn to Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The path that I am on with the Lord Jesus Christ is my journey of faith, and it is one for which I seek to be continually prepared. My journey of faith as an individual and the journey of faith I am on with you as a community are integrally entwined. We need each other.

Journeys require preparation and certain behaviors. Take airplane travel. That’s fun. Only one bag can be checked. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all containers of gels and liquids not to exceed 3 ounces each and be placed in a 1-quart clear zip lock bag. As I walk through the screening machine, I must take off my shoes, make sure there are no metal objects on my person that will set off the alarm, and place my laptop in a container. I can only board the plane when my group number has been called. I must listen to the in-flight instructions and use the bathroom in my ticketed cabin. I cannot congregate near the galleys or cockpit door, and my seat belt must remain fastened at all times. Yes, a journey on a plane is complicated.

The same is true in our Christian journey. Jesus told his disciples many things, but three of the most significant were to pick up their cross, give everything away to the poor, and make disciples of all peoples. 

On Monday, December 16, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC):

Mitzi Darmstetter,          Kevin East,                                        Bruce Gealy,                                        Adam Lancelot,

Janet Rhoads,               Carolyn Shaw,                             Ginny Vincent.

Sunday, January 12 is the Special Congregational meeting, immediately following the 11:00 am Worship Service, to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Happy New Year everyone. And I hope each of you has had an opportunity to reflect on all that happened in our world, nation, state, county, city, and most importantly in each of our lives.

Yes, 2024 has gone, and 2025 is here. Like many of you, I examine where I have been and where I want to go with my life when the calendar year changes. I do not make resolutions, but I do take a good look at the journey I have been on and where it is going.

As a Christian, I examine the journey in the light of God’s Word. I am particularly drawn to Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The path that I am on with the Lord Jesus Christ is my journey of faith and it is one for which I seek to be continually prepared. My journey of faith as an individual and the journey of faith I am on with you as a community is integrally entwined. We need each other.

Journeys require preparation and certain behaviors. Take airplane travel. That’s fun. I can only take two carry-on items. Only one bag can be checked. The weight of the bag cannot exceed 50 pounds, or an overweight charge will be assessed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all gels and liquids not to exceed 3 ounces and be placed in a 1-quart clear zip lock bag. Only one zip lock bag per passenger is allowed, and it must be placed in a container for screening. As I walk through the screening machine, I must take off my shoes, make sure there are no metal objects on my person that will set off the alarm, place my laptop in a container, and take off my shoes. I can only board the plane when my group number has been called. I must listen to the in-flight instructions and use the bathroom in my ticketed cabin. I cannot congregate near the galleys or cockpit door, and my seat belt must remain fastened at all times. Yes, a journey on a plane is complicated.

The same is true in our Christian journey. Jesus told his disciples many things, but three of the most significant were to pick up their cross, give everything away to the poor, and make disciples of all peoples.

On Monday, December 16, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00 am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian Discipleship and Spiritual Formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

Advent is about new beginnings. And on Christmas Eve we experienced the culmination of waiting and expecting. Yes, we began a deeper walk with the One who knows us the best and loves us the most.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to us in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.
• Joy ensures your new beginning is grounded in God’s imminent presence.
• Love ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s unconditional love.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus who knows you the best and loves you the most.

On Monday, December 16, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00 am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian Discipleship and Spiritual Formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

• Advent is about new beginnings. The Fourth Sunday in Advent is December 22.

What is the new beginning in your life that you desire more love?

• Hope is the expectation that God reigns and God’s promises will be fulfilled.
• Peace is something God will give you that surpasses all understanding.
• Joy is the contentment that adds buoyancy to your soul.
• Love is anchor to our relationship with God and others.

Jesus came into the world, fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ brings salvation to humans in order to reconcile all things to the Father.

• Hope ensures your new beginning is purposed by God and not an accident.
• Peace ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s faithfulness.
• Joy ensures your new beginning is grounded in God’s imminent presence.
• Love ensures your new beginning is anchored in God’s unconditional love.

It is this Jesus who suffered, died, and was buried for you. It is this Jesus who rose from the dead in order for you to know the most incredible new beginning…forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and purpose for living.

It is this Jesus that we are expecting and waiting for, waiting for and expecting.

This past Monday night the Stated Session meeting, the Session received the Nominating Committee’s report for the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): Mitzi Darmstetter, Kevin East, Bruce Gealy, Adam Lancelot, Janet Rhoads, Carolyn Shaw, and Ginny Vincent. The Session also called a Special Congregational meeting for Sunday, January 12, 2025, immediately following the 11:00am Worship Service to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members and Paula Lancelot to the Deacon Class of 2027.

On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor