I had a seminary professor, Laurence Hull Stookey, who challenged the notion that “Every Sunday is a Little Easter,” an ecclesiastical and theological statement that many aspiring pastors are often taught. He supported the idea that every worship service should proclaim God’s grace, but he would often ask, “If every Sunday is a Little Easter, what does that make Easter Sunday?”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

On November 30, we enter into a 4-week season in the Christian year we call Advent. Advent is a word that means a “coming into view” or “arrival.” Advent in the Christian year is meant to be a time of preparation for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. While we prepare for the joyous celebration of Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that preparation can be spiritual as well as practical. Family and personal traditions may need to be planned in order to celebrate t

I know that some of you are going to spend your first Christmas without a loved one who died this past year. Your hearts are broken and you