By James Hopkins - Here’s one of the things I heard while the Cathedral of Notre Dame was burning: Even before the spire fell, some Christians on Facebook were commenting, It’s just a building, and buildings don’t matter. The only thing that really matters is what happens inside. And, so, in a way, this is … Continue reading The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord
By Cindy Koch - It’s not Christmas. The neighbors haven’t plastered their home with Easter lights, nor has the Easter tree been trimmed with ribbons and bows. The little children don’t bubble with excitement in quite the same way. The grownups don’t stay up late shopping and preparing for the long-anticipated Easter Eve. It’s not … Continue reading Ancient Easter Joy is for the Kids
By Joel A. Hess - Who would have thought that such a glorious building would go down in flames? Flames, of all things. Not an atomic bomb or any of our glorious manmade tools of destruction, but something as rudimentary and old as fire. All the hard work of well-intentioned men was destroyed in a … Continue reading Destroy this Temple
By Paul Koch - Palm Sunday is a day of great motion and transition in the life of the church. It marks the beginning of the greatest week of observance and celebration as we go from our Lord riding triumphantly into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” to being unjustly condemned with shouts of “Crucify him!” … Continue reading Fear Not
By Joel A. Hess - Want to be a hard worker? There are plenty of institutions, mentors, and businesses that can enable you to be a productive member of society better than the church. Want to be a good person? There are plenty of equally effective religions and philosophies that can encourage and equip people … Continue reading You can only get this at Christ’s Church
By Paul Koch - I have been doing this for a long time now. As a pastor, I realize that I’m at that age where the old guys no longer try to give me any advice, but I’m too young for any of the young guys to care about my advice. Yet overall I’ve been … Continue reading Handing over the Goods
By Joel A. Hess - You’re preaching to the choir! We say this when someone says something we’ve already heard and know, when we think it’s a waste of time. Sadly, I have thought this many times, maybe even said it. This phrase enters my dumb head when I’m writing a sermon every week or … Continue reading The choir needs preaching too
