I'll never forget when I was in high school, going with my youth pastor, Dan, to visit one of the new kids who had visited our church (we'll call him Chris). As we were talking to Chris, Dan realized that he knew a bit about the Bible but perhaps didn't have a great understanding of how we're saved. So he got out a piece of paper and, after defining the words "faith" "wo...

This Sunday, we'll be continuing our series on The Book of James, entitled "We Walk in Wisdom." We're spending the summer looking at what the brother of Jesus has to say about wisdom. And this week we'll be looking at James 2:1-13 on the "Wisdom for Prejudice." Now, we don't need wisdom on being prejudiced, but we do need wisdom on how to handle prejudice when it shows up...

Hey, first of all, thanks to everyone for being flexible with Sunday School and Children's Church rooms as we navigate our way through Harper Park's renovation this summer. I'm sure there will be lots more changes coming our way. And if you're looking for somewhere to serve, Children's Church needs some people. The more adults we have serving, the easier it is. Second, s...

This Sunday, we will be continuing our new study in The Book of James. Some havecalled James' epistle the New Testament's Proverbs. It is certainly full of practicalteaching and wisdom. Last week, we were introduced to the book's divinely inspiredauthor, the Apostle James, Jesus' younger brother. We were instructed "to count it alljoy" when we "meet trials of vario...

I hope you're enjoying summer and our study of the book of James. We're in the middle of a lot of preaching by Ruling Elders and Associate Pastors, so enjoy the variety! James Murphy did a great job last week. As we read and preach through James, we need to keep reminding ourselves that James is not writing to tell people what to do to be saved, he's writing to describe ...

This Sunday, we're starting our new series on The Book of James, which I've entitled "We Walk in Wisdom." I think coming off our series on "The Time of Trouble," it will be good to look at James since he puts such great emphasis on living wisely in all areas of our life. Now, of course, that's easier said than done. We all tend to think we're wise (most of the time, anywa...

As May passes into June, we are looking at a lot of transition.Somehow Kath and I are old enough to have a son graduating from High School.Congrats to our Miles, along with Luke Adsit, Pierce Brenner, and Seth VanDerLinden as they graduate from High School!Congrats to Kathryn Christina Beaton, Annie Hunter, Sophia Clifton, Leah Bolzman, Nathaniel Mullins, Sam Rohrdanz...

Community Group Study Guide for May 27-June 2...

This Sunday, we're well into the series "The Time of Trouble." Due to travel and surgery, I haven't been in the pulpit for the last four Sundays, so first, I want to thank Dave Frank (and Nick Batzig) for stepping up and preaching faithfully. I'm in the enviable position of not having to worry when I'm away or unable to preach, since I know that the church is in good ha...

This Sunday, we have the unique opportunity to hear from Rev. Nick Batzig, who will be leading our officer retreat this weekend. I've visited Nick's church and he's a wonderful preacher. Nick is the Pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Georgia. A native Georgian, Nick attended Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina wh...