I have been looking for ideas to make our Pentecost celebration special. I found an old reference book that had these suggested symbols: Dove — They would make a mess in the sanctuary. Instead, we will sing the hymn Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song, because that will be tidy. Flames — The Fire Marshal would not approve of a bonfire but watch out for candles! Censor — We do not own one and not sure what we would do with it. Beehive — I am allergic to bee stings, that is out. Ark (symbol of the church) — Too big to fit in our building!!! I thought about bringing in a fan to simulate the Spirit moving among us but the Production Team said that swirling air currents could possibly spread germs

As I have said many times, this new way of celebrating the Lord's Day, via live streaming, is a challenge for me. I hope I am catching on and improving each week. I watch the service on Monday mornings and analyze my pronunciation, voice projection, body stance and language, the pauses and the blunders. You who have heard your own recorded voice will understand that I am not impressed with my voice but it is the only one God gave me and so I journey on with it. I would rather focus on the talented people who make our worship experiences meaningful and enjoyable. Tom Stein, Director of Music, prepares beautiful meditative pieces as well as accompanies hymn singing. Duane Phillips sets up micr

How beautiful is the green earth, the stars in the heavens above? But what would the whole earth be worth if we did not fill it with love? The drive to work each morning has become a joy. Things that looked like eyesores in the bareness of winter are all of a sudden becoming things of beauty. The grass is the lush bright green of spring. Hostas have arisen from the ground and seem to grow and expand overnight. Trees are budding and some are blooming providing splashes of color here and there. Tulips and other flowers wave greetings to passersby. We have waited so many months for this very time. Enjoy! Thank God for the extravagant gift of earth, our home, and of spring, a promise of new life

Sometimes as I am falling asleep, I mentally walk through Edgemont School, my grade school, in East St. Louis. The building I attended no longer stands and the playground is no longer recognizable. I had many happy days in that building and it is amazing that I can still visualize each of the 10 rooms in that school and name the teacher that directed learning therein. Funny that I can remember that old green building so well but cannot remember what I did last month! On other nights I lull myself to sleep trying to remember faces and voices of loved ones who have passed. I can see my childhood Pastor of Immanuel Evangelical and Reformed Church, I remember his gait, his haircut, his smile. I

When we meet a friend or are introduced to a new friend we often say, "Hello, nice to meet you." Very often when we greet someone in person or over the phone we begin with, "How are you?" That three-word question rolls off our tongues without our even thinking about it. It has become a trite question and all too often we do not give time for the other person to give a thoughtful answer, or we do not listen carefully so that the other person's response registers on our brains. We are just off and running with what we want to say. (I pronounce myself guilty of this!) In these virus-tainted days that second greeting, "How are you?" is more important than ever. Call a friend. Call an acquaintanc