Dear Caldwell, Yesterday morning in worship, James Ford charged us in his sermon to seek continually our identity in Jesus Christ – by going directly to who Christ showed himself to be. Afterward over lunch, about 100 members of the congregation took part in a robust and energizing dialogue about how we live out of our specific …
Dear Caldwell, This Sunday, we will hear a word from an important, emerging voice in our city – James Ford. Then, we will dream. But, first, a word about James. When he was with Caldwell last, on the Sunday of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 2016, he preached about how David and Saul, though …
Dear Caldwell, When I was in college, we shagged to an old beach song that declared all should “Be young. Be foolish. Be happy!” Hear me clearly when I say that is not my pastoral advice for everyone. But it is a reminder that a youthful perspective has its advantages. Last Sunday, our youth brought their perspective …
Dear Caldwell, As we begin this week’s journey from Sunday to Sunday, what an abundance we take with us. Yesterday was as full as a day at Caldwell can be. The ACE Class started with a great new study of living faithfully in a culture of excess. The youth led us in meaningful and memorable worship. …
Dear Caldwell, Now we are in Eastertide, that season of celebrating and praying on the gift of God’s grace, Christ Jesus dying for our sins and calling us to be Easter people of resurrection and reconciliation. In other words, as we considered in last Sunday’s sermon (here), we are called by the One who stood in …
Dear Caldwell, What a rich and grounding worship experience we shared last night. Thank you to all the people, many invisible, who helped make the service possible. I would love to hear about your experience and feelings about the service. You can call or email me here. Reflecting on the meaning of Christ’s humility in the face …
Dear Caldwell, On Palm Sunday we recalled how the crowds gathered with shouts of “Hosanna in the Highest.” Tonight, we gather to recall what followed a few days later – shouts of “Crucify him!” And so begin the final stages of Holy Week as we worship tonight at 7 p.m. We will read the passion narrative, …
Dear Caldwell, We wrapped up another year of the Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten Worship series this week. Our theme has been Crisis and the Cross. What is the great crisis of our times? When she was in town Sunday night to speak at First Presbyterian Church, national faith commentator and journalist Krista Tippett offered …
Dear Caldwell, On Sunday, we will get to know a character from the Gospel of John named Caiphas, who was all about political expediency – the imperfect and often tragic art of compromise just for the sake of doing something, all in a desperate attempt to hold on to power. But we don’t have to wait …
Dear Caldwell, In a recent Pew Research Center poll of “highly religious Americans,” respondents named the things they think “are most essential to being a Christian.” Respondents’ top five were: Believing in God (86%) Being grateful for what you have (71%) Forgiving those who have wronged you (69%) Always being honest (67%) Praying regularly (63%) I certainly …
