Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them. He said:

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Mourning.  It is something we all do, and we do it in different ways.  When we lose a loved one, we are sad, we might get angry and we might get confused.  Mourning hits us all in a variety of ways.

One of the great things about mourning is that it reminds us of our humanity.  To feel the loss of another person, even if we do not know them, reminds us that we are all created in the image of God.  To feel loss reminds us that we are human.

In today’s word, many downplay feelings as being weak but Jesus says otherwise.  If you mourn, you are blessed and will be comforted.

Whether your mourning is about a lost loved one, or you mourn for the state of our nation, or for the loss of someone you never met, God is blessing you – with feelings, with humanity.  Take this as the gift it is

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them. He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-3

Besides being physical, emotional and intellectual, we are spiritual people.  There is a spirit within us no matter what our religious beliefs.  The poor in spirit are those who recognize that our spirituality is not dependent upon us, rather upon God.

Wealth, power and control do nothing for our spiritual lives, rather we must be “beggars before God”, knowing our own spirit is not sufficient.

But when we rely upon God, when we turn ourselves towards the Lord, our spirit is refreshed, renewed and strengthened.

As you journey through this week, recognize that you do not walk alone, for God is with you.

Peace

Pastor Bill

¹⁷“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. ²¹But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:17-21

Our world is filled with darkness right now.  Our nation is filled with darkness.  There are so many problems, so many situations, so many issues that are beyond dark.  Somedays I just want to hide from the news (and everything else). 

There is good news.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome the light.  Never.

The judgment for the world is the light who has come. 

Take heart, while things might look bleak right now, the light is here and nothing can overcome it.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

This year, let us look at the example of the Magi, the “Wise Men” of Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12)

as inspiration for the New Year.

Here are some questions to ponder

The Magi looked to the stars for signs. 

Where am I looking?  Am I even looking for signs?

The Magi followed the star. 

Am I willing to follow the signs God sends me?

The Magi went to a place of importance and met with someone “in charge” to find their goal.

Can I go to the places of “importance” and find my target?

The Magi set out for Bethlehem to seek out the Christ Child.

Wise Men still seek him – am I?

The Magi were overjoyed when they arrived.

Am I overjoyed by my relationship with Jesus?

The Magi gave extravagant gifts.

Am I giving my all?

The Magi joyously left for home, but following a divine warning, went a different way to avoid those wanting to cause harm.

Am I willing to follow God and go a different direction to avoid those causing harm, and really do my ministry?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 

We stand upon the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.  As with each year, we have had great triumphs, frustrating setbacks and days in between.  We look forward to the opportunities of a new year and the hymn God of Our Life, Through All the Circling Years came to my mind.

Verse One:

God of our life, through all the circling years,
we trust in you;
in all the past, through all our hopes and fears,
your hand we view.
With each new day, when morning lifts the veil,
we own your mercies, Lord, which never fail.

Verse Three

God of the coming years, thro’ paths unknown
we follow you;
when we are strong, Lord, leave us not alone;
our faith renew.
Be now for us in life our daily bread,
our heart’s true home when all our years have sped.

As you journey into the New Year, try to leave behind all the disappointments of 2025 and look forward to the blessings of 2026.  Walk with God, as God leads you forward.

Peace and Blessings for the New Year,

Pastor Bill

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3

According to a song of the season, this is the “most wonderful time of the year”; yet for many it is filled with both joy and sadness.  The Christmas season brings up memories of years past and long-gone family members.  The hustle and bustle can become a burden rather than a fun adventure.  Planning, prepping, baking, shopping and wrapping sometimes becomes a chore and then some crooner is telling you to “be of good cheer”.  Yet maybe you are not.  Maybe in the midst of the joy and fun, you find yourself sad.

That is okay.

It is okay to feel the holiday sadness, the loss, even feeling alone while surrounded by many.  It is okay to sometimes not feel the “holly jolly”.  And it is okay to take this to God, for he will hear your cry.

Many churches have a “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” service.  If you can, take advantage of one.  Perhaps you have a favorite holiday tradition that brings you meaning, if so, allow it to comfort you.  Or maybe you need a little quiet place, away from the noise, the lights, even the excitement.  Find that place, listen to your needs, trust in your God for he will put a new song in your mouth.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79

These words of Zechariah the Priest are a part of his prayer, giving praise to God for a child, for the special role of his child, and for the fulfillment of the promise – for the Kingdom is at hand.

Zechariah tenderly speaks to his newborn son John about John’s call in life – to call people to repentance and announce the coming of the Messiah.

On one hand it sounds like an incredible ministry for John, yet on the other, it is very similar to our own.  Each of us are called to announce the Messiah, to spread the good news of Jesus in any way we can.

The Advent and Christmas seasons give us plenty of times and ways to spread the message; are you prepared to do so?

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 14

Typical of the prophetic word, Isaiah’s words have a dual meaning – one for the immediate situation, and one for the future.  In this passage, it is associated with a young woman named Mary, who is called to one of the most important ministries ever, becoming the mother of Jesus.

Jesus, the Messiah, is also called Immanuel, or God with us.  This is one of the key factors in our salvation, our life with God.  God is not “up there” watching over us like a disappointed, angry celestial being, rather God walks with us.  God has walked this earth as Jesus, going through life’s ups and downs, having friends, feeling loss, being tempted, getting into arguments and still pointing us towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

As you journey through this Advent season remember this: God is with you, each step of the way.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Psalm 66:1-2

What is your praise to God?  For what are you thankful?  As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is truly time to take a moment and think about all the things for which you are thankful.

Then, after considering all you are thankful for, what is your response?  What is the joyful noise you will make?  The psalmist calls us to make a joyful noise, to sing God’s glory; how will you do this?  How will you make known your joy to God’s blessings?

As you enter into this Thanksgiving week, remember to think about all of God’s blessings, and how you will tell your story.

Peace,

Pastor Bill