Today begins the church season of Advent. It means "coming" or "arrival." The entire season focuses on the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his repeating Advents.

Do you ever talk to yourself? Of course you do. I do, too. I usually don’t do it out loud; but I do it all of the time. I carry on running conversations with myself.

This is the first of two Sunday messages where we will focus on stewardship. Let’s begin with the scripture we heard read… This brief passage is known as the story of the Widow’s Mite.

This is the first of two Sunday messages where we will focus on stewardship. Let’s begin with the scripture we heard read… This brief passage is known as the story of the Widow’s Mite.

Salvation is an important concept in faith. It’s about being saved. It’s not a destination word (someplace where you have arrived) – it’s a journey word (it’s about direction in life).

Some years ago I was in the midst of a novel when a character’s description got my attention. I like it when a writer comes out with some insight that particularly speaks to me.

Perhaps you have heard of a Chinese proverb that says, May you live in interesting times. Actually it is an English expression said to be the translation of a traditional Chinese curse.

Last week’s message finished with some thinking about how our experience of faith is shaped by expectation.

Have you ever tried to imagine what it was like to be with Jesus way back then? You know… walking. Going to towns and villages, listening to him preach and teach.

Our reading from the Gospel of Mark is a collection of Jesus’ sayings. They are warnings about maintaining good relationships with others. The centerpiece of the passage is this…

The Bible is a collection of writings about God. The many stories are ancient, the languages foreign, yet through them we can discern spiritual wisdom for our lives.

They call the city of Redlands, California the “jewel of the Inland Empire.” Karen and I think so, too. It is a wonderful city, and we were part of a wonderful congregation for six years which was, and still is, very dear to us

The story is told of a young, newly promoted executive of a bank who made an appointment to talk with the executive who was retiring to seek some counsel and advice.

The year before Covid a high school classmate asked if I would be willing to perform the wedding of her daughter to her future son-in-law.

From 1962 to 1967 my family lived at 926 10th Street, just a couple blocks from the beach. That house was built in the same year as the Hotel del … in 1888

One of the churches I served is the University United Methodist Church located in Irvine.

We’re talking about Karma today, all of us have some relationship with the concept, although we may not understand it in the same way.

Our focus today is the first portion of the scripture reading. I’m going to paraphrase with some comment. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem.

Elijah lived in the 9th century BC. That’s about 3000 years ago. He shows up in the Book of 1 Kings with no fanfare.

I have a dear friend named Barbara Kilgore… the Rev. Dr. Barbara Kilgore. Barbara and I were in seminary together along with her husband John.

Let’s begin with reflection. When we have a birthday we’ll often reflect on our lives. Today is Pentecost… affectionately known as the birthday of the church.

Some of you know my sister, Kelly. She lives in New Zealand. She is married to Neal, who is a Kiwi. Neal is an engineer specializing in water projects. He spent many years working for Team New Zealand.

During the summer after my freshman year of college I toured with a gospel music group called the Continental Singers. They were fashioned after Up With People, which may be a more familiar name.