Certainly sharing and spreading the good news was at the very top! But Jesus knew that the longevity of the new multi-ethnic people of God would require some organization. These new believers would need the support of one another to not only grow and keep their faith but also provide for themselves. They would need…

Two chances to show up in our neighborhood One of the tasks for Orchard Covenant is to be a good neighbor in Indian Orchard.  To be present and a part of the community,  in part because that is just what a good neighbor does,  but also because if we want Indian Orchard to see what…

A blessed Holy Week to you, Church! I hope you have set aside some time to contemplate Christ’s journey to the cross this week. If you haven’t, keep reading! Thanks to the focus of our Lenten sermon series about the last words Jesus spoke before he died on the cross, Pastor Nick and I have…

This was an honest question one of our teens asked Dina at Youth Group this Sunday. Dina did a great job with her answer, she answered honestly saying something like, “There have been times in my life when I knew something that happened was Jesus at work. There have been times in my life when…

Evangelism:  What’s after being a good, trusted friend? I was so happy to get feedback from someone that is doing the missional challenges!  But one of the things she commented was that her friends that she is praying for and showing love to, just aren’t interested in faith or spiritual things.  This makes her feel stuck. …

Praise the Lord that Easter is coming! Amen! I can’t wait! What a wonderful Sunday it will be celebrating the resurrection of our Lord on April 9! Preparations are at work: Jeanne Foster m(413.455.9808) is busy organizing the breakfast. Brenda is buying candy for the Easter Egg Hunt. Music rehearsals are happening. Your pastors are…

Have you been doing the missional challenges? God spreads his kingdom through us,  his church.  It is the rare exception that you hear God’s spirit work without the influence of God’s people.  It is not easy,  but the good news needs newsboys (and girls) to spread it.  But we know that it is not easy, …

Greetings OCC! I hope you are well and having a good week! I am glad to be on this side of last weekend. I had the privilege of being the speaker for a second year in a row at the Mother/Daughter Retreat at Pilgrim Pines. Ironic, I know, seeing as I have no daughters. Doesn’t…

Blessed Lent, Mission Friends of Orchard Covenant! Instead of my own words,  I thought I’d hand the mic over to Cathy Norman Peterson,  editor of Covenant Companion. Here is a snippet and then I encourage all of you to click the link to read the whole article: “Esau McCaulley writes about the pitfalls of being…

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Can you believe that Lent begins next week on February 22 (Ash Wednesday)? Several years ago I read a story about a pregnant woman who asked her priest what she should give up for Lent. He told her, “Nothing. You have already given up your body, your schedule,…