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,…

With the complicated nature of cars these days,  we almost never open on the hood of our cars.  But I remember as a kid,  working on our Model K- cars with my dad.  I remember the marvel of seeing all the parts working together to make the car move.  I also remember sometimes seeing mouse…

I wanted to thank you so much for your prayers for and support of Pastor Nick as he continues to pursue his ordination. Happily, he “passed” his final interview for ordination at the Midwinter Conference with the Board of Ordered Ministry and we will look forward to his ordination on July 1 this summer in…

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.  – 2 Cor. 7:10 Paul wrote these words after having had to write a pretty sharp letter to the church in the greek town of Corinth.  He wanted them to understand that when we are challenged to live our life…

What has the Lord been stirring in you lately? I used to expect that God would deliver a personal message to me every day. I believe God can do this, particularly when we are reading scripture on a regular basis, but I’m finding in this season of my life, the Lord seems to stretch themes…