Author Archives: Josh

Swords and plowshares

Good morning, Friends! This weekend is Memorial Day, which for a lot of people is just another 3-day weekend for people to get their garden planted, or go to the lake, or shop for summer clothes. The school year is … Continue reading

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How did it all end?

Good morning, Friends! It’s been three weeks since Easter. I expect most of you all have probably moved on since then. We’re back to our daily routine. Things haven’t changed that much for us. For Jesus’ friends though, the changes … Continue reading

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The power of prayer

One of my best friends for many years was a woman named Sue. I passed her office every day as I walked to the meetinghouse, and I stopped in to see her often to talk or to laugh together. Sue … Continue reading

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Memorial Day (May 2017)

When I was a boy, Memorial Day marked the beginning of summer. At the end of May, people were still putting their gardens in, evenings were still cool, spring peepers were calling from the ponds, and farmers were getting in … Continue reading

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Are we ready to change? (May 2017)

Last spring when I came to Springfield to interview, the Transition Committee told me they had done a meeting-wide survey. Everyone in the meeting, the committee said, agreed on three things: 1. We want to be non-judgmental2. We want to … Continue reading

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Doubting Thomas

Good morning, Friends! Last week was Easter, and it’s always tempting to say, “There! That’s all done for another year! The trouble is, Easter is really the beginning of the Christian story. In a way, the gospels and all of … Continue reading

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In the garden

  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the … Continue reading

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Servant/Savior

Good morning, Friends! This morning, as you know, is Palm Sunday. We’ve already heard the children with the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. One of the things you’ve probably noticed, as you’ve read the Bible on your own, is … Continue reading

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A New Commandment

Good morning, Friends! We’ve been doing two things here at worship for the last couple of months. We’ve been spending a lot of time with the gospel of John. And we’ve been moving slowly and steadily towards Easter. I think … Continue reading

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The message of Easter (April 2017)

Everything in Christian life, thought and culture has its roots in Easter. It all starts here. Bach and Handel and Michelangelo. All of the hymns we sing. All of Christian art and literature. All of our history – every separate … Continue reading

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