Dear Friends, Author Glennon Doyle Melton, in her new book Love Warrior, writes “I wonder why it’s so much easier to be honest with strangers than with family.” We pondered this question together in worship on Sunday. One reason could be that with strangers, we don’t...
My family had a great time at the Home Fest at First this weekend. In particular, the kids loved the Donut Man, the bouncy house, the face-painting, and the outdoor worship service both Saturday night and Sunday morning. As we were driving home on Saturday night Lylah said, “mom, guess...
With the summer coming to an end, we approach an exciting time! In the last seven years of life in Iowa, I’ve come to love the Fall – the beginning of fall sports, the mild weather, the beautiful changes in the scenery, preparation for...
In Mark 3, Jesus chooses some of his disciples to go up on a mountain with him, and it’s there that he reveals that he’s chosen these 12 men to be his apostles. These 12 men are the ones that Jesus gives authority to: authority to preach and to cast out demons. From his many...
In our liturgy we use in worship services marking significant life events, we sometimes use the phrase, “Without God’s grace, no promise is sure.” Indeed, there is much uncertainty in life. One of the only things for which we can be...
Fuller Theological Seminary has been conducting a study of churches with successful youth ministries in recent years. They’ve put the study together in the form of a book, entitled, Growing Young. In preparation for the book launch, they have been sending out various email newsletter...
“…to whom much has been given, much will be expected.” These potent words from Jesus, recorded in Luke 12:48, have been on my mind recently. Gabriel recently asked the worship team to consider one person who...
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the question I asked in last Sunday’s sermon, “How do we know when it’s time to take a stand for something?” In our country’s current political...
You have to expect that I’ll write about my two-week trip to Israel in my first opportunity with the Newsletter… In short, the trip was amazing. There are so many ways that it was a rich blessing to Sara and me. We...
Hi Friends! Austin and I had an incredible time in the Holy Land. One word that can best describe the trip is enriching. It enriched me personally as it brought vision to my faith by seeing the places where the Biblical events took place. It will enrich my ministry for the years to come as I...
