An Apocalyptic Easter
Posted on March 24, 2010
Filed Under Announcements, Sermons
Ok, so Revelation is not apocalyptic literature. It’s prophetic literature with apocalyptic character. I realize it is a strained point but it does set the compass on how one interprets the text. Words really do have meaning and change culture or in this case texts. Anyway on to Easter. I got to thinking. Easter is generally viewed through the lens of the gospels. But isn’t Easter in other texts? Which got me to thinking about Revelation and the drama of the end times. All of the Passion highlights are there; Palm Sunday (triumphant entry and victory), Good Friday (the cross) and Easter (resurrection). So, I will be preaching out of Revelation throughout Passion week. I will be starting in Revelation 7 on Palm Sunday. We tend to forget our history. The early church fathers used to focus on Lamentations throughout Lent. When was the last time the church focused on Lamentations at all? So, it is going to be an apocalyptic Easter. Revelation (the scariest book of the Bible) awaits. And it is a great ending for the people of God. WHB
Prayer Meeting Feb. 10th 2010
Posted on February 10, 2010
Filed Under Announcements
There will be no prayer meeting or other activities tonight due to the weather. Stay in and stay warm. -WHB
Sunday’s Comin’
Posted on January 13, 2010
Filed Under Announcements
Just a brief note. I am in Columbia SC this week taking a class. Things are going well. This Sunday Dr. Snyder will be in the pulpit. I’m sure God will speak thru him in a mighty. So, I hope to see you there. I will be back though a bit tired. God bless. WHB
Going Home
Posted on October 20, 2009
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Well, Don Jackson has crossed over to the other side and we said farewell today. Don led FCC thru a period of the wilderness and was one of the pillars in this ministry. We will miss him. We had a great memorial service today and I am recuperating and contemplating. Will R (deacon Will) will be bringing the Word from God the next couple of Sunday’s. I am taking a bit of time to map out some more of our journey through Acts that is about to begin. Thanks to all those who helped with the funeral and dinner. And thanks to Will for giving me a breather. WHB
Life, Deserts and Instability
Posted on October 13, 2009
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Just a note to the body. Thanks for great feedback on Sunday’s homily “Takla Makan,” How to find God in the desert. Speaking of deserts, Terry our church secretary has been ill lately. That means a few things are not getting done. Fortunately we can live without them. Right now please be in prayer for Terry. A lot of you call the office looking for her, but she is not here. If you need something call Art (don’t tell him I said this) or you can try me. Who knows maybe I will be able to help you. WHB
Dan Zuch
Posted on September 5, 2009
Filed Under Announcements
It will be great to have Dan and Rachel Zuch on Sunday. They are on furlough from Austria and it has been about 3 years since we last saw them. I look forward to seeing them getting more insight on the work there. For FCC this has been a long term relationship with the Zuch’s. We have been partnering for some time together in an effort to forward the gospel and see the Church thrive in Austria.
Next week we start our new series, “Back to School Special.” When I was a kid I remember watching, “after school specials.” The intent is to focus on life-long learning as a follower of Christ. Of course we will have to figure out how Jesus viewed life-long learning in the first place. Who knows, you might be surprised. Find out what our rabbi (Jesus) has to say. WHB
FAREWELLS
Posted on June 4, 2009
Filed Under Announcements, Pastor's Blog
By now most are aware that Pastor Justin has accepted the call to Berean Bible Church. We will miss him. His new parish awaits him. It has been six good years in which we have been able to make a sizeable investment in him and Annie. May our merciful God see fit to bring forth exceeding fruit from them. Here they have learned about community, accountabiity, service, leadership and the centrality of Jesus. By God’s grace may the life of Christ which he has known amongst us be carried with him (them) to their new parish.
This Sunday will be Justin’s last in the pulpit. Next Sunday I will deliver a “Farewll To Arms” sermon as we say goodbye to Justin and Annie. There will be a farewell barbecue held after Sunday School at the fellowship center. I certainly hope to see you all there. This of course is a “see you later” kind of thing. For Justin has merely been transferred to a new unit. We pray the anointing of God’s Spirit rest upon them as they go into the “trenches.” It will be all that with the horrors of war amidst the romance of Christ and his bride. May they know Godspeed. WHB
Twittering and related stuff
Posted on April 28, 2009
Filed Under Announcements
Yes, I have joined the twitterverse. If you want to keep up with what I am up to or read what I am reading (web articles) then tune in. Before we start our journey through Micah we will be making a pit stop in the gospels to sit at the feet of Jesus. The Master Teacher will show and tell us how it is done. This coming Sunday it is how to pray from Luke 11:1-13. This is a killer text about how to have a fierce conversation with God. This text will blow your sox off so wear a flak jacket. It takes courage to pray like Jesus. Humble thyself and ask for more of God in your life. See you there. WHB
UPDATES
Posted on January 22, 2009
Filed Under Announcements, Pastor's Blog
Most of us are pretty hunkered down in this cold spell. One good thing abou it is that it limits what you are able to do. I have been able to get a lot of reading in lately. I am just about through Exodus. One of the amazing things is that Moses and the elders get to have dinner with God up on the mountain. Despite that incredible experience they still rebel and worship the golden calf. You would think something like that would be enough to keep us faithful. We seem to have short memories.
As far as other reading goes. I just finished What’s the Shape of Narrative Preaching. At the end of December I flew through Jesus Wants to Save Christians Too (that was different). A couple of weeks ago I wrapped up Unchristian, What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity and I’m working my way through They like Jesus but Hate the Church. It all makes for interesting and controversial reading. I will have to come up for air soon and walk away from the books for a while.
Don’t forget that the Institute of Biblical Studies starts up this weekend. Sunday night at 6pm. We are starting the History of Israsel and will be focussing our attention on Joshua, Judges and Ruth. Definitely a different flavor as the discussion is more involved. We work on grasping the meaning/intent of the text and extrapolating a biblical theology from it. Is there more to Jericho than what you already think? What was the athor of Judges trying to accomplish? How did Israel’s moral and spiritual decay affect the role of women in the nation? All of this is there (in the text) but you will have to show up to find out. See you there. WHB
A SLOW START
Posted on January 10, 2009
Filed Under Announcements
Well, we are getting a slow start around here this year. As you can see there have been a lack of updates and regular, weekly posting. Unfortunately our secretary has been back in the hospital. So she needs your prayers. Her health is more important than our webpage. So, we have no bulletin, updated prayer requests or announcements. I will make a brief plug for the Bible Institute which will be starting back up on January 25th. We will be studying History of Israel (former prophets). Most of our time will be spent in Joshua, judges and Ruth. I’m excited about it. There is some incredible stuff in there. Sp please pray for Terry and things will get back to normal in the near future. God bless. WHB